[Paul S.]

just got my AO Ghost Ring rear sight for my Mini-14, now I understand why it's called a "ghost ring"...you can bareley see it when focusing at a target and front sight! I assume this is the way it's supposed to be? Obviousy I have a much better sight picture than with the original peep sight disk, but I find that it's hard to bring my HK-style front sight within the rear sight, at least right now. Is this a matter of getting used to it?

P.

 

[doorgunner]

Paul: I have an Ashley peep on my stainless GB Folder. It takes some getting used to, but once you acquire a "taste for it", you'll really appreciate it. It really opens up your peripherial vision, and lets you concentrate on the front sight, which is what you should be doing. Get a consistent cheek weld, trust the rear peep, and concentrate on the front sight.

I'm not sure if the Ashley is the right sight for everyone, but it has always felt good to me. Good luck, and good shooting.:sniper:

 

[Paul S.]

What about painting it with fluorescent paint or something? Think that would help?

I am kinda getting used to it though...

 

[doorgunner]

I wouldn't tell you not to, but I think that any color besides black is going to flush out in any type of bright light. I would recommend being patient and working with it. It's, in my humble opinion, a far superior peep than the factory issue. Good shooting.

 

[Paul S.]

I forgot to ask you, what kind of front sight do you use?

 

[doorgunner]

It's a stainless GB, and I am using the standard GB front sight. All GB front sight/bayonet lug assemblies are blued steel, regardless of what (blued or stainless) the rest of the weapon is. I don't care much for the standard Mini-14 front sight, but some folks do.

 

[Paul S.]

ok, I was just wondering if my HK-style front sight contributes to my difficulty, since the front ring completely "overwhelms" the rear ghost ring. I wonder if using just a blade front sight would improve this.

gotta admit that the sight picture/ peripheral vision is much, much better. but if only the ghost ring were just a tad wider. hmmm..maybe I can build my own custom ghost ring with the factory peep. that's a thought...

thanks

 

[Bill]

Paul-

It sounds like you are trying to use it like a target sight, where you center one ring inside the other. This isn't how you use a combat sight!

You practice a consistent cheek weld that centers your eye in the rear peep. When you focus on the front sight, the rear is GONE and the target is fuzzy as well. Just put the top of the front blade into the center of mass of the target and you're done.

If you got an Ashley ghost ring in the hopes of making a more accurate bench rest shot from 100 yards, you've got the wrong rear sight. The purpose of the Ashley is to make it easier to acquire a sight picture, at the expense of a slight loss of accuracy (potentially). Depending on the accuracy of your cheek weld, you can minimize this accuracy loss.

 

[doorgunner]

Bill your 100% correct, and I'm glad that you appreciate how significant having a consistent cheek weld is. I actually shoot a little better, at least I feel like I do, with the Ashley rear sight. I'm not a huge fan of H&K weapons or their sighting systems, even though I have an issue H&K. I know that they have a great track record, and I've put a couple of thousand rounds through H&K's, but their sights suck IMHO. I really appreciate the wide post front sight with the protected ears (ie. M1,M14,M16,Mini-14GB, etc). My suggestion is that sights are like riflescopes.....there's something out there for everyone's tastes, budget, and application. My choice of sights tend to fit my taste and the manner in which I utilize my weapon. I would suggest that you keep looking, until you find something that works for YOU. Then train with it. Happy hunting.