Walk into a gun shop, talk to some LEOs, or just speak with some Subject Matter Enthusiast who carries, and talk about sight selection. There’s a pretty good chance they’ll tell you must get night sights. Others will vehemently deny they’re necessary at all.
So do you need ’em? Maybe. Maybe not. That assessment differs depending upon which SME (Enthusiast or Expert) you talk to. Before you spend the money on adding night sights to your weapon (assuming it didn’t already have them installed), work through some considerations first.
You will note if you work your way through all the information below that opinions vary. That’s a Good Thing. If we’re all thinking alike, nobody’s really thinking. Different perspectives are important if you want to make an informed choice.
But before we get started, if you’re new at this, let’s address the first question.
What are night sights?
What are night sights made of?
Put simply, night sights glow in the dark. Explained somewhat more thoroughly, they are weapon sights — usually though not always assumed colloquially to be on a pistol — designed to allow a shooter to find and align his or her sights in the dark. They are often referred to as self-illuminated, though anymore this is a fairly redundant term. Most (though again, not all) night sights are mad with Tritium, which is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Sights made with Tritium are treated with a phosphor material that reacts with the Tritim’s radioactive elements to become…wait for it…phosphorescent.
By definition, night sights do not require the use of an artificial light source (e.g. a flashlight) to “pick them up”. This is true only when it comes to acquiring the sights with the naked eye. Positively identifying what’s on the other end of your muzzle is another matter entirely.
Tritium sights are distinct from fiber optic sights in that the latter, which often function very well under low- or no-light conditions, “gather” ambient light vs. producing their own. They are less expensive than tritium sights but are also substantially more fragile. Tritium sights produce light via “tritium luminescence”, which is a fancy way of saying they glow. They don’t require electrical or solar energization to be luminescent (until they wear out at least).
The science of tritium sights is little different than that of illuminated watch hands and some of the “permanently” illuminated signs you see on the walls of public buildings.
Night sights do not eliminate the need for one or more artificial light sources. In the ideal setup, a handgun will have a WML (weapon-mounted light) on it and the person using that pistol will also have a handheld flashlight.
Pros and Cons of Night Sights
Night sights: Let’s take a look
See what we did there?
This is a work in progress. It will be updated periodically with more commentary and information.
Edit 4/9/21: a video explaining tritium has been added below; the author’s personal sight selection to be added shortly.
Mike Pannone, CTT Solutions
I’m going to start with Mike Pannone of CTT Solutions. This video changed up how I personally view night sights (pun intended) and though it’s a few years old now, the info and perspective is (imho) excellent.
Why no Tritium night sights on Pannone’s gun?
“The rationale behind that is two-fold. One is that I always bring a light with me. Wherever I travel, I have a handheld flashlight. And two is that if I can’t identify a target then I can’t engage it…there’s a point in the day where Tritium sights are useful, and it’s relatively limited. it’s the point where you can actually identify if someone is a threat or not without handheld light or artificial light of your own, but it’s low enough light that you can’t see normal traditional sights — black sights or even fiber-optic sights. That sliver of the day is benefited by Tritium sights, but that’s really the only point.
When you’re past dusk and you’re into the evening portion, you still need artificial light, and once you have an artificial light it doesn’t matter what type of sights you have because it’ll illuminate those sights.
In defensive use of a firearm, if I need to positively identify a threat, I have to have artificial light.
On all the guns that I have, I try to keep a consistent format, and so I use a fiber-optic front and a black rear on my sport guns and on my defensive guns. So when I press the gun out and I identify that front sight, it looks the same no matter where I am or what I am doing.”
Night Sights: Yea or Nay?
Now we’ll go on and visit some other folks and see what they have to say.
We’ll start with Paul Harrell. We’re starting with him because I really enjoy his delivery. He’s neither much-tactical-so-operator in demeanor or delivery, and he speaks in an effective combination of eloquent and everyman I think most anyone can appreciate.
Though some of the gear snobs and cognoscenti might disdain him.
Fast forward to 5:05 to start the bit about night sights or just watch the whole thing and learn something.
[Note: you can subscribe to Harrell’s channel on YouTube right here.]
John Lovell, Warrior Poet Society
Nights sight discussion in this video starts at 02:20.
“..you have to have sufficient light to see what you’re shooting at. You don’t just…shoot at shapes and shadows. You need adequate illumination to acquire, identify, and engage your target. And if you have enough illumination to see your target, you can virtually always see the outline of your sights. Meaning, you’re [almost] never actually needing your Tritium dots.
