Fiber Optic sights

[geophysicishooter]

Hey All. I was kicking around the idea of putting front (and rear?) fiber optic sights on my 1911..

what are the prevailing opinions on these types of sights? Do they work at night? Hard to set up? what about sighting them in? ANy brand you'd lean toward or stay away from?

thanks for the input!

Keep it high road!

 

[prickett]

I just installed my first FO sight on a Ruger 22/45 and LOVE it! It glows like an electric LED, really focusing your attention on the front sight (don't have FO rear sights).

Night use is the same as non-FO sights - IOW, they provide no benefit without an external light source.

Regarding sighting in, you may be able to find sights that are the same height as your current sights. The 22/45 is, and I've seen sights for my CZ75 that claim to be the same height.

 

[JDGray]

I installed a Dawson Precision FO sight on the front of my SA 1911. I had to fit it, since it came oversized. Truglo makes a FO sight set with Tritinum inserts, the best of both worlds, I guess, but there not for me. You sight them in like standard sights.

 

[geophysicishooter]

Nice piece, JD. I was looking at the truglo but I'm not sure about compatibility with my model sidearm, a STI Ranger. I'm unfamiliar with how alike the front mounting cutouts are from one '1911' to another. Truglo offers one for Kimbers but I'm not sure that that's the one that'll fit..

Ill look into Dawson Precision..

 

[railroader]

I have a Evolution Gun Works fiber optic front sight on my kimber gold match. The sight has a larger rod than the Dawson sight which I like. I use it with the standard all black kimber rear sight and it works great. I sent my slide to them and they installed the sight. They were pretty quick. http://egw-guns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=42

Mark

 

[10-Ring]

I've handled a SIG Equinox w/ the FO sight & it is an impressively vivid picture if you can get enough light on them to make them glow I can see the use on a field shotgun w/ all that ambient light, but on a defensive pistol not so much

 

[CPshooter]

I've handled a SIG Equinox w/ the FO sight & it is an impressively vivid picture if you can get enough light on them to make them glow I can see the use on a field shotgun w/ all that ambient light, but on a defensive pistol not so much

Those Tru Glow TFO front sights on the Equinox and other Sig models are definitely still lit up like crazy even in total darkness. They call them TFO for a reason: Tritium Fiber-Optic...meaning fiber optic for day-time glow and tritum for night time glow. Nice sights IMO.

 

[geophysicishooter]

So, how do I know which model to order.. they list a model number compatible with kimber handguns but I don't know that that one will fit my gun...

what to do...

y'all have offered some great feedback so far! Thanks for the help. Does anyone have any first hand experiance fitting this type of aftermarket sight to a STI gun? mine's the 'ranger'

 

[RustyShackelford]

fiber optic sights...

I'm a big fan of lasergrips, night sights, white lights, etc. But I've yet to see a set of handgun fiber optic sights that I would put on a duty/CC pistol. Most brands look like they would wear out or break with ease in real world incidents. I may be wrong but look around and spend the $$$ for a good set if you plan to use the sights on a carry or duty pistol.

Rusty S

 

[JDGray]

So, how do I know which model to order.. they list a model number compatible with kimber handguns but I don't know that that one will fit my gun...

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHTS+FRONT:STI/SV/Hienie
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHTS+REAR:STI/SV/Bo-Mar

They have a downloadable catalog with most guns.
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/images/pdf/DPCatalog.pdf

 

[Scorpiusdeus]

My P226's are away at Gray Guns right now having FO sights put on the front. I've shot other people's weapons that have them and i loved them.

 

[wally]

I've Dawson and Novak's fiber optic front on several guns. I think they are great for speed shooting, like steel plates, I don't think they'd help tighten you your groups.

They are no good at night, but help some in marginal light.

I don't like the fiber optic rear sights -- too distracting, you need to focus on the front sight. But I find a fiber optic front and the right sized plain place rear notch is almost as fast as a red dot optic and easier to see in very bright light.

--wally.

 

[Clipper]

I have a hooded Williams firesight front and peep rear sights in my 10" bull barreled MKII, and they're great for daytime shooting, but I would not recommend any fiberoptic sight for a combat pistol specifically because they are no good, and some are even detrimental, at night.

However, I did have a Kimber Ultra Carry with the XS Sight Systems Big Dot express sights on it, and it was the fastest, most accurate combat sight I have EVER used, and was very easy to use in the dark. In fact, at night I could easily see the sights of the gun on my dresser from several feet away in bed. I plan to add a set to my AK, and am waiting for them to bring out a set for my PF-9. They aren't cheap, but they ARE worth it!