Painting K Frame Fixed Sights

[1madss]

I have had a 10-6 for a while now and just picked up a 13-3 3" last week and have problems seeing the fixed sights. I specifically bought a 13 with a pinned front sight with the intention on replacing it with something else, probably a FO sight, but was still going to have problems seeing the rear. I decided in the mean time that I would give sight paint another try. I had tried the painted front sight in the past, but while it was some help, I still really struggled to see the sights even in good light.

While playing around with a three dot setup I ended up with a three square instead. It works great! I can actually see this with out glasses even in fairly low light. I just line up the two white squares with the center red. It is very easy to use the top and bottom edges of the squares to quickly center the sights. Best of all it was free and wipes right off with a little acetone.

This is hardly ground breaking, I just thought I would share what I have found to really help with my issues in seeing these sights.

I went ahead and did this to my 10-6 as well as my H&R Sportsman. Hope to make it out to the range this week to give them a real test.

What the sight picture looks like. Sorry for the mediocre shot, this pic was a real pain to try and get.

I'm curious to see what others have come up for fixed sights. I had done a fair amount of searching for options prior to getting the M13 to make sure I had some choices, but had not seen much other than replacing the front sight with one of a couple of blades types, mostly FO.

 

[windypoint]

I've done the same on my Model 52. Black sights just don't make it for my tired eyes anymore. I did have better results applying the color over a double coat of white applied first. It really pops now.

 

[C Islander]

I've got a buddy that paints all his front sights pink, just like yours!

 

[papajohn428]

I've painted several guns the same way, and different colors work for different eyes, it's worth a little trial and error. Pink seems to work best for me in low-light conditions, but a bright yellow is also a good choice.

What would help even more is extra-large rear sight notches!

 

[steamloco76]

I black out the rear sight grove and notch on stainless guns, then paint the front sight bright orange. Dots and white outlines seem to distract me for some reason.

 

[MikeyB]

If my revolvers front sight doesn't have a red insert, light pipe or tritium it gets a white base coat with Revlon Hot Tamale Red on top.

 

[Old Corp]

For years I used the little bottles of Testor's model paint in various hi- viz colors.
A couple years back, found the one I had stored away had dried up. Went to Wallyworld to replace it.
No such thing in stock anymore. Kids don't build models anymore.

Ended up in the 'crafts' section with a bottle of blaze orange that will do about 6000 front sights.

 

[Realzebub45]

For years I used the little bottles of Testor's model paint in various hi- viz colors.
A couple years back, found the one I had stored away had dried up. Went to Wallyworld to replace it.
No such thing in stock anymore. Kids don't build models anymore.

Ended up in the 'crafts' section with a bottle of blaze orange that will do about 6000 front sights.

You have to find one of those Hobby shops that sell the little train sets and models. They should have Testor's. Although, these types of shops don't seem long for this world.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

1madss: I painted the front sight on my model 10 white. I never thought of painting the rear like that. Looks good.

Old Corp: Try Hobby Lobby for Testor's paint.

 

[shawn mccarver]

1madss: I painted the front sight on my model 10 white. I never thought of painting the rear like that. Looks good.

Old Corp: Try Hobby Lobby for Testor's paint.

A friend of mine actually prefers to buy the light-activated paint so he can "install" night sights on his pistols easily. I agree with the suggestion of a hobby store such as Hobby Lobby.

By the way, as I went to Mizzou, I love your screen name and logo!

As my wife went to KU, I always have to turn the screen if she comes around when I am reading one of your posts.

LOL

 

[photoman]

What the sight picture looks like. Sorry for the mediocre shot, this pic was a real pain to try and get.

Very nice! I'll have to try that on some of my Centennials.

 

[mg357]

Ladies Nail polish.

 

[corgiS&W]

For years I used the little bottles of Testor's model paint in various hi- viz colors.
A couple years back, found the one I had stored away had dried up. Went to Wallyworld to replace it.
No such thing in stock anymore. Kids don't build models anymore.

Ended up in the 'crafts' section with a bottle of blaze orange that will do about 6000 front sights.

I found an assortment of Testor's at Hobby Lobby.

 

[GunguyDan]

I just got a box of Testor Orange, Yellow and Green Flourescent paint direct from Testors this morning. I ordered it Tuesday of this week direect from their website..........Dan.

 

[GF]

Ladies Nail polish.

GF

 

[Papa-T]

Testor's Fluorescent Green (rear) and Fluorescent Orange (front) paint from Hobby Lobby. Both were applied over a coat of white fingernail polish then topped off with a clearcoat. Sorry for the photo quality - not easy to photograph the rear and front sights together.

 

[adwjc]

Sight Paint

They actually make a product specifically for this, sold by Birchwood Casey, a three "pen" set (orange, white and green).

I've had mine for about 10 or 12 years, still doing a great job. I find you don't need to mask your sight, the paint is thick enough to flow right on w/o streaking or running, if you prime the thing first, by pressing on a piece of cardboard.

