What are you putting on the front sight?

[CigarGuy]

Enjoying ALL the pix threads and have noticed that many(most?) are doing something to the front sight to make it more visible? Definitely a problem of mine(sight picture), so would like to know what you've found works, and doesn't work?

 

[jdickson397]

I have used orange(or whatever color you prefer) model paint or lure(as in fishing) paint. Best to put a white primer coat on first. Make sure the sight is throughly cleaned of oil and solvent first. Be sure to use a toothpick to apply it; works much better than even the tiniest brush.

 

[Ed45]

On my 686 is this Hiviz offering
HIVIZ Front Sight S&W K, L, N Frame Revolver with Pinned Front Sight Steel Fiber Optic Green - MidwayUSA Old eyes just can't aquire standard sight blades anymore.

 

[enfield]

I have used orange(or whatever color you prefer) model paint or lure(as in fishing) paint. Best to put a white primer coat on first. Make sure the sight is throughly cleaned of oil and solvent first. Be sure to use a toothpick to apply it; works much better than even the tiniest brush.

Ditto. I use Wite-out correction fluid - it's blindingly white. Sometimes use the white alone, sometimes with a fluorescent orange top coat.

 

[CigarGuy]

On my 686 is this Hiviz offering
HIVIZ Front Sight S&W K, L, N Frame Revolver with Pinned Front Sight Steel Fiber Optic Green - MidwayUSA Old eyes just can't aquire standard sight blades anymore.

Livin' THAT dream, brother.......
OK. I'm a total idiot with ANY thing "mechanical"! How easy are those to install? Fit all J Frame(I have a 642) and K Frames(66)?
I've used the white out, but just not picking that up. Maybe the layer of white, with and orange on top.......

 

[gr7070]

SDM green fiber optic.

 

[nossew]

As already stated use white first then orange or whatever. I used this Jig/Lure paint from GM, very durable too. It can get thick, I had to add some thinner.

 

[Ed45]

Livin' THAT dream, brother.......
OK. I'm a total idiot with ANY thing "mechanical"! How easy are those to install? Fit all J Frame(I have a 642) and K Frames(66)?
I've used the white out, but just not picking that up. Maybe the layer of white, with and orange on top.......

You need to have a gun with a pinned front sight. If you are handy with a small punch, you can do it yourself; I install my own in a matter of a few minutes. If you are not so inclined, if you purchase the sight from your LGS, they migtht install it for you free of charge.

 

[45times6]

Sharpie paint pen

On my favorite Model 25-2, the original owner had a gunsmith drill into the front (ramp) sight and insert a white resin rod, which has gradually become a bit discolored.

While trying to decide whether I want to pay the $$$ to have the sight milled off and replaced with a pinned-on gold bead, I've in the meantime taken a white sharpie fine-tipped paint pen and brightened up the rod.

Certainly not the most elegant solution (either the original or my update), but it works pretty well for now.


Side note:
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what I might expect to spend to have the sight milled and a pinned sight put in? (And is this something I should send to the "big" gunsmith shops, or would someone local likely be able to handle it?)

 

[Ed45]

Those correction white pens are great for refreshing 3 dot white sights as well.

 

[David Sinko]

I'm a big fan of a white dot of nail polish or one of the above listed substances on the front ramp. It is particularly useful on revolvers with very short barrels where the blade almost fills the rear notch. You pick up the dot very quickly. I considered getting fiber optic or gold bead front sights but the white dot works so well I'll just stick with it and save my money.

The white dot also works great on the front post of my AKM with aperture rear sight.

Dave Sinko

 

[MLeake]

I use gold metallic nail polish on my 13 and 442 front sights. I leave the top 1/5 or so black, as I find it easy to pick up the contrast border area against targets of varying colors.

 

[Ilike9mm]

I use a marking liquid that's used by Junk Yards to mark parts they sell; the local hardware store had some. I use orange. The problem is - during the summer (at the range) the colors of the background are close to brown/orange and it blends in a little. I have a scoped rifle that allows you to light up the crosshairs in either green or red. Probably for the contrast effect.

 

[9399NOLES]

Gold Bead sights anyone?

 

[southchatham]

I have a red truck that came with some touch up paint in a little bottle with a small applicator, worked great on the front sight.

 

[mikero]

White Lacquer primer and Red enamel topcoat

I tried using red touch-up enamel from my S-10 after sanding, WITHOUT a white nail polish (or similar) lacquer primer and found it too chippy, brittle. Like to bake mine in a hot truck afterwards for awhile.... makes it more resistant to solvent. Used to paint cars, etc., so I make a bigger deal out of it than really necessary but it works.

 

[586L-Frame]

I start with a white or yellow base paint/ or nail polish then apply flourescent pink or orange paint to the front sight blade.
Then for extra protection from solvents I apply a nice coating of clear nail polish as the final layers.
586L-Frame

DLC_Paints used to paint front sights.

DLC’s Three SIG P6’s with Painted Red Front Sights.

x

 

[CigarGuy]

I'm thinkin' even I could see that?!

 

[586L-Frame]

Here is a sample on one of my snubbies.
586L-Frame

DLC’s High Standard Sentinel R103 Snubnose 9-shot .22lr.

x

 

[indiandave]

I use orange nail polish. Easy on easy off.

Has always worked for me.