Drilling tritium


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lksseven
September 1, 2008, 10:36 AM
Two questions:
1) Is it possible to drill the traditional front and rear sight (say, for a Beretta Cheetah) enough to insert tritium for a better night-sight capability?
a) I know the front sight is an integral part of the slide, so I assumed it would have to be drilled.
2) If it is possible, is it advisable?

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AndyC
September 1, 2008, 10:46 AM
That's what gunsmiths are for - I'm not quite sure what you're asking :confused:

If it helps, yes, I've had sights drilled for tritium capsules - certainly didn't do it myself, though. Take it to a decent smith who will tell you if it's easily-done on that particular firearm; shouldn't be a problem at all on a Cheetah.

Maelstrom
September 1, 2008, 10:51 AM
With a steady hand and a drill press there shouldn't be much of an issue. Get a tritium vial and epoxy it in place.

In fact, I've been looking at doing the same thing with my Mossberg 590 front sight.

CDignition
September 1, 2008, 11:06 AM
you will need to make sure the hole starts off in the right place. if it wanders at all it will drill in the wrong place and look bad. you can send your slide out to have them installed..

Sylvan-Forge
September 1, 2008, 11:11 AM
Check out ToolTech (http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/)

.

MIL-DOT
September 1, 2008, 11:17 AM
Oops,I thought this was about OFFSHORE tritium drilling !! Nevermind. :D

ieszu
September 1, 2008, 12:51 PM
Oops,I thought this was about OFFSHORE tritium drilling !! Nevermind.

I wonder how long it would take to see results? Don't we keep hearing about it taking 10 years or so? :)

jwr747
September 1, 2008, 01:20 PM
I didn't know you could buy Tritium capsules. jwr

rcmodel
September 1, 2008, 01:24 PM
Theres folks selling them on the net.

Without NRC blessing or licensing, I bet!

rcmodel

jwr747
September 1, 2008, 02:42 PM
from what I remember reading Trijicon is the only folks licensed to sell Tritium sights,and they had to take NRC to court to get the right to. jwr

rcmodel
September 1, 2008, 02:55 PM
Could be make them, but surely not sell them.

I doubt if Kimber/Meprolite, or Tru-Glow, or others are breaking any laws.

I inquired of Kember/Meprolite about replacing the vials in an old set of their sights a few months ago.

They told me they can't do it, and all new Meps are made in Israel.
They just import them.

rcmodel

lksseven
September 1, 2008, 10:39 PM
Thanks, guys. I had read a post on another site about not being able to upgrade to night sights on the Beretta Cheetah, and I thought I'd get some quick input from here that might set me straight. I'll drop by a couple of gun dealers in my area and inquire.

I wouldn't attempt that kind of a 'mod' myself - it's such a beautiful gun that to gorp it would be a crime.

highorder
September 1, 2008, 10:41 PM
You can buy trits without an NRC license. you can often find them in the BTS forums here:

www.candlepowerforums.com

Sylvan-Forge
September 3, 2008, 02:49 AM
lksseven,

$160 for 3-dot night sights w/ installation:

Beretta Cheetah (http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=74>beretta_84_85_87)

http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=74>beretta_84_85_87

.

GLOCK45GUY
September 4, 2008, 04:42 PM
Could be make them, but surely not sell them.

I doubt if Kimber/Meprolite, or Tru-Glow, or others are breaking any laws.

I inquired of Kember/Meprolite about replacing the vials in an old set of their sights a few months ago.

They told me they can't do it, and all new Meps are made in Israel.
They just import them.

rcmodel


I know the Champion brand Tritium sights have a Trijicon brand lable on the bottom of the base.

I don't know what the relation is.

hardwarehacker
September 4, 2008, 05:09 PM
Opticsplanet.com lists two models of Trijicon sights for the Cougar at $84 and $106. They are mounted on the correct dovetail bases and can be installed just like any other replacement sights. The glow capsules contain a tiny amount of heavy hydrogen (tritium) which emits particles, and a fluorescent dye which glows when those particles go through it.

Radioactive isotopes such as tritium are generally available to the public only in pre-packaged items like this which safely contain the active material. To make them, a company must set up a facility which is licensed to handle hot materials, and that costs a bunch.

lksseven
September 4, 2008, 11:21 PM
Syvan-Forge,

thanks for the link!!!

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