 

[bananaman]

No reason why it wouldn't work just fine! Bob

 

[Hair Trigger]

Sorry for the photo quality - not easy to photograph the rear and front sights together.

Shoot from farther back from the subject, use as small an aperture as possible (if your camera does that) for a greater depth of field. Then crop the image to enlarge it for detail.

I have had a 10-6 for a while now and just picked up a 13-3 3" last week and have problems seeing the fixed sights..... I decided in the mean time that I would give sight paint another try. I had tried the painted front sight in the past, but while it was some help, I still really struggled to see the sights even in good light.

While playing around with a three dot setup I ended up with a three square instead. It works great! I can actually see this with out glasses even in fairly low light. I just line up the two white squares with the center red. It is very easy to use the top and bottom edges of the squares to quickly center the sights. Best of all it was free and wipes right off with a little acetone.

I did something very similar on my M58. I used Testors enamel red on the front blade, and flat white on the back side of the rear notch.

 

[gwpercle]

With a little practice ... you can "paint" nice round white dots with a BIC White-Out Correction Pen ... get a new one , or one that has plenty fluid , Squeeze the barrel and then press the pen roller ball where you want the dot, keeping a constant amout of pressure on the barrel while pressing the ball down . It takes a little practice to get the squeezing pressure and point pressure just right ... but soon you will be able to paint nice round flat white dots anywhere you want them .
Just grab a WhiteOut pen and try it on a sheet of dark paper ... making "Dots" gets a lot easier than you think possible ... and a new or little used pen works best , the ink supply is greater and flows easier than when half dried up .
Gary

 

[Walter Rego]

Here is the front sight I did on my Model 65. It was done with a coat of Testors flat white first, followed by a coat of flat orange. I experimented with a piece of blue painters tape first to see where to start in the serrations so the paint was only in the serrations visible with a correct sight picture. The paint may need to be thinned a little, it will prevent it from filling up the serrations and just presenting a blob. Clean up any that gets on the side of the blade with a cotton swab and acetone.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I usually just do the front sight , and usually use nail polish . That works ok with my eyes , and I DISlike dots on the rear sights .

Papa- T 's set up looks interesting , I'm going to have to try something like that .

My local establishment that recently closed did carry Testors , but their selection was spotty . I guess I'll have to go to the website .

 

[Biggfoot44]

Had daughter pick up the florescent orange and florescent green for me fro Hobby Lobby for me , but haven't had chance to get artistic yet .

 

[rockquarry]

This was sort of a fad in the '70s. White Out was the most popular. Like red ramp front sights, fluorescent sights, and other such gimmick sights, I've never seen an advantage over a plain blued or stainless sight. However, our eyes and how we see things are different for all of us. If the simple front sight doesn't work well for you, use what does, but try both if you have the chance.

 

[JohnRippert]

I put a layer of bright white on the front, followed by a couple layers of fluorescent yellow. The vertical portion of the rear site channel gets flat black.

 

[Jalopiejoe]

What the sight picture looks like. Sorry for the mediocre shot, this pic was a real pain to try and get.

I'm curious to see what others have come up for fixed sights. I had done a fair amount of searching for options prior to getting the M13 to make sure I had some choices, but had not seen much other than replacing the front sight with one of a couple of blades types, mostly FO.[/quote]


Fantastic Idea!
I have already painted the front sight on my 617 Brite Orange.
This afternoon I am going to use your idea and paint White squares on the rear sight!
Thanks!

 

[Eddietruett]

For years I used the little bottles of Testor's model paint in various hi- viz colors.
A couple years back, found the one I had stored away had dried up. Went to Wallyworld to replace it.
No such thing in stock anymore. Kids don't build models anymore.

Ended up in the 'crafts' section with a bottle of blaze orange that will do about 6000 front sights.

Hobby Lobby

 

[Jalopiejoe]

What the sight picture looks like. Sorry for the mediocre shot, this pic was a real pain to try and get.

I'm curious to see what others have come up for fixed sights. I had done a fair amount of searching for options prior to getting the M13 to make sure I had some choices, but had not seen much other than replacing the front sight with one of a couple of blades types, mostly FO.

Fantastic Idea!
I have already painted the front sight on my 617 Brite Orange.
This afternoon I am going to use your idea and paint White squares on the rear sight!
Thanks!

REVISED!

New sight picture for old eyes!
It looked cool at first!
I went back to black!
I didn't like how the white didn't work well in different lighting! In brite sunlight (blinding) it just made the notch look really wide and lost definition!

 

[crows]

Spray paint works great and can be found anywhere in fluorescent colors. Don't want to mask off the sights and spray? Not a problem. Get some paper cups, shake up the rattle can real good, and spray into the cup. Then use your favorite applicator, brush cotton swab, whatever, and apply. Your favorite color in the average sized spray can will last a long time.

 

[S&W Fan]

I'm another that uses Testors with a color over a white base. This is my 64-5 NY-1 3". Also only did the front, works great for me and easy to clean off if I want to maintain it's original appearance.