New Fiber Optic Sights

[jg rider]

Fed-x just dropped off a package with our 4 Kahr fiber optical (optical?) slides in it. Originally they all had nite sights with Novak rears, but they seemed to have dimmed out sooner then they should have, or else our old eye sights are really bad. Kahr stepped up to the plate and made thing right. We had the choice of what we wanted, but after thinking about having to go through another replacement after several years, and knowing it's almost impossible for me to remove our front sights we opted for a Hi-Viz F.O. front and flat black Novak rear combo. For us it was the best choice.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/01KahrK9fiberopticsights.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/02Kahrfiberopticsights.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/03Kahrfiberopticsights.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/04KahrK9fiberopticsights.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/05KahrPM9fiberopticsights.jpg

[jg rider]

The one concern I had about about this combo was poa/poi. I knew that
the original front sight was .171" tall and the Hi-Viz sight is .160" so I was concerned how much higher the hits were gonna be with a .011" shorter front sight. So I did some shooting at home at a 6" steel plate at 10 yds. I think this is more than realistic shootout distance for a civilian. If we're that far away from a b.g. in most cases we're gonna run away. I can live with the hits.
Now to try to sell the original sights on Craigs List

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/005Kahrfiberopticsights.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/006MyKahrK9fiberopticsightsat10yds.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/007MYKahrPM9fiberopticsightsat10yds.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/008JosK9Kahrfiberopticsights10yds.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/009JosKahrPM9fiberopticsights10yds.jpg

[mr surveyor]

I'm considering the FO front sight for my CM9 and possibly my Ruger SP101, but having only seen them and not having tried holstering/unholstering, I have some reservations. They look to have a lot of sharp edges that could play havoc with leather over time.

[JFootin]

That's what I am leaning toward for my CM9, but just the front sight. Or would I have to get the rear sight, too, because of the difference in height?

My thinking is that FO sights greatly enhance the sight picture in all but the dimmest light conditions, and they never dim. To me, a lot more bang for the buck. Besides, I try never to be in pitch darkness. I even have multiple night lights in every room of my home, and I have flashlights and tactical lights for when the power is out.

[NM0]

Very cool, nice write up. I'm ordering HiViz for the GP100 this week and been thinking what would be best for my MK...big dot or fiber optic. Also like your avatar pic, have a white RT here.

[jg rider]

I'm considering the FO front sight for my CM9 and possibly my Ruger SP101, but having only seen them and not having tried holstering/unholstering, I have some reservations. They look to have a lot of sharp edges that could play havoc with leather over time.

That's what I am leaning toward for my CM9, but just the front sight. Or would I have to get the rear sight, too, because of the difference in height?

My thinking is that FO sights greatly enhance the sight picture in all but the dimmest light conditions, and they never dim. To me, a lot more bang for the buck. Besides, I try never to be in pitch darkness. I even have multiple night lights in every room of my home, and I have flashlights and tactical lights for when the power is out.

I carry in one of two Hume JIT holsters that don;t hardly have a sight track. And the original .011" taller nite sight that I had on didn't cause any problems
Here's some front sight dimensions for you
New fiber optic = .160 t x .142 w
Factory plain sight = .166 t x .140 w
Nite sights .171" x .141 W
The ramp of the f.o. sight isn't much steeper than a factory sight

I love these sights. I'm playing with them as I type.

Wait.........Did I clear the weapon?

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/My%20Kahrs/KahrPM9Holster.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/Kahr%20holsters/Kahrpm9holster001.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/Kahr%20holsters/Kahrpm9holster002.jpg

[jg rider]

Very cool, nice write up. I'm ordering HiViz for the GP100 this week and been thinking what would be best for my MK...big dot or fiber optic. Also like your avatar pic, have a white RT here.

The 6 spd. RT Classic belongs to the wife. I own the 6 spd. 2000 Camaro Z28. Mine is faster

[jg rider]

That's what I am leaning toward for my CM9, but just the front sight. Or would I have to get the rear sight, too, because of the difference in height?

My thinking is that FO sights greatly enhance the sight picture in all but the dimmest light conditions, and they never dim. To me, a lot more bang for the buck. Besides, I try never to be in pitch darkness. I even have multiple night lights in every room of my home, and I have flashlights and tactical lights for when the power is out.

JFootin
I'm sorry I don't think I answered your question. I don't think you'd have to change the front sight, but if I can offer some advice:
Most of our toys have F.O. fronts and matte black rears except for the wife's Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit for her Glock 17 which has F.O. front and U shaped white out lined rear. The F.O. seems to get lost in that rear. Sorry for being so long winded. If it were me and my pistol had white outline or white dot rear sight, I'd swap them out

[NM0]

Ours is an auto and basically hers, my truck is much slower. Had faster (not stock) cars long ago. Went with white....Vanishing Point.

