Are night sights worth getting?

[hceptj]

I replaced the black sights on my kimber with mepro's and love them. Besides the low light benefit, they make it much easier for me to line up the sights when shooting against a target at the range. I would vote yes, worth it.

 

[emitt1]

Yes, in my humble opinion they are nice items to add to your weapon. I burn great/vast amounts of gunpowder at my gunclub which has covered ranges located outdoors. Though not old (56) my eyes aren't as 'good' as they once were and have trouble with my front sight while under the slight shade of the range roof when shooting into bright sunlight. The night sights work very well for me. Besides, it nice to glace over at my nightstand and see that comforting glow of three green dots.

 

[AndyC]

I use them, although my preference is for the front-sight only.

 

[Prince Yamato]

If someone breaks in your home... just turn on the damn ceiling light.

 

[DMK]

In the dark, like in my house with the lights out, or walking around outside, once my eyes have adjusted, I can usually see enough to clearly identify a person. However, I cannot make out the outline of the front sight blade on my CCW. A nice bright tritium dot on that front sight stands right out.

Yes, night sights are worth getting, as is a good compact flashlight. I carry and use my Surefire E1 all the time.

 

[Jamie C.]

If someone breaks in your home... just turn on the damn ceiling light.

You know, quite a few break-ins occur after events that cause power outages... like thunder storms, ice storms, etc.

It's also not unheard of for a burglar to cut the power to the house before breaking in.

As for shooting at shadows, as was mentioned earlier... it's not the best thing to be doing, but there's been at least a couple of instances that I know of where a homeowner did just that and it ended up saving his/her life. ( Anybody here in TN remember the incident with Charlie Chase's son? )

Then again, how many of you out there wouldn't shoot at a shadow or silhouette that was a foot taller than you and had a voice you didn't recognize... especially if you saw an outline that looked like it was a weapon? Gonna stand there 'til the lights come on? Think about it. Think about it very carefully.

The fact is, being able to see the sights on your gun in bad/no light is a very good thing, when your life may depend on actually hitting what you're shooting at.

Oh, and as for lasers... they don't work so well when you shine them on rough, dark surfaces... like a wool sweater or black sweatshirt. Could take an extra second or two to find that dot, in an emergency... Will you have the time to spare?

Anyway... tritium sights won't hinder your shooting, and they very well could end up saving your life. So, are they worth having? You tell me.


J.C.

 

[mljdeckard]

Has anyone else had their wife say to them, in the middle of the night, "Honey,...............your gun is looking at me."

 

[IndianaBoy]

Seeing as how most two legged predators are nocturnal... yes you should get them.


They do not replace a flashlight to identify a threat, but they certainly make sight acquisition faster and easier.

 

[115grfmj]

I love the burgalar cutting the power comment.

Usually BG is looking for soft target, meaning the least risk possible for himself. How often do you think it happens?? Actually, I would love for a BG
not trained as an electrician to try to cut power to the house, most house service here is twin 110 volt at say around 200 amps ......add one pair of bolt cutters and an ungrounded BG.......lets just say the fire dept will be the first responders not the police .......

 

[Steve C]

I didn't used to think much about night sights untill trying a set of my Glock 19 which is my primary carry pistol. In situations where the target is back lite you can not see regular sights as others have mentioned. In a situation at night where you can place yourself in an unlit area they would certainly give you the advantage over a potential assailant if they remain in the light or are back lit.

For a self defense gun I thing they're a good addition and a lot less bulky than a flashlight mounted under the barrel for a carry gun.

 

[nwilliams]

night sights

I didn't read through all the replies so I'm sure someone has already mentioned this. Since most defense shootings happen in low light or at night then having night sights on your gun is a feature worth having, also if youre defending your home and don't want to turn the lights on night sights will help you know where youre aiming while doing room sweeps. That's how I see it.

 

[Miamitiger]

Spend a little more!!!

I would buy a laser grip and a flashlight. If you practice time is cut in half before you shoot.

 

[Jamie C.]

How often do you think it happens??

Happened at least once here... The thief took a hammer to the electric meter, in an effort to disable the alarm system... ( not exactly a genius )

He was pretty surprized when the alarm went off, and then the home owner came out with a Rem. 870.

One of the few burglars we didn't have to chase down or hunt for.

Oh, and that reminds me... a good cell phone is handy too, since killing the power also kills you cordless phones, and you may not be able to get to a hard line.


J.C.

 

[10-Ring]

Yes. Anything that will help get your weapon on target easier in a stressful situation is a plus...but you will still need to properly ID that target & you'll still need a secondary light source to do that.
For me, I like n/s to find my pistol in the dark & for contrast when on target.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I was really hoping that the cheaper option was the best. However, if my chances are improved in 1 out of 100 situations, I will spend the money. The night sights advocates have me convinced.

Thanks for all the good input.

P.S. I still think night sights are cool. They are radioactive and they glow in the dark. What is not cool about that? Having to actually put them to use in a life-or-death situation... now that is not cool.

 

[Jamie C.]

Shooter, be sure and tell us what you think of them, after you've had a chance to use them and "play" with them a bit.


J.C.

 

[tbtrout]

I love all of the what if writing.How many of you who are not Law Enforcement or Special Ops have been trained in proper use of tactical lights. And I do not mean the Guns Illustrated Guide to Tactical Handgunning. Put the night sights on and practice quick dry firing in low light to get used to them. Chances are the person who breaks into your home is a crackhead and not a Force Recon Marine.

 

[Marshall]

Yes, yes they are.

 

[Srigs]

I have them on my primary carry gun and works great. A carry or HD gun would be the best solution.

 

[CPshooter]

In my opinion, night sights are totally worth the upgrade cost. Flashlight or no flashlight, the tritium dots make my eyes find the sights 10x faster when the light even starts to fade inside or outside. Even if its not completely dark, the green dots make a huge difference in any LOW light conditions.

How many of you have a "night stand" gun or a "home defense" gun? When that night comes when you have an intruder making noise in the kitchen, i'd like to know why it wouldn't be a good idea to have this extra feature on your gun?

I don't know if people don't like change or they just like to pinch pennies, but every handgun, unless used exclusively for target practice or competition, should be equipped with night sights if you ask me.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I think you are better off with a good flashlight and tactics. Outside of the military you can't fire on shadows and people you can't positively identify. Night sights can't do that--a flashlight can.

Hmmm......if a shadowy figure is in my hallway, it's gotten through 3 different locks, and nobody else has a key to my house. My state says you have to be in fear for your life or the lives of your loved ones. It's just me and the wife, so.......yeah, I like night sights.

 

[foob]

Oh, and that reminds me... a good cell phone is handy too, since killing the power also kills you cordless phones, and you may not be able to get to a hard line.

The electricity for your lights and the electricity for your landline phones are supplied on separate lines. Don't you notice during a blackout your phones still work? Basically the power comes from the phone lines, you notice you don't plug your phone to a electric socket...

 

[Stevie-Ray]

you notice you don't plug your phone to a electric socket...

Yes you do. If you notice, he said cordless phones.

 

[Ala Dan]

Night Sights

Good for shooting at perp's in the night; after you are awakened by a thug
break'in into your home~!

 

[tanksoldier]

The point is that they let you line up your sights in low-light.

There are times when you can identify a target as a threat when it will still be too dark to get a good sight picture. They help you make sure that your gun is pointed where you think it is.