Night Sights v. Fiber Optic Sights for pistol

[TexasAggie01]

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.

[pioneer]

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.

[ellis4538]

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.

[cookie62]

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.

[Michael Bane]

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

[Sponsor]

[mbrun]

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

[gunman1911]

I like night sights  as I understand fiber optics need some light and sometimes you don't have that option.

[Dougdubya]

I thought they had fiber optics treated to glow a bit at night?

[wisconsin]

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.

[ismram]

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!