There are many different sight options available on the market today, and everybody seems to want some type of optic as there go-to sight package. My view is that optics are great when they work, but if there is a problem, you are in trouble. So I have switched most of my self defense rifles back to open sights.
They may not work for long range shooting but most of your self defense shooting is close-up. Let’s explore the peep sight and see if it might be something that would work for you.
What Do You Consider A Self Defense Rifle?
Google defines a self-defense rifle is any rifle, regardless of model or caliber, that is chosen and used primarily for protecting oneself or others from a threat. But I think that is a little too general as this would potentially be a very large number of rifles. When a rifle is used for self defense it is helpful for a rifle to be compact, in a manageable caliber, easy to handle and the user must be comfortable with that rifle . This is making a better definition for a self defense rifle.
Many people feel that the AR-15 is a popular choice due to its versatility and stopping power, any rifle that is comfortable, controllable, and chambered in an appropriate caliber for the user’s needs can be considered a self-defense rifle. But not all people are comfortable using a military type rifle. That being said, one of my
favorite home defense rifles is the Lever action carbine. the action is quick and easy to cycle and it comes in many different calibers: .357 Mag, .44 Mag and .30-30. Many people like using the .357 Mag or the .44 Mag as a self defense rifle as the recoil is low but the power behind the bullet is adequate for protection.
What Is A Peep Sight?

- Improved Accuracy: The aperture helps the shooter’s eye focus on the front sight and target, leading to better accuracy.
- Enhanced Vision: Peep sights can improve vision, especially in low-light conditions, by allowing the shooter to see the front sight and target more clearly.
- Consistent Aim: The aperture encourages consistent eye placement and helps the shooter maintain a proper shooting stance.
Types:
- Standard Peep Sights: These are commonly found on rifles, especially for target shooting or hunting.
- Competition Peep Sights: These sights are designed for precision shooting and often feature adjustable windage and elevation.
- Hunting Peep Sights: These sights are designed for hunting and are typically mounted on the tang of the rifle.
Why Would I Want A Peep Sight On Your Rifle?
- Improved Accuracy and Consistency:By restricting the field of view to a small aperture, peep sights force the shooter to focus on the front sight and the target, leading to more precise alignment and consistent shots.
- Enhanced Focus:The small aperture of a peep sight helps to sharpen the shooter’s focus, making it easier to see and center the front sight and the target.
- Confirmation of Anchor Point:A peep sight provides a visual confirmation that the shooter is anchored correctly, which is crucial for consistent and accurate shots.
- Better Sight Picture:Peep sights allow for a clearer and more precise sight picture, as the shooter can focus on both the front sight and the target simultaneously.
- Longer Distance Accuracy:Peep sights are particularly beneficial for longer-distance shooting, as they help to maintain accuracy by ensuring consistent alignment of the front sight with the target.
- Low Light Performance:While a small aperture can improve accuracy, larger peep sights can be used in low-light conditions to allow more light through, according to Bowhunter
Who Makes Good Peep Sights?
There are many good sight manufacturers out there that produce peep sights. I really like Skinner Sights style of peep sights on my Henry lever guns, I have a .30-30, and .45-70 caliber rifles that I use with these sights. (upper picture) they are nicely made and work excellent on these rifles, I also use Williams Sight Company’s 5D peep sight on my Winchester 94 (.30-30)
, I would rather use the Skinner version but I have run into some issues in getting them ready for those sights. Lastly I use the XS Sight System on my Mossberg shotgun, I have their XS night sights
on my pump shotguns (12 gauge)(Lower picture). This way the lever guns work great in the daytime and the shotguns work great at night.
Are these the only ones that are good – absolutely not! These are just the ones I am partial to. What are some other sight manufacturers to consider:
- Redfield
- Lyman
- Marbles Arms
- NECG (New England Custom Gun)
- Traditions
- AirForce.
This is not a inclusive list but they are some of the better sight companies out there.
How Do You Decide Which One To Buy?
Now that you have a few peep sights to choose from, how do you decide which one to buy?
- I like to start by doing some research on each of the peep sights and start to narrow down your list to two or so.
- Make sure that you read the reviews so you can get others opinions about those sights.
- Go talk to a few of your favorite gun shops and get their perspective on their favorites.
Once that you have this information about each sight, the decision is now yours, Will they work for you? I like to rank the sights, this helps me determine which sight is best for my application.
Should I Install It Myself Or Go To A Gunsmith?
The factor that helps me determine the answer to this question is the amount of gunsmithing necessary in the installation. If there is very little gunsmithing necessary then it is something that most people can do. But if it requires some steps that only a gunsmith can do then maybe it is a good idea to have them complete the job.
One thing that helps any installation these days is YouTube. Know matter what you are wanting to do, there is probably a YouTube segment about that subject. So installing peep sights would be no difference, there is a good chance that that someone has installed the exact peep sight that you are wanting to use. After watching this video you will know whether you want to do the installation yourself of pay someone else to do it.
Final Comments
- Automatic centering:The eye naturally centers itself within the peep sight’s aperture, simplifying sight alignment.
- Sharper focus:The small hole in the peep sight acts like a camera lens, increasing depth of field and creating a sharper image of both the front sight and the target.
- Reduced eye strain:By simplifying the alignment process, peep sights can reduce the effort required to focus on the sights, potentially alleviating eye strain.
- Longer sight radius:Peep sights can be mounted further back on the rifle, increasing the distance between the front and rear sights (the sight radius). A longer sight radius generally leads to greater accuracy.
If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.
All the best,
Larry
Founder of EDC Essentials