The Henning iFiber 0.090" Fiber Optic Post (H-FOP)

Introducing the Henning Fiber Optic Front Post. The first high quality made front sight for Tanfoglio / EAA Witness Elite model pistols. This front sight measures 0.090" (2.3mm) wide by 0.165" (4.2mm) tall. It features a 0.040" (1.0mm) fiber optic rod for optimal relationship between a crisp, black front post and the benefits of a focus catching "dot".

In comparison to the factory "fiber" which is 0.125" (3.2mm) wide by 0.150" (3.8mm) tall with a huge "dot", the iFiber is what many top IPSC shooters consider to be the optimal width (0.090"). Matched with a 0.110" rear notch it gives you a quick, yet visually accurate sight picture.

This sight was inspired by IPSC shooting for optimal performance and designed by myself, Henning Wallgren, a Tanfoglio factory shooter since 1993. It is manufactured in Colorado, USA by the same precise, quality oriented machineshop that brought you the Henning magazine pads (H-141, H-520, H-550, H-400 etc) and the Henning Contour Grips (H-150, H-152 etc).

The first official major matches with the iFiber was the 2009 Desert Classic (USPSA Area 2) in Mesa, Arizona November 7th - 9th 2009 and secondly the 2009 New Zealand National IPSC Championship in Rotorua, New Zealand November 14th - 16th.

Design Note 1)
In 1997 I asked the Tanfoglio gunsmith to make me a front mounted dovetail sight instead of the side-mounted front sights you'll find on most 1911's. In 1998 I received my first front mounted dovetail iron sight on a Limited 38 super pistol which is the same, clean looking front mounted dovetail cut in all Limited, Stock, Stock II, Match and Hunter models in production since 1998. We made sure our sights fits nicely in the factory cuts.
Design Note 2)
The Factory Fiber which measures 0.125" wide, in my mind does not give enough light between the front post and rear notch. The Factory Fiber which measures 0.150" height allows a small portion of the slide to be visible in the rear notch, in my mind does not give a good visual input. The Factory Fiber has a huge dot which takes away any chance of seeing the sharp edges of the black sight. In all precise shooting the sharp, black edges of the post's contrast to the rear notch is what matters and the fiber is not used. However, in quick, close shooting and difficult light conditions the fiber becomes an aid that is gracefully welcomed and sorely missed if you only shoot with a regular black post.
Design Note 3)
All factory slides will vary slightly. We used 5 different slides to come up with what we feel is a good solution for all of the slides we had available. The factory sight needed a hammer to install which resulted in metal shavings coming off the dovetail portion of the sight when forced into position. On ours in most cases it will only require a strong thumb, but in some cases a gunsmith hammer with a plastic or rubber pad to prevent the post from being damaged.
Design Note 4)
The Factory Fiber has the set screw positioned in front of the first post which limits the length of the fiber which in return allows less light to come through. We extended the length between the posts to 0.250" (6.4mm) and put the set screw between the posts. The factory puts a hole in the slide for the Factory sight's set screw to grab onto. I don't believe you need to use this, but if you feel so inclined, you could mark the slide where the hole will be (after you put the sight in) and drill a tiny hole which will give the set screw extra hold.
Design Note 5)
The iFiber is manufactured to accept 0.040" fiber only - only! Be aware that some fiber rods, even marketed as 0.040" may measure 0.042" or 0.043". These are too big to fit into the sight. You can buy packets of rods through places like Brownells (#100-001-460) which gives you a yellow, green and red stick (about 5" each). These will fit for sure. When you insert them into the sight, pre-cut them using a razor blade to about 0.550" to allow minimum amount to be melted on installation. This will ensure the nicest and roundest, cleanest looking dot. Even though the rod hole measures perfectly 0.040", we have machined a 0.050" recess hole to allow the dot to expand slightly for better grab and also to give you a cleaner look.
Design Note 6)
As opposed to regular bluing, we decided to go with a very durable and tough coating called BearCoat. which is a DuPont Industrial Teflon-S coating, originally forumated for the landing gear of the SR-71 and other advanced combat aircraft. It is a more costly process, but would you want your sight to rust or the black finish to come off? The iFiber is coated with the BearCoat Flat Black finish.

There is light at the end of this tunnel..		Side view of the iFiber.
How to install your new sight
		Step 1: Make sure you have everything you need: a) your new iFiber post b) a 3-48 set screw (supplied) c) Fiber Rod 0.040" x 0.550" (3 x supplied) d) a 0.050" allen screwdriver (not supplied) e) Red 262 - 271 Loctite (not supplied) f) a lighter or a match (not supplied) Optional: g) a gunsmith hammer with a plastic tip if the sight is hard to get into the slide h) a small tweezer
		Step 2: Remove your old front post, whichever type that may be. Note that if it's stuck in there you might need a hammer with a soft edge / tip so you don't damage it. If it's hard to push off and you do need a hammer, I suggest you put the edge of the slide up against a table and tap it lightly until the old front post starts sliding onto the table. Otherwise you'll bend the old post as it comes off.
		Optional, but reommended Step: The iFiber has a set screw positioned in the center of the sight. This is by design to allow the use of a long (about half inch) fiber rod. A longer fiber radiates more light and creates a brighter dot, which is the purpose of a fiber sight.. To secure your sight as best as possible, drilling a small hole in the slide for the set screw to sit into will create a better hold. As you can see from this picture, the customer used a dremel with carbide ball cutter to create a dimple for the set screw. Photo Courtesy of Vesa Sailio of Finland.
		Step 3: (Optional: Insert a small amount of red loctite in the slide where the iFiber is going to be installed to.) Slide in your new iFiber sight either using your thumb or lightly tap it in using a soft edged hammer. Install the set screw as shown in picture using a 0.050" allen screwdriver and Loctite 262 or red Loctite. Wipe off excess after install. Slide in the fiber rod which should measure about 0.550" (14mm) long. This ensures just enough material on both ends to create a nice fit. Center the fiber in the sight and use a lighter, a match or a small blow torch to carefully heat up the front edge of the rod. Don't put heat directly on the rod, keep the flames close enough for the rod to start melting, but go carefully so you don't melt your entire rod... After the front is melted, gently push the rod from the front so you make sure the rod is all the way in. Then melt the other side. After both sides are melted, use a small tweezer and carefully see if you can move it back and forth. If you do, then heat carefully until it melts the rod so it's in place without moving at all. The more careful you are when melting, the nicer the dot will look. Don't rush this step!
		Step 4: You are done ! The sight comes supplied with: 1 x Fiber Optic Post 1 x 3-48 Set Screw (1/8" long) 3 x Pre-Cut 0.040" x 0.550" Red Fiber Rods Extra rods, screws and screwdriver available in shop. You can buy the sight in my webshop. Click Here