My fiber optic sight is now on the range somewhere here in Billings Montana. Anyone have a clue as to what size the rod is supposed to be? My best measurements with a not so accurate caliper indicate 1.5 mm or .60 thousands.
S&W is sending me an entire front sight assy. I want to obtain some extra rod stock so that if this happens to me again during a match I can fit a new one immediately and continue on.

Thanks guys!!

Randy

you would be better to just replace the FO rod. its a pain to remove the front site.

0.60 is the correct size. Buy some red and green and see which one you like.

I much prefer the green and will be buying a length of it to have on hand. Glad to learn that my caliper wasn't that far off!!
Thanks!

Randy

I started out with green front and rear TFO's, then switched to yellowish--orange in the back and green in the front on another gun.
I thought maybe there would be a contrast difference I'd come to like.

Nope.

The three green set up is far superior to my eyes. On both guns, they're Truglo TFO's--the same sights physically, other than the color difference. I was rather surprised at how much easier and faster I pick up on the three green dot setup.

For me, in second place to the Truglo TFOs, is a Trijicon tritium set up, with one little green dot under a rear cut out and a bigger, brighter red dot, which has a green center up front. In the dark though, all you see is the green dots and it takes me a tad bit longer to pick up on the Trijicon setup.

In bright light, the difference in pick up time isn't as great as in the dark, but I'm sticking with a three green setup in the future.

I know it sounds 'common sensical' but ask if possible, to take some time with both setups in a dark room. You really can't realize the differences until you've spent a few minutes in the dark with different set ups. After you've tried one, close your eyes, take the other gun, raise as if to fire, open your eye and see what's best for you.

Randy,
Every competitive shooter I know has a supply of fiber optic rod on hand. With use they will break and fall out.
The least expensive place I have found is Angus Hobdell in AZ. I attempted to measure the FPO rod on my M&P9Pro and it appears to be 1.5 mm. I carry a supply of 1, 1.5 and 2mm rods in my shooting bag.
Tony

.060 is the size. And not all fiber rods are equal, some do a better job at light gathering than others. I ordered mine here.

There is a youtube video on how to install them. It's very simple to do. Nail clipper and a lighter is all you need. I made a mobile repair kit that I now carry in my range bag, with extra rods, lighter and clippers.

Excellent post...tons of great information....thanks

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Get off my lawn.....

Growr,

How do the sights show up in low light conditions? Are they better than say a red ramp? Do you feel the FO sights help you acquire and shoot faster as a result?

Fluorescent Fiber

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Science plus Art

They collect light from the side and send it out the end. If there is no light to collect, it is dark. Truglo offers a combined FO/night sight.

FO is MUCH brighter than a red ramp.

It helps me most at the middle distances (too far to point shoot, not far enough to need a full sight picture).

Want to see FO in use, go to any IDPA or USPSA match.

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Science plus Art

I've put fiber optic front sights on several of my guns.

They really help my aging eyes.

Here's a Sig P229 I put them on.



My S&W M&P Pro came with them on it.



My Sig 1911 - 22 came with them on it.



A great addition on any of my range guns.

I keep night sights on my night stand gun.

The green fiber optic simply draws my eye like a magnet. I spend less time in acquiring a sight picture...less time spent means better performance on the target in USPSA/IDPA.

Just got the package from S&W and they sent me a whole new front sight...NOT the fiber optic rods I was asking for. Communication.....Oh well, I will hang on to it as one never knows when you might need one!

I did order several rods from Anges Hobdell at CZ Custom. His rods are 12" long, they are the correct diameter (.60) and are only $6.00!! I will have many replacements real soon!

Randy

I really like the FO front sights. As I have got older, it's hard for me to see the plain black sight. For shooting quickly like in IDPA, I don't think I could be competitive anymore without an FO front.

I started out with the green...but when it came time to replace my front FO sight on my MP Pro...I tried the red.....and found it to be a great improvement. And i have the same issue...aging eyes. I just pick the red up better for some reason.

If you watch any of the gun shows on TV ...

As they cover events ...

You'll notice more & more "pro's" using F/O front sights.

There must be a reason.

Because the S&W pro team are not old.