night sites or laser? - Page 3

llongshot · July 11th, 2009, 04:17 PM

I have tritium night sights on the .45 on the nightstand. They glow all night long and help access the weapon in the dark. As for lighting....the hallway leading to my bedroom [the only way in] is backlit by design. Anyone coming down the hallway is outlined all the way. I can also tell the difference between your profile and my wife's [we've been married 40 years]. I've used several types of lasers and they're great when correctly maintained. The laser is a no brainer to sight and most people react to the red dot on the chest thing in real life the same way they do in the movies. I currently do not have one on the .45.

ArmyCop · July 11th, 2009, 06:37 PM

I have both on my M&P .40 - CT Grips and Trijicon Night Sights.

Gideon · July 12th, 2009, 12:02 AM

I'm 48 and near sighted; wearing either glasses or contacts. I've never owned lasers but toyed with them a bit. I have night sights on all of my autos, however, I'm beginning to think that too often we're going about this too much like an LEO or other person who uses their weapon offensively at times and is more likely to encouter more complicted situations.

I do think that by the time the night sights are useful the whole setting is getting dangerously dark to be shooting. I understand what JD said but I also believe that there are two other problems with night sights:
1. If it's dark enough to use them then I think there's a tendency to focus too much on the glowing dots to get them lined up and on target which isn't realistic for a civiliam SD situation. I've noticed this myself a lot.
2. If you have all three dots the same color, they can get confusing and you can spend precious seconds sorting out the three dots. I believe that the different colors for front and back are a good idea.

Lasers I think could be good and I can see why they would help if it's at night, you're surprised and you pull a LCP from a pocket and fire from the hip using the laser dot to get a COM hit. People say that the LCP and other pocket guns are for badbreath range so you just point and shoot but I think you could miss from 3 feet drawing from a pocket and shooting from the hip.

At the end of the day, I think something that's better than any combination of lasers or night sights is a lot of practice with some form of practical point shooting or combination of regular sights with point shooting practice too. And then add to that using a good flashlight.

I think in most SD situations you're going to have a second or two to draw, point and shoot. So for the civilian I think defensive, reactive point shooting is good. I'm also beginning to believe the idea of shooting only one gun all the time or at least using only one platform all the time is probably a good idea.

I used to only buy guns with night sights but now I'm begining to think it's not important.

If lasers have an advantage its that they automatically get your eyes on target.

I don't think lasers can be so bad when so many LEO's and military use them, however, I think the key to clue in on is "WHY" they use them. I believe they're perfect for intentional low light offensive operations, something us civilians should never be doing.

Anyway, sorry to ramble but I think back to basics is best and although I can see the sense of dry fire training with a laser, I think you can do as much for yourself buy shooting a lot of .22's.

rhinokrk · July 12th, 2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exodus

TIA,

thanks for the head's up on the SureSights. I haven't seen them before, but they look interesting. I have seen a similiar sight on Steyr M series pistol, though the top triangle nested in the lower part of the triangle on the rear sight.

On the topic at hand - I'm hesitant to put my life in the hands of a battery. Not to mention, in a stressful situation, I don't want to be looking for a small red dot swimming on my target. Night sights or point shooting for me.

Take the sights off you're pistol for a few hundred rounds and learn how to shoot. Then ask yourself the same question.

SIXTO · July 12th, 2009, 12:57 AM

Hahaha, "the movies"... I love lasers. Great entertainment

Quote:

Originally Posted by llongshot

The laser is a no brainer to sight and most people react to the red dot on the chest thing in real life the same way they do in the movies.

narcberry · July 12th, 2009, 02:47 AM

My concern with night sights is they are basically just glow-in-the-dark sights (the dots anyway). Don't they need to "charge" in light? If they spend their time holstered or in a safe, are they going to be effective at 4am when you hear someone downstairs?

Just an ignoramus here, can someone enlighten me please?

SIXTO · July 12th, 2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narcberry

My concern with night sights is they are basically just glow-in-the-dark sights (the dots anyway). Don't they need to "charge" in light? If they spend their time holstered or in a safe, are they going to be effective at 4am when you hear someone downstairs?

Just an ignoramus here, can someone enlighten me please?

No, the sights commonly called night sights have tritium inserts that will glow 24/7/365 no matter the amount of light they receive. The life span of these sights are about 10 years +or- a few.
So, you could keep your night sight equipped pistol in your dark safe for years, and your sights would still be glowing when you pull it out.

JD · July 12th, 2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narcberry

My concern with night sights is they are basically just glow-in-the-dark sights (the dots anyway). Don't they need to "charge" in light? If they spend their time holstered or in a safe, are they going to be effective at 4am when you hear someone downstairs?

