Fiber Optic Front Site?

[NoBite]

Michael, more than once (recently in reference to the new Para GI lightweight 1911 commander-size) you have expressed a preference for a fiber optic front site. Is the state of the art such that these are considered rugged enough for CCW?

You have got me interested, especially in that Para 1911! In the past, I had thought these sites to be too fragile.  But, I haver never owned a pistol with them. Am interested in your thoughts, and others', on this subject.

[tombogan03884]

I don't know how fragile they are, the one on my shot gun seems pretty well protected.
But they are supposed to be fairly easy to replace.

[NoBite]

Well, for a carry pistol I guess I would prefer the fiber tube not need replacing at the moment I really needed to see it! Practicing presentations, will it hold up? If this is a silly question, tell me.

[tombogan03884]

Mine is on a shot gun, but the pistol ones I've looked at seem to be even better protected, I would be surprised if it broke with out extreme abuse.

[alfsauve]

Question:   What receives more "abuse"?   A CCW gun or a competition gun?    FO sights have held up just fine on my competition guns.  Hundreds of rounds a month (sometimes a week).  In and out of the holster.  Lots of dry fire draw and shoot practice at home.   So far no problem. 

That said, some FO sights are less sturdy than others.  Some made with metal, some with plastic and some with polymer.  But then the same can be said of non-FO sights.  I've shot "regular" sights off some guns.  To date my FO sights haven't been a problem.  In one the tube did want to creep out, but a little LocTite and it hasn't moved since.   

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Question:   What receives more "abuse"?   A CCW gun or a competition gun?    FO sights have held up just fine on my competition guns.  Hundreds of rounds a month (sometimes a week).  In and out of the holster.  Lots of dry fire draw and shoot practice at home.   So far no problem. 

That said, some FO sights are less sturdy than others.  Some made with metal, some with plastic and some with polymer.  But then the same can be said of non-FO sights.  I've shot "regular" sights off some guns.  To date my FO sights haven't been a problem.  In one the tube did want to creep out, but a little LocTite and it hasn't moved since.   

Answer; Open carry guns, my was always banging off of something. It's why I went to CCW.
But it was the grips and cylinder that got banged around, not the front sight or muzzle.

[jnevis]

I have been beating on a Warren FO front sight for a Glock for a couple years now, in practice and both IDPA/USPSA.  It has held up well. 

[ske1eter]

Well, for a carry pistol I guess I would prefer the fiber tube not need replacing at the moment I really needed to see it!

The good thing is that even if the fiber breaks the square profile of the front sight still exists so it's not like the sight is gone. My Dawson Precision sight has gone through many practice sessions plus matches without a problem. On the DP, the bottom of the fiber is fully supported by steel.

[NoBite]

THANKS! These are exactly the type of comments I was looking for. I will pursue the pistol without worrying about the durability of the fiber optic site.

[Green Mountain Gringo]

Just stumbled across this thread as I searched "Fiber Optics".  I underSTAND how FO has revolutionized communications but can they also make a front sight DEAD ON?



Anybody with info...... Illuminate us.