Most durable night sights for a carry gun?

**jcabin** · June 15th, 2009, 11:51 PM

What are the most durable, rugged, night sights on the market? That can withstand being dropped directly on the sight, and are able to be belt racked?

**TonyF** · June 16th, 2009, 12:22 AM

I wouldn't think cycling the slide on your belt would have any detrimental effect on any set of night sights.

If you're looking for a set of sights that have a profile that permits belt-assisted one handed cycling, take a look at Heinie, Warren and 10-8 sights.

If you don't like the stock night sight config, any of these without tritium inserts can have tritium implanted by tool-tech.

One thing to consider is the manner in which the ampules are embedded into the sight. Some are encased in aluminum and swaged into place (my preference) while some are epoxied. Some say that solvents and such can attack the epoxy compound.

**TinGLOCK** · June 17th, 2009, 12:17 PM

You're going to get 35 different answers, but here's mine.

Before I had a sight tool, I tried to install some AmeriGlo Pro Operators on a pistol by using a hammer (yes, a nail hammer). It wasn't working too well, so I began wailing away on the rear sights while the pistol was viced down. The only reminder I have is that the Trijicon logo is smudged and the rear sight shows a little bit of wear.

**Helter** · June 17th, 2009, 12:42 PM

I've seen XS Big Dots recommended fairly heartily. I've only used them a few times, but but I liked them quite a bit. I had no problem racking a G19 on my belt with them.

**27hand** · June 17th, 2009, 04:58 PM

I cannot speak for all brands but I have Heine's, XS and Trijicon.

I can rack all of them off my boot, Have dropped the gun with Heinies on the sights.

The Trijicons are brighter than The Heinies or the XS big dots.

All seem to be pretty durable. All have minimal sharp edges (Heinie front sight seems to have the sharpest edge).

I haven't shot with the XS very much.

27hand

**LittleRedToyota** · June 17th, 2009, 05:11 PM

meprolights fit your requirements.

you have to ask yourself another question, though...what type of sighting system to you want?

three-dots (lined up horizontally)

two-dots (lined up vertically)

dot-the-i

a v in the back

etc. etc.

(mepros are a three dot system.)

**jcabin** · June 17th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

meprolights fit your requirements.

you have to ask yourself another question, though...what type of sighting system to you want?

three-dots (lined up horizontally)

two-dots (lined up vertically)

dot-the-i

a v in the back

etc. etc.

(mepros are a three dot system.)

Well all the guns I've ever shot were only the basic 3 dot system. That and the stupid glock square back front dot. What are the advantages/disadvantages to the other styles of sighting systems?

**LittleRedToyota** · June 17th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by jcabin

Well all the guns I've ever shot were only the basic 3 dot system. That and the stupid glock square back front dot. What are the advantages/disadvantages to the other styles of sighting systems?

that is certainly a matter of opinion, but, at the risk of overgeneralizing, many will say something like...

some of the other systems might be faster to get on target...but possibly at the cost of some accuracy. however, for self-defense/combat purposes at close range, you only need so much accuracy--faster on target can be much more important.

some of the theories behind various sights i have heard are things like:

-it is faster to line up two things (be they both dots or a dot and a line or whatever) rather than three

-a three dot system requires precisely lining up the dots in both the vertical and horizontal planes--but people are much taller than they are wide and the effective COM target area is taller than it is wide. a dot-the-i or two vertical dots system takes advantage of this by allowing you to focus more on a precise horizontal alighment while not worrying so much about a precise vertical alignment when you are trying to go fast.

-the V in the back sort of guides your eye to the front sight

-the big dots are easier to see and, thus to pick up quickly, under stress

i have used sight systems other than 3 dots, but only for a few shots here and there on other people's guns, so i can't really comment on the realities of other sight systems.

i do think some of the theories make a lot of sense--and a lot of very good shooters use other than 3 dot systems. someday i will likely give them a try, but, i find myself having a hard time letting go of the 3 dot system i am used to.