Author Topic: Blacking sights... (Read 401 times)

ironglow · « **on:** November 02, 2005, 06:10:17 PM »

I distinctly recall, as a soldier that when we were to fire for record with our M1s or M14s..we would blacken the iron sights to give us a more distinct sight picture.
It was done with a small torch with a carbuerizing flame.

I can't very well take my acetylene torch set hunting with me..LOL

So..is there some commercially available spray etc. that will blacken the iron sights ?

Something that is compact and handy to carry would be a welcome accessory for the shootist..

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2005, 06:19:07 PM »

That's easy, BWC Sight Black....available in a pen or aerosol...

http://www.thegunsource.com/shopping_viewproduct.aspx?idproduct=40828

Cottonwood · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2005, 03:48:45 AM »

Actually a totally blackened out front sight is bad in low light conditions. This is why on a BPCR rifle such as a Sharps, Rolling Blocks and Highwalls you'll find a silver front blade sight, when they are set up with iron hunting sights.

Any of the Lever Action rifles you will a white or brass bead, so it can grab the light and stand out.

But yes, Tim is right... you can get your sight blacken paint in either a pen or spray.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2005, 06:15:17 AM »

Jon is right on!!! My SOP for shooting iron sights, and I went thru a lot of em looking for the ideal combination that works in all light conditions when I shot black powder competiton, was to use a silver front sight and hit it with the sight black when I needed a dark sight. The paint comes off with a fingernail and works excellent! :wink:

I also had good luck with a front sight that had a vertical ivory insert down the middle of the blade, but the insert kept getting busted on trapper runs, so I quit using it, they were too expensive!! :oops:

6Shooter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2005, 09:32:53 AM »

I use a candle to blacken my sights.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2005, 09:40:11 AM »

Candle smoke doesn't work well on a muzzleloader, during loading it tends to get wiped off. And resmoking it with a powder horn full of powder nearby is not smart!! Like I said, I've tried pretty much everything in a quest for the best, the Sight Black is THE product to use....and won't wash off in the rain, either!! :wink:

6Shooter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:53:27 AM »

Black powder....hmmmmm..... good point.
I do alittle black powder handgun shooting but, at the short ranges I shoot it, the blacken sight is not needed.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2005, 11:40:57 AM »

A bit OT, but this subject has reminded me of an incident that happened on a trail walk with a newbie buckskinner friend. Smoking on a trailwalk with powder horns being worn is a no-no for obvious reasons. We were about half way through a trailwalk and newbie was having gun problems and needed something out of this possibles bag, so he was removing items to get to the bottom of the bag, first out was his brass powder dispenser, the type used on handguns, then among other various possibles, he removed his butane lighter and cigarettes!!!! Probably safe enough, but not to be overlooked by the rest of us, we hammered him on it.....when ya make a mistake while buckskinning and anyone knows about it, you're real likely to get a name for it......we picked Bag Bomb for his....a name he proudly wears today, many years later!!! :wink: And no, it's not me, I'm a non-smoker.....unless I get lit!!! :eek:

ironglow · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2005, 12:43:16 PM »

Thanks guys;
I could have placed this question in many different forums...but somehow I figured that Quickdtoo would have just the info I needed.
Thanks...

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2005, 12:45:16 PM »

Thanks, :oops: Glad ta help ya out, that's what we're all here for, to share and learn!! :grin: