Brass bead front sight - yea or nay ?

StayCool · June 3, 2007, 03:15 PM

The S&W Gunsight 1911 45acp & the S&W Jerry Miculek Model 625JM come with standard brass bead front sight and plain black rear.

Has anybody here had any experience using a front brass bead on a handgun? I have had plain black, white dot contrast and several trijicons, but have no knowledge of the usefullness of a brass bead front sight.

I figure if people such as Jerry Miculek and the fabled Gunsight Ranch use a brass bead front sights that maybe I might find them useful too.

Brass bead front sight? What do ya think?

rugernut · June 3, 2007, 03:43 PM

it seems like a good idea, but ive heard in past forums that they sometimes come loose

Bill DeShivs · June 3, 2007, 04:54 PM

A better idea is a gold bead. Gold doen't tarnish. I have done several-both beads and inlays. Gold seems to pick up ambient light well without glaring.

Croc · June 3, 2007, 06:54 PM

That's my favorite front sight....a Patridge post with a gold bead.

JoeHatley · June 3, 2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

the S&W Jerry Miculek Model 625JM come with standard brass bead

Yup, and that was the 2nd thing I swapped out on mine. The grips were the 1st.

I went with a black Patridge fro ww/jackweigand.com Much better sight picture for my eyes.

Joe

**44 AMP** · June 3, 2007, 07:07 PM

Might provide a useful option for low light/close range, it has long been recognised by rifle shooters that a brass/gold bead front sight can give problems with precision aiming for long range shooting.

Many of the beads are not flat, and the reflection of light (even with a flat bead) can change the percieved aiming point, changing the impact point.

I would not consider it a serious problem at regular handgun ranges, but at longer range, it is something that has to be considered.

gordo b. · June 4, 2007, 01:25 AM

It blew off my Gunsite 1911PD at the 4000 round mark. I read about this happening to others.It got smoked up black real quick, but when it was bright it was fast. I had S&W replace it with a Tritium dot.

June 3, 2007, 03:15 PM	#1
StayCool Member Join Date: October 14, 2006 Posts: 33	Brass bead front sight - yea or nay ? The S&W Gunsight 1911 45acp & the S&W Jerry Miculek Model 625JM come with standard brass bead front sight and plain black rear. Has anybody here had any experience using a front brass bead on a handgun? I have had plain black, white dot contrast and several trijicons, but have no knowledge of the usefullness of a brass bead front sight. I figure if people such as Jerry Miculek and the fabled Gunsight Ranch use a brass bead front sights that maybe I might find them useful too. Brass bead front sight? What do ya think?

June 3, 2007, 04:54 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 4,224	A better idea is a gold bead. Gold doen't tarnish. I have done several-both beads and inlays. Gold seems to pick up ambient light well without glaring. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

June 3, 2007, 07:07 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 5,354	Brass/Gold beads Might provide a useful option for low light/close range, it has long been recognised by rifle shooters that a brass/gold bead front sight can give problems with precision aiming for long range shooting. Many of the beads are not flat, and the reflection of light (even with a flat bead) can change the percieved aiming point, changing the impact point. I would not consider it a serious problem at regular handgun ranges, but at longer range, it is something that has to be considered. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 3, 2007, 03:43 PM	#2
rugernut Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: dfw Posts: 130	it seems like a good idea, but ive heard in past forums that they sometimes come loose

June 3, 2007, 06:54 PM	#4
Croc Junior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Crook Co., IL Posts: 12	That's my favorite front sight....a Patridge post with a gold bead.

June 4, 2007, 01:25 AM	#7
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	It blew off my Gunsite 1911PD at the 4000 round mark. I read about this happening to others.It got smoked up black real quick, but when it was bright it was fast. I had S&W replace it with a Tritium dot.