Painting your front sight-a simple step that can really help

Stick-on

Every time I receive my latest vehicle registration tag I cut a thin strip off the bottom or side (about 1/16"-3/32") and stick it away in my cleaning kit. When I get a new gun I clean at least the front sight with laquer thinner and stick an appropriately-sized bit of the tag on it. The adhesive on the back of the tag sticks like snot on a screen door, and the micro-reflective material it is made of reflects whatever available light there is...crude, but effective.
 
Every time I receive my latest vehicle registration tag I cut a thin strip off the bottom or side (about 1/16"-3/32") and stick it away in my cleaning kit. When I get a new gun I clean at least the front sight with laquer thinner and stick an appropriately-sized bit of the tag on it. The adhesive on the back of the tag sticks like snot on a screen door, and the micro-reflective material it is made of reflects whatever available light there is...crude, but effective.
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That is an amazing idea, I'll have to try that in a couple months when I get new tags.

I have a small 1/2oz bottle of high gloss white model paint I've been using for this purpose, applied with a fine brush. Has not yet worn off from holstering or cleaning.
 
And then some of us go the other way: absolutely dead black sights with no glints. To get THAT, I went to the absolute logical(?!) conclusion...

3630584151_db71ea1b65.jpg


And yes, this WORKS. It's a homebrewed clone of the Goshen Hexsite:

http://www.goshen-hexsite.com/index2.htm

He gets "dead black" via high-tech polymers that feel like metal even when you knock 'em against a tooth, but don't glint no matter what. His setup is of course much smaller (including conventional-sized front) for standard holster use...best sight in the world.
 
Refrence Freeman1952, Reply #21
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Very interesting reply and do appreciate it. I have a bunch of this stuff, in white and red and will certainly have to try it. I know how well it reflects as I use it to mark a trail when I walk out in the evening. ... :)


Be Safe !!!
 
I have a bottle of acrylic nail polish "tequila sunrise" I use for most of my front sights. It is highly visible and goes with most of my outfits. :D
 
I'm pretty happy with TruGlo TFOs on one of my carry pistols. Until I can afford to put the same sights on all my pistols, I'll be happy with with Testor's orange on the front sight.

Kind of like the "red ramp" that's already on most of my S&W revolvers. :)
 
I've been using a pack of two paint 'pens' from Birchwood Casey I found at a show a couple of years back. One is flat white and the other fluorescent orange. Very easy to apply with the self-contained felt tip and holds up pretty well.

If you apply a base coat of the white, let it cure and then use the orange the difference in brightness and contrast is considerable.

I used various colors of Testor's model enamel for years, but it's been tough to find in our little town for quite a while now. This stuff is about as tough and I think it's much more convenient to do touch-ups or reapplications with.

The main reason I didn't like using fingernail polish was that it's so glossy. It also seemed to be more prone to chipping or flaking off, plus the acetone in Hoppe's No. 9 would eat it or make it get 'gummy'.
 
my latest test

www.nitesiters.com

I must admit I'm impressed with this product.


I have been testing front sights for years, looking (get it?) for ones I can readily see. Quickly. That allow accurate fire. And low-light help. And are rugged AND durable.
And cheap (enough).

On my revolvers I found Millett orange-ramp front blades best (even though I've got one with a Marble fiber-optic rod mounted for testing, but it fails).
On my autos I find Dawson makes a good choice, and paints work, too.
Testing continues.

My eyes are different than your eyes......
 
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