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1/24/2026 3:18:47 PM EDT
I would love to hear what sight systems (e.g.: bead only, ghost right, red dot, prism, etc.) people use and why.  I had some background leading to the question, but deleted it because I'd rather hear your thoughts without polluting them with mine.
"Do not overthink it, gentlemen. It's only a gunfight, not an IRS tax audit." - Louis Awerbuck
1/24/2026 3:26:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: alacop][Edited] [#1]
Shotgun for self defense close range, point and shoot. For other activities I like ghost ring.
1/24/2026 4:17:40 PM EDT
[#2]
I’m fine with a simple bead.  I find larger sights on shotguns to be odd but I’ve been using a bead since the early 60’s. I suspect a red dot would be useful. I pretty much only shoot a shotgun when I’m killing something.
1/24/2026 4:22:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cjcutter][Edited] [#3]
Typically just front bead. Slug gun rifled sights or reddot. Have an overunder with hi-vis front sight for busting clays or birds, small game etc.
1/24/2026 4:23:57 PM EDT
[#4]
Bead
1/24/2026 4:26:51 PM EDT
[#5]
I have hi-viz front sights on most of my shotguns, basically front beads.

The exception is the 19" 16 ga double that stands guard duty by my bed- it has a gold bead.

<placeholder for something good in the future></placeholder>
1/24/2026 4:29:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Bead
I will not go quietly. NRA Endowment USCCA
1/24/2026 4:43:44 PM EDT
[#7]
Eye on the rock,  head on the stock.

1/24/2026 4:55:47 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CoyoteGray][Edited] [#8]
For a fighting shotgun the 1x optic of your choice but I'm old school, doesn't get much better than a ghost rings. Good for shot shells and slugs at distance.
I don't need therapy. I just need someone to rob me at the gas station so I can let it all out.
1/24/2026 6:10:46 PM EDT
[Last Edit: lil_Sig][Edited] [#9]
I find red dots the best/ quickest with co witnessed iron sights as backup.
1/24/2026 6:49:27 PM EDT
[#10]
I am not an old time shotgun guy.  I have red dots on my ARs and some pistols.  I have an A300 Ultima Patrol and put a red dot on it.  I took a tactical shot gun course and did pretty well.  I'm sold on the RD with the back up ghost ring sights.  YMMV
1/24/2026 7:03:47 PM EDT
[#11]
I’ve got both ghost rings and optic.
Prefer ghost rings for buck indoors.

I’ve got thousands of reps on that 14” Benelli

Attached File
Surprise, Speed and Violence of Action
1/24/2026 7:19:00 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ScottsBad][Edited] [#12]
This is the only shotgun I have an electronic sight on (not shown) and its an EOTECH EXPS on a Unity riser.  The others are very plain jane shotgun sights.  

Replace picture with short video.
Joe Rogan Shoots the Genesis Gen-12 and TTI Pit Viper @joerogan

I don't do charity.
1/24/2026 7:31:01 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ScottsBad:
This is the only shotgun I have an electronic sight on (not shown) and its an EOTECH EXPS on a Unity riser.  The others are very plain jane shotgun sights.  
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/230452/Genesis_Shot_gun_jpeg-3700832.JPG
View Quote


Sigh..... Your post may cost me a lot of money.
I don't need therapy. I just need someone to rob me at the gas station so I can let it all out.
1/24/2026 7:33:51 PM EDT
[#14]
Ghost rings or rifle sights.  I have just started trying red dots and soon, a prism sight.
1/24/2026 7:39:04 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ScottsBad:
This is the only shotgun I have an electronic sight on (not shown) and its an EOTECH EXPS on a Unity riser.  The others are very plain jane shotgun sights.  
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/230452/Genesis_Shot_gun_jpeg-3700832.JPG
View Quote


@ScottsBad

I'm going to need details on this build. It's gorgeous.
We're living in an episode of Who's Line is it Anyway.

Where everything's made up and the points don't matter.
1/24/2026 7:40:40 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Originally Posted By drfroglegs:


@ScottsBad

I'm going to need details on this build. It's gorgeous.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By drfroglegs:
Originally Posted By ScottsBad:
This is the only shotgun I have an electronic sight on (not shown) and its an EOTECH EXPS on a Unity riser.  The others are very plain jane shotgun sights.  
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/230452/Genesis_Shot_gun_jpeg-3700832.JPG


@ScottsBad

I'm going to need details on this build. It's gorgeous.


Genesis GEN-12 SBM 10.5"
I don't need therapy. I just need someone to rob me at the gas station so I can let it all out.
1/24/2026 11:34:49 PM EDT
[#17]
Bead for everything but the Siaga. That one has a red dot.
1/25/2026 2:03:31 PM EDT
[#18]
I have rifle sights on my HD shotgun, as I would be using it to shoot stationary or extremely slowly moving targets.

My competition clays gun has the bead removed.  My eyes are aware of the barrel, but my vision is locked hard onto the leading edge of the clay.  No need for a distracting bead.
1/25/2026 3:29:54 PM EDT
[#19]
no bead , to bead  , to bead with mid bead not an improvement over just bead imo , to modern with Red dot  , the future of today.
Ghost sight o.k.
So I vote for FIT
1/25/2026 4:58:10 PM EDT
[#20]
Beads. Mid rib and muzzle.

