Durability of Firesights

[AlaskaMike]

I'm going to have a Williams peep sight installed on my Rossi 92, and I'm unsure of what to do for the front sight. I'm thinking about a fiber optic front sight, but I'm concerned about the durability of them because of the role this rifle will play. I intend it to be a nice, handy camp rifle when I take the family out hiking, boating, camping, etc. Given that it might see some bumps and knocks, I'm wondering how a fiber optic sight would hold up.

Those of you who have them, do you think they'd be durable enough for what I want?

Thanks,
Mike

[Heavy lead]

I prefer the Millett brand of fiber optic sight, if the light is good, I do not like them at all and prefer an brass bead instead. But if the light is bad they are hard to beat. The Millett is made of steel, and if push comes to shove and the fiber optic breaks out, just the hollow steel around it would make a pretty good bead picture anyway.

[Bass Ackward]

After a few weeks of research, this is what I bought.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=198048

[Old Ironsights]

I'm going to have a Williams peep sight installed on my Rossi 92, and I'm unsure of what to do for the front sight. I'm thinking about a fiber optic front sight, but I'm concerned about the durability of them because of the role this rifle will play. I intend it to be a nice, handy camp rifle when I take the family out hiking, boating, camping, etc. Given that it might see some bumps and knocks, I'm wondering how a fiber optic sight would hold up.

Those of you who have them, do you think they'd be durable enough for what I want?

Thanks,
Mike

Honestly? No. Not for a knock-about gun.

It will likely also be too short. Order a proper Blade from Skinner Sights.

Edit... just read the above.

Sorry to tell you... you got raped.

http://www.skinnersights.com/2.html

Tim makes front blades to spec for $11.

[Maven]

AKMike, Brownells sells replacement fiber optic rods. Also, an ordinary paper clip can be cut to fit the groove in the Williams front sight if necessary (Don't ask how I know this!).

[AlaskaMike]

Good stuff--thanks for all the info! The other alternatives I was thinking about were:

1. Do nothing and just go with the existing front sight
2. Get a brass bead sight from Nate at stevesgunz.com

I'm kind of leaning towards #2, but the low light capabilities of a fiber optic front sight are attractive.

Mike

[NHlever]

I'm trying a fiber optic front sight on my Marlin 45-70, but do have some concerns about it's durability. On my .357, and .44 mag carbines I have Millet orange front posts that fit right into the barrel dovetail, and worked out to be a perfect height for the Williams receiver sights I have. Both are Winchester 94's by the way. The Millet sights are very rugged, and I have seen them against deer when I may have had trouble seeing crosshairs. I don't think they are available in various heights, or widths, but would be a good choice if they fit your gun.

[0802]

The one on my 1895M 450 Marlin didn't last long, it was the Firesight that came with the Williams Peepsight like you describe. The original is back in now.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had two of them. One broke the first day i had it on a 4570 at the range just from recoil. It hadnt even been bumped. Another broke on a 44. I took it out of the case at camp to use it hunting and it was broke. That was the end of them for me. Id never trust one on a hunting gun. I also didnt like the sight picture it would allways look hazy to me and it was tough to shoot accurately. Im having dave clements build me a custom 4570 marlin. For sights I had him put a post front blade with a trinium insert. I think it will be alot more durable and will really work in low light. Another problem with the firesights is they actually only give you a couple more minutes of sight use in low light. You still need some light to get them to work. The clements gun will be set up for a quick change blade and will come also with a plain black post so a guy can hunt the day with the black post and if hes sitting at night can swap over to an identical sight with a trinium dot. Only drawback to this system is cost.

[NHlever]

This is the sight that I put on my Winchester's, only I used the orange version. They have been very rugged, and highly visible. My guess is that they would work on a Rossi too.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=789384

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=992416

[Blackwater]

Not to hijack this thread, but does anyone know of a front sight that'll fit a std. dovetail, like on a Marlin, that has a tritium insert?

[Hardcast416taylor]

A few years ago I bought a T/C Black Mountain Magnum .50 with fiber optic front and rear sights. Being as I`m old I thought these were the cat`s meow. The front sight would crack by itself and once fell apart while in the safe. T/C customer rep. acted like he had never heard of this happening. He sent me 6 (SIX) new fronts in case it happened again. Of the 6, 2 were already cracked and 1 had already broken apart. Naturally the mailman was the one to blame for the condition of them in their PADDED envelope on a protective card! Stay with a good sized brass bead or a good ivory type.:(

[Bass Ackward]

Stay with a good sized brass bead or a good ivory type.:(


If the sun hits your bead from the left, your eye will center the reflection, not the bead. So you end up shooting to the right of your intended POA. And it is the opposite from the right. On cloudy days you will be fine.

That's why I like a plain, black, post on everything with opens. If I can't see it, I don't shoot. If I shoot, that's where it goes.

[Heavy lead]

If the sun hits your bead from the left, your eye will center the reflection, not the bead. So you end up shooting to the right of your intended POA. And it is the opposite from the right. On cloudy days you will be fine.

That's why I like a plain, black, post on everything with opens. If I can't see it, I don't shoot. If I shoot, that's where it goes.

I am in 100% agreement on here. The one place I do use fiber optics, though, is on shotguns for clays and wing shooting. Fast. For pistol, revolver or rifle give me a post, black, or an brass bead if it's going on a woods gun.

[AlaskaMike]

Wow--I kind of had an idea they might be fragile, but the experiences some of you guys have had is amazing!

I think maybe I'll just leave the stock front sight on and see how it goes. If it's good enough I'll just leave it.

Thanks!
Mike