Usually, if you’re using your Tritium dots, it’s in dark shadow and you can’t even identify the target — which means you gotta…illuminate. And then, if you illuminate…then there is sufficient illumination for you to see the angle of your sights again.”
Pistol Sights: Shape and Make Selection
These aren’t specifically about Tritium or Phos sights, but they do bring up a couple of things worth putting into your due diligence efforts.
Paul Gomez
For sights specifically, start at 00:09 and watch through 01:45.
By the way, Paul Gomez was something of a savant — and one that too few gun-owners (and those who practice the noble profession of arms) know of. I’d suggest working your way through all of his videos.
Mickey Schuch, Carry Trainer
This is an excellent overview of different types of pistol sights. The topic of night sights begins in this video at approximately 07:51.
John Lovell, Warrior Poet Society
John briefly hits the topic of night sights at 8:19 in the following video. The rest of the video addresses some basic issues (and his preferences) of sight selection.
Tritium Sights
Bonus science lesson. Tritium sights all have one thing in common. Tritium. This video is about Tritium in the context of watches, but maybe you’ll get something out of it.
Or not.
I’ve been in law enforcement for almost 25 years. Personally I think you should use anything allowed to give an edge in a violent encounter if it happens. I heard a comment once that it’s never been proven night sights will help in a low light encounter. My rebuttal, the ones it would have made a difference for probably aren’t around to tell anyone. I’m definitely not the guy to slap on the latest accessory on a gun. I leave them as basic as I can but to me night sights are a must have addition. I’ve shot in low light with and without night sights. All my carry guns have them but guns are a very personal item so use what works for you.
I remember sitting in a break room in a rural PD beating away on their computer when one of their patrolmen comes in and opens a package from that emergency supply place named after a gall bladder and started unloading loading his service piece and then started mounting an LED weapon light on it. i asked him “Why”? he simply replied “So I can see where I’m Shooting”. I responded ” Dont you mean so the perp knows where your vital areas are so they know where to aim to kill you”? The Chief of Police lost a mouth full of coffee through his nose, almost all 12 of of the officers that were present for a meeting were Laughing their asses off as the guy packed up the holster for his handgun with a light mounted the light and the mount, Common sense above all else will keep you alive
Gear without training is a good way to have a huge failure
Who writes this crap? Every negative that you stated for tritium sights apply to red dots, in spades! You know the target can SEE YOUR RED DOT in the dark, right? Your red dot needs batteries. You know that, right? You will need a holster that will accept that red dot, right? You need a pistol slide that will accept the red dot, you know that, right? You know that red dot has the same alignment and defect problems as the tritium sights, right? You don’t know jack. Stop writing about your pet appliances as though only YOUR gadgets are THE answer.
Don’t sugar coat it Charles, tell us how you really feel!
Red Dots can be zeroed. And iron sights, including tritium, fiber optics, white dots, etc. can also be zeroed.
Only the cheapest red dots can be seen from the front. With that said, the name “Nite Site” is a major misnomer and should be called ‘Twilite Sight” as this is the only time it warrants use. When it gets too dark to Identify your target, a flashlight in an off hand hold using that forearm as a brace is the ONLY even semi-safe method to illuminate your target. A weapon mounted light just gives your target an even better illuminated target to take out as first off any light is a danger to them and second “you” are center of mass behind that target or better, cranial mass behind it. As for pistol slides that accept red dots, guess again, there are frame mounts that accept them, from dust shield to grip frame mounts, so perhaps YOU need to start researching mounting options and the availability of custom holsters an holster makers in the US. Being a know-it-all in a field of bonafide experts only brings you ridicule
I have to say that holding a flashlight separate from your gun is a good way to go, that said a flashlight on the end of your gun also blinds the target and makes it really hard to aim and hit. Both light options shows the target where you are and where to aim the gun if they see it and it’s not directly in their eyes. So one position is not really better in that aspect. Now if you said holding a flashlight separate avoids you from pointing your gun directly at someone you are just trying to identify I would agree, but break in my house and I want my light in your eyes and my gun directly on you when I pull the trigger.
the light in your supporting hand moves it less than 2 ft away from your head but still blinds the perp
drop your gun in the dark. easier to find with night sights
If you plan to drop your life saving device on the ground, even accidently. Perhaps a lanyard might be a good idea. I know a couple of Rangers that use them. Have a great day.
Yep and we call them dummy cords!!
Whatever works
Unless it’s past 50 yards ! 55 yards let the guy keep shooting at you right Wm ? Lol 😂
I have several handguns with lanyards. All of my suppressor handguns are tied on!
