Painting sights

Do you have any tips to help others? Please post them here.

Moderator: carlson1

Post Reply

Topic author
skeathley
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 328
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:29 am
Location: McKinney, TX
Contact:

Painting sights

#1

Post by skeathley »

I find that at my age, the contrast between the front and rear sights is not sufficient, especially in low light. I have used commercial sight paint before, but wasn't that impressed. The gun in question, a CZ 9mm, has night sights standard, but the dots seemed too small.

I went to Hobby Lobby, the hobbist chain store, and bought some small artist brushes and two small containers of metallic paint (white and fire-engine red). In front, I painted the ramp up to the top, red, covering all the horizontal surface. In back, I painted the vertical posts white, covering all the vertical surface, and connected the posts across the bottom to form a U.

Total cost: about $10, and the results were spectacular. Acquiring a sight-picture was faster than ever, and groups tightened up a good bit.

:cool:
Texas LTC Instructor / RSO / SSC
Viet Nam Veteran: 25th Infantry, Cu Chi
https://mckinneyfirearmstraining.com

scokill
Junior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:52 pm

Re: Painting sights

#2

Post by scokill »

I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip. My vision isn't what it used to be either.
User avatar

Keith B
Moderator
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 18502
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:29 pm

Re: Painting sights

#3

Post by Keith B »

There were some previous discussions on the forum about this as well

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=52380" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=44446" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Keith
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member

Psalm 82:3-4

RKlenka
Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:59 pm
Location: Fort Worth
Contact:

Re: Painting sights

#4

Post by RKlenka »

This is something i have been looking into as well, what i have noticed in my M&Pc is the sights are a bit indented and some lint and dirt can get in there and dull it out until i get around to cleaning it. I been planning on switching them out for some night sights but this should hold me over until then.
Texas CHL Instructor - NRA Instructor - Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Black powder rifle, Black powder pistol
Russian Martial Art Systema Instructor, American Ninjutsu Instructor, CTCTG Instructor/Facilitator
http://www.fortworthcombatives.com
User avatar

bdsnooks
Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: Northeast Texas
Contact:

Re: Painting sights

#5

Post by bdsnooks »

FWIW, I have painted several sights and have found that a toothpick works much better (for me) than a brush-----
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
User avatar

Pawpaw
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:16 am
Location: Hunt County

Re: Painting sights

#6

Post by Pawpaw »

I ran across this the other night. It might help someone.

[youtube][/youtube]
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
User avatar

bmwrdr
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1083
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:05 pm

Re: Painting sights

#7

Post by bmwrdr »

scokill wrote:I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip. My vision isn't what it used to be either.

Same here, I went to Hobby Lobby but the paint I got wasn't lasting. I found out Ultra Green V10 Glow in the Dark paint lasts longer and the price is ok. I clean the old paint with a small drill and instead of a brush I use a tooth pick.
I scarified political correctness to preserve honesty ︻╦̵̵͇̿̿̿̿══╤─

Cedar Park Dad
Banned
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 2064
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:19 am
Location: Cedar Park Texas

Re: Painting sights

#8

Post by Cedar Park Dad »

skeathley wrote:I find that at my age, the contrast between the front and rear sights is not sufficient, especially in low light. I have used commercial sight paint before, but wasn't that impressed. The gun in question, a CZ 9mm, has night sights standard, but the dots seemed too small.

I went to Hobby Lobby, the hobbist chain store, and bought some small artist brushes and two small containers of metallic paint (white and fire-engine red). In front, I painted the ramp up to the top, red, covering all the horizontal surface. In back, I painted the vertical posts white, covering all the vertical surface, and connected the posts across the bottom to form a U.

Total cost: about $10, and the results were spectacular. Acquiring a sight-picture was faster than ever, and groups tightened up a good bit.

:cool:
We routinely do this on our .22 pistols.
However we use fingernail polish. Thanks to the miracle of Dad's wallet ( :cryin ) my daughter has a full and complete line of fingernail polishes. I use standard white but the Wife uses a pinkish red. They work excellently and the fingernail polish is more resistant to wear.

Now that you mention it my CC is getting blur to my old eyes. I might try that.
User avatar

C-dub
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 13563
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 7:18 pm
Location: DFW

Re: Painting sights

#9

Post by C-dub »

We did it on my daughter's Colt 1911-22. She had some really bright orange nail polish and we painted just the front sight. It has helped quite a bit.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
Post Reply

Return to “"How To" Tips”