Red ramp sight insert, where to get?
- Thread starter otis24
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As a person that years ago always preferred to cut the front sight to install a Red Ramp Insert, I have changed my ways to a much better method (at least to me).
I no longer dovetail the front sight - I simply use Testor's Model Paint sold in the 1 ounce bottles in any craft store. Let me explain my reasoning......
First of all and most important to me is there is no alteration (cutting) of the front sight. That allows me to restore the original Plain Jane front sight in minutes if so desired. While at the moment you might not think you would ever want to go back to the Factory sight - someday you just mIght and this gIves you the option. While colored ramps seem like a great idea for indoor shooting (and they are), they don't appear the same outdoors. Years ago I shot almost exclusively indoors and the colored inserts were helpful. Now days I shoot outdoors 90% of the time and to me the Red Ramp insert gets washed out and turns gray in the sunlight - the plain factory sights work better (for me).
Secondly the Testor's paint comes in a plethora of colors, glossy, flat, iridescent, etc. so there is a much much larger color choice and it also allows changing colors rapidly and easily. If and when you want the factory sights restored, simply take a new razor blade and carefully remove the paint following up with some paint thinner and viola - the paint is gone with no damage!
Believe it or not in the 30+ years I have been using the Testor's paint I know for a fact it stands up to every solvent and chemical I use on my guns just fine - it is one tough paint! Allow to dry 24 hours between coats.
Instead of using a brush and applying one thick coat, I apply the Testor's with a wooden toothpick making sure the guns sight is perfectly horizontal while drying. I apply it (exactly where an insert would be, not to the entire front sight) in 3 lighter coats and don't worry about any paint that gets where you don't want it - it can be cleaned up later after drying with a new razor blade. This method is super affordable, idiot proof, allows any color change you want any time you want it, it's durable, looks terrific and works as good or better than the actual Dovetailed Insert.
I would strongly suggest trying this method before cutting a dovetail into your front sight. Once the cut us there, it's there forever! Plus, you might want to experiment with different colors and guess what - you might not like the colored sight at all! What have you got to loose except $2 bucks for a bottle of Testor's!
PS: Before applying paint - clean surface with Alcohol to insure there is no oil on it.
I no longer dovetail the front sight - I simply use Testor's Model Paint sold in the 1 ounce bottles in any craft store. Let me explain my reasoning......
First of all and most important to me is there is no alteration (cutting) of the front sight. That allows me to restore the original Plain Jane front sight in minutes if so desired. While at the moment you might not think you would ever want to go back to the Factory sight - someday you just mIght and this gIves you the option. While colored ramps seem like a great idea for indoor shooting (and they are), they don't appear the same outdoors. Years ago I shot almost exclusively indoors and the colored inserts were helpful. Now days I shoot outdoors 90% of the time and to me the Red Ramp insert gets washed out and turns gray in the sunlight - the plain factory sights work better (for me).
Secondly the Testor's paint comes in a plethora of colors, glossy, flat, iridescent, etc. so there is a much much larger color choice and it also allows changing colors rapidly and easily. If and when you want the factory sights restored, simply take a new razor blade and carefully remove the paint following up with some paint thinner and viola - the paint is gone with no damage!
Believe it or not in the 30+ years I have been using the Testor's paint I know for a fact it stands up to every solvent and chemical I use on my guns just fine - it is one tough paint! Allow to dry 24 hours between coats.
Instead of using a brush and applying one thick coat, I apply the Testor's with a wooden toothpick making sure the guns sight is perfectly horizontal while drying. I apply it (exactly where an insert would be, not to the entire front sight) in 3 lighter coats and don't worry about any paint that gets where you don't want it - it can be cleaned up later after drying with a new razor blade. This method is super affordable, idiot proof, allows any color change you want any time you want it, it's durable, looks terrific and works as good or better than the actual Dovetailed Insert.
I would strongly suggest trying this method before cutting a dovetail into your front sight. Once the cut us there, it's there forever! Plus, you might want to experiment with different colors and guess what - you might not like the colored sight at all! What have you got to loose except $2 bucks for a bottle of Testor's!
PS: Before applying paint - clean surface with Alcohol to insure there is no oil on it.
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