Even when painted, open sites can be real hard to see at night, especially if you're hunting alone. I use a $30 bushnell 4x scope and absolutely love it. Gathers plenty of light and wouldn't want to be without it for those coon that climb real high. As far as red dots, i used one for a little while, it wasn't bad, better than open sights anyways, but just didn't seem to be accurate enough for me. On the barrel painting it is quite possible you softened that barrel by heating it and letting it cool slowly. I just had my barrel painted with Duracoat, it's made just for firearms and sprays on with an airbrush. This stuff is AWESOME! nice hard finish, comes in any color you want won't chip or peel, and my buddy that painted for me said it sprayed real nice. It also was quite cheap, 4oz for about $16 dollars and that will paint at least 2 guns. check it out at
http://www.lauerweaponry.comhope this helps