Is there a Better Quality, Brighter replacement fiberoptic rod or are they all the same?

[wanttolearn]

I just noticed during my annual safe cleaning sessions that one of my 1911 pistols is missing it's fiberoptic front sight rod.

I can't recall which brand/make/model of front sight it is.

 

I've got to figure out what diameter rod it houses

and

I was wondering whether all replacement fiberoptic rods are of the same quality or are there perhaps preferred makers?

 

I would very much appreciate your help and guidance. Thank you

[Effectus Magis Per Minor]

I have had the best results with tru-glo, they melt easily and consistently. I tried some from an independent seller and they would not melt well.

[wanttolearn]

thank you. i'll check out their website. need to figure out what diameter i need, my caliper is too thick. might see if i can whittle down a toothpick to size?

[Farmer]

Most are either .040” or .060”. Most Dawson sights are .040 and the ones on Springfields are .060”. True Glo and Dawson are good and bright and I know you can order a long piece from Dawson and just cut to fit. Theirs takes a fair amount of heat to melt so it may be better if you’re having problems with the muzzle blast melting them. You could use the end of a drill bit to measure the hole. 

Edited February 27 by Farmer

[wanttolearn]

thank you. appreciate the information, didn't think of using a drill bit...that helps a lot

[Studlee]

Dawson ones are good. Recently been using the ones from Shooters Connection Store. They work well too. 

 

[wanttolearn]

good to know, thank you.

 

a neighbor thinks he might have some smaller drill bits so perhaps tonight i shall know the size i need. it looks like a pretty thin caliber

[-JCN-]

1 hour ago, wanttolearn said:

good to know, thank you.

 

a neighbor thinks he might have some smaller drill bits so perhaps tonight i shall know the size i need. it looks like a pretty thin caliber

Typical front sight is either 1mm or 1.5mm. 
 

If you post a picture, I’ll bet we could guess. 
 

Allen keys can also be used to measure instead of drill bits. 
 

.

Edited February 27 by -JCN-

[shred]

Yes, there are different sorts of "fiber" on the market, from injection-molded rods of orange or green transparent plastic to actual fluorescent fiber optic (if you crush a bit, it turns into smaller strands).  IME the harder it is to melt the more likely it is to be true fiber.

 

[wanttolearn]

Shred, interesting....i will try to read the descriptions prior to purchase, hopefully they will differentiate accordingly.

JCN,, thank you but i think i've narrowed it down to 1 mm

[-JCN-]

2 hours ago, wanttolearn said:

Shred, interesting....i will try to read the descriptions prior to purchase, hopefully they will differentiate accordingly.

JCN,, thank you but i think i've narrowed it down to 1 mm

1mm is most common, I usually drill out to 1.5 to get more light.