Single Plane Sighting Systems: The Future of Handgun Sights Part Deux

Most of the history of handguns iron sights have been the standard. Notch and post, 3 dot, 3 dot nightsights, and so on. It's only been over the last 10 years that single plane miniature red dots and other types of sights have been used. The success of these sighting systems is found in their inherent accuracy potential and speed of use. Though many of these systems tend to have a learning curve, some are easier than others.

Single plane of view sighting systems are the way of the future for handgun sights. This is just a different take on what red dots have been doing for decades now. I currently run a Trijicon RMR RM05 9 MOA amber dot on a Gen 4 Glock 19. The RMR doesn't interfere with drawing or holstering with a proper rig. It's fast and very accurate but it does have a learning curve. I like this particular RMR version because it requires no batteries as it is a fiber optic/tritium lamp reticle projector system.




Meprolight, the Israeli version of what Trijicon does tends to keep things a bit more simple and low profile. The key here is cost and simplicity. Meprolight tends to be very patient with new product introductions. Because of this when they do release a product to the open market it is usually a game changer. I think this brings single plane optics to handguns at an extremely affordable price compared to Trijicons 3 dot nightsight systems or the RMR, which is a $500 optic.

Meprolight's FT Bullseye Sight is $170 bucks brand new and takes the trouble of sight alignment out of the equation while still maintaining the feel and philosophy of use of traditional pistol sights.



A sight system like this would have a learning curve as well, but I believe this system is simpler to learn than the RMR and similar sighting systems like the Leupold Deltapoint or the Burris Fastfire line.

I always enjoy bringing new products to the attention of my fellow shooters. Hopefully something I presented here will pique your interest. I'm probably going to put a cover plate on my RMR slot on my slide and remove the suppressor sights I have in order to give this baby a try.

Happy Shooting!

We used to have a shooting match with pistols every month. Cathy was one of the first to go with the new sighting system... She kicked every one's butt..... she was always a good shot but got better with the sight and scoring..

a reply to: 727Sky

I did about 3 or 4 hours of initial training with my RMR before I became comfortable with it.

I think something like what Meprolight is offering would take considerably less time to learn and I'm willing to bet I could be far more accurate with it than the RMR.

a reply to: projectvxn

Is that 170 dollar price tag the MSRP, or dealer price?

A little steep for my budget at the moment.

originally posted by: seagull
a reply to: projectvxn

Is that 170 dollar price tag the MSRP, or dealer price?

A little steep for my budget at the moment.

$200 MSRP $170 dealer price at least at Optics Planet.

With the Christmas shopping season barely starting to ramp up I'm guessing there will be coupon codes, discounts codes, and other incentives to bring the price down.

They are pretty cool, I've shot a few guns with them but personally I tend to like a good set of iron sights a little more.

If you get a handgun that fits you well and points good, the sights become less important and it is more about muscle memory, like an extension of your arms. That's how I feel with my XD.

The Trijicon is cool tech but too bulky for a hand gun, also there's no way to carry conceal that bad boy with an extra inch bulge hanging off the top of the slide. Seems more at home on a utility rail of an AR or even a shot gun. Also personally I know I'd find focusing through that bulky frame a pain in the ass to focus through, especially when is bouncing around under rapid fire.

Personally my 3 dot Tritium night sights work just fine. If you can't use those some would suggest you shouldn't be shooting at all in the 1st place.

You guys know how the saying goes, If it ain't broke....

a reply to: AlongCamePaul

3 dot sights are antiquated.

I'm all about embracing new technology.

I long ago qualified with every weapon a squad carries into combat. Don't assume things.

a reply to: projectvxn

I love new tech as well and will embrace some of the new sighting, but only on some arms. I feel similar to the poster above in some regards as inside of 100 ft. on a longer barrel handgun I dont see the need for a dot, I clover or tighter at that range with those arms.

Now if I ever take my 7" .454 out on a deer hunt like I keep threatening, I would consider buying the picatiny mount and slapping a dot on it, Im pretty sure my hunting buddies would be pissed with a miss, just because I want to shoot a pistol.

Have you found the same?..as in 100 feet and less, iron is perfectly fine?

a reply to: BlueJacket

Handguns are close range weapons. Within 25 meters just about any sights are perfect.

With the RMR I have successfully taken my Glock 19 to 100 yards with an 8 inch spread on a man sized steel target.

With the Meprolight sight I don't know. Until I have a chance to test them I won't have any data to provide.

a reply to: projectvxn


I tend to disagree with this suggestion of the best form of pistol sight form.

Let's get serious. Nothing is better than a laser sight system. The bulk would be about the same or even less than the one touted. A laser works in all conditions better than any other. It provides a simple and true "point and shoot" capability that totally removes the moves that the shooter must do to attain the target. Basically, have eyes on the target and position the laser dot on the target.

Want a graphic example? Imagine you are crouching behind a 55 gal. barrel in a gun fight. With your laser you can shoot the gun from behind one side of the barrel while you are looking at your target and laser dot from the other. The whole aspect of acquiring the target in your guns sights and getting on target is eliminated. Viewed another way, you can shoot from the hip without bringing the gun up to literally aim.

originally posted by: Aliensun
a reply to: projectvxn


I tend to disagree with this suggestion of the best form of pistol sight form.

Let's get serious. Nothing is better than a laser sight system. The bulk would be about the same or even less than the one touted. A laser works in all conditions better than any other. It provides a simple and true "point and shoot" capability that totally removes the moves that the shooter must do to attain the target. Basically, have eyes on the target and position the laser dot on the target.

Want a graphic example? Imagine you are crouching behind a 55 gal. barrel in a gun fight. With your laser you can shoot the gun from behind one side of the barrel while you are looking at your target and laser dot from the other. The whole aspect of acquiring the target in your guns sights and getting on target is eliminated. Viewed another way, you can shoot from the hip without bringing the gun up to literally aim.

All you say is true... until you grab your gun out of the safe in a crisis situation and realize the batteries are dead.

a reply to: Aliensun

Lasers hardly ever stand up to recoil forces. I would never use a laser sight system . They have been around for years and the best ones are prohibitively expensive. Most commercial lasers for pistols are useless. They don't hold zero, the electronics shake apart with every shot, and the battery life is abysmal.

The RMR is a proven system.

Time will tell if Meprolight has a gold mine with their Bullseye system or a dud. But since they seem to produce fantastic optics I'm betting it works just fine.

Neither system discussed in the original post requires batteries to be operated.

a reply to: FauxMulder

One of the best stock sights I've ever used was the Styer M9A1 trapezoidal sight system that comes standard. Best natural pointing pistol I've ever used.

originally posted by: Aliensun
a reply to: projectvxn


I tend to disagree with this suggestion of the best form of pistol sight form.

Let's get serious. Nothing is better than a laser sight system. The bulk would be about the same or even less than the one touted. A laser works in all conditions better than any other. It provides a simple and true "point and shoot" capability that totally removes the moves that the shooter must do to attain the target. Basically, have eyes on the target and position the laser dot on the target.

Want a graphic example? Imagine you are crouching behind a 55 gal. barrel in a gun fight. With your laser you can shoot the gun from behind one side of the barrel while you are looking at your target and laser dot from the other. The whole aspect of acquiring the target in your guns sights and getting on target is eliminated. Viewed another way, you can shoot from the hip without bringing the gun up to literally aim.

The downside to laser sights are that they give away initial position and show who or what is being targeted at any given time. Given that, once things start, they seem to be advantageous. I still use iron sights because they are about as foolproof as one can get and do not require any batteries, fibers, T-sources and such. While I scope rifles, I won't own one that does not have iron sights, also.