How to Use a BB Gun Sight

BB guns can be a great deal of fun to shoot. They are excellent for introducing people with no experience to the shooting sports. They are lightweight, easy to operate and because the BB is propelled by compressed air or, in some cases springs, there is little to no recoil or sound, two things that sometimes put off or frighten first time shooter. BB guns are also helpful in teaching children under adult supervision the importance of gun safety and the larger life lesson of responsibility. When shooting, even with a BB gun, it is important to learn sound fundamentals. This article will assume that you already know where place your hands on a BB gun and how to properly hold it. For this article you will not actually be shooting, simply learning how to use the sights.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• BB gun
• A target, preferably a paper bulls eye style

1. Ensure that the BB gun is not loaded.

2. Examine the BB gun. Locate both the front (farthest away from you when holding the gun in a firing position) and the rear (closest to you when holding the gun in a firing position).

3. Notice that the rear sight is wider than the front and that it has a notch in the center of it. The front sight is narrow when looked at along the barrel from the rear of the gun.

4. 

   Place your hands in the proper places and hold the gun in the ready to fire position. While looking down the barrel, line up the narrow front sight in the center of the notch on the rear sight. You will want to try to have the front sight exactly centered in the notch and the top of the front sight level and in line with the top of the rear sight. It should look like the photo.

5. As space allows, place the target approximately 10 to 20 feet away.

6. With the gun pointing in the direction of the target, repeat Step 4. Keeping the front and rear sight properly positioned line both sights up with the target. The collective image that you are looking at at this time is called the “Sight Picture.” Holding the gun steady and in this alignment you are now ready to fire.

7. 

   This photo illustrates the effects of improper alignment of the front and rear sight.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not possible for the human eye to focus on two things when one is near and the other far. When looking at your sight picture, you can not focus simultaneously on the rear sight, front sight and the target. When shooting the proper thing to do while aligning the sights as described above is to focus on the front sight while allowing the rear sight and target to become a bit out of focus.
• BB guns are not toys. They fire projectiles and can still cause injury and damage.
• Always wear proper eye protection when firing a BB gun.
• While you may be using a BB gun and not an actual firearm you should still practice the basic rules of gun safety (which can be found at the link below.) If you are instructing or supervising a child or first time shooter of any age, teach them these rules as well.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

Resources

• Gun Safety Rules