I had a Dawson Precision FO front sight installed on my SA 1911-A1 as by the suggestion of S&W shooter
Tom Yost.
He runs the same sight on his guns including 1911s and the S&W M&P9 and M&P9 Performance Center guns I lately most often see him running.
I'd talked to him about fiber life just last month on the phone and then again direct as we were SOs at a S&W employee product shoot event.
He burns through a _lot_ of ammo per month between training and competition.
His suggestion to me as related to Dawson FO in specific was that with exposure to sunlight and recoil force in specific that tubes will grow and I quote; "Dull". They will lose their luminescent quality over time and require replacement which he detailed for me how to do even as the package came with such instructions.
He went on to say expect to have to replace the fiber every year (12 mos.).
Before I'd bought them I talked to him about holster wear and he noted he has never had a problem with them as with an otherwise standard fit holster. My experience has been same with all but one of my own holsters.
The outlier being my
Bandera 'Beltster' which is a slide type holster system.
It's also generally advised to not get cleaning fluids on to the sight tube/fiber optic.
I've had mine installed since July and thus far have been quite pleased.
I'll remember to bump this thread if my tube happens to get brittle and break or fall out (!) as opposed to go dull and require a change out.
BTW this is one amongst my carry guns. I have no dedicated competition gun as I have little mindset toward competition in specific. I largely shoot IDPA for the trigger time.
I generally would not carry this gun at night not though because of the FO sight but more so because if I'm out at night it's to a club or pool hall or dancing or some other place where maximum concealment capability is required. In that case I bring along my Colt Defender, which has XS Big Dot sights w/ tritium inserts.
At home though it is paired with a flashlight which when used properly provides more than enough sight picture illumination to make at the very least a combat accurate shot. I've tested this on a darkened range.
A lot of people note that FO is wrong for night time use. Untrue.
All sights are wrong for night time use. UNLESS you have a illuminator of some sort which in low light/no light conditions should be mandatory be you walking the dog at night or in your bed at home.
- Janq