I have had night sights for many years. I tried an RMR, I found it bulky unwieldy and generally a hindrance. my night sights do not need to be turned on, no batteries to run down, I can simply draw and fire day or night. I do what most responsible people who carry do, I TRAIN, and part of that training is at night and in low light situations. I confirmed my sight is dead on before I trusted it for carry. Good luck concealing your RMR equipped handgun, it must print like a magic marker. I will stick with my Trijicon Sights I have yet to find even one negative with them.
The big draw back to tritium sights is the 14 year lifespan. I have 4 handguns that the capsules need to be replaced on, that I havent done so due to their use having fallen out of grace to something Later and greater…
Trijicon will replace the capsules for a very minimal fee. you just send in the slide and you don’t even need to remove your sights and change zero. the turnaround is very reasonable, just cary a different handgun for a week or so. there is actually nothing later and greater, how many batteries keep working for 14 years? your batteries die, and you have nothing. night sights just dim, and you have lots of time to schedule a recharge, there is no battery, no swich to turn on Mine have never had an issue of any kind and they are on an officers model 1911 in 45 acp, if there were any weak points, the first few hundred rounds would have found them, the military ACOG uses tritium because they did not want battery issues either, or switches to turn on.
Calibers, grip angles, concealability and other developments all change over the span of a decade, not to mention trigger types, safetys and more. If the piece is just going to be relegated to the status of safe queen, why spend 20 bucks per tube to replace them, just to have them fade out without use? As for the ACOG, the tritium tube is just an adjunct to the daylight operation of the optics ability to collect sunlight like standard tru-glow shotgun beads. I picked up an ACOG that was slated for destruction as the military sights were initially not suited for tube replacement as the “war” was supposed to end before the tube faded. As with most military items of the like, Congressional ideology is destroy before recouping funds via the civilian market. For night use these “first gen” sights only needed a micro-sized cyalume stick like we use in fishing lures and a piece of duct tape to illuminate the reticle at night. But Its on a gun I dont use after dark, as I dont coon hunt.
basically there are 2 grip angles for semi auto handguns, the 1911, which is the most pointable and is used by Sig, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, etc, and there is the Glock angle, which is so steep you need to point a foot low. It was copied from George Luger. Safeties are a personal thing, some don’t like them, some do, most people pick what they like and there is never a need to change. the point to the whole article boils down to batteries or no batteries, an on/off switch, or no switch. the nice thing about your depleated Tritium sights, is they still work as sights, as opposed to red dot sights that when the battery craps out, you have no sights. if you no longer carry a particular fire arm and have relegated it to a safe, there is no reason to recharge the sights. I carry all of my night sight equipped handguns. and I know that if I need my weapon, the sights WILL be working in low light conditions with no operator action required. as I stated before, the military does not use batteries in their sights, too unreliable, the replacement for the ACOG is tritium powered and works in low light conditions without batteries. as for coon hunting I use a day/night scope on a rifle, it does take batteries, but then Raccoons do not shoot back
Lots to comment on there…
The triji’s are fantastic for night hunting, but here it’s coons or totes and the Metro PETA types insist we are hunting pets.
Pistol grip angles are far more numerous than you list. They go anywhere from 50 to 90 degrees. Not icluding revolvers.
As for the article, I find it as nothing more than the typical armchair warrior’s attempt to fill bandwidth.
I agree with most of what you said, up to the acog. It would be easy enough to add a battery compartment, rheostat, and micro led to boost the sight for daytime use, give two additional colors, and carry it over until it could be replaced when the tritium hits its half life. The couple that Ive had my hands on tended to be on the dim side in multiple lighting situations, particularly when you are going in and out of shadowy buildings… (would have got back sooner but I had to find my notes, they were buried after a move)
Another point: our military TRIES TO NO LONGER use battery operated sights, but they still do, the night sights being the primary item, the comes, individual night vision which is compatible with tritium sights. So for the majority of grunts and gropos the batteries are in the box hanging on their hats but they ARE most definitely used.
There are a handful of other advantages on the Acog being tritium based as well. The first is the work with night vision without any changes. And every soldier’s helmet is equipped to take standard night vision equipment, the spacing on the Acog allows a prefect fit for the NV optics. I also allows for a Magnifier if so authorized, turning the ACOG to a magnified scope up to 4 power (not 4 “times” as so many idiots interpret 4″x” to mean)
I call BS that you have tried an RMR for two reasons.
First it takes zero effort to conceal (My EDC is an M&P with a RMR and Streamlight TLR-2). Second the RMR is always on, so you saying “night sight don’t need to be turned on” tells me you are either lying or bought a knock off chinese red dot, you did NOT use an RMR because these are basic things that anybody that has used them would know. BTW they claim the batteries last 4 years on an RMR, I change them once a year because they cost about $1.50 so I never have to worry about dead batteries.
