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Gold Dot Front sight

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toddR

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have not seen one in person, just some lingo on the internet. But, I have been thinking of finding a Gold Dot front sight for my 1911. I would like to hear from those who have shot them? Where to find them? Pro's and con's? I use fiber optic now.
 
#5 ·
There are 2 versions of the gold dot available - one is flat, one is dome shaped. You'll just have to ask. What I hear is that the flat version is not as bright as the domed version. Here are a couple of examples.
Domed:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...n-parts/sights/front-sights/1911-snag-free-gold-bead-front-sight-prod70878.aspx

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Gold-Bead/products/404/

Flat:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...n-parts/sights/front-sights/1911-snag-free-gold-bead-front-sight-prod70878.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...h-alias=aps&field-keywords=1911+gold+bead+sight&rh=i:aps,k:1911+gold+bead+sight

http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/parts-and-accessories/sights/novak-cut-gold-bead-front-sight
 
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#9 ·
toddR said:
I have not seen one in person, just some lingo on the internet. But, I have been thinking of finding a Gold Dot front sight for my 1911. I would like to hear from those who have shot them? Where to find them? Pro's and con's? I use fiber optic now.
Click to expand...
I've tried flat and domed gold
the flat rod (like on Colt Clapp models and S&W Gunsite model) are pret'near useless to me..plain white dot is better to my eyes

The domed gold were a little better ..but not much
and plain white "domed" dot/ball is WAY better

Only thing good i can say about them as far as "my" eyes and front sights ...they "look" cool on a gun


..L.T.A.
 
#10 ·
toddR said:
I have not seen one in person, just some lingo on the internet. But, I have been thinking of finding a Gold Dot front sight for my 1911. I would like to hear from those who have shot them? Where to find them? Pro's and con's? I use fiber optic now.
Click to expand...
My wife's revolver came with a gold bead. It was ok. We switched it to a fiber optic. The fiber optic is more visible and easier to acquire. I know some bullseye shooters like gold beads.
 
#11 ·
Big Pete10 said:
I have a revolver and a semi with gold beads, I wish I had them on everything except my target guns. To me they are better than the fiber optic sights for defensive type shooting.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I have the exact opposite experience. For me, the fiber optic is easier for defensive shooting and the gold bead is great for target shooting. It just goes to show how everyone's eyes are different.
 
#13 ·
Cappi said:
I've tried flat and domed gold
the flat rod (like on Colt Clapp models and S&W Gunsite model) are pret'near useless to me..plain white dot is better to my eyes

The domed gold were a little better ..but not much
and plain white "domed" dot/ball is WAY better

..L.T.A.
Click to expand...
In fairness, the Colt and S&W guns come with brass bead sights rather than gold bead sights. I understand it makes a difference.

However, I believe I would also prefer a white dot.

Here's John Harrison's take...

http://www.harrisoncustom.com/FAQ.aspx

I install a lot of 14k Gold beads in front sights, as well as White dots made from pure white synthetic rod. I think they offer a way to give the shooter a contrasting bit of color in the front sight with none of the negatives of the fiber optic (breakage) or the tritium (doesn’t offer much contrast in daylight and has a limited lifespan). Either material will last forever and give good service. If pressed for my favorite, my eyes like the white dot (.062" diameter) better than the Gold Bead (.082" diameter). To me, the appearance of the White Dot stays more consistent in varying light conditions than the Gold Bead does.
Click to expand...
 
#15 ·
My friend's fiber front tubes are great and precise in sunlight, but since I do a lot of indoor shooting also, often in a slightly dark range, my domed gold front sight, on a Cylinder & Slide custom 1911 picks up whatever light is available from any direction, and draws my eyes to the front sight. Other shooters at my weekly indoor IDPA practice have commented on how bright my gold dot, domed front bead is.

Gold front sights come in flat and domed, and in several different sizes, by the way.
 
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#16 ·
hal copple said:
My friend's fiber front tubes are great and precise in sunlight, but since I do a lot of indoor shooting also, often in a slightly dark range, my domed gold front sight, on a Cylinder & Slide custom 1911 picks up whatever light is available from any direction, and draws my eyes to the front sight. Other shooters at my weekly indoor IDPA practice have commented on how bright my gold dot, domed front bead is.
Click to expand...
That's my experience too. And I'm kinda surprised no one has yet chimed in to say that fiber optics tend to break. (Though I've been seeing some better-built ones in recent years.)
 
#17 ·
jtq said:
In fairness, the Colt and S&W guns come with brass bead sights rather than gold bead sights. I understand it makes a difference.
Click to expand...
gold doesn't tarnish ..that's the big difference .
polished brass starts out the same though.."my" eyes can't tell the difference in polished brass compared to gold plated bead anyway

there were a few years I spent more than a little (well over $1000) trying different sights .
Gold and polished brass (domed and flat) were part of my search for the "perfect" sights

They just didn't get it for "my" eyes


..L.T.A.
 
#19 ·
Oh my ... I was wondering how I could get a brass bead on my front sight and now I am lusting.

Didnt know there were already store bought options for a handgun. I was ready to fabricate some. I tried the TFX from Truglo as I had put TFO sights from Truglo on 3 other guns that are gone and a year ago installed a set on my wife’s gun which is still here. I LOVE the TFO sights but the TFX sights left me very flat and I removed them from my RIA 1911 and put back on the factory Black sights. I pick up the straight black sights on my RIA tactical better than the TFX in everything but night time dark.

But I think a brass bead would make them perfect. My eyesight seems to have changed pretty fast. It was awesome some 8 yrs ago and was eagle sight as a young dude but the last few years it has gone to shiat. Happened quick!

The sights that came on my RIA MS Ultra was black in back and black in front but the front sight seems narrower than on all the other handguns I have had. It allows light in from left and right and is more like aiming an AR in basic training than any other handguns I have had and works for me. Feels almost ghost ring. I am very accurate with the narrow front sight with my newly discovered poorer vision so I would like to keep the narrow but add a brass bead so I may be making my own afterall.
 
#20 ·
Brass tarnishes. I had a square bead a la Redfield Sourdough and it was nice while it was shiny but if it hadn't been polished in a while, it was pretty dull.

In a bygone day, the choice for a sight bead was hippo ivory.
Pre-tritium, a safari rifle might have a large white porcelain enamel bead hinged to swing up and double the front sight diameter for those dusky shots at leopards, etc.
 
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