Author Topic: Ivory bead front sight (Read 2415 times)

MuskratMike · « **on:** January 17, 2021, 01:31:02 AM »

Thinking about replacing the front sight on my squirrel rifle with one with a small real ivory bead. Does anyone make them? Just can't bring myself to glue on the head of a white push-pin as some do or paint the face with white toenail polish. Thinking that the white or ivory colored bead will show up better on dark targets and in the woods.

Fyrstyk · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2021, 01:54:04 AM »

Williams makes a front sight with a white bead. don't think it is ivory. I made a front sight using a sight base from TOW and carving and shaping a bone blade for the front sight. It works pretty well.

StevenV · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2021, 03:30:03 AM »

Mike we use Testors ( model paint) on our front sight for hunting. We use yellow and it shows up outstanding. Tried white, pink, florescent orange they didn't show up great. While hunting in up state PA I ran into a doctor in the woods and he suggested yellow on the front sight. It has been yellow ever since. Black is the best for target shooting. Steve

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2021, 03:59:08 AM »

Brass works for me.
White plastic as on the Williams front sight, worked on a different gun just fine, in the bush. About
anything reflective should work.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2021, 04:00:55 AM »

On some of my rifles I have the steel square shaped front sight with a real small " V " filed in the center facing the eye, then " Tin " over the V with silver solder. When looking at it it looks like a bead. The solder is dressed off the blade but remains in the V notch. You could do this with a brass blade too.

alacran · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2021, 01:39:46 PM »

Mike you can do this with an antler tip. You cut a mortise i the face of your front sight with a hack saw. You square up the antler tip and cut a tenon the width of mortise in the sight leave the antler tip part fat. epoxy the antler tip onto the sight let it cure then dress it down with files and sand paper.

You don't want the antler tip part to be more than a 1/4 inch or so big before you epoxy it. Epoxy doesn't reqiure clamping pressure. So set up the sight vertically when you epoxy the tip to it. Make sure you have a good fit before you decide to glue it. As you can see the mortise and tenon give you five gluing surfaces. Much harder for the antler to pop off that way.

Jim Evans · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2021, 02:01:10 PM »

Lyman makes the 37ML with a white bead

porchdog48 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2021, 02:50:40 PM »

I have some small pieces of ivory if you want I will send you one. PM me your address.
Dave

Vaquero · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2021, 05:33:11 PM »

I love the low ivory sight on my rifle...however, the only downside for me is how easy it is to loose on a white target.

But for being in the woods, it works great.

Davison

recurve · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2021, 06:01:26 PM »

There was a gun maker at Dixons fair that used white guitar picks as an insert in his sights he stated that they were strong and cheap to replace. His booth/table was near the stores main entrance.

EC121 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2021, 06:18:17 PM »

I tried the yellow paint, and it disappeared into the dry weeds and grass as the sun went down. Worked fine in the daylight. Fluorescent green seems more visible and is easily repairable. $1.95 for a lifetime supply. A mirror finished metal sight works great for staying HC.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2021, 06:23:02 PM »

Mike,
I live less than an hours drive from you and have some bits of fossils Ivory that can be fitted to a sight base.

Rifleman1776 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2021, 07:12:07 PM »

Using real elephant ivory can be problematic, I would avoid. White bone is good and is attractive. However, I have used a white front sight and did not like it. The white can vanish in bright sunlight or against a light target. Some disagree and like them. I prefer a black post. The black will contrast and stand out against almost any target, even in low light. When the light is gone and you can't see anything, that is the time to go home.

Daryl · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2021, 09:54:59 PM »

The "fix" that is very easily removable for "bright" front sights on bright targets, is a felt pen, NOT the permanent-type,
but a DRY ERASE marker. These leave a FLAT black (ie: NOT shiny) surface that is easily seen on a bright target with what
used to be a bright sight. It is what I use on my brass bead. I carry the marker in my bag- quite simply, really.
A swipe with the thumb and it's BRIGHT again.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2021, 10:38:48 PM »

Daryl: simple works for me. As it has a brass sight already that should work. I'll give that a try. You'da man.

Marcruger · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2021, 11:50:14 PM »

I don't care for a bead front sight. The tendency is to center the bead on your target. If the target is far or small, the bead totally covers the intended target. I prefer a flat-topped square blade up front, even with a peep. I cut the target with the top line of the sight. Everyone has their own preferences. Just my opinion on this. God Bless, Marc

Daryl · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2021, 03:19:06 AM »

Quote from: MuskratMike on January 17, 2021, 10:38:48 PM

Daryl: simple works for me. As it has a brass sight already that should work. I'll give that a try. You'da man.

The rear surface of my front sights, be they brass beads or steel blades, all have a polished 45 degree rear surface.
This reflects available light & in the bush, becomes a beacon.

Rifleman1776 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2021, 07:32:52 PM »

Quote from: Daryl on January 17, 2021, 09:54:59 PM

The "fix" that is very easily removable for "bright" front sights on bright targets, is a felt pen, NOT the permanent-type,
but a DRY ERASE marker. These leave a FLAT black (ie: NOT shiny) surface that is easily seen on a bright target with what
used to be a bright sight. It is what I use on my brass bead. I carry the marker in my bag- quite simply, really.
A swipe with the thumb and it's BRIGHT again.

Agree. My long time favorite rifle was a beauty that featured a silver blade front sight. It never worked for me and was too beautiful to change out. I carried a black felt tip and kept it blackened for shooting. For showing off I just rubbed it clean with my fingers.

Daryl · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2021, 10:03:48 PM »

Just ANY black felt tip is better than nothing, but they still leave a slightly shiny surface. The Dry Erase felt tip pens are best.
They actually make a world of difference as they leave a dull black surface.

Mike from OK · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2021, 07:19:02 AM »

Not joking here... If you ever plan on leaving the country with your gun... Remove the ivory or have documentation proving that it was legally acquired and installed prior to your trip... Customs can/will confiscate your firearm over a piece of ivory the size of a grain of rice.

Mike

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Author Topic: Ivory bead front sight (Read 2415 times)

Jim Evans