Bodyguard 2.0 Front Sight dimng

[Gingergmc]

I am new here, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

I am new to everything gun ownership! Self-defense concerns in a changing society have led me in this direction. Last winter I purchased a Bodyguard 2.0 for concealed carry. I really like the feel and accuracy I am experiencing as I continue to learn and train. (I realize it is not like a Glock 45 - which I purchased 2 weeks ago for home defense and fun shooting. Yes, I am hooked!) The BG 2.0 fits my carry needs.

My concern is the front sight being hard to see, especially in dim light. The red doesn't seem as bright as when new. Is anyone else (not) seeing this problem, or is it me? Smoke discoloration? Countermeasures? I don't think the black rear sight helps any.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Hello Gingergmc,

Welcome to the forum. There are lots of good people here and an incredible collection of knowledge and experiences. The grumpy old farts add lots of humor and entertainment.

The tritium sight on my 20-month old BG2 and the 5-year old P365 Micro are not bright enough to see well to use as a sighting tool, even in complete darkness. I don’t know why the tiny tritium sights are called “night sights”?

My 6.5-year-old Sig P365XL tritium front sight is completely dead. A tritium vile may be active for 10 or 12 years, but I find I will never use one as a target sighting tool.

If sighting a target in dim light or nighttime light is a concern, there are flashlights or lasers. Arguably, flashlights and lasers have pros and cons. I have lasers on 5 of my firearms and found them to be highly effective at sighting a target quickly in dim light conditions. I found the lasers to be very effective during practice and training to improve my accuracy.

That’s just my worthless opinion.

 

[lunger]

The red or orange ring that surround the tritium vial could possibly just be dirty . You could try cleaning with some solvent.

The Tritium "Night Sight" is the vial that glows green in low light. If this is dimming, outside of replacing it no other options exists. . Mine was not very bright even when new.

There are some after market replacement options available . I prefer a yellow or green front sight. I like the blacked out rear myself . If you don't they can be had with dots. XS sights makes a good set. Be aware the originals can be a bear to remove.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I would not put any solvent on that sight.

 

[lunger]

A little Hoppes 9 on a q tip will not bother that front sight.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Be aware the originals can be a bear to remove.

Uh, yeah! For the OP, if you do chose to replace the sights, if you don't have some experience, a solid, soft-jaw vise, some brass drifts and a machinist's hammer, let a 'smith do it.
Smith went cheapjack on the BG2.0 front sight; the tritium vial isn't very bright, and the red ring is little help. (SIG did the same thing with the original P365). When I still had the original front on my first BG2.0, I simply put a dot of white paint in the insert.
Night sights aren't really for shooting in the dark; they are to be easier to see in lousy light. The BG2.0 Carry Comp has much better sights, the front's bright yellow circle alone is worthwhile.
Moon

 

[lunger]

Uh, yeah! For the OP, if you do chose to replace the sights, if you don't have some experience, a solid, soft-jaw vise, some brass drifts and a machinist's hammer, let a 'smith do it.
Smith went cheapjack on the BG2.0 front sight; the tritium vial isn't very bright, and the red ring is little help. (SIG did the same thing with the original P365). When I still had the original front on my first BG2.0, I simply put a dot of white paint in the insert.
Night sights aren't really for shooting in the dark; they are to be easier to see in lousy light. The BG2.0 Carry Comp has much better sights, the front's bright yellow circle alone is worthwhile.
Moon

Agree about the yellow carry comp sight. I don't see why S&W or someone doesn't make these available. Would think an outside company must be making these.

 

[355sigfan]

The xs sights for the bodyguard 2 was a huge improvement for me both in sight visibility and accuracy.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Agree about the yellow carry comp sight. I don't see why S&W or someone doesn't make these available. Would think an outside company must be making these.

They are, and I was able to order two. Unhappily, they were a loose fit in the OEM dovetail, so they were returned. Brain fade prevents me telling the name of the company, but they were the same yellow ring with a tritium lamp.
The OEM remained a perfect bear to remove, and then replace.
Smith should put the carrry comp sights on all the BG2.0s
Moon

 

[ImDrRich]

I thought it was just another dumb mistake to put an orange front site on the BG 2.0. I have one in my carry rotation and changed the sights for the XS green front and back. Take a look at xs.com and see the sights they sell for the BG 2.0. Might just make you feel that these were right all along.

 

[Gingergmc]

How much improvement did you experience with the green sight? My relatively new BG 2.0 red is dim even in normal lighting. Barely recognizable in dim.

 

[Beju]

Agree about the yellow carry comp sight. I don't see why S&W or someone doesn't make these available. Would think an outside company must be making these.

Apart from some legacy designs in the revolvers (640 Pro, 19, and 586 Carry Comp) that come from Trijicon, most of S&W's night sights are coming from Truglo and XS these days.

S&W was having a lot of issues with crystals and/or tritium vials falling out of Trijicon supplied sights on the early M&P 2.0s in the late 2010s. That seemed much less common after the switch to Trijicon.

