High-viz paint on iron sights?

[philpost]

At a recent gun show, I saw a vendor selling high-visibility flourescent paint, for use on iron sights (in green, orange, and pink). Has anyone ever done this, and did it make a difference? It got me to thinking about the front sight on my AK-47; I've seen tritium sights for sale, and it's a similar approach. Thoughts?

 

[halfded]

I just use a bottle of cheap-o orange nail polish from the Dollar Store.

 

[Rshooter]

I have actually bought this product and use it on my SS revolver. I have used it for other weapons also. Yes it makes a difference, especially at an indoor range.

 

[Uncle Mike]

When you got your old truck painted it looked better, didn't it? And so your sights, trick is to get it to stay on the sight itself.

You can always get some of this for your sights, pretty cool.unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_45&products_id=384

Brownells sells sight paint also.www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1480/Product/BRIGHTSIGHTS_GUN_SIGHT_COATING

 

[monwa]

Thanks for asking a question that I've been wondering about also philpost.

I have a heck of a time finding the front sight ramp on my Ruger Single Six indoors or in low light.

Thanks to Uncle Mike also for showing us some products for this application.

 

[philpost]

Halfded - I was thinking the same thing, glad to hear it works for you.
Uncle Mike - like the glow paint, but the Brownells paint got some negative reviews; any first-hand experience?
My thoughts were green on front sight, rear sight edged in white. Any problems you all can forsee?

 

[rangerruck]

I use it; on my two saiga ak's-- not only do I have bright orange sites up front, I have them painted over with glowing pink. I have replace the rear sites with peephole sights, those I have painted with glowing green.
Red and green are the easiest colors in the light spectrum for human eyes to see. and it is easiest to concentrate and sharpen on red; so make your rear site green and your front site red; bright red!!!!
I use color paint from Bass pro or gander mountain, it is glowing, but not glow in the dark( kinda wish it was for low light usage), it was about 4 bucks a bottle, and is in the fishing sectioin, for painting you jigs and lures and other stuff really bright colors. I have seen some other stuff at sale at gunshows, that did glow in the dark, but it was too damn expensive, I think the guy wanted 20 bucks a bottle. So I got this; it is made to glow, and made to paint and stick to plastic and metal stuff. I don't think regular fingernail polish is made to paint on that kinda stuff, nor meant to last as long as somehting you would paint on a fishing lure...
http://www.csipaint.com/products/liquid-coatings/vinyl-paint-lure-jig-finish.asp
see the little green bottle to the left? I have 2 of these bottles,
in numbers 11 and 26.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I had the same issue with an iron sight. I found a six pack of various Testor model paints on Amazon for like $10. I used the fluorsecen orange and it solved the problem. I first put down a coat of flat white. Then I did three or four coats of the fluorscent orange. I think I waited at least 30 minutes between coats. I am very very happy with the result and can easily pick up the front sight.

 

[rangerruck]

orange is okay, but it is too close to yellow for me; a possible hendrance on a very bright day. so that is why I say a nice bright, hi pink/red, provides the easiest color to pick up, contrast with, and concentrate on.
Also, too much of your background, especially if hunting, is going to be some shade of green-- even if target shooting on a range; to much stuff around your target is going to be green. That is why you make your rear sight bright green, and your front sight pinky/red.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I use the Bright Sight product and have used model paint, whiteout and nail polish in the past. I would say 90% of my guns have the front sight painted, a fiber optic tube or an insert.

 

[CraigC]

Not in this lifetime. I want mine to be matte black.

 

[philpost]

Not in this lifetime. I want mine to be matte black.

But what do you really think?

Seriously, why?

 

[CraigC]

Ever wonder why target sights are always black? Because black is more precise. IMHO, for the most part colored sights are a gimmick that are only useful for those with failing eyesight.

 

[Sunray]

"...Because black is more precise..." Yep. However, a lot depends on the light. I've had my GP's black front sight disappear entirely under flourescent lights at an indoor match. Cop range too. Generally, though, black is better. The front sight stands out on a white or near white target and doesn't get washed out in bright light.
"...only useful for those with failing eyesight..." Don't think that matters. I suspect a glowing coloured sight will be hard to see in full sunlight no matter how good your eyes are. I don't use 'em or want 'em either.

 

[bear375]

white is good for hunting at night

 

[TEXMEX]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm??? Pink????????????? For the kinder, gentler set I suppose?

Anyway, the only time I use irons is when my red dot AimPoint scope quits.............and that's never yet happened.

 

[kenno]

I've been painting front sights for about,,,hmm 45 years.

I was just too cheep to pay for a S&W insert on a Colt revolver but I knew that black sights absolutely SUCK at night< and back in the 60's that was where we were at!
In hind sight it was total ass hat stupid but the PTB decitated black sights at night. We went so far as to have Two handguns, one for inspection, a target model and one for carry on duty (with pearlisent paint) some smart guys went to local Air Nat Guard to get Flouresant Orange! And so an industry was borne!

 

[heron]

I can't recommend the BrightSights paint . . . I had a hard time getting it to stick, even with meticulous preparation. It kept peeling off. Nail polish or Testors will stay put; pick your color. In the past, I've done an undercoat of glow-in-the-dark nail polish, followed by a thin coat of bright red. Lately, I favor fiber optics and red-dots.

There is a theoretical justification for all-black sights; it's to keep your target more brightly lit than the sights. Then, if you can no longer distinguish a very dark target from your sights, you shouldn't shoot anyway.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

FWIW, in addition to doing the painting I mentioned above, I have also switched my self defense pistols (as opposed to target pistols) to XS sighs (the big golf ball). It helps find the front sight really well.