MJinPA Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Anyone have experience with both? If so does the manny dot provide any advantage or disadvantage while shooting fast? Seems like it would be more precise but wondering if it feels slower. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilrb Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I have used both, I like the Dawson myself. I have the Manny Dot that came one one of my limited guns. I ended up putting the fiber all the way through, I never really could get used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJinPA Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 I have used both, I like the Dawson myself. I have the Manny Dot that came one one of my limited guns. I ended up putting the fiber all the way through, I never really could get used to it. Does it basically just make the fiber appear smaller?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 37 minutes ago, MJinPA said: Does it basically just make the fiber appear smaller? And higher. The hole is as close as you can get to being at the top of the front sight. I think @CHA-LEE has run these - I know he’s tried nearly everything else. Perhaps he’ll weigh in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA-LEE Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 The question is a little vague because the Dawson and Manny Mini Dot sights have two huge differences between them. The primary difference is the width of the front sight. The narrowest Dawson front sight you can get is a 0.090. The Manny Mini Dot is 0.070 which is visually much narrower. We all have different visual abilities (Focal speed and clarity) so what overall width of front sight post you need is primarily going to be determined by the limitation of your eyes. This is especially true when shooting in less than optimal lighting conditions. The size of the fiber bulb you see is the second difference. The Manny mini dot puts the fiber bulb behind the front most post which has an exact 0.040 size hole in it. This produces a consistent size fiber bulb you see while looking at the front of the sight which is a good and bad. Its good because the bulb size you see is consistent regardless of how big the actual melted bulb is. But its also bad because the small 0.040 hole can be too small for some people and they don't see enough fiber bulb. The Dawson front sights can have a varied size front bulb based on how much you melt the tip of the fiber. Melt it less results in a smaller bulb, melt it more and it makes a bigger bulb. This is a good tuning option for aging eyes when people want to increase the bulb size to see it better. But it is also bad because it can be difficult to replicate the exact same bulb size when replacing the fiber. Front sights are tuning options to help you find the balance between seeing enough while shooting fast and not being too overwhelming so that you can't aim precisely. Since there are seemingly endless combinations available to test out, and everyone's eyes are different, there isn't a magical front/rear sight configuration that works best for everyone. This means that you need to throw down your hard earned cash and buy several different sight setups to see what works best for YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJinPA Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 The question is a little vague because the Dawson and Manny Mini Dot sights have two huge differences between them. The primary difference is the width of the front sight. The narrowest Dawson front sight you can get is a 0.090. The Manny Mini Dot is 0.070 which is visually much narrower. We all have different visual abilities (Focal speed and clarity) so what overall width of front sight post you need is primarily going to be determined by the limitation of your eyes. This is especially true when shooting in less than optimal lighting conditions. The size of the fiber bulb you see is the second difference. The Manny mini dot puts the fiber bulb behind the front most post which has an exact 0.040 size hole in it. This produces a consistent size fiber bulb you see while looking at the front of the sight which is a good and bad. Its good because the bulb size you see is consistent regardless of how big the actual melted bulb is. But its also bad because the small 0.040 hole can be too small for some people and they don't see enough fiber bulb. The Dawson front sights can have a varied size front bulb based on how much you melt the tip of the fiber. Melt it less results in a smaller bulb, melt it more and it makes a bigger bulb. This is a good tuning option for aging eyes when people want to increase the bulb size to see it better. But it is also bad because it can be difficult to replicate the exact same bulb size when replacing the fiber. Front sights are tuning options to help you find the balance between seeing enough while shooting fast and not being too overwhelming so that you can't aim precisely. Since there are seemingly endless combinations available to test out, and everyone's eyes are different, there isn't a magical front/rear sight configuration that works best for everyone. This means that you need to throw down your hard earned cash and buy several different sight setups to see what works best for YOU.Thanks. I’m not at all unhappy with the Dawson I use now. Just building a new top end and thought I’d explore something different. Will likely just stick with what I know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hperea Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) I know you are comparing the Dawson vs. Manny dots, but if you are not completely satisfied, look into the Robert Vogel sights. It made a big difference to me as far as acquiring targets faster vs. Dawson's sight. Another option. Edited February 8, 2020 by Hperea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 Dawson sights have a counterbore for the blob so you can get a consistent look if you like the size of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 I have an .090 Dawson in my gun. Yours is probably a .100. You can check it out tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddiear Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Another vote for Dawson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJinPA Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 I have an .090 Dawson in my gun. Yours is probably a .100. You can check it out tomorrowI guess it’s a good time to compare rear sights too. Never put too much thought into before and just ran with what it came with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Kensight, .115 notch. Not sure if it comes that way or if Matt cut the ears down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 11 hours ago, waktasz said: Kensight, .115 notch. Not sure if it comes that way or if Matt cut the ears down Could be this one. https://stores.kensight.com/bomar-bmcs-1911-kensight-sight-with-beveled-blade/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 yup, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alien_pickles Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 I love my Manny dot with a wide rear notch. I think the smaller width of the sight in the larger notch makes it easier to align the sights with more "daylight" in between. I'd say the width is the biggest difference that I notice. I also like the length of the fiber. It can get dirty and still reflect the light well. I feel like the Dawson was a bit shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slo147 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) On 2/8/2020 at 8:03 PM, MJinPA said: I guess it’s a good time to compare rear sights too. Never put too much thought into before and just ran with what it came with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have my Manny dot paired with a Wilson Combat adj rear using a 0.090 notch and it is a fast and precise system on my DW PM9. The Wilson adjustable rear is now out of production and a good alternative is the Brazos Top Notch adj rear, which can be ordered in 0.090, 0.110, or 0.130 notch. Price is right too - can find Manny dot and Brazos Top Notch together for just over 100 bucks. Edited February 11, 2020 by Slo147 Add clarity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WWN Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 I used to use a Dawson 0.090" front sight but am now a fan of the Brazos Micro Dot http://www.1911store.com/lightningrodmicrodotkimbernovak.aspx The Micro Dot is 0.100" wide with a 0.040" recessed fiber. The sight is thin without being too thin (too much light on the sides) and the dot is big enough to acquire quickly but small enough that it is not distracting. I use the Micro Dot in conjunction with a Kensight adjustable rear with a 0.135" notch. When I tried the Manny Dot, it was just too skinny for the rear sight notch that I have on my guns. I switched to Brazos front sights after my Dawson front sights kept breaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezra650 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 I ran the manny dot on my edge for 2yrs. Loved it. Took some getting used to for a couple of rdry fire sessions, but it seemed faster to get aligned on closer targets (8-12yd) and allowed for precise tight shots at distance with a focused sight picture. I changed the fiber often because of how small it was I liked it to stay bright. I will say that going to any other iron sight made it look like a stop sign. I was running the dawson front on my 1911 9mm in single stack at the same time. I rarely shot it but when I did it threw me off. In fact I researched getting a manny dot for my 1911 to match, but Bob doesn't offer them with a Springfield front sight cut. I was/am using the springfield adjustable rear. My idea was to get one with a wider notch. I ended up selling the edge anyway so I haven't messed with the 1911. If I shot it more I'd still like a wider rear notch. That may be causing bias in my personal experience. If I shot the manny dot again I would want all my iron sights to mimic it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 I just open up my rear notch to fit my preference. 0.070 front, 0.125 rear. My go to setup for 6 inch and 5 inch guns. I think I installed a 0.130 rear at one point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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