Just an ignoramus here, can someone enlighten me please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

No, the sights commonly called night sights have tritium inserts that will glow 24/7/365 no matter the amount of light they receive. The life span of these sights are about 10 years +or- a few.
So, you could keep your night sight equipped pistol in your dark safe for years, and your sights would still be glowing when you pull it out.

Correct, however there are some models that have "luminous" sights that do require the light charge, an example of this is the HK P30.

bonehead · July 12th, 2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

Correct, however there are some models that have "luminous" sights that do require the light charge, an example of this is the HK P30.

All the 'newer' HK's (non USP versions) have the painted 'luminova' sights that require a light to activate them. Terrible when the gun has been 1)sitting in the dark (i.e. a safe) or 2) in a holster where the rears may be charged but the front is completely dark.

Tritium is the way to go.

sportyrider · August 21st, 2009, 12:42 AM

i've used both and i prefer laser sites, my full attention is on target not split between sites and target. cockroaches usually only come out in low lite or dark

July 11th, 2009, 06:37 PM	#22
ArmyCop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chickasaw, AL Posts: 1,041	I have both on my M&P .40 - CT Grips and Trijicon Night Sights. __________________ Matthew 6 Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

July 12th, 2009, 02:47 AM	#26
narcberry Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: WA Posts: 30	My concern with night sights is they are basically just glow-in-the-dark sights (the dots anyway). Don't they need to "charge" in light? If they spend their time holstered or in a safe, are they going to be effective at 4am when you hear someone downstairs? Just an ignoramus here, can someone enlighten me please? __________________ Crime should be outlawed.

August 21st, 2009, 12:42 AM	#30
sportyrider Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 26	i've used both and i prefer laser sites, my full attention is on target not split between sites and target. cockroaches usually only come out in low lite or dark Last edited by sportyrider; August 21st, 2009 at 12:47 AM.. Reason: addition

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July 11th, 2009, 04:17 PM	#21
llongshot Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Deep Southern Illinois Posts: 277	I have tritium night sights on the .45 on the nightstand. They glow all night long and help access the weapon in the dark. As for lighting....the hallway leading to my bedroom [the only way in] is backlit by design. Anyone coming down the hallway is outlined all the way. I can also tell the difference between your profile and my wife's [we've been married 40 years]. I've used several types of lasers and they're great when correctly maintained. The laser is a no brainer to sight and most people react to the red dot on the chest thing in real life the same way they do in the movies. I currently do not have one on the .45.

July 12th, 2009, 12:02 AM	#23
Gideon Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,209	I'm 48 and near sighted; wearing either glasses or contacts. I've never owned lasers but toyed with them a bit. I have night sights on all of my autos, however, I'm beginning to think that too often we're going about this too much like an LEO or other person who uses their weapon offensively at times and is more likely to encouter more complicted situations. I do think that by the time the night sights are useful the whole setting is getting dangerously dark to be shooting. I understand what JD said but I also believe that there are two other problems with night sights: 1. If it's dark enough to use them then I think there's a tendency to focus too much on the glowing dots to get them lined up and on target which isn't realistic for a civiliam SD situation. I've noticed this myself a lot. 2. If you have all three dots the same color, they can get confusing and you can spend precious seconds sorting out the three dots. I believe that the different colors for front and back are a good idea. Lasers I think could be good and I can see why they would help if it's at night, you're surprised and you pull a LCP from a pocket and fire from the hip using the laser dot to get a COM hit. People say that the LCP and other pocket guns are for badbreath range so you just point and shoot but I think you could miss from 3 feet drawing from a pocket and shooting from the hip. At the end of the day, I think something that's better than any combination of lasers or night sights is a lot of practice with some form of practical point shooting or combination of regular sights with point shooting practice too. And then add to that using a good flashlight. I think in most SD situations you're going to have a second or two to draw, point and shoot. So for the civilian I think defensive, reactive point shooting is good. I'm also beginning to believe the idea of shooting only one gun all the time or at least using only one platform all the time is probably a good idea. I used to only buy guns with night sights but now I'm begining to think it's not important. If lasers have an advantage its that they automatically get your eyes on target. I don't think lasers can be so bad when so many LEO's and military use them, however, I think the key to clue in on is "WHY" they use them. I believe they're perfect for intentional low light offensive operations, something us civilians should never be doing. Anyway, sorry to ramble but I think back to basics is best and although I can see the sense of dry fire training with a laser, I think you can do as much for yourself buy shooting a lot of .22's.