Night Sights for my MC Operator

[Kmai24]

I have to be honest..I too fell for the oohs and aahhs of night sights when I first got into shooting. I guess it was a "tacticool" feature. I then asked myself, "how often will I be shooting in pitch black scenario and why would I shoot at something I can't even see?" Yes it may help in low light shooting but not much better than black rear with a painted white or fluorescent (or even fiber optics) front. I've spent a lot of monies on after markets sights trying to see what works best for me and in the end I stuck with the factory sights but plasti dip my rear black and painted the front a bright color (only did that on my plastic guns). On my 1911's I'm slowly switching over to warren tact with f/o fronts. But if you're looking for target sights then you may opt for a different set up.

[paulienkeo]

It's just the front that's bothering me.

[XDJYo]

Just to replace the night sights, I would go with SA. They will take care of you.

If you're looking for options, my favorite combination of sights are a fiber optic front and a blacked out rear sight.

In normal outdoor or bright conditions, the front glows very nicely and it is very easy to get a good focus on the front sight. Easy to put the front in between the rears. In dim conditions or when the target is lit up and you're in the dark (night time with your light on the subject), the silhouette of the sights still work. No distraction of three dots. You'll still get a bit of red from the FO.

My preference for FO is Dawson Precision. Small FO rod which makes it easy to focus on. Sounds backwards, but it really helps. I had the stock FO on my Les Baer which was about twice as big, but turned out to be a giant blob.

Hope you find something you like and works for you. The MC Operator is an excellent pistol.


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

[trigger945]

Gold bead front with all black Harrison U-notch rear is where my vote goes. No fibers to replace and easy to pick up when shooting.

Good luck!

[SSOUNN]

Yeah. I've decided it's going back to SA..

[XDJYo]

Yeah. I've decided it's going back to SA..

You won't be disappointed.


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

[Libertarian71]

And XS Big Dots are not very good. If you look around, no special units, high level competition shooters or well-known firearms trainers use them, except for James Yeager, which isn't exactly a good thing.

I always respect your opinion and insights, but cannot agree with this. To be sure, the gun forums are replete with anti-Big Dot invective. But I like the XS Big Dot because of the fast sight acquisition and because the rear sight does not obscure any part of the front sight, as can the left and right notches on a traditional rear sight. They are also plenty enough accurate for me, too, within about 25 yards. (I also like the Ameriglo IDot Pro.) Three dots are a clutter. (I agree with you that a fiber optic front and all black rear is a good option, too, at least for my eyes.)

Not sure, though, the relevance of "well known" firearms trainers not using them. Who cares? Most of the "well known" trainers have their own (or their friends') wares they are hawking. Agree that Yeager is generally goofy, but that does not mean that all of his opinions are always wrong. Anyway, sights, at bottom, are a personal preference.

And you should use a weapon mounted or handheld light when employing a pistol in darkness.

Maybe, but not necessarily, particularly if you are responding to a threat at night in your own home. You know the layout of your home better than an intruder, and you have the advantage of being able to hide. A flashlight eliminates those advantages, and gives an intruder a center mass target to shoot at, a target that he may spot before you flash your light on him.

Agree, though, that having a light is a good option, particularly a handheld light. If using a rail light, you are pointing a loaded gun at everything you look at. And that may be a family member, friend, or pet. Better to couple your pistol with a handheld light for searching. (Rails on a 1911 are sacrilegious, anyway.)

[Libertarian71]

If there was a set of golf clubs like no other on the market, but no PGA players used them, that would be a big clue to us about their efficacy. If we're being honest with ourselves, the fact that virtually nobody who is known for shooting good (competitors or SOF) uses them should be a red flag. The last two guys I shot with who had Big Dots struggled on small targets at speed.

I shoot well with mine. And the nice thing about the XS sights is if the Big Dot does not work, they also have a Standard Dot. But arguing over sights is like arguing over religion, or whether vanilla ice cream tastes better than chocolate. If it works for you, it works for you. I have tried many different sights. XS Big Dot works best for me, along with Ameriglo I-Dot Pro.

There is really no way of knowing how many pistol defense instructors use or recommend XS sights. Of the "well known" ones, some do (Andy Stanford!, Yeager, and Ayoob, who thinks they are a worthy option), many do not. Of those that do not, we know that they tend to sell or endorse their own brands (e.g., Pincus, Spaulding, Lamb), or recommend their friends' brands (e.g., Vickers, Hackathorn).

The responsibility of a gun owner is being sure of our target and what's beyond it. This carries risks like you outlined, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Proper low light/no light training helps mitigate the issues with using light in a defensive scenario.

Given the incidents you listed, I think you would agree, then, that a hand-held flashlight is a better idea than a rail light, at least for the average homeowner.

[Libertarian71]

I have a Surefire Z2x on my nightstand for my non-railed Les Baer;-)

You are a class act, Sir!

[m98]

Yeah. I've decided it's going back to SA..

Good choice ssoun. I personally like the trijicons that comes on mc operators. My operator will keep wearing those nitesites.

[_TomT_]

SA does great customwork as well...

[stormvet]

Yeah. I've decided it's going back to SA..

If they are free that's a no brainier. The stock Sprngfield sights are not bad, a little too tight. Good for bullseye, not so good for run and gun. I have them on my TRP and MC Op, not my favorites but no need to change them.

My favorite sights are the Wilson Battle sights, don't know if they make them for Springfields.

[hbogart]

If it has Novak sights on it now, you could send it to Novak - www.novaksights.com

They have fixed and adjustable night sights. (If you go from fixed to adjustable, they will probably have to mill the slide for the rear sight and replace the front sight with a taller one.)

I sent a Colt XSE in to have the sights replaced with an adjustable set last month, and they turned it around in about 2 weeks. My only issue is the sight has a screw to adjust elevation, but not windage. There is a set screw to loosen to adjust windage with a sight pusher or mallet. I have not shot it since, so not sure if it is on or not.

[SSOUNN]

SA does great customwork as well...

Yeah.. Unfortunately I've been trying to get in touch with the Custom Shop for a little over 2 months now, Left a couple messages.. No luck lol

[XDJYo]

Yeah.. Unfortunately I've been trying to get in touch with the Custom Shop for a little over 2 months now, Left a couple messages.. No luck lol

Really? That's weird. Whenever I call Springfield, I always get a live person right away.


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space