ProTip: Never pick a fight with a tree planter. He swings a hoedad for 9 hours a day, carries 30-40 pounds of seedlings on his back, and has 12-14 friends just like him hiding out on the other side of the junk butt pile. They will fuck your shit up.
1/25/2026 5:21:59 PM EDT
[#21]
Bead.
Crazy neighbors - Filling the gap until the zombies arrive.
1/25/2026 6:42:07 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ScottsBad][Edited] [#22]
coming
I don't do charity.
1/25/2026 7:05:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ScottsBad][Edited] [#23]
Quote History
Originally Posted By drfroglegs:


@ScottsBad

I'm going to need details on this build. It's gorgeous.
View Quote


You mean the John Wick shotgun?  When I bought it I didn't know it was from a movie.

Joe Rogan Shoots the Genesis Gen-12 and TTI Pit Viper @joerogan


Attached File


Sorry I couldn't get back to this sooner.  Genesis Gen 12 10" barrel.  They make a version with a 5", 7" barrel and longer barrels too.  5 and 10 round mags (they make +2 round bases), 15 round drum.

Hux makes TI suppressor for this shotgun.  I skipped it to save $1700 on the suppressor.  Suppressor doesn't really make it quieter, it just reduces the blast.

Very reliable, shoots anything.


You won't believe the Genesis 12!


The Ultimate Suppressed SBS: The Genesis Arms PDS


Genesis Arms Gen 12. The most reliable mag fed 12 gauge on the planet.
I don't do charity.
1/25/2026 7:57:49 PM EDT
[#24]
I have ghost sights on my 590.  My KS-7 has a red dot.  All the rest have bead sights
1/30/2026 11:33:30 AM EDT
[#25]
Im perfectly comfortable hunting with a bead but I normally use my m4.

Anything serious gets at least grs and preferably a rds
Attached File
Do Good
Be Dangerous
Live Free
1/30/2026 11:38:51 AM EDT
[#26]
Hi vis beads for the most part.   I put a slightly tall bead on the front of my Benelli SBE3 to bring the pattern down a bit.
All your wheel weights are belong to me.
Patriot
Q-Tard
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem.” - Chesty Puller, USMC
1/30/2026 12:32:47 PM EDT
[Last Edit: criley][Edited] [#27]
1X prism on a 1301. Reticle works well with 00 and slugs.  Also etched and visible if battery dies.
1/30/2026 12:54:12 PM EDT
[#28]
Attached File
You can't stop what's coming. It ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity.
1/30/2026 6:01:21 PM EDT
[#29]
Attached File


My favorite irons for shotguns. If I'm not using a dot this in the only thing I want.
1/30/2026 11:42:20 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 03RN:
Im perfectly comfortable hunting with a bead but I normally use my m4.

Anything serious gets at least grs and preferably a rds
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20251024_115720_jpg-3704386.JPG
View Quote

What if you drag it through a snow bank?
"Do not overthink it, gentlemen. It's only a gunfight, not an IRS tax audit." - Louis Awerbuck
1/31/2026 12:07:44 AM EDT
[#31]
Mostly a fiber optic (green) on a short ramp.  A couple have  barrel mounted slug sights.
2/3/2026 11:37:42 AM EDT
[Last Edit: 03RN][Edited] [#32]
Quote History
Originally Posted By abnk:

What if you drag it through a snow bank?
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quote History
Originally Posted By abnk:
Originally Posted By 03RN:
Im perfectly comfortable hunting with a bead but I normally use my m4.

Anything serious gets at least grs and preferably a rds
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20251024_115720_jpg-3704386.JPG

What if you drag it through a snow bank?


Im not saying you but I find it amusing when I post issues ive had with optics people get butt hurt.
Attached File

Thats just from walking while its snowing.
Caps do work. Until they get frozen
Do Good
Be Dangerous
Live Free
2/3/2026 11:43:24 AM EDT
[#33]
Duty type shotguns I prefer low tech rifle sights.

My field guns for winged game bead and mid bead are my preference.  Maintained lead for me more than swing through.
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
2/3/2026 11:46:01 AM EDT
[Last Edit: SteelonSteel][Edited] [#34]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 03RN:


Im not saying you but I find it amusing when I post issues ive had with optics people get butt hurt.
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20250120_002415_jpg-3706999.JPG
Thats just from walking while its snowing.
Caps do work. Until they get frozen
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By 03RN:
Originally Posted By abnk:
Originally Posted By 03RN:
Im perfectly comfortable hunting with a bead but I normally use my m4.

Anything serious gets at least grs and preferably a rds
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20251024_115720_jpg-3704386.JPG

What if you drag it through a snow bank?


Im not saying you but I find it amusing when I post issues ive had with optics people get butt hurt.
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20250120_002415_jpg-3706999.JPG
Thats just from walking while its snowing.
Caps do work. Until they get frozen



Freezing rain sucks on scopes.  Too much snow falling sucks and will invariably land on the objective lense when you need to shoot.

There are days when I am going still hunting in that kind of weather where I deliberately grab an iron sighted lever gun or the 18” M14 clone.


Years ago I tried scopes shotguns for deer hunting.  First was the Mossberg with a Weaver K2.5 on the receiver.   I did not stick with that as it was also my bird gun and changing between the two configurations was dumb and would eventually wear out the tapped receiver holes for the mount.   Second scoped shotgun was a Remington 870 SP with a cantilevered rifles slug barrel.  In a couple seasons I hated it.  It was awkward carrying with the scope back toward the comb and it made a heavy shotgun heavier.   Years later I traded it even for an 11-87 SP with just the rifles choke tubes that I never used, I went back to basic and cheap Foster slugs in an IC choke.  Then bought another bird barrel.  Now to switch back and forth all I was risking was that O-ring that liked to get nicked.

Often less is more.
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.

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