Night Sight Nightmare

3741 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by KimberLady, Jul 10, 2001

KimberRuger

Discussion Starter · Jul 9, 2001

In February, 2001 I purchased a Kimber Compact in a stainless/stainless configuration. I also had Kimber install a set of Meprolight night sights on it.

The problem is, every 50 - 100 rounds, the front sight somehow lets the tritium gas escape leaving the front sight dark. Not bad in daylight, but NOT MUCH HELP AT NIGHT !

This wouldn't be as bad if it had happened once or even twice - but I've had 7 front sights go out on me. Seriously, 7 in less than 6 months. It's not like I'm firing hot loads, +P's or anything like that either.

If you would like to see a fully detailed account of this problem, go to my Night Sight Nightmare page. If, after reading the site, you still have any question as to the validity of the claim, feel free to email me and I will arrange to send the supporting documentation.

Since I posted this on other bulletin boards, I have gotten emails from peole who have checked their sights only to find them to be dark.

Check yours now if you have them. If they work, put 50 - 100 rounds through it and then recheck them - before you need them.

Respectfully,

Patrick

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TX CCL

· #2 · Jul 9, 2001

Just goes to show you if it ain't one thing, it's another.

My first impression was that Patrick had gone a tad over the edge. After all, this is Kimber he's talking about.

But I just checked my NEW Pro Eclipse II and damn if the front night sight ain't broke too! When I first got it, the front sight stood out like a diamond in a goat's a$$. 150 rds later it's as dark as the bottom of a well.

Dear Kimber, what is going on here?

Thanks for the heads-up Patrick and sorry to hear about your nightmare. Hope it's not repeated for the rest of us.

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Gumby

· #3 · Jul 10, 2001

Just had the same problem with my Kimber
custom shop Elite Carry. Kimber must have this problem alot. Turn around time was 8 days.....

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David Joyal

· #4 · Jul 10, 2001

Mine (2 sets) didn't make it long either. I ended up spending the money and having Novak's put new sights on it and have never looked back. Not only are the sights much better but you get truly first rate service.

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rug357

· #5 · Jul 10, 2001

I have heard and seen a lot of problems with Meprolite night signts in past 2 years. Most of these were mounted on Glocks but I think thats because Glock's factory night sights were made by Meprolight. I read somewhere that previous distributor of Meprolight's in US dropped the line due to poor quality and high return rates in last few years. Now Kimber is US distributor of Meprolight in US. Personally I like Trijicon night sights.

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SamColtFan

· #6 · Jul 10, 2001

My Trijicons are 10 years old and still brighter than those that came on my CDP Custom. Front sight on the CDP is especially dull.

How about sending the slide back to Kimber and having them install Trijicons at their expense? That would certainly remedy the Meprolight problem and give us far more durability.

Sam

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KimberRuger

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 10, 2001

Originally posted by SamColtFan:
My Trijicons are 10 years old and still brighter than those that came on my CDP Custom. Front sight on the CDP is especially dull.

How about sending the slide back to Kimber and having them install Trijicons at their expense? That would certainly remedy the Meprolight problem and give us far more durability.

Sam

After about the third time (OK, so I'm slow ! - LOL), I requested that Kimber install a set of either Novak, Trijicon, or Wilson Combats - their choice.

Nope, instead of addressing the issue and satisfying a customer, the chose to again ignore the problem and simply installed another defective sight.

Patrick

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TX CCL

· #8 · Jul 10, 2001

After talking with the warranty people at Kimber, the best they would offer is a one day turn-around. And I get to pay shipping to them. Glad it's only the slide!

They said there had been a meeting about Patrick's repeated problem but they did't give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the Meprolight front site issue. "We don't know why this has happened."

I don't know what Kimber was using last year, but the front sight on my Pro CDP is fine.

Patrick, after so many replacements have you gotten one that works past a few hundred rds yet?

If my 2nd sight blinks out, I'm going to request that they send me a SureFire flash light instead.

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KimberRuger

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 10, 2001

TX,

Well, the seventh set is on .... and that is the set I had the employee at my local range (one of the range masters) check out.

Before the first shot was fired, he inspected the sight. After 50 rounds (CCI Blazer) he rechecked - about 50% diminished.

Another 50 rounds (PMP DENEL -S.African) the sight was rechecked and found to be about 80% diminished.

We're now discussing the alternatives.

