The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: TexasAggie01 on February 27, 2008, 03:13:40 PM
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Howdy all*. I am replacing my Glock 30's front sight with either a night sight or a fiber optic sight. I don't want to replace the rear sight at this point, but I'm open for discussion on the pros and cons on each type of front sight. Of course, y'all can talk about complete sight systems (if that's the right term) all you want.
FWIW, my current front runners are the Hi-Viz fiber optic front sight, and the Glock factory night sight.
Please note, this a shameless re-post from another site (www.ambackforum.com), where I have gotten a few answers. I just want as much data, anecdotal or otherwise, as I can get.
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I've had night sights on my carry and duty guns for several years, and have never used fiber optics. No special reason other than I seen no reason to replace what I already have and rely upon. Perhpas some day I will get a chance to give FOs a try. Perhaps.
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Depends on what you want the sight to do for you. I use fiber optic for compitition guns so that I can pick up the front sight quicker (I am 61). I have used others but I prefer the Hi-Viz green because it is sharp in my vision but they don't make the selection other makers do. I also have Dawson. I don't have night sights on anything - including my carry guns but am considering adding at least a night front sight.
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As my eye's get older the FO sights are a little quicker to pick up. For one thing they look a little bigger in the sight picture. Hope that helps.
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If you've got OLD GUY EYES like me, you might consider splitting the baby and looking at XS Big Dot tritium night sights:
http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html
The things are darn fast to acquire in all sorts of light, and we shot 50 yards with them out at GUNSITE last year.
Michael B
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You could get a set of TruGlo sights that are both Fiber Optic with Tritium backup for dark conditions.
http://www.truglosights.com/content/products/firearm/handgun_sights/handgun_sights.asp
Hope that helps,
Michael
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I like night sights as I understand fiber optics need some light and sometimes you don't have that option.
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I thought they had fiber optics treated to glow a bit at night?
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I agree with ellis4538. It does depend on what you want them to do for you. I have one 5" 1911 Springfield that came with night sights . In pitch black darkness the sights light up. At the indoor range there is enough of a white outline on the front sight so that you can focus on it during the daytime hours. My 6" Springfield Long Slide came with black on black sights. It was becoming a pain in the ass for me to try and focus on that front sight when shooting indoors or outdoors with a dark background. So I had Springfield replace the front sight with a DAWSON PRECISION red fiber optic. I kept the rear adjustable sight the way it came from the factory with no outline. Now the front sight lights up. I can now focus on that front sight and I stay right on target. Good for low light or bright light conditions. I have been using fiber optic sights on my bow for years. Now I will say I'm not really sure how the fiber optic would hold up to being holster drawn time after time. I know DAWSON does sell Partridge Serrated sights (great for target and competion), Ramped Serrated (Good for carry, less prone to snagging)and Ramped Tritium (Night Sights). You can view them at www.competitionshooters.com. Hope this helps answer some of your questions. :)
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You could get a set of TruGlo sights that are both Fiber Optic with Tritium backup for dark conditions.
http://www.truglosights.com/content/products/firearm/handgun_sights/handgun_sights.asp
Hope that helps,
Michael
+1 You get the best of both worlds!
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Wisconsin, FO front sites hold up well under competition use. Have been to 2 USPSA LTD. NATS. and most open sighted guns have them. Also the FO is simple to replace. I worry more about cleaning solutions messing it up that holster wear.
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Anyone use the Tru-Glo Tritinum Fiber-Optic sights? I really like the red fiber-optic front on my Sig for competition, but I was looking to outfit my Glock more towards home defense with limited competition. The TFO sight looked like the best of both. thoughts?
Thanks,
Jeff
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FWIW, I was planning to use fiber optics due to them collecting ambient light and channeling it towards your eye. I get home from work from all hours, and wanted something that would pick up ambient light, but not bee bright all the time. The TRUGLO TFO I really like, as I like the mix of both types, and think it would contrast nicely with the Glock factory rear sight. I'll take a look at that XS as well, but it's always looked rather large to me. Thanks all.
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I am undecided and glad this thread came up. I have night sights on my G23 and they have been OK but are getting dim (almost 12 years old, DUH). The wife's G17 and my 1911 have the stock sights. Since I mostly shoot IDPA/USPSA the FO option is a good one but I also want a set that I can carry (if God willing MD deems me worthy, OK wishful thinking but...) I have looked at the TFO TruGlos but they didn't seem that much brighter than the regular NS (it may have been the poor lighting, more data later). I am "pistol sitting" next week and will see how well the FO Dawson sights my friend's XDs do in Low/No light and that may give me a better idea which would work for carry. I like the Warren or Heine Slant Pro two dot (Straight Eight) NSs but would put the FO front on if it is bright enough day/night.
More to follow
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Wisconsin, FO front sites hold up well under competition use. Have been to 2 USPSA LTD. NATS. and most open sighted guns have them. Also the FO is simple to replace. I worry more about cleaning solutions messing it up that holster wear.
I'm glad you brought to my attention about the cleaning solution issue. I would of hated to have learned the hard way what it might do to it while cleaning. Thanks
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given the choice, I would say night sights, I have shot a night course and the difference in the two is amazing. As long as you have some ambient light the fiber optic sights are much brighter, But, once you loose that light you can't see them at all.The Hybrid Tritium-Fiber optic sounds like the best of both worlds. Think Ill going to look into these for my carry guns
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I passed through a LGS and took a look at a Sig Equinox with the TFO front sight and it was much brighter than the one I saw earlier on an SCT model so it was probably just the poor lighting the first time. Definately enough difference for me to consider it over a pure FO or tritium
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Messed with the friend's G34 and 1911s with FO sights in a completely dark bathroom with and without a flashlight, and with a little ambient light and the FO was visible unless the entire room was dark (DUH!!) I tho\ink the chances of me being totally without ANY light when I need the pistol is pretty slim. If it was that dark I couldn't ID the threat in the first place. MOst likely I'd at least have a little light or the flashlight available.
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This forum post is a good one because both are good and better than other stock sights. I feel that both have their place. I have used both. I own both. I would recommend the night sights ( i.e. Trijjicon, Meprolights, etc) over the fiber optic.. due to the fact that the gun might be used at night time. Night sights (if you can see them good) give you the night advantage..plus the work great in day too. Fiber optic won't work as well at night, but will be awesome for daylight shooting, plinking, etc.. Some people can't seen the night sights as well in the daylight, but almost everyone can certainly see them glowing at night. And in all honesty.. if you are using a Glock ..either will work just fine.. lol.. ;)