white dot on front sight?

I have problems seeing my front sight when the target is dark or in shadows. If I were to put a white dot on the front sight, would I still be okay for a pre-1840s shoot?

bystander12 said:

I have problems seeing my front sight when the target is dark or in shadows. If I were to put a white dot on the front sight, would I still be okay for a pre-1840s shoot?

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I guess it would depend upon the rules for the particular shoot. I suspect it shouldn't be an issue, but you never know.

I used a solution that could work for you. I added a small piece of brass (~1/32" thick piece of brass rod) as a bead to the rear of my post & bead sight. Soldered it in place and dressed it down - looks like it was part of the original sight.

I use some regular white black board chalk to put a temporary white mark on the front sight if I'm shooting in a deeply shaded area or at a black target bull. I can just wipe it off with my thumb if needed or add more if it smears off.

I just put a bab of yellow paint on the face of my front sight. I have to refresh it every now and then. I participate in pre 1840 shoots and have never had problems.

Mike

Black Hand, I'd like to do that, but I'm not that good working a soldering iron so would have to get it done by a 'smith.

Good to know. What area of the country do you usually shoot in?

Great idea! Do you have any problems with aiming if the chalk is not uniform across the edge of the sight?

Mostly Virginia

bystander12 said:

Black Hand, I'd like to do that, but I'm not that good working a soldering iron so would have to get it done by a 'smith.

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It was soldered using solder paste and a propane torch. Soldering iron isn't hot enough....

White Out works fine and is easy to remove. Cheap acrylic craft paints work well too and are very to remove as well as being available in colors (including black).

Fingernail polish is great stuff for touching up a front sight. The stuff comes in all sorts of colors these days. I have tried several different colors and find that white is the best. Yep, they do make white nail polish now. Just go to your nearest Dollar General or similar discount store and buy the cheapest brand of nail polish that they carry. When you want to remove it, just use a dab of nail polish remover or acetone.

BTW, Dollar General is where I get a lot of my "gun stuff". Cheap lipstick makes a good inletting color. I used to use soot for inletting but keeping an oil lamp going while inletting can be a problem. Cheap lipstick solved the problem.