Check around with any shooting buddies - anyone who has gotten Meprolight sights since February will most likely find theirs to be out as well.

Funny thing, I've been emailed by people who have guns that they've had for like 6 months - and NEVER FIRED THEM !

Call me stupid, but the first thing I did with my PP/Carry weapon was tested several brands of ammo - to make sure it fed, and to ensure the gun would fire when I needed it to.

Night Sight NIghtmare (for anyone who hasn't seen the story yet)

Patrick

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greg1

· #10 · Jul 10, 2001

Kimber's Yonkers plant (or wherever it is on planet earth that Meprolights are manufactured) ought to be able to simulate the shock of a few hundred rounds on batches of their front sights. This isn't rocket science. After the test, just turn off the lights and pick up the ones that still glow in the dark! Send the rest back for failure analysis. At least they could sort out some "survivors" for use in repairing customer returns.
I'm waiting on delivery of a Custom Eclipse II. Hope I don't have the same problem. I'll post the results after I've fired a few hundred rounds.
I have a question for Patrick. Have you seen or have you heard from anyone else about the REAR sight going dark, or does this appear to be limited to front sights only?

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KimberRuger

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 10, 2001

Originally posted by greg:
Kimber's Yonkers plant ....ought to be able to simulate the shock of a few hundred rounds on batches of their front sights. This isn't rocket science. After the test, just turn off the lights and pick up the ones that still glow in the dark! .......

I'm waiting on delivery of a Custom Eclipse II. Hope I don't have the same problem. I'll post the results after I've fired a few hundred rounds.

I have a question for Patrick. Have you seen or have you heard from anyone else about the REAR sight going dark, or does this appear to be limited to front sights only?

Greg,

I agree - they could also do an "on the gun" test - sacrifice one of the models on the shelf now, put some Mep's on it, and fire away. They claimed that they fired my gun (one time I sent the whole thing in) and they couldn't get it to fail. My only comment is that they didn't fire 50 rounds in one sitting like I do. I load 6 or 7 mags and fire. 25 rounds per target, change the target, start over. If they had donethis, they certainly would have seen the end result.

(I have a theory, and **it's only my personal opinion** but .....) I think they know they have a problem and simply won't admit it. Judging by the responses I've gotten so far .....

I hope you have absolutely no problems at all. Unfortunately, I know of a few peolpe who have an Eclipse and, well ..... I hope for the best for you. If you do have problems, please EMAIL ME !

As far as the rear sights going bad, I have only one reported incident so far, and it hasn't happened to me.

Be sure to check with your fellow shooters who have Kimbers or any gun with Meprolighs that are less than a year old.

Patrick

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SamColtFan

· #12 · Jul 10, 2001

Patrick,
One other thing I failed to mention. The rear sights on my Custom CDP have been brighter than the front sight since new. Did you notice this also when you purchased your Kimber new? Did you notice that the front sight was dimmer than the rear sights when you had the front sights replaced? (Before shooting the gun.)
Thanks,
Sam

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KimberRuger

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 10, 2001

Originally posted by SamColtFan:
Patrick,
One other thing I failed to mention. The rear sights on my Custom CDP have been brighter than the front sight since new. Did you notice this also when you purchased your Kimber new? Did you notice that the front sight was dimmer than the rear sights when you had the front sights replaced? (Before shooting the gun.)
Thanks,
Sam

Sam,

Honestly, not that I remember. Especially not on the generation 3's - they would be AWESOME - if only the front would stay lit after shooting.

I somewhat vaguely remember my buddy saying something about his front sight being dimmer than the rears, but we thought it might have been simply the distance between the two sets of sights. Unfortunately, before we could double check our thoughts, the front was out completely.

Patrick

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KimberLady

· #14 · Jul 10, 2001

I've got a Kimber CCII, but I had Trijicons put on after I bought the gun (bought separately at the same shop). I had the Trijis installed by Kimber, but I preferred them because I'd heard that Meprolights had problems. I've fired well over a thousand rounds through my gun, and the Trijis are just as bright as ever.

I agree with SamColtFan - I think you have had enough failures with the Mepros for Kimber to pay to have Trijicons installed on your gun - rather than paying for shipping again and again and AGAIN for sights that you pretty much KNOW by now are going to fail.

Sorry to hear about your problems - husband has an FTF problem with his Kimber - RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX - so I know how frustrating it is when your new gun just don't work.

------------------
Corruptisima republica plurimae leges
(The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws)

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