Help me understand, this is my first red dot sight. I hear everyone talking about cowitness???? I don't wish to have my lower sight window blocked out by my fixed sights. I don't understand why anyone would??? Maybe I misunderstand. However, I would like to be able to use my sights in the event the battery dies. So, can I set up the sights to use the very lowest portion of the sight picture and also use the center dot with a intentional non cowitness having a full under target view?
The nice thing about red dots is once zeroed, you can put the dot on the target and if it’s in the window (whether high, low, left or right) you’ll hit the target. I usually have it halfway between the top and the iron sight and reasonably centered left to right.
But shooting plates, if I can see the dot in the window, and the dot on the plate, it’s a hit (assuming my trigger control is good).
Full co-witness just means you can see the full three dots of your sights in the lower part of the site window without blocking the window or the Red Dot visability. Highly desirable for the reason you mentioned unless it is a range only gun. Also helps to acquire the red dot faster under some circumstances.
Partial cowitness means you can only see part of the dots or maybe just the edge of the posts of your sites.
Help me understand, this is my first red dot sight. I hear everyone talking about cowitness???? I don't wish to have my lower sight window blocked out by my fixed sights. I don't understand why anyone would??? Maybe I misunderstand.
What's the big deal with the lower window got blocked with iron sights? You still see the red dot and you still see the target. What's the problem? You're shooting a red dot and not a telescopic sight.
However, I would like to be able to use my sights in the event the battery dies. So, can I set up the sights to use the very lowest portion of the sight picture and also use the center dot with a intentional non cowitness having a full under target view?
Yes. It's called Lower 1/3rd Cowitness. That means the iron sights sits in the lower 1/3rd of the red dot window.
I think that you misunderstand a few terminologies:
1. Co-witness just means that you can see the iron sights through the red dot sight. That's it.
2. Lower 1/3rd co-witness means the iron sight sits at the lower 1/3rd of the viewing window thus blocking less view if you look through the tube or window.
3. Full co-witness means that if you look through a properly sight pictured iron sight, you will also see the red dot sitting on top of the front sight. This also means that more iron sight showing up in the viewing window. Some of the super high-speed-low-drag people prefer this setup because if in the middle of room clearing and such, if the red dot were to go tits-up, they automatically can use the iron sight without shifting their cheek rest or anything. If you're not one of these super high-speed-low-drag people, then it means nothing.
If you don't like having your red dot sight's viewing window cluttered then do a couple of things:
A. Get folding front and rear sights and don't raise them up until you need them up.
B. Get a quick detachable very high mount that clears your iron sights. If your red dot goes tits up then flip the lever and yank the sight off your gun, then go to town with iron sights.
What's the big deal with the lower window got blocked with iron sights? You still see the red dot and you still see the target. What's the problem? You're shooting a red dot and not a telescopic sight.
Yes. It's called Lower 1/3rd Cowitness. That means the iron sights sits in the lower 1/3rd of the red dot window.
I think that you misunderstand a few terminologies:
1. Co-witness just means that you can see the iron sights through the red dot sight. That's it.
2. Lower 1/3rd co-witness means the iron sight sits at the lower 1/3rd of the viewing window thus blocking less view if you look through the tube or window.
3. Full co-witness means that if you look through a properly sight pictured iron sight, you will also see the red dot sitting on top of the front sight. This also means that more iron sight showing up in the viewing window. Some of the super high-speed-low-drag people prefer this setup because if in the middle of room clearing and such, if the red dot were to go tits-up, they automatically can use the iron sight without shifting their cheek rest or anything. If you're not one of these super high-speed-low-drag people, then it means nothing.
If you don't like having your red dot sight's viewing window cluttered then do a couple of things:
A. Get folding front and rear sights and don't raise them up until you need them up.
B. Get a quick detachable very high mount that clears your iron sights. If your red dot goes tits up then flip the lever and yank the sight off your gun, then go to town with iron sights.
Where co-witness shines is that you can use the red dot with pop up sights down. Then, when you want to use the irons, simply keep the red dot off, and pop up the irons. you will be able to look right through the red dot's glass and not have to remove it, as you would with a scope.
OR, you could use pop ups WITH the red dot combination for CQC, and longer range engagement.
Thanks for the info and terminology, I would prefer "lower 1/3". My new sights should arrive tomorrow. Then I will mount my Venom with or without the adapter plate according to the height of the rear. I use the XSSights on my pistols. That gives me a little more look at my target. I even like the Snake Eyes. I find that when I am really trying to group tight on paper, that I keep second guessing my impact point causing me to lower my hold to get another view before raising again, it's like looking 10 times to cross the street. I only have this issue when tying to make an impressive group.
I got my XS sight today, the suppressor type. I noticed that this particular sight did not stick up as far as others i had seen so I ordered it. And, I like the rear because this type does not hide my target. I installed the sights. The Venom without the adapter plate on my glock 40 would have been perfect. However with the adapter plate, there is plenty of sight picture so I mounted it with the plate. I did order new taps.... so I may remove the plate someday. This sight also holster in my BlackHawk OK. Sometimes it hangs slightly. I expect it will wear in or I'll hit it with a dremel. I was worried about the suppressor sights being to high, but this is almost perfect, and as I said, I may make it perfect still
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Glock Talk
21M posts
185.2K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more!