Rilfe Sights vs. Ghost Rings?

[Vigilant]

Any thoughts as to which is better on a police/defense shotgun? I assume you could pick up the target a little more quickly with ghost rings, but would rifle sights at least come close?

Thanks,

Vig

[salvo]

Ghost rings seem to be faster for me, the ones that came with my 590A1 come right up on target like you wouldnt believe. I can shut my eyes, shoulder the weapon then open them and it's right there, no cheek weld adjustment at all.
Rifle sites might give you better accuracy with the long shots and slugs though.

[Vigilant]

I'm poking around, looking for a good used 870 Police for the trunk. I just don't trust the finish on an Express for that role. I may just pick one up with a bead front sight, and fork over the dough for a set of Wilson Combat tritium Ghost Rings, or something similar.

I'll give GlocksterPaulie a shout before I buy any sights. :beer:

[MrMurphy]

I'm more accurate with the ghost rings. Speed is also faster, and if you're military trained, the sight pic is nearly identical to the M1/M14/M16/M4/AT4 rocket launcher.

[9mmMike]

I like rifle sights much better. If you put a set of AO or Xpress or whatever they're called now on a rifle-sighted barrel you may find that they are very quick to aquire. This is especially handy if you ever need to shoot the shotty from the weak side and your cheek-weld is not as automagic for you. With a peep (or more fashionably "ghost ring") you really need a good weld for that rear sight alignment.
The shallow V of the AO's is far more forgiving, IMHO.
As far as accuracy goes (we're talking about a shotgun right?) the peeps are the way to go.
Go shoot some sporting clays and see how many folks use peeps. They are not really fast at all unless your target is not moving. They sure look cool though.
Feel free to disagree.
Mike

[walkin' trails]

The ghost ring/XS sights are going to be a lot better or combat shooting. The rifle sights are not going to be as quick to pick up always, but once you do, they're pretty accurate in my experience. They're cheaper, too.

[M1Garand]

For the effective range covered by shotgun, both rifle sight and ghost ring sight are equally effective and fast.

Some people prefers ghost ring sights because they are suppose to be quicker on target acquisition; however, rifle sights are just as quick if not quicker for people who are used to rifle sights (on rifles and handguns). Ghost ring sight may limit range of view vs. open rifle sights have good view of surroundings.

It is a matter of personal preference. My 870 has Trijicon rifle sight, and my Benelli M1014 has ghost ring sight. They are equally accurate and fast.

[G. Glock]

I'd agree with M1Garand on this. For defensive shotgun ranges, either is going to be fine.

I do lean towards the ghost ring, as I just love the ones on my old Scattergun Tech 870. And in just shooting on my range at metal silhouettes at various distances out to 80 yards, I don't see any disadvantage with the ghost ring as compared with the rifle sights on my Super 90.

And if you don't shoot slugs much, you ought to buy a few boxes and go have some fun. You'll be surprised at how accurate they are.

[Squaw Man Wolfer]

As your stated purpose is defence, NEITHER ghost ring NOR rifle sights. Just use the cheapest brass front bead. Your cheek weld on the stock is your rear sight. Point, (not aim) bead on target, and bust 'em. That is the way of the shotgun.

I think that too many people pimp up the shotgun.

[jmb79]

I am a firm believer in the utility and even the superiority of ghost ring sights on a social shotgun. That said, I predict that rifle sights, espcially the XS sights will gain popularity starting now.

One advantage of the barrel mounted rifle sights is that there is considerably less change of loosing you zero when/if you take down the weapon for cleaning. Because both the front and rear sighs are affixed to the barrel, taking down the weapon and putting it back together does not involve the chance of changing the alignment between receiver and barrel. Ghost rings on the other hand have a receiver mounted rear sight and barrel mounted front sight...

[Ron3]

Good point JMB79. I think I've had this happen in the past with my Mossy 500. I haven't taken it apart to clean it in awhile and perhaps I just won't take it apart when I clean it in the future.

I've found the ghost ring sight on my 500 to be just as good as the rifle sights I've used on a family members Benelli M3 and an old Savage 12 guage I used to have. I wouldn't bother switching from one to the other, but if I were to buy a new shotgun now I'd rather have rifle sights.

They (rifle sights) are less obtrusive to me. The Mossberg ghost ring sights are rugged but I still think I could accidently bang it into something and damage them. I also think they reduce my feild of view a little.

But they are okay so I'm not going to change them.

Bead sights are out though, unless you never plan to use slugs at all or at least not past 25yds. Maybe they are why some people think slugs are innacurate?

[Leigh]

Originally posted by Ron3
Bead sights are out though, unless you never plan to use slugs at all or at least not past 25yds. Maybe they are why some people think slugs are innacurate?

Your choice of sights depend on exactly WHAT you plan to use your shotgun for. For hunting, better sights equal better accuracy. That is a given. For home defense, other than possibly a tritium front there is litle "wrong" with a simple bead front sight.

If you have ANY room inside your home that exceeds 25 yards you can probably afford to hire round-the-clock security personnel!
As far as any outdoor "encounters" go, I'll take just about any rifle (.223 and bigger) and even then, the scenarios are pretty limited for the use of deadly force at longer ranges.

[nndavec]

I have found that the ghost ring seems to be faster, but the rifle sights seem to work better with slugs at 100 yards and further. The ghost ring front sight seems too wide at these distances.