Handgun Sites

[Right-On-Target]

I have always considered myself a “good” marksman with a handgun, especially with my own handguns. Of late when shooting in indoor ranges (which are not the best lit) I have had more difficulty seeing my front sites than I could in my younger days.

Many of the newer hand guns have white or orange front sites and I like them! I don’t want to shed my 50+ year old pistols, but hitting the target is becoming more important as time endures.

Does anyone know of a gunsmith that can professionally add bright color to the front sites of older handguns?

 

[becker_atc]

Little bit of white out or nail polish or model paint is what I have used in the past and its not forever on there. Easily removed.

 

[Boehlertaught]

If you don't want to white you site like Becker suggest, it is a good idea, try Dave McClain at MacKool Firearms. 31st & Sheridan area.

 

[flatwins]

Little bit of white out or nail polish or model paint is what I have used in the past and its not forever on there. Easily removed.

I would agree with this. That way you aren't altering the old pistols.

 

[O4L]

This is one of my favorite handgun sites.

http://smith-wessonforum.com

 

[Buzzdraw]

I have always considered myself a “good” marksman with a handgun, especially with my own handguns. Of late when shooting in indoor ranges (which are not the best lit) I have had more difficulty seeing my front sites than I could in my younger days.

Many of the newer hand guns have white or orange front sites and I like them! I don’t want to shed my 50+ year old pistols, but hitting the target is becoming more important as time endures.

Does anyone know of a gunsmith that can professionally add bright color to the front sites of older handguns?

I find color to be more of a distraction than a help to attain a sharp sight picture. Could be that instead you need a pair of shooting-purpose glasses that will let your eyes sharply focus on the front sight. By sharp I mean able to see the lint down in the serrations of the front sight. If you already wear glasses or contacts, consider if you can see the front sight crisply with your head in a comfortable, proper shooting position. Good shooting glasses make all the difference.

These shooting glasses need not be expensive. Simply use an "experienced" larger sized glasses frame you have stuck away in a drawer. Have your eye doc write a script for the distance from your eyes to the front sight of a typical handgun; about 30" for many. For a good safety/cost blend, consider OSHA rated "E" hard coated plastic lens. These are thicker than an ordinary plastic lens. I like a light amber tint for all around use. Put this new script into the entire dominant eye lens. Leave the non-dominant eye script with your normal everyday script, even if it includes a bifocal. This works well.

 

[Right-On-Target]

Well, Folks, before I posted this thread I would have absolutely been against doing anything to my 51 year old Colt that was not professional grade, but the white out idea intrigued me. I took some paint masking tape, very carefully masked around the front site, applied the white out, and though skeptical through the whole process, I have to say that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life we overlook.

Many thanks!

 

[becker_atc]

I can't say how many times my dad night before deer gun is running around looking for his bottle of white out to touch up his blackhawk sights....