XS, OTOH, seems to have had QC issues scaling up for OE contracts. Early UC snubnose sight failures were blamed on an S&W assembler fitting them with a mallet, but the replacement 642UC sight that I got had the tritium leak, turning the luminescent ring brown over a short time. 3rd time was the charm with that. HK CC9 owners have reported similar issues with their OE supplied XS front sights.

 

[lunger]

Nice to see some other options starting to trickle out
https://tagprecision.com/products/s...Udv7pnRQwMMZEsyhbNa7tW9PrYvxlhOfu9adDfT5qNc18

Not sure about these but more choices is always better.

 

[Gingergmc]

I am new here, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

I am new to everything gun ownership! Self-defense concerns in a changing society have led me in this direction. Last winter I purchased a Bodyguard 2.0 for concealed carry. I really like the feel and accuracy I am experiencing as I continue to learn and train. (I realize it is not like a Glock 45 - which I purchased 2 weeks ago for home defense and fun shooting. Yes, I am hooked!) The BG 2.0 fits my carry needs.

My concern is the front sight being hard to see, especially in dim light. The red doesn't seem as bright as when new. Is anyone else (not) seeing this problem, or is it me? Smoke discoloration? Countermeasures? I don't think the black rear sight helps any.

Yesterday I gave up on the sights for my BG 2.0. I love the gun for EDC but my front sight sucks, even in cloudy daylight, and forget seeing the sights in dim light. The front sight only becomes visible when it's almost dark. Difficult when I am practicing at my indoor range and even my at home dry fire laser time at night.

I ordered the XS Sights R3D Night Sight Green Tritium Front. I included the rear notch sight with Iridium locators. This will closer match my Glock sights. I will update after they are installed.

 

[pinefd]

Yesterday I gave up on the sights for my BG 2.0. I love the gun for EDC but my front sight sucks, even in cloudy daylight, and forget seeing the sights in dim light. The front sight only becomes visible when it's almost dark. Difficult when I am practicing at my indoor range and even my at home dry fire laser time at night.

I ordered the XS Sights R3D Night Sight Green Tritium Front. I included the rear notch sight with Iridium locators. This will closer match my Glock sights. I will update after they are installed.

You will not be disappointed with those XS sights. I have them on both of my BG2.0s, including my Carry Comp. I have a laser for the gun(s) and a Viridian green dot, and I still primarily use those XS sights, even with my aging eyesight.


Frank

 

[halfmoonclip]

You will not be disappointed with those XS sights

Had XS sights on my last, standard, BG2.0, before transitioning to the Carry Comp.
The good news, they gave an excellent sight picture. Their only real fault was their size; they were a little large for a gun likely to be pocket carried.
They are a huge improvement on OEM.
Moon

 

[Gunny209]

I would not put any solvent on that sight.

Why?

 

[GnarlsR2]

Why?

Any polymer coating, adhesives, or paint can be damaged by a solvent, even rubbing alcohol.
Why risk potential damage?

"TFO® Sight Cleaning

DO NOT USE an ULTRASONIC CLEANER for maintenance of our TFO sights. These sights must avoid any contact with gun cleaning solvents, gun cleaning sprays, lubricants, preservatives or oils. Contact with any of the above substances can damage these sights and possibly void the TRUGLO warranty. Only a clean soft cloth, micro-fiber or cotton swabs should be used to maintain your TFO sights."

 

[lunger]

Any polymer coating, adhesives, or paint can be damaged by a solvent, even rubbing alcohol.
Why risk potential damage?

"TFO® Sight Cleaning

DO NOT USE an ULTRASONIC CLEANER for maintenance of our TFO sights. These sights must avoid any contact with gun cleaning solvents, gun cleaning sprays, lubricants, preservatives or oils. Contact with any of the above substances can damage these sights and possibly void the TRUGLO warranty. Only a clean soft cloth, micro-fiber or cotton swabs should be used to maintain your TFO sights."

TFO sights are fiber optic . The OP was asking about the factory BG 2.0 sights . TRUGLO's instructions for their TFO sights does not apply at all.

He mentions possible smoke decolorization. When I suggested solvent meaning Hoppes No.9 which I have used on my own . I guess I should have specified this.

Seem as though you took this as meaning some stronger solvent such as as alcohol . I have yet to see Hoppes No.9 damage any polymer .

 

[GnarlsR2]

TFO sights are fiber optic . The OP was asking about the factory BG 2.0 sights . TRUGLO's instructions for their TFO sights does not apply at all.

He mentions possible smoke decolorization. When I suggested solvent meaning Hoppes No.9 which I have used on my own . I guess I should have specified this.

Seem as though you took this as meaning some stronger solvent such as as alcohol . I have yet to see Hoppes No.9 damage any polymer .

I have never been a fan of Hoppe's #9, don't like the smell. My organic chemistry education probably makes me overly cautious when it comes to chemicals like Kerosine, Ethyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Amyl Acetate, Ammonium Hydroxide... all contained in Hoppe's #9.

I'll just keep using non-alcohol eye-glass cleaner if I need to clean a tritium sight with paint on it.

