My favorite sights are the 3-dot type,,,

[aarondhgraham]

So I've been trying to figure out an effective method of making them.

I thought maybe I could use a 00 size punch,,,
On some adhesive tape of some sort.

I bought some white plastic tape at a hobby shop,,,
And punched out several tiny dots of tape.

Then I cleaned the surface of the sight metal with alcohol,,,
I was hoping this would allow the tape to stick better.

The concept worked just fine and I had 3-Dot sights,,,
They lasted about a week then I cleaned the gun,,,
And the dots promptly fell off.

I know I can simply paint some dots on the sights,,,
But every time I've tried that the dots are very uneven.

I'm just rambling here.

Has anyone had any success creating homemade 3-Dot sights?

Aarond

.

 

[MLeake]

I haven't tried to do that; I have tried to go the opposite way, and blacken or remove the rear dots.

I find I prefer an express sight setup, with either a black rear or a vertical white bar (and/or vertical tritium bar) in the rear, with a relatively wide aperture, and a high vis forward sight.

(EG XS Express with standard dot; Heinie Straight 8; Sevigny)

The three dots tend to slow down my rate of fire at IDPA, in my experience. A lot of people like them, though.

If I were going to try to make 3 dot sights, I'd probably try to find a suitable bit, and a drill press, and relieve the dots into the sight. Then hit them with paint, or white crayon, etc, and wipe off the area around the circles.

 

[AK103K]

Id just by a set of Meprolight three dot night sights before you drive yourself crazy and broke and be done with it.

 

[MLeake]

AK103K, me too, but Aarond likes making things, such as holsters. For some people, there is joy in the crafting.

(You should see the horse stalls my FIL built for my wife...)

 

[AK103K]

For some people, there is joy in the crafting.

I fully understand that.

I like fiddling with stuff too, especially guns. The crazy and broke part I mentioned above are from personal experience.

 

[EdInk]

You are over thinking things. A simple wite-out pen allows you to make the dots very easily.

 

[spanishjames]

You are over thinking things. A simple wite-out pen allows you to make the dots very easily.

Of course EdInk would have the best idea.

 

[MLeake]

Except that EdInk's plan has the same problem as paint, mentioned in the OP - getting consistent, centered, round dots. Some sort of guide or template would help.

 

[AK103K]

I dont know how well this would work, but grip tape sticks pretty tenaciously to just about anything its applied to. Maybe instead of using just a dot, you could use a bigger piece of "tape" that wraps around the sight body, and apply the dots to it.

 

[MLeake]

What about printing a life size picture of a rear sight with dots, and tracing it onto matte board or similar, then cutting out the dots? Held or affixed to the actual rear sight, that would provide a template for paint or white-out pen.

 

[Frank Ettin]

I think that doing a really nice job would be a lot of work. Here's how I'd want to do it if I really had the tools and skills, really wanted the nicest possible job and liked three dot sights enough to want to bother (which I'm afraid I don't):

[1] I'd first remove the sights to allow me to do meticulous work.

[2] I'd do some precise measurement to determine exactly where the dots needed to go so that when the dots were aligned the sights would be properly aligned. And I'd mark the proper locations.

[3] Using a milling machine for precise drilling, I'd drill some shallow holes at exactly the right places. the holes would be the correct diameter for white or colored plastic rod I intended to use for the dots.

[4] I'd cement bits of rod into the holes and finish off flat to the surface of the sight.

If skillfully done, that would be a fine looking set up. But way too much bother for me.

 

[aarondhgraham]

White out pen?,,,

I have one of these in my desk,,,
Never been opened.

I'll give it a try when I get home tonight.

Aarond

.

 

[iblong]

I've drilled and painted front post sights and it worked great.
I have several 3 dot set ups(night sights) and there ok and precice. but im much faster on target with black rears and and a high vise type front.
When Im in a hurry the 3 dots get a little buisy for my aging eyes.

 

[eldorendo]

Maybe my time's not worth much, but i'll continue just spending a few bucks and getting three-dot sights, rather than trying to make 'em. Non-tritium three-dot sights are pretty cheap.

 

[rodfac]

Just a thought Aarond...elevation would seem to be the most critical...ie. getting them all in the same plane...windage is a bit easier since you still have adjustment screws or the drift method if you're off a bit. I've had good luck with the white out typewriter correction fluid on both rifle and handgun sights, but it will come off with use...a good thing in my view.

For defensive, CCW handguns, three dots work well at the 15 yd line and below for thoracic shots, but the playing card size ocular/cranial shot requires more precision. Ten yards is the outer limit for me. I just can't get as clear a sight alignment with the dots as I can a plain black post. And it's critical to guarantee that shot, when needed.

Rod

 

[spanishjames]

What if instead of trying to paint perfectly aligned dots, you paint the top 1/4th of the sight. Instead of three dot, you'd get three horizontal dashes which you could line up quickly. It would be easier than the dots, and could be removed if you don't like it.