Looks like your sights clear the holster well. Like your steel targets too.

[jg rider]

Ours is an auto and basically hers, my truck is much slower. Had faster (not stock) cars long ago. Went with white....Vanishing Point.

Looks like your sights clear the holster well. Like your steel targets too.

I meant to ask in reply to your previous post, How do the big sights work in a holster?

[NM0]

I meant to ask in reply to your previous post, How do the big sights work in a holster?
I'm debating on what to get for the MK. The GP100 doesn't ride in a holster any more. Not worried about that. Have Mepro on an SP101...no problem with holster.

[JFootin]

JFootin
I'm sorry I don't think I answered your question. I don't think you'd have to change the front sight, but if I can offer some advice:
Most of our toys have F.O. fronts and matte black rears except for the wife's Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit for her Glock 17 which has F.O. front and U shaped white out lined rear. The F.O. seems to get lost in that rear. Sorry for being so long winded. If it were me and my pistol had white outline or white dot rear sight, I'd swap them out

Well, of course, my CM9 rear sight is black with a single white bar or 'i'. If it bothered me with the FO front sight, I could always paint the bar black (penny pincher :rolleyes:).

Do you find that, even indoors or in less intense light, it still gathers light and glows?

[jg rider]

Well, of course, my CM9 rear sight is black with a single white bar or 'i'. If it bothered me with the FO front sight, I could always paint the bar black (penny pincher :rolleyes:).

Do you find that, even indoors or in less intense light, it still gathers light and glows?

Here's what I know considering my now poor eyesight ( that's why I don't do checkering anymore ). Before F.O.s I tried different florescent color painted f/s. Red was objectionable to the eye. Orange was o.k. but I didn't like it. Yellow would wash out against light color back grounds. So I chose green. It stands out in a regular lighted room.
That all being said, I took a green painted front sight, and the new style Hi-Viz F.O. sight that has a transparent sleeve over the rod to protect it from solvents and compared them in a regular lighted room and there wasn't much difference.


Florescent green painted sight
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/02Diamondbacksights.jpg

The older style Hi-Vis F.O.s were brighter because they didn't have a protective sleeve over the rods, and had replaceable rods of different diameters from .90" to .125" If you want a brighter sight look at Bazos,com I think.
There I go being long winded again
John


Old style on a 1911 on left New style on a K9 on right
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/jgriders/Kahr%20Pistols/FOsights.jpg

[ORSalesRep]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I have read in the past that fiber optic sites are not as durable as Tritium night sights for every day conceal carry. I have heard instances of the fiber optic vials breaking or coming loose and falling out of the bladed sight housing. Is any of that true?

[Bill K]

When I used to hunt compound bow with fiber optic pin sights green, amber/yellow and then finally red would become visible at first light. The reverse would happen as the sun set with red, then amber and finally green disappearing due to the loss of daylight.

[jg rider]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I have read in the past that fiber optic sites are not as durable as Tritium night sights for every day conceal carry. I have heard instances of the fiber optic vials breaking or coming loose and falling out of the bladed sight housing. Is any of that true?

Nite sights for what gun? IMHO the ones for Khars are too small for fast work in the dark. Believe me I know, we tested them in the dark. The neighbors weren't happy. I don't need nite sighted Khars for home defense. I have my wife with her nite sighted Glock 17 with light to keep us safe.

In my Kahr experiance I'm tired of replacing expensive nite sights every 7 yrs.

Never heard of the F.O. breaking or coming loose . The F.O.s aren't vials they're rods and they are replaceable. The older Hi-vis had replaceable precut lengths of different diameters that were held in place by a spring loaded tab.
On the newer style that have a protective transparent sleeve, you're stuck with what you have. But I haven't had any problems
On others, the rods were held on by the ends being melted. To replace these types you'd cut the rod in the middle and remove. Slightly melt the end of the new rod, insert the rod, cut to length with a little exposed at the other end and lightly melt.

[Kahrbonized]

IIRC a number of people over on XDtalk were having problems with TruGlow sights falling apart a few years ago. Supposedly issue was fixed.. I just discovered my 5906 Trijicons have bit the dust so I will have to replace them soon. I also would like to replace the CM sights.

Do you know if Sig rear is compatible or is Kahr special unto itself? How about the front? Is it staked or does it have a screw? Will 1911 sights fit? I have a staking tool and sight pusher and would rather not send it out.

[jeepster09]

I'm debating on what to get for the MK. The GP100 doesn't ride in a holster any more. Not worried about that. Have Mepro on an SP101...no problem with holster.


XS Big Dots! ;)


http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv276/jeepster09/IMG-20120202-00112.jpg

[NM0]

Do like the looks of those big dots....easy to see for sure.