New guy here, first post actually. Just bought a new model 10 and have noticed on youtube that some guys have what appears to be a stripe of orange paint on the lehgth of the front sight rib of their model 10 . Is this factory or aftermarket paint?
Orange paint on front sight question
- Thread starter Oldt102
- Start date
Not factory for sure. Most likely finger nail polish. I am not kidding. Factory makes a small dove tail cut and fills it with a colored plastic.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the forum.
Always use a white base coat. I like florescent red model paint
rockquarry
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Try it without any paint first. If you then try the paint, you might find no difference. This was a 1970s fad that may still have some advocates. If you have vision problems, it may be beneficial. YouTube might not be the best source much of the time.
Front sight paint
I use white nail polish base coat and florescent red model paint. I’ve also used lime green nail polish for top coat. Apply with a toothpick and don’t put a lot on at first start with just a drop. Don’t use the brush from the bottle you’ll make a mess!
I have a set of headband magnifiers that helps a lot. It takes a little practice to come out perfect but no harm or foul if you mess up - clean off with nail polish remover and try again. Total improvement of sight picture for me. I have a hard time with black on black sights.
I use white nail polish base coat and florescent red model paint. I’ve also used lime green nail polish for top coat. Apply with a toothpick and don’t put a lot on at first start with just a drop. Don’t use the brush from the bottle you’ll make a mess!
I have a set of headband magnifiers that helps a lot. It takes a little practice to come out perfect but no harm or foul if you mess up - clean off with nail polish remover and try again. Total improvement of sight picture for me. I have a hard time with black on black sights.
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Testor's model paint in the 1 ounce bottle comes in a plethora of colors and gloss values. IMHO it is better than nail polish (more durable). It cost about $2 bucks a bottle and will last just about forever. Please see hints below:
* mix paint or polish well prior to application
* clean front sight with alcohol and do not touch it after cleaning
* apply paint or polish with a wooden toothpick (not a brush)
* apply 3 thin coats instead of a thick one
* only paint area that would normally have the red insert in it
* do not try to clean up overage until the job is all finished
* when all dry, clean up edges with a razor blade
* if you don't like the color, simply remove with a razor blade and choose another one.
I used to cut dovetails in the front sights but haven't done than in decades! I find that the Testpr's paint is brighter, lasts a long long time, gives you the ability to remove it and restore front sight back to Factory if selling the gun, and there is no chance a novice will destroy the front sight blade which can not be replaced most of the time because it is integral with the barrel.
Before spending much more money on a dovetailed front sights with colored plastic inserts, TRY THIS FIRST! It's only a $2 proposition so there is no down side!
* mix paint or polish well prior to application
* clean front sight with alcohol and do not touch it after cleaning
* apply paint or polish with a wooden toothpick (not a brush)
* apply 3 thin coats instead of a thick one
* only paint area that would normally have the red insert in it
* do not try to clean up overage until the job is all finished
* when all dry, clean up edges with a razor blade
* if you don't like the color, simply remove with a razor blade and choose another one.
I used to cut dovetails in the front sights but haven't done than in decades! I find that the Testpr's paint is brighter, lasts a long long time, gives you the ability to remove it and restore front sight back to Factory if selling the gun, and there is no chance a novice will destroy the front sight blade which can not be replaced most of the time because it is integral with the barrel.
Before spending much more money on a dovetailed front sights with colored plastic inserts, TRY THIS FIRST! It's only a $2 proposition so there is no down side!
Paint all my black front sights with Testor’s bright yellow paint. On stainless guns a red or orange would be my choice.
As wproct said, the color is up to you.
Left: Taurus 856UL
Middle: M&P 380 Bodyguard
Right: M&P 9mmEZ (front sight miss drilled, painted rear sight
with flat black paint).
All 3 guns are used at some point as my Concealed carry weapons.
As wproct said, the color is up to you.
Left: Taurus 856UL
Middle: M&P 380 Bodyguard
Right: M&P 9mmEZ (front sight miss drilled, painted rear sight
with flat black paint).
All 3 guns are used at some point as my Concealed carry weapons.
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hyena
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That's what I use too.
Welcome to the Forum.
Pick your color or let it be. You decide. I find a lime green suits my eyes better than red or orange.
Pick your color or let it be. You decide. I find a lime green suits my eyes better than red or orange.
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oddshooter
Well-known member
I think you need 3 different nail polishes and the remover.
First is always Bright White. You must have a Base for the color.
Second is your chosen Color; Triple Orange is mine.
Third is a clear coat for protection.
You can place your stripe of any size, anywhere on the front sight.
This is very helpful if you are still shooting low with max height on the rear sight. You can start your paint half way down the front sight with your stripe; then align your rear sight with the top of the orange when shooting. I do this instead of filing a front sight to regulate for one bullet.
I also use the Bright White to outline my rear sights, like Bowen.
My old tired eyes just can't see anything when black on black with black target. It's just one mass of black.
I can still shoot; I just can't see.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Prescut
First is always Bright White. You must have a Base for the color.
Second is your chosen Color; Triple Orange is mine.
Third is a clear coat for protection.
You can place your stripe of any size, anywhere on the front sight.
This is very helpful if you are still shooting low with max height on the rear sight. You can start your paint half way down the front sight with your stripe; then align your rear sight with the top of the orange when shooting. I do this instead of filing a front sight to regulate for one bullet.
I also use the Bright White to outline my rear sights, like Bowen.
My old tired eyes just can't see anything when black on black with black target. It's just one mass of black.
I can still shoot; I just can't see.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Prescut
Chief38 said it better than me !! Well spelled out and I’m going to try his suggestion of the Testors vs what I am using now. I also thought about applying clear coat as oddshooter suggested. My current method suffers holster wear after awhile. As Chief38 noted it can happen - I had to replace the barrel on my model 65 due to a botched insert job.
Two bottles of nail polish from the dollar store. White and bright orange. About a buck a bottle. I just use the brush that comes in the bottle, and have never had a problem.
I've never thought of using a clear coat over it, but then my guns don't see holsters very often, if ever.
I used white-out back in the day also.
I've never thought of using a clear coat over it, but then my guns don't see holsters very often, if ever.
I used white-out back in the day also.
jimmyj
Well-known member
I use front sight bright orange paint for combat shooting:
"FIGHT-FRONT SIGHT"
"FIGHT-FRONT SIGHT"
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I know some here prefer indoor shooting and some prefer outdoors. SOME colors tend to wash out to gray when in bright sunlight - so that is why I like a method that is 100% removable and can be done in a minute. For me the orange/red color works fantastic indoors but outdoors I much prefer the Factory blued or black sights because they don't get washed out.
gwpercle
Well-known member
Flat White Lacquer ... just use a Bic White-Out Correction Pen .
Shake well , squeeze the pen and place the pen's ball tip where you want the paint and press down the little ball ... beats a brush Seven Ways to Sunday .
You can use the flat white as a base coat for a color ...or as I have found out after trying several colors ... I like the flat white best !
The Bic Pen is also cheap , easy to find and easy to keep one in your range bag .
Gary
Shake well , squeeze the pen and place the pen's ball tip where you want the paint and press down the little ball ... beats a brush Seven Ways to Sunday .
You can use the flat white as a base coat for a color ...or as I have found out after trying several colors ... I like the flat white best !
The Bic Pen is also cheap , easy to find and easy to keep one in your range bag .
Gary
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