I see Ruger has a 5.5 inch 44 mag redhawk Talo model that features a fiber optic front sight instead of the ramp with red insert. I have not owned a pistol with a fiber optic front sight and wondered if it was a durable choice and if it was a significant improvement over the ramped front sight model?

No love in the least.

I bought a Keltec PMR 30 last fall.

It has both fiber optic, and just a regular style plastic insert.

I've not shot it enough to decide yet. I can say that in lower light situations it does make a difference for my old eyes.

My sentiments exactly

so it is a gimmick and not an improvement.

I guess it depends, there are guys that like them. You can see them but I can't shoot as accurately with them

THIS...

I've got several pistols with the fiber optics, but the one I've shot the most is the Ruger MKIII hunter. It's got orange, green inserts.they are all good in the right place with the right light. But what ever is in there is usually less than optimum when I am using it. I also don't like the sights profile, but that is just my preference.

To make a long story short, fiber optic sites would not be a plus factor when I'm buying a gun.

Depends on the intended purpose but love mine...

Glock 40 and 19: TruGlo TFO tritium/FO

Gary Reeder Custom Blackhawk: FA FO front with Bowen w/o rear

RIA 10mm Combat Commander: FO front with adjustable rear

PARA USA 10mm Long Slide Hunter: FO front with adjustable rear

S&W 686-7 .38 Super: FO front

Ruger GP100: FO front

Find them much faster to pickup for close in self-defense shooting/IDPA competition.

For long range shooting still prefer a good Patridge or Keith Long Range front blade...

Bob








RIA





PARA





GP100

Same here. Much faster.

You can't run fast enough to give me one. And yes, I do have one handgun with one. That's only because there is no replacement available. Since it's a .22 LR, I don't really care.
They are too fragile. The classic night sights work quite well. Heck, I've put bright orange paint/nail polish on front sights for years. In fact my old Ruger Single six still has the paint I put on it back in the 70's. Think I touched it up once. E

I like a Patridge (post) front, but I'm a target shooter. I have no use for a fiber optic front.
Bob

Not all are fragile.

I absolutely HATE em!!!!

I do not, only have them on a few SD guns, seeing them on a revolver, double rifle or lever gun makes me damn near puke.

There may come a day I HAVE to use em to get off accurate daytime hunting shots, still wont like em, until that day arrives, they remain nauseating.

Whether they are good or not depends on your eyes. I’ve had central serous retinopathy in my dominate eye that has severely affected my ability to clearly see a partridge style sight. Once they eyesight has failed, what are you going to do? Keep the more precise sights that you can’t see anymore, or go to what you can?

Inside 50 yards there really isn’t much difference, but at longer ranges the fiber optic sights are less accurate. Still plenty for deer at 100 yards, but not much more for me. For me, fiber optics allow me to use and enjoy my handguns that might not get shot as much if they didn’t have them.

For competition, shooting fast, there are several well designed fiber optic versions that are perfection. But, for anything rough and tumble, I am not a fan.

I like 'em.
Much more visible.

If the FO falls out, it is still a front sight. I can't see the front sight anymore, slightly better with FO.

I find they make the front sight blurry which makes it difficult to get a good sight picture. I'm not a speed shooter so perhaps if I were I'd find a use for one.

Exactly how I see them. If I wanted a night sight I'd go with a tritium front dot only

Exactly..

I've got a couple with 'em and many without. Depends on the gun and when/where it's used.

Like.

I, for one like fiber optic front sights.

For my 63 year old eyes they are fast to pick up on any target, critter or paper.

Especially like 'em on a fast handling brush rifle.

Virgil B.

There's a company that offers the best of both worlds, i.e., combination tritium and fiber optic. Can't remember the manufacturer, but someone will likely chime in with it. Clearly, if there's any significant ambient light, the fiber optic front sight is awesome, far better than any other option. I've tried them, but as yet haven't taken the plunge. Plan to, though.

I too have the TFOs on a Glock 19. After using it in training for 8 months it s now my EDC. I recently put FOs on a 10-22 and like it a lot so far. Jackrabbits hate them.

For a carry gun speed is life, anything that helps me be fast and accurate will get a try.


mike r

With my Ruger SP101 I could not see the original black sight well in the stainless steel rear sight slot. A fiber optic sight in front made things better.

When punching holes in paper targets or plinking at improvised targets in bright light, they do nothing for me. But when shooting small game at close range in varying background, they are the bomb.

Haven't tried them for anything else on a handgun, but I also like a lot them on a rifle in combination with a rear peep.