The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Rob10ring on July 21, 2008, 04:43:36 AM

Title: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Rob10ring on July 21, 2008, 04:43:36 AM
Occasionally I see references to putting paint on a front site to make it stand out. Is there a best type of paint to use for this, or would nail polish also work the same?
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Hazcat on July 21, 2008, 06:34:52 AM
Though there are 'special' paints, nail polish works well.  I have used it and had no problems with it.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: CZShooter on July 21, 2008, 09:47:10 AM
I'm a big fan of these... http://www.nitesiters.com/ (http://www.nitesiters.com/)
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: cookie62 on July 21, 2008, 03:57:45 PM
I just use bright nail polish. Sometimes they look at you kinda wierd at the store.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Rob10ring on July 21, 2008, 05:05:12 PM
I'm the dad in a family where I am the only male. There is no shortage of nail polish (in every possible color imaginable). The nightsiters look like something Ill want to try on a couple of auto-pistols, but I have a couple of fixed site revolvers that I want to try "painting" the front site on. One is my Ruger SP101. That black front site can be a little difficult on the dark, indoor range. I would still recommend it to anyone.

Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: 2HOW on July 21, 2008, 05:13:23 PM
The glow in the dark stuff bought at hobby shops works like high dollar inserts. Very reasonable, many flavors. ;D
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: John McCreery on July 22, 2008, 08:22:28 AM
In a pinch, white out or a white crayon.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Majer on July 23, 2008, 07:19:10 PM
Testors model paint works well, on a blued gun you'll want to put a base coat of flat white on then the color of choice, it will stand out better that way.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Rob10ring on July 25, 2008, 10:23:13 PM
In a pinch, white out or a white crayon.
I wouldn't have thought of white out. I was thinking of something with more permanence, but that is pretty innovative and reversible. Are they making white out in colors now?
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: WymoreWrangler on July 26, 2008, 12:53:56 PM
I got a bright sight kit from Midway, it cost about 15 dollars if I remember correctly, come on over, I can paint about a couple thousand sights with this kit... ;D
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Rob10ring on July 26, 2008, 03:44:37 PM
I got a bright sight kit from Midway, it cost about 15 dollars if I remember correctly, come on over, I can paint about a couple thousand sights with this kit... ;D

I looked that up and saw that they have a Bright Sights kit that glows too. That was a great tip! Did you need the application set also, or did you just use regular model paint brushes.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: John McCreery on July 28, 2008, 11:33:32 AM
I wouldn't have thought of white out. I was thinking of something with more permanence, but that is pretty innovative and reversible. Are they making white out in colors now?

Not sure if they make it in colors.  Many times when I'm teaching, people bring a small gun with small sights and have trouble picking up the front.  So, I keep some in my bag and a white crayon.  If that doesn't work, point shooting!
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: pioneer on July 29, 2008, 02:09:22 PM
I've been using florescent colored model paint on pistols without night sights, with good results for years.  Any high visability paint that will help you find the front sight quickly. 

I'm curious about the Nite Sighters though.  From what I understand on the web site, before you can effectively use them, you must take the time to activate them with a light source?  Is that correct?  I'm not sure how a delayed response and compromising your location would give you a tactical advantage.  Tell me where I'm wrong on this.  I'd rather spend the money for tritium sights.   

Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: WymoreWrangler on July 29, 2008, 03:50:55 PM
I looked that up and saw that they have a Bright Sights kit that glows too. That was a great tip! Did you need the application set also, or did you just use regular model paint brushes.

I just used the brushes that came with it...
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: DesertMarine on August 08, 2008, 01:11:50 PM
I'm a big fan of these... http://www.nitesiters.com/ (http://www.nitesiters.com/)

I ordered a set of nitesiters and one of the daysiters.  Put the daysiters on a friends Beretta .22 target pistol.  Looks good and they are bright.  He was able to get used to them pretty quick, me not as well or as quick.  The nitesiters look like they will be good, except for having to recharge.  We'll see.

