Author Topic: Night sights . . . (Read 9650 times)

coelacanth · « **on:** March 28, 2017, 11:29:48 pm »

OK - was checking out the night sights on a couple of my guns earlier. One set is getting dim - and the other is just plain hard to see plainly in the dark.

The dots all look exactly the same size at arm's length and it makes it hard to get a coherent sight picture - especially under less than ideal conditions. I'm thinking its time for replacements so I'm asking what sights are working well for you and what you like about them. Conversely, what sights aren't worth the time and effort and why.

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lesptr · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2017, 11:52:18 pm »

All of mine are either glock three dot night sights or Trijicon three dot night sights. Both are ok. I put the Trijicon HD with the yellow front on my wife's glock 43 and we both absolutely love them. As the standard night sights dim, I plan to replace with these unless something better comes along.

21B · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2017, 11:52:31 pm »

At work we got the Trijicon HDs with the orange front outline (much better than the factory Glock night sights), they really make you focus on the front sight, and I like how the rear sight is more of a U shape then squared, matches with the circular front sight. I have the Sig X-Rays on my P226 Legion and they are Sigs version of the Trijicons, they work well also, but I like the Trijicons slightly better because the contrasting orange vs green.

My previous Sig was the TacOps model with the Truglo Tritium Fiber Optic front sight, they were nice and the front sight was bright in the daytime, but not as good as the Trijicons or new Sig X-Rays. All the sights I have tried look the same during dim light shooting, just three glowing dots all the same size.

coelacanth · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2017, 11:59:07 pm »

See, that's my problem with what I have now. If I need to respond to something that goes bump in the night I'd rather not have to sort out which sight is the front one. I think I need something with the contrast lesptr was describing with the Trijicons.

Mikee5star · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:40:44 am »

I have Heinie Straight eights on several of my "self-defence" pistols. While the dots are similar in size and color, I have not had any difficulty in sorting out which is which. The site picture is to stack the two dots to make a 8, so it is really hard to line them up wrongly.

My wife has Crimson Trace grips on her CCW pistol primarily for the reasons you mentioned. Combined with the fact that she wears tri-focals which make focusing on sights a struggle in low light situations. In someways they are a pain, but it works for you then they are well worth the money and time and struggle.

I wonder if Steyr makes a night site version of their trapezoidal sight?

coelacanth · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2017, 01:34:20 am »

I wondered if that might not be a superior set-up to trying to align 3 tiny glowing dots out in space.

Frankly, target recognition is going to be more of a factor in whether or not you actually fire the weapon regardless the sight system you use but I want every advantage I can get when the chips are down.

Kaso · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:54:55 pm »

Quote from: Mikee5star on March 29, 2017, 12:40:44 am

I wonder if Steyr makes a night site version of their trapezoidal sight?

Honestly, if they do, I wouldn't want them. The idea is to have more tritium/more brightness in the front. The trapezoidal sights have more 'color' in the rear, therefore the rear sight would draw the eye more if it had tritium installed.

My advice to the OP: Replace your Front sights only, with new tritium units. Leave the old, tired, tritium rears in place. This is what I did with my Glock. The original Meprolighs were about 75% dead, so I ordered only a front sight to replace. This way the front is by far the brightest, drawing the eye immediately, and the dimmer rear vials are still visible for any instance where you need to aim with all three.

Sanguine · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2017, 06:12:42 pm »

Quote from: Kaso on March 29, 2017, 12:54:55 pm

My advice to the OP: Replace your Front sights only, with new tritium units. Leave the old, tired, tritium rears in place. This is what I did with my Glock. The original Meprolighs were about 75% dead, so I ordered only a front sight to replace. This way the front is by far the brightest, drawing the eye immediately, and the dimmer rear vials are still visible for any instance where you need to aim with all three.

I'll second that, that's a great idea. Your hard focus is on your front sight, so make it draw your eye. The rear sights are soft focus, and the tritium rears are a reference point in the dark, they don't need to be clamoring for your attention.

RetroGrouch · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2017, 07:32:48 pm »

I have the TruGlo TFX sights on a Sig P226, really like the visibility in all light conditions, don't care for the fact all three dots look the same when it is dark.

Raptor · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2017, 07:43:59 pm »

I had a set of Trijicon HDs on my SIG P228. The front dot was much larger and more prominent than the rear dots.

Chief45 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2017, 09:02:25 pm »

I have adjustable rears on my duty Glocks, with a Speedsight green diamond nightsite for the front. No mistaking the front sight.

GeorgeHill · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2017, 10:22:19 am »

Trijicon HD's. Hands down.

sarge712 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2017, 12:29:49 pm »

We have Trijicon HD's on our Glock 41 duty handguns. I painted over the rear sights with autobody touchup paint so the front dot is all I see. We have Surefire TLR-1 lights on our Glocks so I can't tell you the last time I relied on the glow of the tiny nuke sight.

MTK20 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2017, 12:42:53 pm »

It's not my intention to go too exotic, but what about XS big dot sights?

StevenTing · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2017, 01:17:19 pm »

So my night sights on my USP are also dead. figure I should replace them. But I'm also wondering if i really need night sights. I've got my Glock that also has regular sights as well. NS are a nice to have, but I'm questioning if I would really use them, if I needed them in a dark situation. If I was in a home, I'd flip on the light switch. If I was outside, I'd just be pulling the trigger. I should probably just buy them anyways.

Kaso · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2017, 01:53:03 pm »

Quote from: StevenTing on March 30, 2017, 01:17:19 pm

So my night sights on my USP are also dead. figure I should replace them. But I'm also wondering if i really need night sights. I've got my Glock that also has regular sights as well. NS are a nice to have, but I'm questioning if I would really use them, if I needed them in a dark situation. If I was in a home, I'd flip on the light switch. If I was outside, I'd just be pulling the trigger. I should probably just buy them anyways.

There is always the off chance that you don't want to turn that light on. Either way, night sights really shine (literally and figuratively) in that narrow band of twilight or dim lighting where you can positively ID the target, but not pick your sights up in a hurry. They glow, so even if you light the threat up with a flashlight, they will be easier to see than regular contrast sights.

The way I see it, in a situation described above, night sights are not necessary - you can still see the sights, and line them up. The difference is speed, just as the difference between iron sights and a red dot on a carbine. With night sights you can gain the fraction of a second edge in picking up that sight picture. Seeing as most criminal assaults are going to take place in less than broad daylight, to me they are worth the expense.

bignate88 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2017, 04:15:38 pm »

im a fan of the ameriglo i-dot night sights with the orange outline on the front sight you end up with a big bright front and at night to have two green dots to stack.

Mississippi556 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2017, 11:22:57 pm »

Trijicon HD's went on my Glock G-22 late in '16 to replace Trijicons that dimmed out after 8 years. This is my third set. The G-22 is a Gen 1 model.

Ken Brock · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2017, 06:58:53 am »

Quote from: bignate88 on March 30, 2017, 04:15:38 pm

im a fan of the ameriglo i-dot night sights with the orange outline on the front sight you end up with a big bright front and at night to have two green dots to stack.

This

All of my guns have the Ameriglo Pro idot sights on them. You can usually get them for about $70-$90 for Glocks. I've never priced them for other models.

H2O MAN · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:22:12 am »

Trijicon HD's are now on most of my pistols, great sights!

coyotesfan97 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:35:25 pm »

Quote from: H2O MAN on March 31, 2017, 09:22:12 am

Trijicon HD's are now on most of my pistols, great sights!

I'm with H2O. The only gun I carry that doesn't have them is my TRP. It's got the cut out for the adjustable sights so I'm not sure if I could get HDs on it. But I like the TRP sights so I won't worry about it.

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coelacanth · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2017, 02:38:49 am »

Thanks for some great ideas. Clearly I have some research to do. All of this was brought about by wandering into the master bedroom closet and closing the door to check the night sights. Not good.

Then I went out into the back yard at night to check them with the ambient light in neighborhood. Again, not good. Front yard was better with the help of a nearby street light but I'm thinking anything short of a full moon and I'm going to be needing some help finding that front sight.

First Shirt · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2017, 08:21:20 pm »

Quote from: MTK20 on March 30, 2017, 12:42:53 pm

It's not my intention to go too exotic, but what about XS big dot sights?

I'm running the XS Big Dot sights on two of my three Kimbers, and when the tritium vials fail on the baby Kimber, they, too, will be replaced with the Big Dots. Love them, and they are easy to teach newbies with, as well, which is a big plus. And when The Minions get their Ruger 1911s for graduation next year, they will have them, as well.

It's not like I'm a fan, or anything.

Ken Brock · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2017, 09:15:42 pm »

Quote from: First Shirt on April 04, 2017, 08:21:20 pm

I'm running the XS Big Dot sights on two of my three Kimbers, and when the tritium vials fail on the baby Kimber, they, too, will be replaced with the Big Dots. Love them, and they are easy to teach newbies with, as well, which is a big plus. And when The Minions get their Ruger 1911s for graduation next year, they will have them, as well.

It's not like I'm a fan, or anything.

I find it interesting how many different people like so many varied things, like sights or slings. Many people that I respect love the Big Dots, so I put some on a XD and ran them for awhile. I absolutely hated them on that gun. So much so that I just sold the gun.

I am glad that they work well for you

First Shirt · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2017, 01:05:39 pm »

That's the thing with the Big Dot sights, you either love them or you hate them, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. When people ask about them, I offer to let them try mine before they commit to buying a set. Some folks just swoon over them, and some wouldn't spit on them!