I assume some of you use Trijicon or Meprolight night sights on your handguns. Do you feel these sights are good for competitions- idpa or uspsa? Also, how are they for competition shooting at longer distances- 20 yds or so? Thank you for any thoughts on the subject.
Using Trijicons/Meprolights in competition
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Chris Rhines
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No, not particularly. Luminous sights are not necessary for USPSA or IDPA, most of which are shot in broad daylight. Both Trijicon and Meprolight have a too-wide front sight and a too-narrow rear notch - the combination is difficult to line up quickly and lets too little light through. Many people, myself included, find that the dots are distracting.
My sight setup is a 0.100" plain black front sight with no dots, tritium, or fiber optic, and a rear sight with a ~0.150" U-notch. Warren Tactical and 10-8 Performance make sights worth looking at.
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Gatordad699
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I use a G17 with Dawson Precision fiber optic sights. They are adjustable and really stand out. As said above, I have never shot IDPA, USPSA or IPSC in anything other then daylight. Even when it is cloudy, they pick up light and stand out. IMHO, fiber optics are the way to go.
My carry gun has Meps on it, therefore it is the best thing for me to shoot in competition. No, I won't win the competition because Meps aren't the greatest precision sights, but they are good combat sights, and practice with my carry setup is what I'm after.
I agree with the assesment Chris posted about the night sights 110%. Well stated and correct.
You can make them better by widening the notch on the rear some, it makes them faster to align but not much more precise. For IDPA they aren't too bad, closer targets and much lower hit factors generally seen make them more suitable. For USPSA I think they are a big handicap.
I prefer a .090" or narrower front sight with a .140" rear notch on a 5" barrel gun. Sometimes I think a fiber front sight is better and sometimes I think it is a distraction, basically whatever is on the gun feels like the wrong choice no matter what I use. I have about half and half plain sights and fiber optic. You couldn't GIVE me a fiber optic rear sight unless it was agreed that I would sell it at the first opportunity. In every case I feel that fiber optics in the rear sight are a distraction, just like the dots in night sights or standard sights. My rear sights must be plain, black, and plain black. Nothing else will work for me.
You can make them better by widening the notch on the rear some, it makes them faster to align but not much more precise. For IDPA they aren't too bad, closer targets and much lower hit factors generally seen make them more suitable. For USPSA I think they are a big handicap.
I prefer a .090" or narrower front sight with a .140" rear notch on a 5" barrel gun. Sometimes I think a fiber front sight is better and sometimes I think it is a distraction, basically whatever is on the gun feels like the wrong choice no matter what I use. I have about half and half plain sights and fiber optic. You couldn't GIVE me a fiber optic rear sight unless it was agreed that I would sell it at the first opportunity. In every case I feel that fiber optics in the rear sight are a distraction, just like the dots in night sights or standard sights. My rear sights must be plain, black, and plain black. Nothing else will work for me.
OH25shooter
Member
I installed TRUGLO on my Sig. Only because my older eyes focus better on the fiber optic. Are they more accurate, faster? I don't know. But, I do know I can see them better. Get what works for you. Not the other guy.
I shot my CZ75b with meprolights on it..and I did better than I thought I would..
most trouble was on steel plates out at 10 to 20 yards...
I tend to shoot better with plain black sights. at .100 or so..and daylight around them on my rear sight..I use plain sights on most of my carry guns too..
most trouble was on steel plates out at 10 to 20 yards...
I tend to shoot better with plain black sights. at .100 or so..and daylight around them on my rear sight..I use plain sights on most of my carry guns too..
HighVelocity
Member
Let me be the dissenter, I like almost anything but plain black front sights. 
I shoot a lot of IDPA matches indoors at short distances and in low light. Red Fiber optic front, XS tritium Big Dot front, XS tritium small dot front and even a gold painted spot on a plain front site have worked well for me.
Outdoors, either red or green fiber optic fronts are what I prefer.
Now, before the XS big dot flaming begins, I've made shots at 15 yards in total darkness with my big dot equipped G17 and a $20 flashlight in my hand so I know it can be done.
I shoot a lot of IDPA matches indoors at short distances and in low light. Red Fiber optic front, XS tritium Big Dot front, XS tritium small dot front and even a gold painted spot on a plain front site have worked well for me.
Outdoors, either red or green fiber optic fronts are what I prefer.
Now, before the XS big dot flaming begins, I've made shots at 15 yards in total darkness with my big dot equipped G17 and a $20 flashlight in my hand so I know it can be done.
Sniper X
Member
On the carry 1911 I use Meprolights, but on the three gun wonder 1911 Defender I use a adjustable set of target sights with a super bright ornage insert in the front blade and flat black notched rear blade.
HighVelocity, I shoot USPSA with a guy that uses the big dot on Glocks and he can most certainly place bullets with no problems out to 25 yards, and do it at high speed. I can't use it at all, covers so much of the target that I feel like I am in 'poke and hope' mode. Good thing you can buy more than one type!!
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