Match vs Service Rifle direction

[squint-n-squeeze]

Hey y'all,

I'm a little apprehensive to ask... but why would a shooter choose Match direction on their sight knobs versus SR direction? If I'm correct, the SR directions are the same as if you were running a vertical mill - CW turn brings the aperture in the direction of your hand. On the other hand, Match directions are the same as a standard scope (I think). Why would someone choose one over the other? It seems like if you're in the habit of running open sights, you'd always choose SR direction, and yet, I bet Match direction is more popular for Palma and Match shooters.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!

 

[Dans40X]

If you shoot a circus(service) rifle to get distinguished & then cross over to match rifles you will run sights backwards at the least opportune time.


I prefer a manual transmission(match rifle) & prefer my knobs to move 1/4"-1/4" CCW-Up & Right.
Leupold Scopes & Warner Sights for me!

 

[Hoser]

I started off with Euro knobs (CW) and have stuck with them. To my brain CW knobs make sense.

 

[USMCDOC]

If you shoot a circus(service) rifle to get distinguished & then cross over to match rifles you will run sights backwards at the least opportune time.

Oh how do i know!

 

[1shot]

All my optics are the same as my match direction irons, so it just makes sense not to mix and match. I can screw up all by myself with out adding a variable that I can control.
As an aside, teaching match direction sights is easier when you demonstrate using a standard thread bolt and a piece of cardboard. Which ever way the bolt is moving, so is the bullet impact. (L-R or U-D)
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[6fatrat]

Agree with Dans40X, Warner and Leupold. I shot the 14 in the early 80's, I still have to write the proper directions on my shooting mat for my match rifle.
Steve Bair

 

[Erud]

Match rifle shooters prefer match direction sights because SR direction sights are dumb.

 

[squint-n-squeeze]

Match rifle shooters prefer match direction sights because SR direction sights are dumb.

Well I think there's some sensibility in having your sights laid out on a right-hand screw mechanism, as this is how 99% of all screws work. Unfortunately, that's not how scopes are laid out (or maybe the imaging flips things back the other way?). And they (scopes) represent 99% of the adjustable sights out there.

With the rules allowing for scopes on Service Rifle now, I wonder if the SR-direction match sights will eventually stop being made?

 

[Rtheurer]

With the rules allowing for scopes on Service Rifle now, I wonder if the SR-direction match sights will eventually stop being made?

Only time will tell...

Former Knuckle Dragging Service Rifle shooter myself... Finally moved into the modern times.. LOL. Now If I shoot the Service Turd I have to look at the sight Every time or I will surely F bomb it up...

Russel

 

[Dans40X]

Those that have gone to the other side(s)......... respectfully-

I'm laughing with you(been there) not at you.

It's not a question of IF its a question of WHEN.

Same holds true for the good ole CROSS FIRE!!!

 

[squint-n-squeeze]

All my optics are the same as my match direction irons, so it just makes sense not to mix and match. I can screw up all by myself with out adding a variable that I can control.
As an aside, teaching match direction sights is easier when you demonstrate using a standard thread bolt and a piece of cardboard. Which ever way the bolt is moving, so is the bullet impact. (L-R or U-D)
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

Wouldn't you need a left hand (reverse threaded) bolt to demonstrate Match direction sights?

 

[1shot]

Nope,
Holding the bolt horizontally and turning with you right hand clockwise moves the bolt left through the cardboard.
Holding the bolt in the vertical position and turning it clockwise moves the bolt down through the cardboard.
This is the same direction you move the sights to move bullet impact. Clear as mud??
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[navyrad8r]

i got my irons right after I got my distinguished badge, my mentor told be to get service direction. He said he was not smart enough to remember which way was which and doubted that even with me being a corpsman I was either.....he was right....definitely not smart enough, still dragging knuckles with the sling and service gun. I guess if I had a small bore pedigree I would have gotten match rifle irons and never touched the service gun after I got the badge..
cheers,
Doc

 

[markgrabowski]

Hey y'all,

I'm a little apprehensive to ask... but why would a shooter choose Match direction on their sight knobs versus SR direction? If I'm correct, the SR directions are the same as if you were running a vertical mill - CW turn brings the aperture in the direction of your hand. On the other hand, Match directions are the same as a standard scope (I think). Why would someone choose one over the other? It seems like if you're in the habit of running open sights, you'd always choose SR direction, and yet, I bet Match direction is more popular for Palma and Match shooters.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!

I standardized everything I own several years ago to match rifle configuration... Scopes also. Holliger made me an AR windage knob in match rifle threads also. One less thing for me to screw up!

 

[Rtheurer]

I standardized everything I own several years ago to match rifle configuration... Scopes also. Holliger made me an AR windage knob in match rifle threads also. One less thing for me to screw up!

Dang.. Why didn't I think of that!!????

 

[dcali]

This whole issue is why I purposefully block it out of my mind. I don't even know which way my sights turn, so I LOOK every time. If I have anything to say about it, I'll never know. Don't know which way to turn my scopes without looking either. Simple solution for a simple mind.

 

[Erud]

This whole issue is why I purposefully block it out of my mind. I don't even know which way my sights turn, so I LOOK every time. If I have anything to say about it, I'll never know. Don't know which way to turn my scopes without looking either. Simple solution for a simple mind.

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds needlessly complicated. If things are rolling along nicely in a match and you just need to add a 1/2 minute to keep up with the wind, wouldn't it be much easier to just turn the knobs, rather than break your head position to look at your sights?

 

[lloydx2]

Looking at the flags and through your spotting scope while turning the knobs.
If you do it enough you wont even think about it. Practice. Shoot in the wind

 

[dcali]

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds needlessly complicated. If things are rolling along nicely in a match and you just need to add a 1/2 minute to keep up with the wind, wouldn't it be much easier to just turn the knobs, rather than break your head position to look at your sights?

It is. But it's just how my brain works. I get anxious about whether or not I turned them the right way, which is more distracting than just looking at the knob.