Ruger plastic front sight durability.

[hardguy-2009]

I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with the Ruger plastic front sights as used on the GP100 or Super redhawk. Do they stand up under recoil? How about extensive use in a Holster? They don't look like they would take a beating, but then I am usually pretty gentle with my sixguns. Thank you in advance for any input.

 

[contender]

Ruger introduced plastic front sight blades on the Redhawk many years ago. Back in the 80's. They sold spare colors in a 4 pack. So far,,, I've not heard of any issues with them. I have a bunch of them,,, more than I have Redhawks!

 

[Sam Johnson]

My magna ported Redhawk is not very kind to those Ruger plastic front sights. In less than 18 rounds the sight was gone, only the base remained. Oh ya, reloads, 240 gr Keith cast, and 22 grain of 2400.

 

[hardguy-2009]

Thanks for the replys. I've heard on some of the gun blogs that they would go into orbit if used with heavy loads. I know many people who shoot Rugers that have these sights, but never used them. When shooting on a warm day a barrel can get pretty hot. Maybe the plastic can't take it. I wonder if the red insert front sight will stay put with heavy loads?

 

[contender]

I will admit that my loads aren't the super hot ones. Mine were worked up for accuracy & I found that I didn't need a wrist breaking load for any of my Redhawks, or Super Redhawks. I have used the gold bead fronts, and I have used the red insert ones. I also use the solid black ones & the solid orange ones. None have melted or anything in mine.

 

[Sam Johnson]

Ty, The heavy loads did not cause the sight damage, it was the magna port vents that cut the plastic sights. These loads are OK in my other Redhawk with the gold bead sight, and yes a bit stout in the Blackhawk.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

...I wonder if the red insert front sight will stay put with heavy loads?

Never heard of a problem except that the Redhawk sights are a bit taller than the GP sights, as they should be.

The GP and the Redhawk sights mount the same but the Super Redhawk front sight is different.

 

[hardguy-2009]

Thanks for the reply's on the plastic front sights. Sounds like they will work OK for most shooting. The reason I was curious about the red insert front sight is that it looks to be glued in place and not held by a dovetail as in S&W red ramp sights. The S&W red ramp comes standard on some of their revolvers and have a lifetime warranty, but the Ruger red insert front sight appears to be an after market item. The Ruger red insert front I have seems to be crudely made from a rough casting. The red insert overhangs on the edges. Too bad they can't make a quality item.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Thanks for the reply's on the plastic front sights. Sounds like they will work OK for most shooting. The reason I was curious about the red insert front sight is that it looks to be glued in place and not held by a dovetail as in S&W red ramp sights. The S&W red ramp comes standard on some of their revolvers and have a lifetime warranty, but the Ruger red insert front sight appears to be an after market item. The Ruger red insert front I have seems to be crudely made from a rough casting. The red insert overhangs on the edges. Too bad they can't make a quality item.

I use a red insert front sight on my Redhawk and have had no problems.

 

[hardguy-2009]

Thanks Jimbo357mag, I'm probably worried about nothing, it just seems to be a weird design.