[joffe]

Hello,

The gold bead front sight seems like a good choice. But from what I've heard regarding the reflectivity of gold and how the bead collects light during daylight periods, I have one question.

If you have the sun behind you on a clear day (with just the right angles), would the sight glare in your eyes?

[XDKingslayer]

I have a gold bead sight on my Winchester Model 64 and that's never happened to me. The M64 does have a cover over the front sight, but I removed that 15 years ago.

[sm]

Gold beads do not glare, distract, or anything, except to provide the best sights for all lighting conditions.

Old gunfighters tip, and one that goes way back on a variety of guns.
Gold sights, beads preferred, although some guns use blades, from Colt , Browning and Beretta Minx, to Colt Detective Special, J frames, K frames, BHPs, 1911s, .38 Supers, S&W 39, 59, 3913s...etc., and even my Model 29 have used gold.
Some old gun sus

More more offerings such as Glock 26, Kel-Tecs in P-11, P32, P3AT, Springfield XD, S&W M&P, Ruger P Series, Seecamp, Guardian, Custom Capsian in 9x23 , have these added.
Serious person just had their P-11 adapted, rear sights darkened and 14yg bead put in.
She was popping tennis balls out to 50 steps with hers.
Then again with her J Frame with gold bead, she had been known to keep all rounds in a playing card out out to 75 and for fun does 2 COM and 1 to Head at 100.
She rabbit hunts with a J frame often, and likes the challenge of running shots...

[rcmodel]

They don't glare enough to cause eye strain, but they do glare enough to change your Point of Impact.

Target shooters have known for 100 years or more that a reflection or glare off the side of the front sight will move POI away from the light enough to require a sight adjustment.

Thus, the reason for flat black sights, front sight hoods, and smoking the sights with a carbide flame for competition.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[coelacanth]

Yes they can cause a minor shift in the point of impact at target range distances but a gold bead front with a shallow V-notch rear is a fine set up for most handgun chores.

[JoeHatley]

would the sight glare in your eyes

No, but it may change your point of impact.

Joe

[joffe]

Thanks, guys. I was thinking more from a 'combat accuracy/carry' viewpoint rather than the target/competition viewpoint, so I guess the POI can't be that decisive for such a gun. :)