Gold Bead Front Sights?

[Holyfield]

I am looking for a set of gold bead front sight for my 1911 9mm project and would like to know if anyone here is using a set, if so please let me know what brand. Any info will be appreciated

[Black_Talon]

Scott Mulkerin makes some (http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Gold%20Bead.htm).

[Ping Ping]

First off, it is not a "set". The gold bead is applied to the front sight where you might typically see a white dot, or tritium vial inserted. I have never seen, nor do I believe there to be, gold dot rears. (But, I'm just going on what memory is telling me in the moment, I'm likely wrong.)

While I do not own a gun with one on it, I have shot several 1911s with it. The first time was in an A/B comparison test with fiber optic. I found, somewhat to my amazement, that the gold bead actually gathered more light and shone brighter than the fiber optic counterpart. Another thing I really like about the gold bead is that it is installed on a normal-sized front blade. In contrast, the FO requires a far longer front sight chasis. This brings with it, a shorter sight radius and a larger structure more suceptable to being damaged. Additionally, FO rods will oxidize when exposed to sunlight and contaminants and will need to be replaced yearly with regular use. In contrast, the (typically) 18k gold bead will never oxidize and can easily be wiped clean with a cloth. The FO rod can crack, or fall out. The gold bead (if properly executed) cannot do either.

MHO is 100% in the gold bead camp.

I am unaware of any production offering of gold bead sights. To my knowledge, they are the exclusive province of custom smiths.

Jim Garthwaite and John Harrison offer them and there are myriad others.

[Holyfield]

Thanks for the info. When I referred to a "set" of gold bead sights I was actually referring to a front and rear sight set. I recall seeing both front and rear somewhere once but that has been long ago. I am truly a fan of gold bead sights though and I will probably just go with a gold bead front sight. Thanks for all the info.

[Jeeves915]

Now, I COULD be wrong, but I thought Novak's offered a Gold Bead front.
Yep...they do, as shown here: LINK to Novak's Webstore (http://secure.netsolhost.com/484978.494604/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ricekintama&Product_Code=SDCR01GBc1911&Category_Code=cfdca)
However, you have to order it with a rear sight of theirs as well.
Just saying...
-Ghent

[SoonerPast]

Ace gunsmith, John Harrison (Harrison Design and Consulting) will install a gold bead in your front sight. All you got to do is send him your slide and his work is fantastic.