Broke my Dawson front sight yesterday

[David B.]

I've been training, carrying, and competing with my Beretta 92A1 for over 6 months now (I'm happy to be shooting a Beretta again) and it is equipped (by me) with a Dawson FO front sight. http://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=85819

It's not the first time I've carried/trained/competed with a gun equipped with a Dawson FO front sight. I've heard people suggest that it's not a good idea because of the lack of robustness in the Dawson, but I paid it no mind. I have reconsidered that decision.

I was out working a "press-out" drill on a 3x5 card at varying distances. I was at the 7-yard mark when I noticed something bouncing around on my front sight. The sight had broken, but was still being held together by the fiber optic. Take a look.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01490.jpg

I'm not sure how the sight broke. I thought maybe I didn't clear the holster sufficiently one time, but there aren't any marks/gouges on my kydex holster that I can see.

I didn't feel like installing another one, then shaping and refinishing it, etc., so I tried to mend it with JB-Weld.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sight1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sight-1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sight3.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sight6.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sight5.jpg

I've learned now why it has been suggested by some not to use a Dawson FO sight in a primary carry gun. I've bought a second A1 and I've already installed a Trijicon front sight on it. With the exception of the front sight, it's setup identical to my first A1, which will remain my training and comp gun (that's why I'm experimenting with the JB-weld) and the second A1 will be my carry gun.

I'm a bit skeptical. I don't think it will hold.

What do you think? Will it hold or will I have to buy a new sight?


God Bless,
David

[Mikey]

Looks like a nice repair job. When I broke mine, Dawson replaced it for free. I had only had it a few weeks and it was on a comp only gun so I'm not sure if they would pony up and give you a replacement.

[orionz06]

I would bet money on it not holding for long and certainly being weaker than the base metal. That said I'd still shoot it and see what happens. If you were able to weld or solder you could get a little stronger fix.

[taadski]

I'll second contacting Dawson. I haven't broken one of their sights specifically, but their CS is top notch.


T

[JV_]

Nice job on the repair, but I don't think it will hold.

[David B.]

Just got off the phone with dawson (I even emailed them the pictures) and they offered to inspect the sight if I sent it back to them to determine if they should cover it under warranty.

However, then I'd be without a sight for weeks. So I had to go ahead and purchase a new sight (50 bucks). :(

Once I get the new sight in hand, then I will send the broken one back and see what they will do about it. Maybe partial credit or full credit, or maybe they will tell me to go pound sand because I'm too rough on their product.

Now I'll have to go through the tedious process of installing, shaping, and finishing it again.

God Bless,
David

[JV_]

It looks like the crack formed right at the junction of the dovetail and blade body? If so, was there an air gap between the front of the sight and the slide?

[David B.]

It looks like the crack formed right at the junction of the dovetail and blade body?

Yeah, that's correct. I think I just banged it on the holster during the presentation. I've been running this gun hard since I bought it. Lot's of drills from the holster. The good thing about where it broke is that I was still able to finish my range session (except without the fiber optic) since the front portion of the post was still intact.

However, I don't think I'm going to use a dawson on a carry gun anymore.

God Bless,
David

[David B.]

Wow, that didn't last long. A few rounds and the sight was fractured again. I wonder if it broke just from charging the chamber before I even fired a round.

I don't think JB-Weld has much tensile strength. It seems very brittle.

I'm glad I ordered a replacement sight today. Hopefully Dawson will credit my account when I send this broken one back.

What did I learn? Don't use Dawson sights on a combat/primary carry gun.

God Bless,
David

[David B.]

200 rounds today of more press-out drills on 3x5 card and plate rack with a jerry-rigged fiber optic and it held up fine. It will work until my new sight comes in.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01509.jpg

God Bless,
David

[JodyH]

I've seen several FO sights break just like that, along with the tubes launching or melting.
I wouldn't trust any brand FO sight on a carry gun.

[WDW]

I've seen several FO sights break just like that, along with the tubes launching or melting.
I wouldn't trust any brand FO sight on a carry gun.

"Like" IMO, FO sights are one of the great atrocities thrust on the CCW world. Great concept, always poor execution.

[David B.]

I received my new sight yesterday and installed it tonight.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01521.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01525.jpg

I'll make sure it's sighted in tomorrow and then I'll knock off the high corners of the sight base and apply some cold blue.

Hopefully this one will last and Dawson will refund me once I send the broken one back on Monday.

God Bless,
David

[David B.]

Sighted in...check

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01528.jpg

Prepped...check

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01529.jpg

Filed down...check

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01532.jpg

Cold blue...check

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01548.jpg

Won't tear up kydex holster anymore...check

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/DSC01547.jpg

God Bless,
David

[JV_]

Nice work!

It's too bad they don't have a better profile, from Dawson.

[David B.]

Nice work!

It's too bad they don't have a better profile, from Dawson.

I agree.

Here is a Trijicon I installed on my carry A1. It has a much better profile.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/A8.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/A9.jpg

I asked Dawson if they would make me a custom sight with a better-contoured base and they said no. Evidently they don’t want to reprogram their machine just for me.

Take Novak on the other hand, they've made me two custom sights. I like 30 thousandths of an inch difference between the front post and rear notch with a Beretta full length slide. They graciously opened up their notch (and machined a custom height) to accommodate my needs.

However, I don't want to complain because Dawson and Trijicon are the only after-market front sight options for the A1, kudos to Dawson for putting something out there.

God Bless,
David

[JV_]

Evidently they don’t want to reprogram their machine just for me.They should view it as product improvement, for everyone, not a one-off for you.