Just wondering if anyone has much of a preference for night sights that have tritium in front sight only vs front and rear?
This is for a Glock 19 that my brother just bought. Most of my guns came with the 3 dot set up, and that seems to be the easiest to find. My Glock 23 came with trijicon 3 dots that I like, but I keep wondering if the rear dots are more of just a distraction than anything. I guess I could always shoot in the dark and sharpie them out.
Ideas, comments?
After trying it, I like it. It does help me focus on the front sight.
I took some black electrical tape and cut it carefully to match the shape of my rear sight, and covered up the rear dots. Try that for a few range trips before doing anything not easily reversible (like dripping paint into the holes or something).
I very much prefer the single front tritium with a plain black rear like the 10-8, yost, or Heinie. I find the Novaks, even without vials/dots, to be too busy.
I have never been a real fan of the front sight only set-up. For me, I prefer front and rear tritium inserts (in a straight 8 format). I saw the beneifts to this when doing a pistol class down in GA last year. Those with the front and rear sights had the most accuarte hits at greater distances than people running just a front sight or no night sights at all.
I think it is mainly an issue of personal preference.
I know of a few people, a couple of which are instructors I highly respect, who are fans of black rear sights and plain white dot front sights, with a tritium dot if you just have to. I am undecided on the issue myself, having been a long time 3 tritium dot shooter. That said, I am beginning to think there may be some merit to the idea.
My personal preference is to use a non-tritium rear. I have used both the XS Big Dots we make here at the shop and three dot sight systems, and I lean towards our big dot tritium front with our express rear sight in a white line only configuration. I think having the tritium in the rear sights can create visual confusion (especially three dots of the same color). YMMV.
Joe
I prefer either tritium just in the front, or either a bar or a single dot in the rear. Three dot sights confuse me in low light, especially when using a flashlight.
I actually shoot better in the dark in terms of accuracy, so I don’t think having a plain rear sight is holding me back any.
A single front tritium dot is also my prefered system. I thought I weirdwhen I first did this many years ago with my duty USP .45 and it seems that many have come to the same conclusion that this works well, especially in conjunction with a weapon mounted light or good flashlight technique.
I have two G19s. One is set up with Meprolights both front and rear. My second G19 I set up with an Ameriglo tritium front and left the factory sight in the rear. I really like the set up of the second gun. Daylight is very easy with doing the “ball in the bucket” concept of the Glock sight. In low light the front tritium allows me to focus on that alone.
imho a front night sight only setup focuses on CQB and ignores those times when you have the time to line up the sights to sqeeze off a longer low light shot.
I like Heinie flat black for Glocks or Yobos on my 1911s with a tritium front.
I just put a set of AmeriGlo operator sights on my G21, they are custom made for CGR and have no white rings on either of the three tritium vials, and the rear is opened up a little. So during the day they look just like a 1911 style sight, and at night of course you have the dots.
If I had pics I would post em, but no camera.
need funds for ammo, you’all know the story…lol…
I switched to this format 4-5 years ago. I like it and it works for me. Having only one “illuminated” area simplifies & speeds things up for me.
Erick
How far can you see/identify a target that you’d need to shoot in low light with a pistol? Are there situations where you can see well enough to i.d. the target, can’t see your rear sight, AND can’t use a flashlight?
Tritium front and plain black rear are absolutely the best choice in my opinion.
flashlights malfunction.
What is this mythical situation wherein you’re firing from complete blackness, into complete blackness, but are certain of your target and what’s beyond it, have to fire to save your life, and the target is so far distant that you have to line up the front and rear sights and need tritium vials in both in order to be able to accomplish this feat, all with only a handgun by your side and a malfunctioning flashlight?
Never said complete blackness. Low light. This is not 10-8 where only operators or LE or military or whatever can post comments. This is not a I’ve been to carbine class so only I can steer conversation or post my opinions and insights to situations. So no need to condecend. Having two vials in my rear is my choice. Yes, I’ve trained in a dark former shoot house lined up at the 7 yard line with low light conditions. Not complete blackness. Not with my eyes closed. Lining up the sight is something you need to figure out. Not all vials in a straight eight or three dot match up with your poa; you could shoot high or low, depending on the sights and handgun. I feel I need to know this. ymmv.
f.2’s points are not without merit. Sights are a very personal preference and there are really no negatives to using 3-dot tritium sights if you have shot them at night and know how they line up for POA/POI. I only use black rears and tritium fronts because it’s my preference, not because it’s the end-all be-all best way to go.
Flashlights rarely malfunction. But they run out of batteries cause the tailcap gets pushed or twisted all the time. If I had a buck for every time I pulled out the G2 off my assaulters belt and it had gotten turned on in the holster I’d have at least enough for a case of expensive beer. I’m glad I carry 4 lights.
Perhaps not, but it is important to know who you’re talking to and what their experience level is. I’m curious to know how much experience you have shooting both with and without rear vials in low, or no, light situations.
Yes, I’ve trained in a dark former shoot house lined up at the 7 yard line with low light conditions.
I’m unclear on what this sentence means.
Not complete blackness. Not with my eyes closed. Lining up the sight is something you need to figure out. Not all vials in a straight eight or three dot match up with your poa; you could shoot high or low, depending on the sights and handgun. I feel I need to know this. ymmv.
You implied that those of us that chose not to have rear tritium were somehow leaving out the possibility of a long distance night shot, and I still, despite your response, can’t come up with a situation where this might happen.