Zeroing and Adjusting a Firearm with Rear Sight and Front Sight

1. Preparation
   Before zeroing the firearm, certain preparations are necessary:

• Safety Check: Ensure the firearm is unloaded and no one is in the line of fire.
• Choice of Ammunition: The ammunition should be suitable for the firearm and the intended purpose.
• Shooting Range and Support: Use a stable rest or shooting bench to shoot as precisely as possible.
• Target: Set up a clearly visible target at an appropriate distance (e.g., 25 or 50 meters, depending on the firearm and its intended use).

2. Initial Test Shots

• The firearm is placed in a stable position on the rest.
• Three to five test shots are fired at the target.
• The impact points are checked to determine any deviations from the intended center.

3. Adjusting the Sights
   The rear sight and front sight must be adjusted based on the impact points:

• Vertical Adjustment: If the shots are too high or too low, adjust the rear sight up or down (shots too high = lower the rear sight, shots too low = raise the rear sight).
• Horizontal Adjustment: If the shots are too far left or right, adjust the rear sight laterally (shots too far left = move the rear sight to the right, and vice versa).
• The front sight is usually fixed, so the adjustments are generally made with the rear sight.

4. Basic Principles for Zeroing a Firearm with Rear and Front Sights

• Proper Sight Alignment:

  • The rear sight and front sight must be aligned.
  • The front sight should be centered in the rear sight, with the top edges being level.
  • The target should appear just above the front sight post ("center hold") or slightly above it (depending on where the shots are landing).

• Sight Misalignments:

  • Low Shots: The front sight is too low in the rear sight.
  • High Shots: The front sight is too high in the rear sight.
  • Lateral Deviations: The front sight is not centered in the rear sight.

• Corrections During Zeroing:

  • If the shots are too low or too high, adjust the sights accordingly.

low hit

high hit

• • If the shots are deviating left or right, adjust the rear sight laterally.

left hit

right hit

5. Fine-tuning and Checking
   After the adjustment, fire three to five more shots.

• The new impact points are checked.
• If necessary, continue adjusting the sights until the shots are consistently near the center of the target.

6. Completion and Documentation
   Once the firearm is properly zeroed, the adjustments should be noted.

• If the firearm is regularly used, it is recommended to document the zeroing settings and any deviations for future reference.
• After zeroing, the firearm should be unloaded safely, cleaned, and stored properly.

Conclusion

Correctly zeroing a firearm with rear and front sights requires patience and precision. By following a systematic approach, accurate shot placement can be achieved, improving the firearm's accuracy and effectiveness.