Fiber Optic Color?

[TStorm]

M&P is getting ready to go in for trigger and sights. How to choose best color for FO front sight for pistol?

Seems like a simple question, but I haven't run across any references. I may not be checking into the proper search criteria.

I realize personal preference comes in at some point, but what are the advantages to red vs. green vs. orange vs. yellow? Rear will be standard or tactical. I am shooting local IDPA and may try Steel and other USPSA-type events as well.

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

I have or have tried them all. I generally prefer red.
But green is more popular because it will probably appear the brightest in the line of sight.
I will likely replace the amber in the one sight I have of that color, it is just that amber was all I had to put in when it kicked out the red.

 

[VARifleman]

I use red. Just don't put FO in the rear sight. I personally hate that and find it too busy.

 

[djm725]

I personally have green front and back. I like them and find that it does have the brightest sight picture.

 

[RobMoore]

I used red with good results all last year. This year I'm experimenting with green tritium fiber optic. With two state-level matches in the next three weeks, I'll know what I need to know by June.

 

[M47 Dragon]

I have a green on one gun, and red on another. When I first used the green in competition, I thought "Wow, this is IT!"

Then I used the red one. Red seemed to jump out much faster to me... my eye is just able to pick up red and focus on it much faster. YMMV.

 

[jmorris]

it's cheap to try and hard to suggest whats better for someone else. FWIW I know more than a few shooters that say changing colors from time to time helps keep front sight focus.

 

[TStorm]

Thanks for the info. I'll check to see about getting different pipes.

 

[jmorris]

If you want to try them all http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Flourescent.htm is the best place that I’ve found to purchase fiber. They make it from .009 - .250. A multi-pack with 3ft of each color (red, yellow, green, blue, orange) of .039 (Dawson size) costs $20. 15 ft of fiber will last you a life time.

 

[scott22]

jmorris.... but thats just the fiber without the housing, which would also be needed. Where would you recommend getting that?

 

[jmorris]

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/

 

[eflatminor]

I have a Dawson front site and have used both red and green inserts (I have a long stand of each). I like green best for clear bright days and red for all other weather conditions. Either works fine really.

I don't have nor want inserts, dots or anything else on the rear site. IPSC is way too fast to be lining up dots. Front site only.

 

[raz-0]

Red contrasts with the most surfaces if shooting outdoors.

Green is the color your eyes are most sensitive to.

Orange is like red with the volume turned down. If you shoot in outdoor settings where you find red overwhelming due to the rod size of you FO or something, it's a good way to tune it down.

Yellow is to green like orange is to red.

Violet is useless unless you find you don't likeyour FO, then put in some violet, and it will be less visible than a painted white dot on the front sight.

Right now I wish I could find my variety pack of FO rod. I've been looking for it for three days now.

:banghead:

 

[Jeeper]

Just make sure to replace teh front every now and then. It always cracks me up to see a nasty dirty fiber optice that doesnt allow a lot of light in. A new one really makes a difference.

 

[raz-0]

I know, why do you think my lost FO supplies have been driving me nuts.

still :banghead:

Probably just ahve to order more. Ah well.

 

[Vibe]

I'll be glad when this new material comes on the market - paint your own sites and they glow for 12 years.
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/flexible-light-source-for-247-lighting/

 

[phique2000]

I have Hi-Viz FO front sights on both my 1911 & .357 revolver that I use in IDPA.

Nice thing about the Hi-Viz is that you can change color & size.

Check them out.

 

[Darth Muffin]

Green is nice and bright, and I thought I'd be sticking with green. However, I've settled on Red. Shooting outdoor USPSA matches there's just too much natural green around to confuse you. So for me red works better. If you were indoors or lower light, I'd definitely try green.

FYI, I use a Brazos Lightning Rod sight from 1911store.com. I'm not shooting a 1911 either... The sight comes with replacement fiber of all colors, so you can experiment.

 

[Drail]

Insurance companies have studied colors to see what is the best color choice for emergency vehicles. Interestingly they found that red is the color the human eye has more difficulty seeing when the light levels drop. Yellow was the winner. A lot of fire engines are now painted yellow instead of red. I found that yellow shows up better when swinging across or shooting at a dark colored dirt berm or targets in the shade.

 

[BamBam-31]

Contrast is what really sets the colors apart. As said, the red is plenty bright and contrasts best against other colors at typical gun game matches. For a gaming pistol's FO front sight, it's gotta be red for me.

Green contrasts well w/ dark surroundings, so all my night sights are green.

Simple test: If you look away from the page and then look back, which dot does your eye pick up better?

. .

For me, although the green may be brighter, red contrasts better.

 

[rhyfl]

I use red in my Dawson Precisoin front and a solid black Warren Tactical rear. The contrast is very effective in IPSC matches.

I just picked up a S&W Pro1911 that came from the factory with Novak front and rear red FO. I sent it back to have the rear replaced with a solid black. The 3 red dots were just far too busy to line up quick enough for a match.