What type of sight do handgun shooters use?

• A. Iron sights
• B. Red dot sight
• C. Telescopic sight
• D. Open sights

Answer: (D)

The basic, non- optical sights most commonly used on handguns are open sights. Open sights are a simple iron sight setup with a front blade and a rear notch that are not enclosed. You line up the front blade in the rear notch and align the top of the blade with the top of the rear sight so the sight picture sits on the target. This setup is quick to acquire, rugged, and works without batteries or magnification, which is why it’s the standard choice for most handgun training and everyday use.

Other options exist for specialized setups—red dot sights are optical and project or reflect a point of aim, and telescopic sights magnify the target—useful in some situations but not the default for general handgun shooting. Iron sights refer to the broader metal sight system, of which open sights are a common type. In the context of the question, the typical, universally used option is open sights.