If you did try an RMR and actually train with it I guarantee (as long as your eyes don’t have astigmatism) you would buy more for other guns.
By “train” I mean actually take real classes from real instructors, like Steve fisher, Gabe Suarez etc.
I own 2 RMRs, I tried one on a subcompact sig p320 in .40 cal, it snagged in my clothing when drawing, it “pinched” when doing regular activities, and is worse then useless on my carry gun. I went back to an officers 1911 with night sights a LONG time ago. as far as training, I do that VERY regularly. if you enjoy the handicap of a RMR, enjoy, while they may have some use on full sized duty weapons, they are WAY too fragile, and to easy to knock out of zero. my carry weapon MUST be 100% reliable and I personally see nothing but a hindrance and a probable failure point. iron sights, are as bulletproof as it gets, even it the tritium inserts fail, I still have perfectly aligned iron sights, a RMR goes out, and you are DONE, you have NOTHING.
A properly set up RDS system will always have a co-witnessed back up irons, making the argument that you have nothing null & void.
I read a book on handgun training in which a comment was made that I heartily agreed with.Namely, almost every kind of sight they slap on a gun (black sights obviously not included) is a marketing strategy. And unless you want to go to the trouble and expense of changing them, your stuck with whatever the gun came with.
Its a marketing strategy to reach those who prefer a sight with greater visibility, for example those with cross dominant eyes. So you can call it what you wish, it doesnt make them any less valid
They still don’t help you see the target. And it IS a marketing strategy to sell guns. It’s not a marketing strategy for people with cross dominant eyes. Not everyone has cross dominant eyes. I doubt if more than a tiny minority has them. But you just believe what you want.
Sorry f or your issues Joe but just five years of dealing with competition trap shooters has proven to me, personally that you dont know jack when it comes to cross dominant eyes. the figure is around 70%. Just watch how many people squint or outright close one eye when shooting. and no they dont help you see your target, they are strictly for rapid sight alignment, but that wont help you with that cranial-rectal inversion that you are suffering. now dont bother responding until you reach adulthood that will be what, 9 or 10 years?
Sorry for you little boy, but YOU need to grow up! Now go back to bed. It’s nap time.
I’m seeing a lot of bruised egos in the comments here. All sights have pros and cons, night sights are great for giving you that sight picture when it’s so dark that you cannot get an outline for your sights. The thing is when it’s that dark, positive identification of your target cannot be achieved. We do not get to shoot at shadows and must have PID before we can lawfully shoot anyways (assuming you are an upstanding citizen). Now if you’re acquiring your sight picture through a PVS-14 in the poppy fields of Kandahar that’s a different story. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter. Competency with YOUR setup is what matters most.
Night sights are for use at deep twilight, not at total darkness when the target can not be identified
“If you are able to see the dots glow in the dark, it’s dark, meaning you most likely won’t be able to see what those sights are actually pointed at.”
This statement is incorrect and shows the author’s failure to understand the basics of the topic. This is not the only case. The appearance of night sights changes upon a continuum depending upon light levels where the shooter is, at the target and behind the target. Night sights offer a clear sight picture in low light conditions or odd conditions. It is not as simple as asserted.
Sig P938, my tritium front tube disappeared while shooting indoors . . . oh no it didn’t, it died! The firearm was only 1 month old when that happened, it was a brand new gun, the back sights were almost dead. Some night nights are way better than others. I personally like the Mepro or TFX Tru Glo models. Big Dot white paint are nice too.
Rather than a red dot, I’ll go for a green laser . . .
Learn to use the front sight post. You can shoot when clearly the holster by using your peripheral vision. You don’t have to even have the gun fully extended, practice just know the gun is an extension of your arm , then as you come up acquire the front sight first and if the shot needs to be fired it can be. If more time can be taken saddle the front sight with the rear and AIM SMALL, find that button or an ugly front tooth ! Always know your handguns potential, shoot it at 25 yards and 50 yards regularly. But know where it hits at 100 and even 150 yards with your favorite carry load, that may save your life one day.
If you are shooting at someone at 50yrds or more,you had better have a damn good reason, since any good atty is going to put your button jail for doing it..
Lol,
Anytime someone is killing innocent people they need to be stopped ! Your comment shows your ignorance ! We had a guy shot in a Mall that was shooting innocent people
That was shot at close to 100 yards ! Shooting at distance, helps develop skill.
