Why would somebody use fiber optic sights instead of night sights?

[outerlimit]

They just seem so 'non-tactical' to me. Okay, so with regular night sights like trijicon or Heinie, you can see the sight picture, but the sight is not lit up on the top or in the front. With the fiber optic sights, the entire sight is lit up like a Christmas tree. I have wondered this for a really long time, why would somebody want this on a defensive firearm?

 

[PT1911]

better visiblilty in normal lighting conditions and twilight lighting conditions.

 

[outerlimit]

Oh, I guess I can see that. I've shot a Ruger .22lr with Fire Sights and the visibility was very, very nice around dusk. Too bad the sights were junk and would not stay in place when adjusted.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Some brands of night sights (e.g. Novaks) are not particularly bright. Under some conditions of low light but not total darkness, sometimes you can't see them. A fiber optic does a better job of gathering light under such conditions, especially with the backwash from streetlights, etc.

 

[EddieNFL]

I tried FO on a competition gun. Didn't work for me. Found myself aligning by the dot rather than top of the sight causing my shots to go high. I don't notice the tritium inserts under normal lighting.

Once shot an IDPA match that required you to move transition to a tent. A friend using FO was heard swearing rather loudly after getting inside. It was a bright day and once inside he had trouble picking up his sights.

 

[wbwanzer]

I'm always outside when I shoot. I find it so much easier to pick up and focus on the front site when it's FO.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the fiber optic is meant to draw you eye to the front sight rather than as an aiming point...you're still supposed to align the tops of the sights.

when you practice a lot with them, you do get to "know" where the "ball" should be when your sights are correctly aligned

the main advantage of the FO front sight is that it is brighter in daylight than any nightsight

 

[EddieNFL]

I didn't want to "retrain" myself." I recall when white outline sights, dots, etc became popular. I never was a fan of those, either. Some instructors recommend a plain sight. Not for everyone, I guess.

 

[pak29]

I have a Browning Buckmark with a very bright green FO front sight. In some lighting conditions, the FO seems to glow so brightly that it makes it difficult to distinguish the top profile of the front sight. I recently purchased a normal front sight to try out. As I am leaning more towards slow-fire target shooting lately, I think I may stick with the normal one if it is an improvement.

 

[9mmepiphany]

As I am leaning more towards slow-fire target shooting lately, I think I may stick with the normal one if it is an improvement.

the plain black sights are the most accurate for slow-fire where you have the time to find your sights and allow them to align

 

[LAK Supply]

Truglo TFO sights- Tritium inside fiber optic rods. They light up during the day and at night too...

 

[Gunfighter123]

Almost all "night sights" will lose power and get dull in time ---- I've used plain black sights for many years in Action Matches -- BUT -- i'm into my 50s and now find a red FO front sight helps me get back the sight picture fast in competition ---- I've never really had a problem as far as in a "dark house" type of stage and not being able to see the red FO --- I still see the outline of the front and back sights and at 25 yards or less , my hits are fine.

Adding ---- night sights or a Crim. Trace unit are good ideas for a nightstand gun.


EDIT ---- many people who use "red-dot" firearms in Unlimited Class , really like a red FO on their Limited/Stock firearms as they are very used to looking for that Red Dot.

 

[Jason_G]

Truglo TFO sights- Tritium inside fiber optic rods. They light up during the day and at night too...

I won't be putting any on any carry weapons until I quit hearing of the front fiber optic/tritium insert coming out from recoil.

outerlimit, personally, owning both fiber optic sights and tritium sights, I think tritium is the way to go for carry. Some folks have vision issues that make the FO easier to see, so there is a niche for those types of sights on defensive handguns; however, in very low light, and assuming normal vision, tritium trumps fiber optics IME. Sight acquisition is very quick, and very accurate even in conditions that would be too dark to see the target. I won't own another carry gun without them.

Jason

 

[1SOW]

outerlimit: On a defensive gun, I understand your thinking. It sounds like you're referring to FO sights that have FO, two-dot rear and FO one dot front. I agree if so.

Have you tried black rear with FO front. Your eye immediately draws and sees the front sight on your target. Front sight, front sight, front sight

Gunfighter123: I agree.

I'm in my 60's and shoot production class.

For me, FO is way faster sight acquisition for run and gun and steel. Changed my front sight to oversized (taller) FO and then filed down the metal so the top of the FO is POI at 25yds.
Metal is paper thin above the FO rod.

With minimum light, it's like normal black sights.

9mmepiphany: Your right about precise shooting. My bullseye target .22 has all black target sights and it will shoot very tight groups---not just because it's rimfire---but with precise sights. BUT, as far as speed goes, FO lets me/most people transition to multiple targets faster, especially with centerfire.

 

[LAK Supply]

I've had very good luck with them. I have a set on one G20 10mm that has seen a few thousand rounds, and another on a .40 that has seen well over a thousand. Been good for me so far.... handles full-house Double Tap 230gr 10mm loads so they're not light.

 

[1SOW]

LAK Supply: I think you'll find you posted on the wrong thread.

 

[LAK Supply]

Hmmm... no... I think this was the one about the FO and night sights?

 

[Philo_Beddoe]

I dont like FO sights because they are more fragile.