Replacement sights for US made DE .50AE with 8-slot rail?

[jsona]

I've decided I don't like the factory sights on my DE. The sights are all black, and as I primarily shoot at an indoor range, nearly invisible against the target...

I saw a nice looking set of Trijcons, but they indicate they are not compatible with the 8-slot rail barrel. I was thinking of putting a small, inexpensive reflex sight on, but after chatting with one of the salespeople at the range I go to, he didn't think a cheap one would survive on a DE (he admitted he couldn't say for sure, as I couldn't give him a comparison as far as the recoil goes, his first thought was to look at ones intended for rifles or shotguns.)

I took a look at some of the ones on MRIs store page and MidwayUSA, and I'm not sure I like those...

So then I thought, what about putting some enamel, white paint on the existing sights, with a small paintbrush?

So, the question is (because I've not done any of the above,) any suggestions for sights, reflex or iron, or painting the existing sights (carefully, with a small modelers brush, and masking tape all around the sights so I don't get it elsewhere)?

Thanks,
Jason A.

[gb6491]

I've decided I don't like the factory sights on my DE. The sights are all black, and as I primarily shoot at an indoor range, nearly invisible against the target...

I saw a nice looking set of Trijcons, but they indicate they are not compatible with the 8-slot rail barrel. I was thinking of putting a small, inexpensive reflex sight on, but after chatting with one of the salespeople at the range I go to, he didn't think a cheap one would survive on a DE (he admitted he couldn't say for sure, as I couldn't give him a comparison as far as the recoil goes, his first thought was to look at ones intended for rifles or shotguns.)

I took a look at some of the ones on MRIs store page and MidwayUSA, and I'm not sure I like those...

So then I thought, what about putting some enamel, white paint on the existing sights, with a small paintbrush?

So, the question is (because I've not done any of the above,) any suggestions for sights, reflex or iron, or painting the existing sights (carefully, with a small modelers brush, and masking tape all around the sights so I don't get it elsewhere)?

Thanks,
Jason A.
Paint is surely the least expensive way to go and it's easily touched up or undone if your not happy with it. If you make sure the sight is free of any oil/grease before you paint it, let the paint cure completely, and then be careful when using cleaning fluids around it I imagine it will be durable enough for your intended purpose.

You might also contact Dawson Precision. They have a fiber optic front sight listed as "Dawson Precision Desert Eagle XIX Fiber Optic Front Sights - USA Made" (as opposed to another listed as "Israel Made").
https://dawsonprecision.com/sights/magnum-research-sights/

Regards,
Greg

[berettabone]

I have used Testors white on many of my sights. If you make a boo boo, no harm, no foul, it comes off. I always used a toothpick. You need so little paint, and it's easier to see how much paint you have on a toothpick versus brush. You could also purchase some of the fluorescent paints that are out there and experiment. My old eyes seem to always prefer white.

[CJB]

Ditto +1 on Testor's

Stays put till you don't want it to.

[b4uqzme]

Shoot at a white target?

[jeepster09]

A late add to this.....I use fishing lure paint....more durable and many bright colors.

[Bawanna]

Wife and I both work part time for Dick Night Fishing lures. He sent me a couple jars of lure paint and one of a clear coat.
I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet but I think it will work really good.

Guess I need to buy a gun with sights I don't like so I can test it out.

[Accept]

I know this is an older thread but Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing (https://www.fordsguns.com) makes some really good sights for the Desert Eagle.

[lockhart]

I put Williams Firesights on my .50AE Desert Eagle. The front was not high enough so I called Dawson Precision and ordered a higher front sight. He has a formula for figuring how high the front sight should be. He will tell you how to measure to figure it out. They work perfect. I have added a scope to mine since then.

[MrBlackCat]

I put Williams Firesights on my .50AE Desert Eagle. The front was not high enough so I called Dawson Precision and ordered a higher front sight. He has a formula for figuring how high the front sight should be. He will tell you how to measure to figure it out. They work perfect. I have added a scope to mine since then.

This is exactly what I did with a slide of unknown origin I made up from parts specifically for 357Magnum It wasn't the right type for Williams Firesights... I ended up getting a good bit taller (0.305) height front sight from Dawson Precision. My rear sight was running out of travel, so basically I adjusted the rear sight travel to the height I wanted it to be (about 30% from bottomed out) and followed Dawsons calculator for front sight height, and it worked perfectly.

MrBlackCat

[lockhart]

Exactly my situation with the Williams Firesights too, MrBlackCat. I had the rear sight all the way down, and still was shooting high at 25 yards. I called Dawson Precison, explained the situation, and he told me his formula for finding the correct height for the front sight. I gave him my measurements, and my credit card number, and he made me the correct front sight. I installed it as soon as i got it, went to the range and actually had to come up about 4 clicks to get it dead on at 25 yards. The Williams rear sight worked perfect with the Dawson front sight. But, as I said in a previous post, I put a scope on it soon after. My 74 year old eyes work much better with an optic.

[AustinTSI]

New here and just ordered my first DE but I use this sight on almost every gun I have. I am also going to be milling one of these to work on my Jericho 941. Eventually I might have my other Jericho milled with an optic cut now that CZ is doing it.

On to the sight which is a https://www.seeallopensight.com/ and while it does take a little while to get used to that is no different than with a red dot. These are a LOT cheaper, no batteries, no electronics, lifetime warranty, and you could drop a DE on top of it and not break it.

[lockhart]

Well, good luck with your sight, I put a Tru-glow red dot on my .50AE, and it lasted all of THREE shots before disintegrating before my eyes! That's why I went with a Bushnell 2x scope. Hundreds of rounds later, still going strong.

[The Glockodile]

There are these new Tritium Sights on Kahr’s website...

Not sure what they’re cut for.

[The Glockodile]

In the pre - stainless Mark XIXs, there are actually two different front sight heights, and they don’t make the older ones anymore.