Fiber optic sight brightening idea

[Drew P]

I was pondering my fiber optic sights and how much I like them on the few guns I have that are lucky enough to wear them. They seem brighter than possible sometimes, lighting up in a dark room for instance. They are great. But I started to imagine how they work, gathering light along their sides, and trapping it, channeling it to the ends and emitting toward the shooter. Toward the shooter, AND away from the shooter, along the axis of the rod. So I thought, well I wonder what would happen if I put a mirror on the far end. It should reflect the light moving forward and reflect it rearward, toward the shooter, essentially doubling the brightness. Well I tried it and it works! So, now I need to make the worlds smallest mirror and attach it to the ends of the rods somehow.

[ThomR]

Might try a small piece of aluminum or stainless steel that has been polished.

[Winger Ed.]

Not as good as a mirror, but a drop of silver paint might improve it some.

[lar45]

What a great idea. Maybe look at some craft stores for course glitter

[sutherpride59]

That’s a super interesting idea and I am subscribed. If you can find a cheap way of doing this who doesn’t want a slightly better fiber. Subscribed to this thread!

[deltaenterprizes]

I like the idea, hope you are successful!

[jcren]

Drop of bright white nail polish would be worth a try on the cheap.

[sutherpride59]

I guess I wasn’t the only one drinking when I read this thread and forgot to try any kind of reflective paint lol

[fastdadio]

Glue a crystal diamond to the end of the optic pipe. Use a clear type of glue. I bet that would be super bright, since they are designed to gather and focus light. Something like this is what I have in mind;
https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h202451cy
Scrape the foil backing off of the flat base, as that is there to reflect the light back forward and we want to channel the light to the rear/base of the crystal.
https://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/swarovski-clear_colored

[Drew P]

Glue a crystal diamond to the end of the optic pipe. Use a clear type of glue. I bet that would be super bright, since they are designed to gather and focus light. Something like this is what I have in mind;
https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h202451cy
Scrape the foil backing off of the flat base, as that is there to reflect the light back forward and we want to channel the light to the rear/base of the crystal.
https://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/swarovski-clear_colored
Ah now that’s interesting. Not sure it reflects light coming at the point however, but you’re right, and maybe it would net a gain.
And it would sure add some bling!

[Conditor22]

Make sure the paint you use won't damage the fiber optics

[OldBearHair]

Think about the kind of mirror on a Ghost Blind. Look in Home Improvement stores. Buy it in a roll. Might be what you need/

[Burnt Fingers]

There are different quality fibers used in sights. I usually replace the stock fiber with fiber from http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Flourescent.htm

This fiber is very bright.

Silver paint isn't very reflective. Ask anyone who makes fishing lures.

[Drew P]

Maybe a bit of Mylar

[Wheelguns 1961]

The king gun sight company made a mirror front sight way back in the 20’s and 30’s. Fermin Garza (two dogs) makes a replica. He uses a small piece of polished ss for the mirror. FerminGarza.com

[JimB..]

To install these don’t you heat the ends to expand them?

Starting with a new fiber. Heat one end and then flatten it by pressing against a piece of aluminized mylar. Hopefully it sticks and you can just trim off the excess.

If it doesn’t stick add a little CA glue, or better an optically clear adhesive, to the process.

[fredj338]

Just go bigger FO. I prefer the smaller ones like Dawson does to the bigger ones for daylight. Too bright is an issue if it fuzzes out the top of the sight, tendency to shoo thigh.