Bead sight enhancement?

chevydriver · July 22, 2001, 01:52 AM

Hello,

I just picked up a used 18.5" barrel for my 870. Does anyone make a slip on fiber optic type slip on to go over the bead?

Thanks,

Mark

Dave McC · July 22, 2001, 07:02 AM

Several companies do, a decent gun shop can fix you right up.

For better visibility, a $2 bottle of Testor's Enamel in Bright Yellow, available at a local craft/hobby store, will work.

CWL · July 23, 2001, 05:22 PM

Try Brownell's, I've can't remember the brand, but they have a "glue-on" fiber-optic designed to go over the bead.

They also carry the Ashley big Dot & tritium sights designed to go over the bead.

Shawn Dodson · July 23, 2001, 08:02 PM

Ashley outdoors makes a tritium front sight bead, which attaches to the factory bead with epoxy adhesive.

'68 riotgun · July 25, 2001, 12:25 AM

I'd like to improve my bead as well. Are there any tritium beads? I'd rather just replace the bead than glue something over it.

I just painted mine tonight with Testor's in flourescent green (thanks Dave) but I have as much paint on the barrel as on the bead. (Didn't mask well enough). So now I have to figure how to get that off!

Dave McC · July 25, 2001, 05:52 AM

If it's fairly fresh, Testor's comes off with a rag,elbow grease and straight grain alcohol. To apply, and I apologize for not mentioning this before, I use a pin or toothpick rather than a brush and drop it on.....

UK2TX · July 25, 2001, 08:58 AM

Hello '68 riotgun,

Tru-Dot have a Tritium gas light bead with the 6-48 thread needed for a 870

Brownells stock number 387-314-405 $32.00.

Regards,

UK2TX

JNewell · July 25, 2001, 12:10 PM

I don't recall the details precisely, but if I recall correctly the barrels with the bead on the little ramp/platform are brazed or silver-soldered in, not threaded, so replacement in those cases involves more than just screwing in a new sight.

'68 riotgun · July 26, 2001, 10:16 PM

Hi UK2TX--TYVM...

Mine's just the large silver bead threaded on to the bbl., do you think I can do the swap myself?

Dave does 151 count as grain alcohol?

Dave McC · July 27, 2001, 04:27 AM

Dunno about 151, try it and see. I keep straight grain around for an emergency antiseptic, parts degreaser, fly tying cement thinner, emergency fire starter, and snakebite remedy(G).

UK2TX · July 27, 2001, 10:33 AM

Hello '68 riotgun,

If you have a 870 without any sort of ramped front sight, and it would sound like you have, then the removal and replacement of the sight is a relatively easy.

Sorry to sound like a Brownells sale man but to it make it easier they do stock bead sight installers for about $7 but I'm blowed if I can find it on their web sight. I'll dig out the catalog once I get back from hunting. If you can't wait you could always call the guys at Brownells, they are VERY helpful...

Regards,

UK2TX

UK2TX · July 31, 2001, 12:01 AM

Hello '68 riotgun,

The Brownells shotgun sight installers example stock numbers

080-790-175 Large Aluminium $5.62
080-790-130 Med. Aluminium $5.62
080-790-067 Small Aluminium $5.62

Regards,

UK2TX

UK2TX · July 31, 2001, 09:09 AM

BTT

'68 riotgun · August 3, 2001, 06:25 PM

Thanks UK2TX, I've been out for a while...

After looking at the sight up close, I've decided to keep the bead on it mainly because the meprolight's profile is lower meaning shot placement would be higher than it currently is, and it shoots a tad high now. That and I'd probably muck the threads up or something with my luck!

July 22, 2001, 01:52 AM	#1
chevydriver Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 18	Bead sight enhancement? Hello, I just picked up a used 18.5" barrel for my 870. Does anyone make a slip on fiber optic type slip on to go over the bead? Thanks, Mark

July 26, 2001, 10:16 PM	#9
'68 riotgun Junior Member Join Date: July 12, 2001 Location: N.KY Posts: 7	Hi UK2TX--TYVM... Mine's just the large silver bead threaded on to the bbl., do you think I can do the swap myself? Dave does 151 count as grain alcohol? Last edited by '68 riotgun; July 26, 2001 at 10:39 PM.

July 22, 2001, 07:02 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Several companies do, a decent gun shop can fix you right up. For better visibility, a $2 bottle of Testor's Enamel in Bright Yellow, available at a local craft/hobby store, will work.

July 23, 2001, 05:22 PM	#3
CWL Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,576	Try Brownell's, I've can't remember the brand, but they have a "glue-on" fiber-optic designed to go over the bead. They also carry the Ashley big Dot & tritium sights designed to go over the bead.

July 23, 2001, 08:02 PM	#4
Shawn Dodson Junior member Join Date: December 16, 1998 Location: Titusville, FL, USA Posts: 1,030	Ashley outdoors makes a tritium front sight bead, which attaches to the factory bead with epoxy adhesive.

July 25, 2001, 12:25 AM	#5
'68 riotgun Junior Member Join Date: July 12, 2001 Location: N.KY Posts: 7	I'd like to improve my bead as well. Are there any tritium beads? I'd rather just replace the bead than glue something over it. I just painted mine tonight with Testor's in flourescent green (thanks Dave) but I have as much paint on the barrel as on the bead. (Didn't mask well enough). So now I have to figure how to get that off!

July 25, 2001, 05:52 AM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	If it's fairly fresh, Testor's comes off with a rag,elbow grease and straight grain alcohol. To apply, and I apologize for not mentioning this before, I use a pin or toothpick rather than a brush and drop it on.....

July 25, 2001, 08:58 AM	#7
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	Hello '68 riotgun, Tru-Dot have a Tritium gas light bead with the 6-48 thread needed for a 870 Brownells stock number 387-314-405 $32.00. Regards, UK2TX

July 25, 2001, 12:10 PM	#8
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	I don't recall the details precisely, but if I recall correctly the barrels with the bead on the little ramp/platform are brazed or silver-soldered in, not threaded, so replacement in those cases involves more than just screwing in a new sight.

July 27, 2001, 04:27 AM	#10
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Dunno about 151, try it and see. I keep straight grain around for an emergency antiseptic, parts degreaser, fly tying cement thinner, emergency fire starter, and snakebite remedy(G).

July 27, 2001, 10:33 AM	#11
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	Hello '68 riotgun, If you have a 870 without any sort of ramped front sight, and it would sound like you have, then the removal and replacement of the sight is a relatively easy. Sorry to sound like a Brownells sale man but to it make it easier they do stock bead sight installers for about $7 but I'm blowed if I can find it on their web sight. I'll dig out the catalog once I get back from hunting. If you can't wait you could always call the guys at Brownells, they are VERY helpful... Regards, UK2TX

July 31, 2001, 12:01 AM	#12
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	Hello '68 riotgun, The Brownells shotgun sight installers example stock numbers 080-790-175 Large Aluminium $5.62 080-790-130 Med. Aluminium $5.62 080-790-067 Small Aluminium $5.62 Regards, UK2TX

July 31, 2001, 09:09 AM	#13
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	BTT

August 3, 2001, 06:25 PM	#14
'68 riotgun Junior Member Join Date: July 12, 2001 Location: N.KY Posts: 7	Thanks UK2TX, I've been out for a while... After looking at the sight up close, I've decided to keep the bead on it mainly because the meprolight's profile is lower meaning shot placement would be higher than it currently is, and it shoots a tad high now. That and I'd probably muck the threads up or something with my luck!