Carrying a weapon comes with great responsibility and hours of practice each month to maintain an acceptable skill level. Those who just want to throw on a loaded gun to
Feel good, may be more of a problem to others. Attorneys come and go no matter !
I’ve got Novak/Trijicon night sights that came stock on one of my 1911s. I’m not wild about them, day or night, with my 52-year-old eyes, lol. I’m thinking about replacing them with the white dot version of same, or possibly the XS Big Dot.
The XS Big Dots, fiber optic are called “night sights” they work in the dark. I’ve tried them in y house with all the lights out. But I did go with the TrueGlow TFX Pro for two of my five guns. (will put on my other guns as I can!). My eyes are 70 years old!!
When I am home I have my pistol stand that I have trained with, but in a motel, etc. I am in nightstand mode. I would ask this author… How he acquires a firm firing grip with certainty, In pitch black darkness without the sights.
In addition, While I have never had a shoot, I have trained a lot and my shoot house work reveals I rely on my training, muscle memory. (sights, what sights?) so train with sights you cannot see and rely on that if you want to… Good luck!
I am with you on that one Sir.
I own many different handguns. They all have different grips and sights. Some are easier then others to shoot “really” eell, meaning tight groups. All of them can shoot (in a ransom rest) better than 99% of people can. I use them all, and I can hit effectively WITH ALL of them. I do not have fancy triggers,sights etc. I live in the “real” world,where the people I worked with often had to do the job with whatever was sourced on site and available. So much bull from so many arm chair types. You taken the weapon, and you do the job, and if you know what you are doing you adjust to the situation,the target and the firearm, and get it done. Period.
You are acting like a putz…are you a putz?
Time to get real. Most of the training the average person takes is useless and not relevant. Do you really need to train like a spec ops operator? No. Do you really need to train like a SWAT team member? No. Get your head out of your butt and look around. All the training to speed load three mags while moving and clearing a malfunction at the same time is laughable. What the hell do you really think you are going to be involved in? For most people the shtf is a burglary, an assault, car jacking, caught in a robbery etc. None of which would require any of the aforementioned training. I am a “trainer” and have been for two decades. I worked for the govt here and abroad taking out the garbage on the street, not the desert!! You need to be proficient with firearms,how they operate,and competent in handling and shooting. You do not need to be an expert in the El Presidente, or BillDrill.in most of the situations mentioned other than a burglary you are at a distinct display advantage because you are usually taken by surprise,close in, with virtually no time to react effectively if the criminal knows what they are doing. Trying to out draw someone or play OK Corral, is foolish and generally does not work out well. If you really study what happens on the street,it is not anything like what most of today’s trainng will resolve. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, ABILITY TO EGRESS OR ESCAPE, PROPER USE OF COVER,KNOWING WHEN TO ENGAGE OR NOT…learn these skills and will probably never need to “run n gun” regardless of what fantasy world you live in.
I’ll stick with my Tritium Night Sights, thank you!
Up here in the middle of Alaska, I find fiber optic sights work amazingly well with my CCW during the summer months when we have full daylight 24/7, but have to switch to tritium sights during the winter when it’s always dark and we have only a scant few hours of “working daylight” per day. Most people don’t have this problem, but I find that changing CCW sights to match environmental conditions – in my case, the seasonal change in available natural light – works the best. Others might consider which permanent sights work best for them depending on the time of day they most often carry and where they would most likely need to use their firearms.
Night sights, red dots, lasers, weapon lights, etc. are all tools. Learn to use all of them and don’t depend on any of them.
Great information article. I use the tritium sights on my .40 Sig P226 Equinox and love them in any light condition. On my S&W 44mag I use the standard adjustable sights and no issues. I know it may sound a bit weird on why I do not use the tritiums on both…but it is just personal preference and it works for me.
With all due respect the red dot can fail you. No thanks
“Dont use tritum, use crayons, they’re better.”
What you are saying is, “I cant afford an RMR so they are no good”
Trijicon says the batteries last 4 years, they cast $1.50 each and take about 2 minutes to change, so unless you are a short bus rider you will spend $1.50 every year or two and magically your batteries will not fail 100% of the time.
In my Border Patrol academy FA training long ago, the instructor, Kent Williams, picked me and another good shooter on the indoor range, Handed me the night sight revolver and the other guy got plain sights. He dimmed the lights pretty low and told us both to engage our standard B-27 targets which we could see just barely see. The difference in our targets afterwards made a class full of believers in the value of tritium.
It’s much more complicated than it’s made out to be by a few of your esteemed commentators.
Urban lighting in both day and night settings can be very highly variable.