Do you focus on the target, or on the front sight?

I know, I know, EVERYONE who trains says "front sight."  The military, private instructors, the NRA, etc.  And when I teach NRA courses, i teach front sight.

But I know that I knock more steel targets over when I focus on the target.  I know that my hit percentage on far-away steel targets goes up when I focus on the target.  I know I win more dueling tree matches when I focus on the target.

But but...

My groups on paper don't change noticeably either way.  Which messes with my mind.

I was also trained to focus on the front sight.... but I focus on the target.  Even at closer distances I find it easier for me personally.

Front sight when still/seated and I can take my time. But I focus on the target when moving and shooting.

It all looks the same to me.

The reason for focusing on the front sight is because that is the last point of reference before the bullet leaves the barrel. Fundamental. If you focus on the target; groups open up. Your front sight should be clear, focused, thats the key to calling your shot. Easier said than done and it's proven on scores I've shot.

http://www.odcmp.org/0907/default.asp?page=USAMU_SIGHTPICTURE

target shooting I do well focusing on tge target.

I've spoken to several (serious) combat vets from vietnam era special forces and they all said front sight. keep moving, track targets (and allies) with peripheral vision - which takes lots of practice. If you focus on target you risk tunnel visioning in and missing the guy who kills you.

That was specifically for oh crap close quarters pistol work. They said that it is similar for longer rifle work but you have to focus on the target for the moment of squeezing the trigger for shot placement.  Have to intently shift back to wide peripheral vision or you'll get shot.

so for closer work stay in wide vision with focus on front sight for shot placement.  For longer shots stay in wide vision with front site focus and quickly shift in and out of target focus.

Try it when you're not shooting. Wide peripheral vision
 gives you a nearly 180 degree field of vision and while you can't see detail well you can see movement extremely well.

The trick is to fix binocular focus on the front sight while remaining aware of your whole field of view. Takes practice.

get a holo/reflex sight and focus on both!

Target/competition shooting or real-life shooting? I'll speak on behalf of competition shooting only. 

In competition shooting, you start by looking at A spot on the target you want the bullet to hit. After the buzzer goes off, you bring your gun up and locate your sights. When the sight picture is acceptable depending on the degree of difficulty and distance of the shot, you fire the shot and then call your shot. If the sights were on target during the gun's moment of ignition, then you're ready to move to the next target. Your eyes go to the next target, your sights follow and you repeat the process. Your eyes always lead and the gun follows, not vice versa. This is allows you to shoot as fast and accurately as possible.

In summary, your focus shifts from target to sights throughout the entire shooting sequence.   

See what you need to see to get the hits that you need to get. 

Novice shooters are better served with a hard front sight focus and that is why it is commonly taught that way in basic marksmanship / firearms courses.  The reality of advanced shooters / skill sets whether in competition, tactical or combat shooting, techniques and focal points change and may change often throughout an engagement of even perhaps multiple targets or target arrays.  Target that needs more precision gets more front sight focus.  Target that is close with perhaps a more forgiving hit zone may get target focus.  Again it is situation dependent and success is also shooter dependent based on skill or shooter proficiency.  See what you need to see to get the hits that you need to get.     

Up till now I would have to say I've always focused on the target. I am now trying hard to retrain myself to be front sight focused. My last trip to the pistol range however was very frustrating.

See what you need to see to get the hits that you need to get. 

Novice shooters are better served with a hard front sight focus and that is why it is commonly taught that way in basic marksmanship / firearms courses.  The reality of advanced shooters / skill sets whether in competition, tactical or combat shooting, techniques and focal points change and may change often throughout an engagement of even perhaps multiple targets or target arrays.  Target that needs more precision gets more front sight focus.  Target that is close with perhaps a more forgiving hit zone may get target focus.  Again it is situation dependent and success is also shooter dependent based on skill or shooter proficiency.  See what you need to see to get the hits that you need to get.     

The only thing I would add to this is only shooting as fast you can acquire the sights or target.  Surf pretty much nailed it.  In close, most people are going to point shoot.  That is why good mechanics are important so that you are as accurate as possible!

Always front sight or reticle/crosshairs.  If you actually watch that and have a clear picture you can see how much they move.  Concentrate on the target and you wonder how you aren't shooting tighter because the target didn't move and it didn't look like your front sight/crosshairs did either...................

Front sight

Another thing to consider is mirage. If you focus on the target with mirage, your target can appear smaller or bigger than what is perceived.