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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 10-28-2020, 07:40 PM
Cal44 Cal44 is offline
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Default Front sight paint

I went to an indoor range today to shoot my 431pd.

Couldn't hit a thing.

The light level was really low and I just couldn't see the front sight.

I need to paint it a color that will stand out on that black gun (same finish as a 442).

What's the best color to use.
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Old 10-28-2020, 08:00 PM
robs9 robs9 is offline
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I bought some florescent green glo in the dark paint for one of my guns frt sites. Very easy to see in the dark and day.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
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Old 10-28-2020, 08:34 PM
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Mike McLellan Mike McLellan is offline
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Finger nail polish. Lots of gaudy colors to chose from.
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Old 10-28-2020, 09:00 PM
walkinghorse walkinghorse is offline
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I have found that painting a base coat of white then using your choice of color balls make the color choice pop out more!
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Old 10-28-2020, 09:05 PM
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I use Testor's enamel paint. I start with a white base coat, then fluorescent orange on top. Some people like yellow, green, yellow-green, or red. You may need to experiment to see what color works best for your eyes. Whatever color you choose, a white base coat will help make the color "pop."

I like to paint only the portion of the front sight that's visible in the rear notch. Makes it easier to get a quick sight alignment.

Once I decided on the color, I then applied clear nail polish over it for added durability. I painted my sights a few years ago and despite numerous draws and holsterings, it still looks good as new.
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Old 10-28-2020, 09:06 PM
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If you don't like fingernail polish, I've used gold flake craft paint from Hobby Lobby for a more vintage look.
No one being covered by your gun in a legit def situation is gonna challenge your choice of front sight color. :-)
Try several. See what works for you. They're like a buck a piece. Acetone will remove almost anything except factory blue. It won't hurt stainless either. Just add some oil after rubbing with acetone to prevent flash rust.
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Old 10-28-2020, 09:56 PM
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I bought some Glow-On for the front sight of an old Charter Arms Off Duty Special. It works great.
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Old 10-29-2020, 02:14 AM
wrangler5 wrangler5 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by walkinghorse View Post
I have found that painting a base coat of white then using your choice of color balls make the color choice pop out more!
This. I found a white base of some sort in the same aisle I got the bottle of orange coral (I think it is) fingernail polish. Been using both for about 10 years and it looks like they'll last the rest of my life.
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Old 10-29-2020, 05:25 AM
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I use Testers as well. For a good florescent paint I like green best. Your eye will pick up green faster than any other color. It's great indoors and out.
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Old 10-29-2020, 09:11 AM
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For a flat white base coat you can use Bic White-Out Correction fluid .
I find the correction pen easier to use than the little brush .
I keep a pen in my shooting box ... for black bullseye target shooting the flat white works just fine .
As a base coat for the glow colors it does make the color brighter and easier to see ... so use a base coat if you want the brightest glow color .
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Old 10-29-2020, 07:33 PM
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I use Testor’s bright yellow enamel model paint on all front sights that aren’t of a a three dot sight system. First clean the sight with Testor’s paint thinner ( I use Q tips), let dry, then paint (I use a pointed toothpick to apply the paint). Next I block the gun up between two large books and put a small book or whatever is needed to be sure the front sight is level (VERY important to get an even bead of paint on the sight). Been doing it for 30+ years.
Those are the only three guns I have pic of.
P.S. I forgot to mention that I painted the 2 white dots on the 9mm EZ rear sight with Testor’s flat black paint.

Left pic is my 9mm EZ. Middle is my M&P 380. Rt my Taurus 856 ultra lite.

Be SAFE and Shoot Often.

Last edited by Execpro; 11-02-2020 at 09:17 PM.
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Old 10-29-2020, 08:07 PM
VaTom VaTom is offline
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I use Testor's model paint. Been doing it since 1976 when I became a LEO and carried a Nickel Model 10. Red Fluorescent is my preference. Also used white to touch up sights on my 1985 Berretta 92F.

Left to Right: Model 10 Nickel, Model 64 2" (stainless), Model 15.
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Old 10-29-2020, 08:25 PM
vmtcmt vmtcmt is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robs9 View Post
I bought some florescent green glo in the dark paint for one of my guns frt sites. Very easy to see in the dark and day.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
Put down a base of silver or white Testors paint or nail polish first. It will glow noticeably brighter.
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Old 10-29-2020, 09:09 PM
Boudiepitbull Boudiepitbull is online now
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I tried artist's paint, a flat titanium white acrylic in a little tube. It did not hold up for more than a trip or to the range and the subsequent cleanings. Bummer...
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Old 10-29-2020, 09:33 PM
hostler hostler is offline
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Bright orange nail polish with clear polish over it so it holds up better.
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Old 10-29-2020, 10:30 PM
Stroker468 Stroker468 is offline
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Another vote for Testors. I used flat red. Applied with a modeler’s detail brush. Used lacquer thinner to clean before application.

