Make your own night sight paint?

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Hello,
I am shooting in an indoor match with my M&P and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to make my front sight a nite site with some type of paint or something? I only have one match indoors with low/no light and don't have the cash to buy a night sight. Thanks.
 
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Go to your local model shop and get a small bottle of Testors paint in whatever color you want.
 
Go to the local building supply store... Lowes, Home Depot, whatever...

Go to the paint section and tell them you want some of the paint that you can use to put "glow in the dark" stars on your child's bedroom ceiling. I bought a little bottle, about 4 ounces I think, for a couple of bucks a long time ago and it lasts forever.

The bottle has a twist nozzle (think Elmer's glue style here) that will allow you to squeeze the paint directly into a front sight where the white dot used to be (remove it by scraping with a straight pin or needle). Or if you want to paint the entire sight, just squeeze a little paint into a clean bottle cap.

If you are filling in a white dot front sight, you may want to put a couple of applications on it to fill the hole up above the surface - then take an exacto knife and shave it smooth with the rest of the sight. Looks like a factory white dot until you see it glowing in the dark.

You do have to "charge up" the paint with a tactical light or such. This paint will hold a glow for the duration of just about any practice episode or real life encounter.

Hope this helps. I've been using this technique for years on revolvers and such that had "integral front sights."

-Mike
 
Just to be clear, luminous paint that glows after exposure to light is not the same thing as tritium-based night sights that glow on their own (no light exposure needed).

Luminous paint will work for match use because you can expose them to a light source, but it won't do much for a concealed carry gun.
 
You may not want tritium sights on your concealed carry gun either ... not so concealed when the bad guy sees the glow.
 
They really cast off quite a glow - visible from almost all angles.

Just sayin' if it's that dark, you need a flashlight or something to illuminate the target, not brighter sights. These days, every bullet that leaves the barrel has a lawyer attached - don't make it easy on 'em!
 
Yes , the dayglo type or flourescent type paint works very well.
Most indoor are low light, and the paint will work better than stock sights. You can also go to a hobby store and buy a small flourescent rod and drill your sights as well. But you had better be pretty handy with a drill to get them straight.
No light, ( total blackness ), would be dangerous.
 
My local Lowes doesn't carry it any more, but Michael's does. I got some yesterday.
I painted the whole front sight with a bright light green acrylic and after it dried I used a Q-tip to apply the glow in the dark paint. It dries clear and the green sight shows up very well.
 
I do not know of any Tritium based paint as Tritium is a radio active material and requires a special license to sell and is sealed in a glass vial.
Phosphorescent type paint is available and here is a link that bladerunner posted .

NEW - DuraGlo Night Sight Paint



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW - DuraGlo Night Sight Paint
By Amy Lauer
Jul 20, 2006, 06:58
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The Newest Product from DuraCoat Firearm Finishes: DuraGlo Night Sight Paint


DuraGlo Night Sight Paint - Glows in the dark

DuraGlo Night Sight Paint is a durable glow in the dark paint. This phosphorescent coating glows brighter and longer than any night sight paint available, yet is almost transparent in daylight. It is brighter than the popular Cyalume Glow Sticks and is ten times brighter than zinc-based glow in the dark products. DuraGlo recharges it self in light and will continue to glow for over 12 hours. DuraGlo comes in ½ ounce containers and is available for only $9.95. DuraGlo requires a base coat which is available for only $4.95.



For more information contact: Lauer Custom Weaponry/DuraCoat Products 3601 129th St. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, 1-800-830-6677, Manufacturer of DuraCoat Firearms Finishes
 
Probably too expensive for painting on a couple of dots, but Lum-Tec watches via Chris Wiegand sells luminous compounds in various colors. This is luminous powder only, you will have to mix it with a clear gloss non-water based lacquer or varnish to apply. This is some seriously bright stuff, and have no idea if it would be actually too bright. I have a Lum-Tec watch and can read in the dark with it.

so: 1.) $$$$$ +$31 for 2 grams 2.) have to mix it yourself 3.) much brighter than "hobby" luminous paint 4.) might be too bright for serious tactical considerations

Hope you find a good fit for your needs.

Wiegand Custom Watch, LLC
 
Sink and tube enamel touch-up paint works just as well. Only limitation is that it comes in white only.
 
rte148 said:
Probably too expensive for painting on a couple of dots, but Lum-Tec watches via Chris Wiegand sells luminous compounds in various colors. This is luminous powder only, you will have to mix it with a clear gloss non-water based lacquer or varnish to apply. This is some seriously bright stuff, and have no idea if it would be actually too bright. I have a Lum-Tec watch and can read in the dark with it.

so: 1.) $$$$$ +$31 for 2 grams 2.) have to mix it yourself 3.) much brighter than "hobby" luminous paint 4.) might be too bright for serious tactical considerations

Hope you find a good fit for your needs.

Wiegand Custom Watch, LLC
Click to expand...

I see someone beat me too it, but was also going to suggest the luminous paint used for watch dials.

My other hobby is watch and clock repair, and I know you can get a product called Luminova or Super Luminova in all sorts of colors, and even mix your own to suit. I'll be experimenting with some on the white dots in my 5906 adjustable sights.

It responds to ultraviolet light, so you can have a small UV flashlight and use it to activate the night sights before your match and they will definitely last!
 
I forgot about the superluminova, I think it is pretty close to a Lum-Tec, and I've compared it to my Torgoen, and it's hard to tell, especially considering the watch with the superlum. is about 4 years older, so it's lume isn't as bright as it used to be.

Yeah, watches were my first sickness, and I can't keep away from the WUS blogs.
 
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