benefits of "winged" front sights?

[idek]

Do the outer portions of M1, HK, and AK front sights really help with aiming, or do they just protect the front post?

 

[JohnKSa]

In my experience they can actually hurt aiming. I've lined up on a wing by mistake in less than ideal lighting instead of lining up on the front sight post.

My understanding is that they are there to protect the front sight.

I suppose that under some lighting conditions (strong light from the side) they might provide some benefit by shading the sight post so there's no glare on it.

 

[Scorch]

The wings are supposed to protect the front sight.

 

[FrankenMauser]

They're for protection.

In my experience they can actually hurt aiming. I've lined up on a wing by mistake in less than ideal lighting instead of lining up on the front sight post.

Yep.
Just last weekend, I managed to fire two shots while unintentionally using one of the 'wings' as the front sight post on a Marlin wearing Skinner 'Winged' Sights.

 

[RC20]

The wings are supposed to protect the front sight.

Yep

 

[davidsog]

Do the outer portions of M1, HK, and AK front sights really help with aiming, or do they just protect the front post?

Only the HK diopter sights with a front sight post ring such as the MP-5 and G-3 series "help" with aiming. Your brain can naturally aligns the circles without you thinking about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz7fUY0u6GI

As others have pointed out the wings just protect the front sight post.

 

[Drm50]

Wings and hoods are a distraction to me. That is unless it is part of a sight system like Lyman 17 aperature sight.

 

[ttarp]

Like Davidson said, the Hk sight hoods are meant to be used during aiming. G3 manuals include a portion that illustrates their use. Mg42.net has a section on Hk sights, how to use, zero, and adjust them.

 

[jfruser]

Protection.

Also of some use when shooting at moving targets.

Wings beat hoods, IMO, since mud & snow can collect in a hood.

 

[davidsog]

Wings beat hoods, IMO, since mud & snow can collect in a hood.

Collects in wings too. Fortunately God gave us fingers to clean it out and a Squad Leader to tell us what an idiot we are for dropping our rifle in the mud/snow.

 

[jfruser]

Collects in wings too. Fortunately God gave us fingers to clean it out and a Squad Leader to tell us what an idiot we are for dropping our rifle in the mud/snow.

No way! We must have had the same squad leader. Mine called me an idiot, too, for a while. Either he eventually mellowed out or I un-CENSORED myself.

I must say I never managed that particular Stupid Private Trick.

 

[T. O'Heir]

"...supposed to protect the front sight..." Primarily when fighting with one's bayonet. Same reason stocks went to or close to the muzzle.
Sight protectors are usually bent at the top to prevent mistaking 'em for the front blade.

 

[idek]

Thanks for the input. I determined a number of years ago that I preferred flat-topped posts to round beads for a front sight when using apertures, but I never gave much thought as to whether the there was any visual advantage or disadvantage to the winged sights. I guess the protected posts tend to be narrower/finer than most unprotected posts that I've tried, and I do prefer the skinnier posts.

 

[ThomasT]

Only the HK diopter sights with a front sight post ring such as the MP-5 and G-3 series "help" with aiming. Your brain can naturally aligns the circles without you thinking about it.

I didn't know what those type of sights were called. But thats what I have on the old Hi-Point 9mm carbine I have and they are super easy to use and quick o align.

As to the wings on front sights a story I read long ago was that the soldiers in Korea were complaining about the 30 Carbine not stopping the enemy soldiers. So the sergeant took a hacksaw and sawed the front sight wings off the guns and the complaints about the 30 carbine not working stopped.