I knew those model building skills I developed as a kid would come in handy one day!

Last edited by Stroker468; 10-29-2020 at 10:32 PM.
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Old 10-30-2020, 09:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike McLellan View Post
Finger nail polish. Lots of gaudy colors to chose from.
YEP; I use white simply 'cause it works for me. Just one more tip; after the sight has been cleaned with rubbing alcohol, and the fingernail polish applied, let it thoroughly dry, then apply a liberal coat of Clear Hard Nails ( available at Wal-Mart). You'll have a sight that is impervious to oil, solvents, chipping, and lasts a long time.
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Old 10-30-2020, 09:51 AM
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I put Testors red model paint on the front sight of my model 58 in 1966. Carried it for 13 years. Paint is still there.
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Old 10-30-2020, 12:29 PM
vmtcmt vmtcmt is offline
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Quote:
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I put Testors red model paint on the front sight of my model 58 in 1966. Carried it for 13 years. Paint is still there.
Yeah but back then, Testors probably had some radioactive, cancer causing, Godzilla creating, chemical that made it hold up.
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Old 01-20-2021, 05:55 PM
Austinpaulster Austinpaulster is offline
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Always a good and easy question to answer. It's been adequately covered 10x over, but maybe a fresh post will make it easier for someone to find.

FWIW, I have landed on cheap fluorescent yellow fingernail polish for my needs (colorblind, terrible night vision, and 60 yrs old).

Now on my new 629? Nothing is going to touch that front sight! The red paint it came with works well enough for me. Besides, it's just too pretty to defile.
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Old 01-20-2021, 06:24 PM
washerman washerman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal44 View Post
I went to an indoor range today to shoot my 431pd.

Couldn't hit a thing.

The light level was really low and I just couldn't see the front sight.

I need to paint it a color that will stand out on that black gun (same finish as a 442).

What's the best color to use.
I also have a 431PD with a bobbed hammer. I have mine painted flourescent orange with nail polish. Like it
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Old 01-20-2021, 06:45 PM
GypsmJim GypsmJim is offline
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I just don't get this thread. In the olden days a blue front and rear sight (i.e. Patridge, not partridge)worked fine. When someone got a crazy idea and put red plastic on the front sight I solved that problem with a magic marker to black out the red.

When the 67 was invented with SS sights - another no issue. Magic marker to the rescue.

I guess it must be my old eyes...
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Old 01-20-2021, 07:04 PM
AppStFan AppStFan is offline
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I am actually glad to see this thread revived. I have been wanting to paint the sights on my Shield. Any pics of Shield sights would be appreciated.
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Old 01-20-2021, 09:41 PM
charlie sherrill charlie sherrill is offline
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You can get a three pack if Birchwood Casey sight paint applicators. I apply one coat of the white, let it dry for an hour or more, and then one coat of orange or green. Sometimes I apply an extra coat of the orange or green. I've got it on all my revolvers that don't have colored front sight inserts and it helps 73 year old old eyes find the target faster in single or double action. It will sometimes dull on the ones I carry often and in that case I just apply another coat. It works well with me. I paid around $12.00 for the kit.
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:01 AM
tws3boys tws3boys is offline
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I have the same problem. I used a very bright red nail polish from my great granddaughter s collection. Didn't make a bit of difference. Helltogetold
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Old 01-21-2021, 02:48 PM
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What kind of range has lighting so low that you can't even see the front sight? Time to find a new range.
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Old 01-21-2021, 03:00 PM
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I don't like paint on sights. I like black vs white contrast. Aiming black (bull's eye) on white target background. Black front sight, white light leaking around it thru the rear sight notch. I like my Shield 45 with a large enough notch so I can see light on both sides of the front sight. Makes me want to alter my other sight notches but I most likely wont. With vision inadequately corrected for the short distance of a front sight I find that the colors both red or green are worst than black. Something to do with the wave lengths of the colors opposite on the spectrum. Someone in the optical field might have more knowledge to explain.
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Old 01-21-2021, 03:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryHK View Post
What kind of range has lighting so low that you can't even see the front sight? Time to find a new range.
Sometimes it’s not the brightness as much as the color temp of the bulbs.

I had a Victory’s green sight all but disappear at one indoor range, due to their lighting scheme.
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