Drilling tritium

[lksseven]

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?

 

[AndyC]

That's what gunsmiths are for - I'm not quite sure what you're asking

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]

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]

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]

Check out ToolTech

.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Oops,I thought this was about OFFSHORE tritium drilling !! Nevermind.

 

[ieszu]

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]

I didn't know you could buy Tritium capsules. jwr

 

[rcmodel]

Theres folks selling them on the net.

Without NRC blessing or licensing, I bet!

rcmodel

 

[jwr747]

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]

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]

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]

You can buy trits without an NRC license. you can often find them in the BTS forums here:

www.candlepowerforums.com

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

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

.

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

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]

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]

Syvan-Forge,

thanks for the link!!!