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I wanted to know about your experience with gold bead front sights.

Right now I have a gun with a fiber optic front sight that I want to get rid of. I considered adding tritium sights but decided to go with the gold bead instead. I have heard stories of the Gold bead flying off at random and quite frankly that is a concern as this gun is used very frequently.

Finally, do you guys have any suggestions on who's sight to use? I have heard good things about SDM's sight and Novaks. Is there anyone else outthere that makes a worth while front sight?

Thanks

I've got a Novak gold bead front on one of my 5" guns. I've used that gun for CCW and competition for years, probably has 10,000 rounds through the gun with that front sight on it. I've had zero trouble with the bead working its way loose or anything else. [/i]

Pete,

Take a look at Yost-Bonitz's gold line front sight. I guarantee that you'll not loose the gold out of that one. It's a grove milled in the face of the sight. Then, they insert a piece of solid gold wire and crimp it in place. Finally, the gold is trimmed and serated right along with the sight face.

I now considder these to be "must haves" on all of my 1911s. In my opinion, it's simply the absolute best front sight available.

All of the gold bead fronts I've seen have been too wide; .125", at least. The gold line seems like a good way to go, if smaller beads aren't available.

I am gradually switching over to either gold line or gold bead. These are what I can see better than anything else that I've tried.

My 1* pistol has the gold line and it is an excellent front sight. If I was buying all new front sights that is probably what I'd go for, but since I'm able to convert some existing black front sights, Dave Sams is installing the SDM bead in existing blades. The SDM gold bead is very bright, even in low light.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

My first choice was to go with the Yobo front sight but I was told that they only install them on guns that they work on. This gun has been worked on by another smith.

I haven't heard that before. If I were you, I'd just give them a call or drop 'em an email and ask. They're a good bunch of guys, and will give you a direct answer.

Check your PM.

Hi,

I have one of Ted's' Gold lined front sights and it is a fantastic looking sight plus I do not see how it would be possible for the gold to come out unless you blow the end of the slide off the pistol.

Gary Morris

Jim Garthwaite uses a .080" 10K gold bead that is slightly domed.
Works great, IMO.

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

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+1 on the Garthwaite sight. Very fast and works surprisingly well in low light.

I have a FN HP with Don Williams now. It's going to come back with a gold line front sight. Can't wait.

I've played around with my front sights (tape over dots to create a line) and liked it a lot.

Now if I could only improve my shooting skills...

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Jeff

I too have a Jim Garthwaite custom with a gold bead front sight and it is far one of the best. The bead is very visible both in sunlight and surprisingly also in low light conditions.

Any one willing to share pics of the Garthwaite gold bead front sight?

Thanks

Big Jim Garthwaite has the gold bead figured out pretty well.....domed bead set in a serrated black steep ramp. Works great on the range and in low light. I've got them on 4 guns from him, and I'm sold on them.

They REALLY work well on hunting guns......both of my 10mm's have them for wacking deer and hogs

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Best Regards,

Will Fennell
http://www.willfennell.com

I was told that the advantage of the gold line over the gold bead is that the gold line is more visually consistant when light shines on it from different angles than the gold bead type front sights.

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God Bless
45Fundi

The gold line is probally more consistant...that is true, but the advantage of the domed gold bead is that it picks up light from more angles, and thereby reflects light from more angles and works better in low light.

Its all a trade off, as most things in life

Both the gold line and gold bead are good......pick your favorite.

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Best Regards,

Will Fennell
http://www.willfennell.com