I painted my front sight

[Big Stu]

I was having a hard time seeing the front sight on my GP100 in low light conditions. Even at the local shooting range it was difficult to see the all black ramp sight so I took matters into my own hand. I have read about people using fingernail polish, or modeler paint etc. so I thought I'd try something different. I work at a boat manufacturing plant so I used some white gelcoat. I cleaned the sight real well and then I used acetone to remove any oil or residue. then a little dab of Gelcoat and here it is.

The only thing I'm not sure of is how well it will hold up to the solvent cleaners, and whether or not it will have a truly good bond, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. It is easy enough to try again if this fails.

 

[stantheman86]

I like to use the Super Redhawk red insert front sight on my GP's.

I often wonder why Ruger keeps using that plain black front sight and just doesn't start shipping the GP100's with red insert sights from the factory.

 

[TiteGroups]

I just installed the red insert on mine, about $20 shipped. Should leave the factory with one.

 

[Cholo]

Big Stu, looks good! You can take a tooth pick and make it look nice and sharp where the runoff is. I painted the front sight of a SBH I used to hunt with and prefer it to the dullish inserts.

 

[Anonymous]

I recommend from ruger site their fiber optic set for 40 bucks, can not go wrong, i love it.
Eric

 

[Snake45]

It probably won't hold up to solvents, but it's easy enough to "clean around" it and it should last a long time.

Hard to tell from the pics if your paint is glossy or flat. If it's glossy, that can cause you problems under some (common) light conditions. If you want to "flatten" it, just rub it with a common pencil eraser to take the shine off.

You might find that you don't like white after using it a while (such as for shooting black-on-white bullseyes with a 6 o'clock hold). If you want to try red, orange, or bright green, your white paint will make a lovely primer/basecoat for another color. In other words, don't bother to remove it, just paint over it.

 

[VA Shooter]

I just got gp 100 and you can't see the front site in the woods at all I'm going to get a green fiber optic for mine TITEGROUP where did you get your sight at? thanks

 

[MADISON]

For years I have been painting my front sight.
First you must find out what color your eye goes to first.
Next, find the paint. I use yellow finger nail polish and luminus paint.
Finger nail polish comes off with Hoppies #9 while luminus is harder to remove.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I have painted my sights for years. I use testors model paint and put it on with a toothpick. The model paint comes in some really bright colors and will usually last a couple of years before I tutch it up with more paint. This has always worked great for me and if you want to remove it a steel cleaning brush does a good job. A .50 cent bottle of paint will do 100's of sights and if you seal the cap every time will last for years.

 

[Snake45]

...if you want to remove it a steel cleaning brush does a good job. A .50 cent bottle of paint will do 100's of sights and if you seal the cap every time will last for years.

1. It will come off even quicker and eaiser with lacquer thinner. :wink:

2. I can tell your bottle has lasted for years because it's been many years since the little Testor paint sold for 50 cents. Last time I bought some in either a hobby shop or craft store (Michael's), it was up over $1.50. (That's $6+ per ounce--compare to the price of some fairly good wines!) :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[PO2Hammer]

Gel coat shouldn't come off with most solvents. IIRC, it uses polyester resin and an oxidizer to cure, same as most fiberglass products, so it should be GTG. I used to build fiberglass kayaks, and once that stuff set, we had to remove it by sanding. Not even acetone will touch it once it's cured.

My Bisley had some burrs and dings on the front blade. I used hot pink nail polish in the serrations then stoned the burrs and dings smooth which also cleaned up the edges of the nail polish. re-blued with a touch up pen.

Basic bore solvent doesn't bother the nail polish, no need for hoppes in a lead only gun.

 

[mraywi]

I have painted my sights for years. I use testors model paint and put it on with a toothpick. The model paint comes in some really bright colors and will usually last a couple of years before I tutch it up with more paint. This has always worked great for me and if you want to remove it a steel cleaning brush does a good job. A .50 cent bottle of paint will do 100's of sights and if you seal the cap every time will last for years.

That makes two of us using Testor's. I like to put on a coat of white then a coat of bright red!

 

[nn]

I just did a Blackhawk Flo Orange; however, I did the whole front blade.

 

[don44]

I have used yellow hobby paint, and cleaned it up with a toothpick like was mentioned above.

 

[TiteGroups]

I just got gp 100 and you can't see the front site in the woods at all I'm going to get a green fiber optic for mine TITEGROUP where did you get your sight at? thanks

From rugers website. They sell plastic ones and a red insert metal, they both work good but I've managed to break the plastic so I order the metal.

 

[Big Stu]

just an update, The gelcoat is holding up beautifully! No sign of wear and still bright white. I guess if it can hold up to the abuse of saltwater on a boat, a gun sight isn't much of a match. I'm, so glad I went this route instead of plain old enamel paint. Gelcoat is some pretty tough stuff!

 

[Verndog]

I just got done going over this issue the last few weeks. Tried the Testors orange, red, white, nail polish...ect and a couple different brand glow paints on my Security Six. I settled on Glow-On over white testors and finished with clear nail polish. I scuffed the polish with fine scotch-brite to dull the gloss and found the perfect combo for me that works well in low light. Finally took a pic and thought I'd share.

Here is the paint for those interested.

http://glow-on.com/gun_sights_paint.html

Results after a 5 second LED flashlight charge. The charge very slowly fades but stays useful to see at night several hours.

 

[tacklebury]

Me too. kind of a Hack job as I haven't gotten a gun sight paint kit yet. Just Yellow and white Nailpolish applied with a toothpick. hehe

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

Grabbed a white Millett Sight off eBay for my GP100. It was only $12 delivered. Easily worth it, and an upgrade, but a brighter sight would be fine by me. I don't want anything fragile though.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I am so glad I installed Millett orange-ramp front blades while I could still easily find them.