Sight black

[Slinger]

I have an old Hi-Standard that I shoot well. My problem is that the shape of the rear sight lends itself to glare very badly, hence as light changes so does my POI. I was wondering if any of you guys are or have used sight black, and what did it do for you, both good and bad. I know there are spray on types, but from what I have been told these clog sights up, so I was thinking about the old smoke types. I have also heard that these are corrosive, which kind of worries me. It also seems like a real PIA to get small quanities of calcium carbide needed for the smoke type sight black. Any suggestions from all you "experts" out there?

[David M]

For years I have been using a matt black hair spray as a sight black.
It is a lacquer based spray in a can, that is more durable than ordinary soot based blacks (even last a while using a holster).
It will cause a build up over time/use and needs a wash and scrub off every now and then.
It is only a coulpe of bucks a can, a lot cheaper than the shooting sight black in a can.

[Fred Mannis]

I have an old Hi-Standard that I shoot well. My problem is that the shape of the rear sight lends itself to glare very badly, hence as light changes so does my POI. I was wondering if any of you guys are or have used sight black, and what did it do for you, both good and bad. I know there are spray on types, but from what I have been told these clog sights up, so I was thinking about the old smoke types. I have also heard that these are corrosive, which kind of worries me. It also seems like a real PIA to get small quanities of calcium carbide needed for the smoke type sight black. Any suggestions from all you "experts" out there?

I have used sight black on occasion - typically outdoors. I don't like the spray on stuff - gets over everything. I bought a great carbide smoker from http://www.ray-vin.com/. Machined from Delrin acetal resin, it keeps the water and carbide in separate compartments so you don't have to take it apart and clean it out after each use. They sell the carbide in small quantities as well. I have never heard of the smoke being corrosive, nor have I ever observed corrosion on my sights from the use of carbide. Pretty hard to damage an all steel HS with a carbide lamp, but I would be careful with some of the newer guns - they have plastic in unexpected places.

[Richard H]

I've used the Black Match which is a carbide smoker, looks like a disposible lighter. The Carbon itself isn't corrosive but it can contain moisture on the surface an thus lead to corrosion. The good thing is its easy to wipe off ( I have lots of shirts to prove it). so just wipe it off with a rag and your fine (wipe often if in a real humid area). The Ray-vin ones are top notch, he makes great stuff I have one of his scope mounts.

[jimn]

try www.zocool.com temp hair colour costs couple of dollars wipes off easily (osted this on center fire record by mistake)

[Steve Swartz]

Birchwood Casey makes a felt tip sight black pen that works great- no problems with wind, smoke, etc.

Steve Swartz

[pgfaini]

Doc Sexton showed me a trick a few months back. He folds over a strip of masking tape lengthwise, and lights it. Makes plenty of smoke which adheres well to the sights. Almost as good as a carbide lamp. I now, no longer use my Birchwood Casey spray sight black, except for outdoor long range rifle shooting. Doesn't Scott sell a Bic type lighter for smoking sights?

Paul

[GaryBF]

An ordinary wax candle works like a charm. Let the flame just touch the sight and it will begin to smoke and deposit soot (carbon black) on the sight. This probably works similar to a carbide lamp but without the fuss and expense.

[Slinger]

Thank you one and all for the suggestions. I think I am going with Fred's suggestion. I looked at that unit on their web site, and it appears to be what I am looking for and need. I also like the idea that they sell SMALL quanities of calcium carbide. Ray-Vin is located in Florida as am I. so it should work out well. I gotta say that I did 3 different internet searches on sight black and calcium carbide and it's ashame that Ray-Vin's name did not pop up. Thanks again Fred for the great tip! Thank you all, Target Talk has been helpfull once again.

[Mike Taylor]

From my experience, the flame from a carbide lamp used to blacken sights is very bright. In order to ensure the soot is applied at the proper place, it is natural to focus one's (eye)sight at the juncture of the flame and the (pistol)sight. The flame is so bright as to leave a retinal image - typically, a negative (black) image of the flame - that obscures one's vision for a couple of minutes. During this period, it is not possible to see your sights in order to shoot - there is this black cloud dancing right at your point of focus. Be sure to use the carbide (acetylene) lamp a few minutes before you actually have to shoot. Or, if you must blacken your sights at the last minute, take care not to stare at the flame (better still, have someone else do it for you).
Mike T.

[2650 Plus]

See the previous post.. Preference given to your toughest competitor LOL Good Shooting Bill Horton

[ColinC]

Another old favorite is to light a block of camphor. It create dense black smoke.
Keep it in an old air pistol pellet tin and just pop the lid on after you blacken the sights and lack of oxygen snuffs out the flame.