 

[tarheel13]

I have never been a fan of Hoppe's #9, don't like the smell. My organic chemistry education probably makes me overly cautious when it comes to chemicals like Kerosine, Ethyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Amyl Acetate, Ammonium Hydroxide... all contained in Hoppe's #9.

I'll just keep using non-alcohol eye-glass cleaner if I need to clean a tritium sight with paint on it.

I could not agree more. I'm a retired biochemist. I was most worried about Hoppe's #9 because, in the old days, it contained carbon tetrachloride. Apparently that is no longer one of the ingredients. But I think many of the fond memories people have of the effectiveness of Hoppe's is because of the deadly carbon tet it used to contain.

 

[lunger]

I have never been a fan of Hoppe's #9, don't like the smell. My organic chemistry education probably makes me overly cautious when it comes to chemicals like Kerosine, Ethyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Amyl Acetate, Ammonium Hydroxide... all contained in Hoppe's #9.

I'll just keep using non-alcohol eye-glass cleaner if I need to clean a tritium sight with paint on it.

I love that smell .

I will yield to you organic chemistry education and eye glass cleaner certainly would work. If concerned about the chemicals I understand.

That said your original point that it will damage that sight I just don't agree with. But it is OK to disagree. It is all good

 

[ImDrRich]

My eyes see green much better than orange. It made a huge difference.

 

[Busch297]

Toss the original sights and by the XS replacements. Night and day above what Smith puts on. I bought mine on sale, I think it was 25 or 35 percent off at the time. You can’t beat them.

 

[lunger]

I believe the OP did order XS replacements. Post #14

The only reasons keeping me from buying XS is the size compared to the OEM and the cost. Unless you hit a sale when you factor shipping ,tax you are almost half way to a new carry comp version with improved sights.

Unlike most I don't mind the wide blacked out rear but would prefer green front as on my Shield X.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I could not agree more. I'm a retired biochemist. I was most worried about Hoppe's #9 because, in the old days, it contained carbon tetrachloride. Apparently that is no longer one of the ingredients. But I think many of the fond memories people have of the effectiveness of Hoppe's is because of the deadly carbon tet it used to contain.

Hello tarheel13,

As a young kid I remember my dad using a liquid carbon tet fire extinguisher. In addition to it being a highly toxic and a nasty carcinogen, its atmospheric half-life is 30-100 years!

This is slightly off topic, however we should all be aware of the safety concerns when we frequently use the chemicals in our hobby.

As part of being health conscientious, over the past few years I've been focused on detoxing my body and lessen my exposure to toxins. I have switched from Hoppe's #9, to Bore Tech Inc. Cu2 Copper Remover to clean my barrel and internal parts. As I mentioned, I use WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner Quick-Drying and canned air to clean the BG2 striker and channel.

The two chemicals in Bore Tech’s Cu2 Copper Remover, 2-Aminoethylphosphonic Acid and Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether will NOT damage the polymer used in handgun frames. Neither chemical is highly toxic to humans. The 3 chemicals in WD-40 Contact Cleaner (Heptane, Isopropyl Alcohol, and Difluoroethane) can be toxic to humans, I use it outside and only takes about about 60 seconds to clean the striker channel on my BG2. I always wear Nitrile gloves when cleaning my firearms.

However, EVERY chemical used in Hoppe’s #9 (Kerosine, Ethyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Amyl Acetate, Ammonium Hydroxide) CAN damage the polymer used in handgun frames. All of these chemicals can be highly toxic to humans.

It's nice to have choices.

 

[tarheel13]

You are not "off topic" at all. This is exactly the sort of information that can be most helpful to people who shoot and clean their firearms.

The only cleaner I use on metal gun parts is non-chlorinated brake cleaner. It's a mix of acetone, heptanes, and carbon dioxide under pressure. I use it only outdoors while wearing impervious gloves, goggles, and an N95 mask to prevent inhalation of liquid particulates. I catch the excess spray in a small plastic tub and put metal parts in to soak after the spray-down.

For plastic parts I just use Dawn dishwashing detergent in warm water.

 

[GnarlsR2]

You are not "off topic" at all. This is exactly the sort of information that can be most helpful to people who shoot and clean their firearms.

The only cleaner I use on metal gun parts is non-chlorinated brake cleaner. It's a mix of acetone, heptanes, and carbon dioxide under pressure. I use it only outdoors while wearing impervious gloves, goggles, and an N95 mask to prevent inhalation of liquid particulates. I catch the excess spray in a small plastic tub and put metal parts in to soak after the spray-down.

For plastic parts I just use Dawn dishwashing detergent in warm water.

If you were talking to my old friend Larry (one of the coolest guys I've known), and you were explaining your cleaning procedure, he would say to you... "tarheel13, you are a fart smucker!"

 

[lunger]

Well a little off topic .We went from a dim front sight to my chemicals are safer than yours.

Gun cleaning products always cause differences of opinion. Safe handling is always a good thing no matter what you are using.

 

[KenTheHunter]

The

Why?

bodyguard 2.0 doesn’t have a bright front sight even when new. To me this is a 15 yard and under gun.