Fiber Optic Sites

[klmhq]

Has anyone had these installed on a pistol?

I've been wondering if having new sites installed and calibrated would help my Colt .380. I hate to get rid of the gun because it can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Thoughts?

[MLB]

I like the fiber optic sites I put on my deer barrel, but if that Colt is shot out, no site improvement will tighten the groups of course.

["DoubleAction"]

klmhq; I have the Fiber Optics for my S&W revolvers, but it is my humble opinion that your .380 might not benefit as well. Some, such as myself, think of the .380 as a last ditch effort to escape a live threatening situation at very close range. If I were to upgrade the sights on any defensive pistol , I would look at the Tritiums. Most all of mine has the Trijicons.
Use a bench to rest your shooting hand with the .380, remove the target, then have someone else shoot the pistol, and then compare the point of impact. I suggest this, not from measuring shooting skills, but to check the sight alignment from one shooter's natural point of aim, to the other.

[tddude]

I like the fiber sights as well and if anyone finds a source for fiber sights that will fit a Python, I will personally send you a $20.00 finders fee.

With my tired old eyes, the fiber sights are a HUGE assist.

I spent several hours online and many trips to gun shops asking and nobody makes fiber sights for the big Colt. S&W is now making them a standard item on their revolvers but no one else does.

["DoubleAction"]

TD; The interchangable front sight systems are possible with almost any handgun. Gunsmiths and shops like Wilson Combat and Jack Weigand of Weigand Combat, are noted for this. A Fiber Optic front sight might be shaped to fit within the site mounting slot of your Python, or the existing ramp might be grinded down to accept the new front sight mount. These are the front mounts and sights available from Jack Weigand.


Interchangeable gun sight system

Requires milling off the old gun sight ramp and drilling and tapping one hole.
Limitless choices in front sight site type.
Interchanges in less than ten seconds
Classic DX Style Spring loaded design keeps sight located properly
Can be retrofitted to most any hand gun or rifle






www.jackweigand.com/interfs.html

By the way; This is the first link listed on our link pages. ;D

[XavierBreath]

I am an old fart given to hardening of the head and fixed opinions. Nevertheless, I'll post an opinion.

IMHO fiberoptic sights are great for dedicated target pistols and turkey guns. They have no place on a defensive pistol such as a Colt .380, no matter how bad the gun shoots. They are just to fragile.

["DoubleAction"]

I agree Xavier; I would reserve these sights for the same reasons. With the interchangable sights, one can swap out different sights for different applications. Some of the S&W revolvers already come with interchangable front sight ramps from the factory.

[tddude]

thanks for the suggestions.

I'm not all that fired up about having to grind down the sight ramp on my Python. If the Weigand system can be modified to fit, then that will work but it seems that changing anything on the actual pistol would make the long term value go down. My druthers are to be able to put it back the way it was sometime down the line. Maybe some future farsight fixin eyeball technology will come along and my son won't have to worry about seeing the sights. PLUS, I want his grandkids to have a completely "stock" Colt Python that their great, great, great, grandaddy carried way back in 1960 when he was in the Texas DPS.

I'll have to look up the weigand product and see what my options are.

Thanks again for the tip. The checks in the mail

["DoubleAction"]

TD; I would not screw up my Pythons either, but, the Python has front sights that are pinned, which can be removed. Finding a fiber optic insert, that can be grinded, filed, and shaped to fit in the sight's recess slot, of the Python, will be your best bet. Keep an eye out on Colt parts and Accessories, Smith & Wesson has been on this for almost a decade.

[Lukiedukie]

How about something like these? You get the best of both worlds. Tritium with fiber optic on top of it. So it glows during the day from the fiber optic picking up the light in in less then ideal lighting the tritium makes the fiber optic glow. Any opinions on this

www.truglo.com/content/products/firearm/handgun_sights/tritium_fiber_optic.asp

["DoubleAction"]

Lukie; Looks like a good idea; Some might not care to have the tritium tubes open.The Trijicons have white rings, which encircle the sealed tube, for visibility in daylight. These are those things which become choices and reference for those who might one day require such optics. I might say I do not care for a sight like this today, but a year from now I might be looking to buy a set. With my aging eyesight, I use every edge I possibly can.