Are night sights actually useful?

[Somedudeontheinternet]

I'm not understanding the concept behind these things. What use is seeing the sights if you can't see the target? Why not just attach a gun light or carry a flashlight with you? Am I missing something here?

[AreWeFree]

I like night sights, they help me find my gun in the dark. That is all.

[JDay]

They're for use in low light.

[BoJackUSMC]

You can also use the search button and see some of the old useful thread as well.

Some people like it and some do not. I prefer flashlight because I like to see my enemy.

[meno377]

I'm not understanding the concept behind these things. What use is seeing the sights if you can't see the target? Why not just attach a gun light or carry a flashlight with you? Am I missing something here?

They are absolutely valuable IMO. One example: You wake up to hear a thump, then your bedroom door opens. No lights but if you have your night sights on the BG's silhouette, you have an advantage because your eyes have adjusted for the darkness.

The BG probably won't see you due to his/her eyes still adjusting. Having a flashlight like a TLR-1 will be an advantage also with the night sights.

[pterrell]

I like that they contrast targets well. That's about it.

[Somedudeontheinternet]

I like night sights, they help me find my gun in the dark. That is all.

Shouldn't your gun always be in the same place though?

[ScottsBad]

They're for use in low light.

^yes for use in low light when you can make out the target, but getting the sights aligned is tricky. They are really not useful in the dark obviously. At least not for me. A light mounted to the pistol is far better. JMHO

[Sapperforward]

Night sights are great in low light. In a low light setting you can clearly see the front and rear site when referencing a target. Now some will make the argument that they are useless in no light because you can't positively I.D. your target. But what if you live alone? Nobody should be in your home rustling around in the middle of the night, right? Do you really need to identify the person standing in your hallway making noise a 2:00 a.m.? I say no, if your in my home uninvited in the middle of the night you should know that your life may be forfeit. At that point I would be very glad that I made the minor investment in quality sights.

I'm not knocking a flashlight by any means but night sights are just a given on my carry/ HD pistols.

It all goes back to it's better to have and not need than to need and not have.

[laurelpark]

I've never had to use them, but I like having them nonetheless. Try this experiment - in an extremely low light situation, aim your gun at a target, and then turn the lights on to see what you're actually aiming at. Virtually all the time, you're going to be way off.

Flashlights are great, but I can see situations where you wouldn't want to give away your position before you shoot. A flashlight can also be a little bit dazzling when your eyes are completely adjusted to the dark.

The only thing I don't like about Tritium sights is that they release a lot of radiation. If you sleep with your gun under your pillow, you may want to switch to regular sights.

[Somedudeontheinternet]

Flashlights are great, but I can see situations where you wouldn't want to give away your position before you shoot. A flashlight can also be a little bit dazzling when your eyes are completely adjusted to the dark.

Isn't dazzling the opponent the entire point? I have a fenix pd35 right next to my xDm. Blinding any potential opponent would take them off guard.

[gorn5150]

The only thing I don't like about Tritium sights is that they release a lot of radiation. If you sleep with your gun under your pillow, you may want to switch to regular sights.

Tritium produces beta radiation. That type of radiation can't penetrate the container that is it held in. Even if you break the tritium vial the amount of beta radiation you might absorb would be insignificant.

[laurelpark]

Isn't dazzling the opponent the entire point? I have a fenix pd35 right next to my xDm. Blinding any potential opponent would take them off guard.

Good point - but what happens if there is more than one target? Also, it does take time for eyes to adjust to light - so even the shooter will be dazzled a bit, which can be a disadvantage especially if there are more than one targets out there looking to get you.

[sonofeugene]

I find them better than all black sights for daytime use. Low light they are excellent, dark they're good but your gonna want a light as well

[Untamed1972]

They're more accurately intended for "low light" conditions.....not use in total darkness. For total darkness you'd need flashlight of some kind as well.