Which is correct? There are a myriad of sight picture options that shooters have used to great effect over the years. The sight picture that allows you to consistently shoot the smallest group, with a minimal shift in zeros, is the correct one. In the next few paragraphs we will explore a few of the more commonly used sight picture options. Remember, for any shooter to be successful, consistent sight picture must be complemented by front sight focus and sight alignment.

The reason for the 6 o'clock hold is that it provides a more consistant poa (better reference point) in iron sight target shooting sight adjustments are made and recorded for different ranges (thus different size bulls) this hold is meant for target shooting, not combat nor hunting or using a scope. That said, I think the six o'clock hold is better for target shooting (e.g. Bullseye shooting) while center is better for plinking. Without a big target ring to aim at, six o'clock holds are hard to line up. If you do have a target ring to sight in on, six o'clock is much better.

Center Hold – With a center hold the front sight placed directly in the center of the target. A center hold is great in different light conditions. On a bright day the target appears small. On a dark day the target appears large. In these different light conditions the center of the target is always in the center. A shooter who has problems with elevation shots in various light conditions may benefit from a center hold.

6 O’clock – With the 6 O’clock hold the front sight is placed at the bottom of the aiming black. For many shooters, this hold allows precision placement of the front sight. The ability to accurately call your shots will come with time and experience. Light changes, which alter the appearance of the target, may affect shooters who utilize the 6 O’clock hold.

Sub 6 – The sub 6 is just like the 6 O’clock hold, only there is a small line of white between the front sight and the aiming black. Many shooters have a problem determining the exact 6 O’clock position with their front sight, but by using a sub 6 or line of white they may be able to better estimate their hold.

Frame Hold – With the frame hold, just like with the other holds, the front sight is in the center of the rear sight. The front sight can then be placed at the 6 or 12 O’clock position on the frame when there is no visible aiming point. This hold is typically reserved for foul weather and poor light conditions. By placing the front sight at the top or bottom of the frame, a shooter may hold better when there is little target to see. It can be difficult to hold a tight group this way, but it may add more hits in bad conditions. This technique is normally applied when shooting longer ranges such 600 or 1000 yards.
Along with the sight picture options described above, here are some general aiming guidelines for effective shooting:

1. With all holds you must be able to see the front sight, the crisp top-edge of the front sight. The target image is second. Most people want to see the target clearly. If they do see the target clearly they probably cannot see the front sight well. You only need to see down range well enough to see your number board to eliminate the possibility of crossfiring.
   

2. Sight clarity can be improved with front sight size changes. A wide front sight works well with most shooters. Your vision is drawn to a wider sight and away from the target. Rear sight size changes can add to the clarity by allowing more or less light in.

3. Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the rear sight. Your eye relief is different in each position. Any changes in sight sizes must be tried in all positions. Your eye relief from shot to shot must be consistent to fire small groups.
   

4. You should not over hold. If you aim too long you will fatigue your eyes. Use your first sight picture. Whenever you stare at a bright object, such as a target on a sunny day, the image is being burnt temporally into your eye. Try staring at a bright object for approximately 10 seconds and then close your eyes.
   

5. To improve sight pictures, you may need corrected vision. The most common vision corrections are glasses, contact lenses, and eye surgery. You may also use corrective lenses in your rear sight. I have had great success with this.
   

6. A way to increase your concentration on the sight is to use a blinder. By relaxing the non-firing eye and lowering the light from sides, your firing eye will be more relaxed. Besides who wants to see the guy moving around next to them? Also, wear a hat.
   

7. You must be able to accurately call your shots. This skill can be enhanced by focusing on the front sight and paying careful attention to your sight alignment.

Whichever sight picture you use, consistency is the key. Good luck, and good shooting!

Sight picture is one of the most important marksmanship fundamentals…

And over the years, shooters have developed several different sight pictures or “holds” in attempts to shoot faster and more precisely…

Now one of the most popular forms of sight picture is called the “Combat Sight Picture”, and in this article we’re going to answer the following questions…

• What Is A Combat Sight Picture?
• What Are The Benefits Of It?
• What Are The Downsides?
• What Are The Other Common Sight Pictures?

