Anyone using gold bead front sights?

[DTH]

I have gold bead front sights in several of my revolvers. Smith sold a gold bead for the dx guns part #904050000 , brownells # 940-000-817. I see brownells has dropped the SDM product line. My Thunder Ranch 22-4 came direct from Smith with an SDM gold dot

 

[Electraclyde]

I installed a Gold bead front sight on a Springfield 1911 about 10 or 15 years ago. In most low light conditions, it worked OK. However, if there was bright light anywhere, except in front, the glare off the Gold bead made it unusable. The sight remained on the gun when I sold it.

 

[Doug M.]

I have one on a Patridge sight installed by the factory on my 66-3 a few years ago. It's pretty good. With my eyes, a Red Dot is evolving into the choice for serious use.

 

[Beemerguy53]

A brass bead front sight was standard on my Wiley Clapp Colt Commander...I liked it so much that when I had Novak Sights installed on one of my Browning Hi-Powers, I ordered a brass bead front sight for it as well.

I came across this company the other day when I called Trijicon about replacing some old night sights. Their night sights for S&W revolvers look great, especially the ghost ring setup for fixed-sight revolvers.

S&W W/ GHOST RING – Custom installer of Trijicon Night Sights

 

[DB404]

Brass, in spite of its ability to shine after light sanding, simply can’t reflect light the way gold alloys do. Seeing it first hand under very gray storm clouds really demonstrated the increased power of the gold. Plus it never tarnishes. I’ve been told that the purer the alloy (ie 18 vs 14) the more it reflects light. For me, the trouble with all bead front sights, is the shiny spot your eye is drawn too as a false center for the front sight. Try it on a sunny day (the sight has to be in the sun) and shoot 3 rounds; then get the sight in the shade and shoot 3 more. Your groups may overlap, but you will have 2 distinct group centers. Happy T Day!

 

[Autonomous]

Gold bead sights are nice and a real upgrade for most stock sights. White beads are that much nicer but lack the cool factor.
The first front sight I changed was to a gold dot, the next one, on an even nicer gun, was to a tritium dot, white outline sight.