I could not find any bright sights for the Beretta.  Not that common of a pistol, nice though.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Rob10ring on August 08, 2008, 02:14:35 PM
I've been using florescent colored model paint on pistols without night sights, with good results for years.  Any high visability paint that will help you find the front sight quickly. 

I'm curious about the Nite Sighters though.  From what I understand on the web site, before you can effectively use them, you must take the time to activate them with a light source?  Is that correct?  I'm not sure how a delayed response and compromising your location would give you a tactical advantage.  Tell me where I'm wrong on this.  I'd rather spend the money for tritium sights.   


Before my wife goes to sleep, she uses a flashlight to charge up the glowing dashes on an analog watch. She is able to see them throughout the night. I wonder if the nitesiters will hold a charge that way. I could make it ritual to light up a couple of house guns every night.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Galeth005 on August 08, 2008, 07:11:13 PM
i do not like the idea of those glow in the dark pain kits... it jsut doesnt sound feasable to me... i would rather spend the money to get a night sight put on my pistol than just paint some glow in the dark goo on the sights... this is for several reasons... 1 professional night sights are alot more reliable, 2 they increase the value of the firearm, 3 u dont have to bother about charging them, in the chance that one night u are to lazy to charge them and its the one night that u really need them. 4, they dont stay charged nearly as long as they should
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 08, 2008, 08:04:34 PM
i do not like the idea of those glow in the dark pain kits... it jsut doesnt sound feasable to me... i would rather spend the money to get a night sight put on my pistol than just paint some glow in the dark goo on the sights... this is for several reasons... 1 professional night sights are alot more reliable, 2 they increase the value of the firearm, 3 u dont have to bother about charging them, in the chance that one night u are to lazy to charge them and its the one night that u really need them. 4, they dont stay charged nearly as long as they should

What are you going to do with something like an SP 101 that has the front sight machined into the barrel ?
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: DesertMarine on August 08, 2008, 09:03:01 PM
I've been using florescent colored model paint on pistols without night sights, with good results for years.  Any high visability paint that will help you find the front sight quickly. 

I'm curious about the Nite Sighters though.  From what I understand on the web site, before you can effectively use them, you must take the time to activate them with a light source?  Is that correct?  I'm not sure how a delayed response and compromising your location would give you a tactical advantage.  Tell me where I'm wrong on this.  I'd rather spend the money for tritium sights.   



As I understood the description on the website, you charge the NiteSite beforehand and have them ready for night time.  The glow is supposed to last around 18 hours.  He also sells two lights to charge the dots.  I'll charge up the dots with flashlight and let you know tomorrow how that works.   
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: DesertMarine on August 09, 2008, 11:32:21 AM
I charged up the NiteSites last night with a 3 cell Maglight for about 45 min.  This was about 9 PM, the dots were very bright.  This morning, the dots still glowed but not too bright.  Looks like you have to recharge every day.

This a a quote from the NiteSiter web page.  "The good news is,  10 minutes of sunlight, 20 minutes of close lamp light, or 5 minutes of Ultraviolet light is all it takes to provide many hours of luminosity".  I'll probably figure out which handgun I want to put them on and try them out. 

So far, looks pretty good but time will tell. 
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: darwin-t on August 09, 2008, 06:01:11 PM
I've used "Apple Crate" brandpaints from Walmart. White then fluorescent orange or white alone.

Here is something else - I haven't tried them - a little pricey

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm?Category=256

I'm going to try the nite sighters. I like the Heiney sights on my Taurus PT1911, but I'd rather have the dots touching when properly sighted. I'd have to remove the serrations to get them to stick, though.
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Galeth005 on August 09, 2008, 10:11:08 PM
What are you going to do with something like an SP 101 that has the front sight machined into the barrel ?

since you have mentioned my favorite wheel gun lol i will respond... crimson laser grips ;D gotta love em
Title: Re: Paints for Front Site
Post by: Ichiban on August 10, 2008, 07:28:31 AM
What are you going to do with something like an SP 101 that has the front sight machined into the barrel ?
I believe Trijicon refers you to ToolTech http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=104 (http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=104)
I have the same issue with my Beretta 92 but I haven't had it done yet so I can't tell you how good of a job they do.