In the end, I’ll tell you if I personally use a Combat Sight Picture when I’m shooting handguns, and you should have all the information you need to determine if it’s the right sight picture for you…

Let’s get started!

What Is A Combat Sight Picture?

Before explaining what a combat sight picture is, it’s important to understand what sight alignment is. Sight alignment is when the shooter’s eye, the rear sight, and the front sight all line up with each other…

Once you have sight alignment, you get your sight picture by lining it all up at a specific target (when you’re aiming)…

Now a Combat Sight Picture (which is also sometimes called a 3 Dot Hold or Combat Hold), is when the center dot on your front sight completely covers the bullseye of your target.

This is very different from a 6 O’Clock Hold (which places the top of your front sight underneath the bullseye or target in general) and the Center Hold (in which the top of the front sight perfectly bisects the bullseye on the target).

Watch This Video To Learn More About the 3 Sight Pictures:

What Are The Benefits Of A Combat Sight Picture?

The Combat Sight Picture has many benefits… First of all, it’s generally considered to be a simple and fast option.

Some people compare it to using a red dot sight on a rifle, in which you simply place the dot on the target exactly where you want the round to go…

The concept behind the Combat Sight Picture is pretty much the same… Place the dot on your front sight exactly on the target where you want the round to go.

In addition to that, the Combat Sight Picture does a good job of keeping your handgun in line with the target, which is helpful when you have targets at several different distances.

All in all, it’s a pretty fast, simple, and flexible sight picture, which is why there are many people who favor it.

What Are The Downsides Of A Combat Sight Picture?

The major downside to using a Combat Sight Picture is that you cover up a lot of your target when aiming…

You see, with a red dot sight you place the dot on your target exactly where you want to hit, but you can still see everything around the reticle (your whole target)…

Springfield 6 O'clock Hold

But with the Combat Sight Picture, the slide of your pistol, and even your actual sights, will cover up the exact spot that you’re aiming at AND the rest of the target beneath it.

Seeing is an important part of shooting, so this is definitely a disadvantage to the Combat Hold.

What Are The Other Common Sight Pictures?

6 O’clock Vs Combat Sight Picture…

The 6 O’Clock Hold is another common sight picture used by many shooters. Like I mentioned before, with the 6 O’Clock Hold you place the top of your front sight post either below the bullseye or at the bottom of the entire target (depending on how you zero your sights).

The benefit of the 6 O’Clock Hold is that you can see a lot more of your target than you can with the Combat Hold, but there are several downsides…

First of all, it’s hard to be very precise because there is going to be a gap between your point of aim and your point of impact.

Second, when you zero your sights they will be very distance (and target size) specific. If your target is too large, your rounds will impact low and if your target is too far away, they’ll impact high.

The Center Hold Vs Combat Sight Picture…

Probably the most common sight picture is called the Center Hold… Like I mentioned earlier, with the Center Hold the top of your front sight will perfectly bisect the bullseye on the target.

The benefit once again over the Combat Hold is that you can see more of your target (not as much as with the 6 O’Clock Hold but a lot more than with the Combat Hold)

Also because the flat top of your front sight is your reference point (point of aim), you can aim much more precisely than with both the 6 O’Clock Hold and the Combat Hold.

Where you aim is where you round is going to go assuming the rest of your marksmanship fundamentals are squared away.

Now, the downside is that your sights still cover up some of your target, but as I mentioned before, it’s a lot less than with the Combat Hold.

Combat Sight Picture – Final Thoughts…

In the end, even though many people really like the Combat Sight Picture, I personally don’t use it…

What Does 6 O'clock Hold Mean

I like to use the Center Hold because it allows me to see more of my target and aim more precisely (especially with a narrow front sight post). On top of all that, I think it’s just as fast as a Combat Sight Picture.

I recommend you do some dry fire practice using all 3 sight pictures before determining which is best for you, but whichever you choose, the most important thing is to be consistent.

Now there are many other marksmanship fundamentals that are just as important as sight picture…

6 O Clock Hold Vs Center Hold

Things like stance, grip, trigger control, and many other things all come into play when you’re trying to improve your shooting…

So if you want some additional training on how to become a better shooter, I highly recommend you check out the following video…

Good Luck and stay safe on the range!

-Red Dot shooters