I might be missing something, what is the advantage of the gold (brass) dot front sight used by DW on their TCP and ECP 1911 Commanders? The only thing that I can think of is that it might be more durable than other types and will not fade out after many years. I cannot see the gold dot as well as fiber optic or optical ring around night sight. Should I change it out or get used to it?
Gold Dot Sights
KentuckyWildcat
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Thats a nice Colt!
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2,919 Posts
Though I knew about gold bead sights, I'd never tried one. That is until I acquired my NHC Classic commander last year. It showed me the gold bead front works great for me. I'm in the process of swapping out the night sights on a few of my 1911's, to gold bead.
I agree that the night sights with colored rings show up better. They are also wider that I prefer.
And yes, gold bead front sights look great, too!
I agree that the night sights with colored rings show up better. They are also wider that I prefer.
And yes, gold bead front sights look great, too!
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2,395 Posts
I'm not a fan of gold or brass bead front sights. A green fiber optic is my favorite.
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4,073 Posts
This sounds like a new project. How much gold did you use? Looking around Jewelry wire can be purchased by the inch. It might be an idea if one could use a FSO mount and the right epoxy.
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9,561 Posts
This will be nothing new to you veterans, but on your brass beads , use good old brasso to easily shine it up and put a touch of clear nail polish on the polished dome. Lasts a good long time, cheap and easy to do.
Not a replacement for a gold bead , but have you priced gold lately?
Not a replacement for a gold bead , but have you priced gold lately?
I posted about it. WAY easier and cheaper than I thought it would be. If you have a dead night sight, it is even easier.
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4,073 Posts
"Necessity is the Mother of Invention" Well Done. Gonna go pick up some gold pins to have on hand.
I would mail you 50 of them, but the cost of sending them is more than they cost to go buy yourself.
Gold wire would work too, and you could just hit the sight with a torch and press the gold into the hole and it would melt right in. Would arguably be a much better fit, but would not be easy to dome like mine.
Gold wire would work too, and you could just hit the sight with a torch and press the gold into the hole and it would melt right in. Would arguably be a much better fit, but would not be easy to dome like mine.
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634 Posts
I have had brass bead front sights, gold bead front sights, and varying black or tritium sights.
The best and fastest one for carry or duty guns to me is the Ameriglo or Trijicon tritium front sight with a big orange polymer ring around it. Easy to pick up in any light and the front sight just stands out so sharply. Not as fragile as the plain fiber-optic sights, and much brighter than gold or brass beads.
However, gold or brass bead sights never need to be replaced, so I like to have a gold bead front sight on the pistols I mainly have for collector pieces. Currently that is only one pistol, though, but if I ever ordered another custom build, I'd probably go for a gold bead.
I will say that gold and brass do not seem equal to me. Brass tarnishes and gets dull faster and doesn't seem as bright even when clean. Gold seems brighter and polishes nicely. If it's a domed bead, I find that better as well, as a flat one mainly reflects light straight back and is most reflective from a perfect sight picture, while a domed and polished bead, for me anyway, is picked up more readily from imperfect sight pictures.
The best and fastest one for carry or duty guns to me is the Ameriglo or Trijicon tritium front sight with a big orange polymer ring around it. Easy to pick up in any light and the front sight just stands out so sharply. Not as fragile as the plain fiber-optic sights, and much brighter than gold or brass beads.
However, gold or brass bead sights never need to be replaced, so I like to have a gold bead front sight on the pistols I mainly have for collector pieces. Currently that is only one pistol, though, but if I ever ordered another custom build, I'd probably go for a gold bead.
I will say that gold and brass do not seem equal to me. Brass tarnishes and gets dull faster and doesn't seem as bright even when clean. Gold seems brighter and polishes nicely. If it's a domed bead, I find that better as well, as a flat one mainly reflects light straight back and is most reflective from a perfect sight picture, while a domed and polished bead, for me anyway, is picked up more readily from imperfect sight pictures.
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4,073 Posts
😂 Now Rose Gold Or Cubic Zirconia.....Don't forget 🧡 shaped. 😂😂😂 i suppose you triggered my inner Cheap... Didn't Bill Wilson start in the back of Jewelry Store?
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420 Posts
Dude, have you tried the Amerglo Lumi-Green? Seriously, give it a shot, it is sorcery. I've had the red/orange black out on me*, the Lumi-green is amazing.
*I need reading glasses, so I have to have a FS that really stands out if I'm not wearing them.
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1,610 Posts
Personally I think it's form over function but not quite "chrome that won't get you home"
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1,841 Posts
Brass can and will tarnish...GOLD never does. I love the look of it, and the functionality during daylight hours. Hence the gold bead on my competition Wilson. But for a serious defense pistol, like my EDC Ed Brown Kobra Carry, I like an HD tritium front sight. Fiber optics are, in my opinion, ugly and fragile.
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1,841 Posts
I disagree on the brass/gold thing. Having had both, I can tell you it's more than just the "precious metal" thing. Brass tends to tarnish and lose its luster - gold never does.
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1,885 Posts
Totally agree. But it doesn't take a lot to polish a brass dot a few times per year.
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