Logic against night sights on pistols

[VMI-MO]

I heard this arguement and it really got me thinking and I wanted to open this thought process up to all of you.

1)Some people shoot better with straight black sights (ex. traditional warren sights). They find it easier to align, and for some, faster. I can speak first hand that I am better with a set of solid black sights, than I am with sights with dots.

2)In order to shoot someone in a self defense scenario you must have positive identification (PID) that they are there to do you grave bodily injury/death.

3)PID comes from being able to see them. Meaning there is enough ambient light on the target, or you are projecting light onto the target.

4) With either of the above lighting scenarios, enough light is present to see your sights, or outline of your sights.


So why have glowing dots if they hinder you?

Do dots help you to see your sights faster? I for one know what my sight picture will look like when I am at full extension.

I am not trying to start a pissing match. I just wanted to open this up as to make sure that I am not going full retard on the issue.

PJ

[C4IGrant]

I heard this arguement and it really got me thinking and I wanted to open this thought process up to all of you.

1)Some people shoot better with straight black sights (ex. traditional warren sights). They find it easier to align, and for some, faster. I can speak first hand that I am better with a set of solid black sights, than I am with sights with dots.

Some might. Combat accuracy and speed is just fine though. I shoot Warren and Heinie Night Sights without any issues and no loss of speed or accuracy.

2)In order to shoot someone in a self defense scenario you must have positive identification (PID) that they are there to do you grave bodily injury/death.

Correct. This has nothing to do with night sights though.

3)PID comes from being able to see them. Meaning there is enough ambient light on the target, or you are projecting light onto the target.

Correct, you must see them. The ambient light can be created with a flashlight and no this is not generally enough light to clearly see your sights.

4) With either of the above lighting scenarios, enough light is present to see your sights, or outline of your sights.

Depends on the position of the light. If the light is FORWARD or level with your sights, your not going to have enough light.

So why have glowing dots if they hinder you?

They do not hinder you.

Do dots help you to see your sights faster? I for one know what my sight picture will look like when I am at full extension.

I am not trying to start a pissing match. I just wanted to open this up as to make sure that I am not going full retard on the issue.

PJ

In some cases they do. For instance, the Ameriglo Pro Glo's have a bright orange circle with a tritium dot in the center. This gives you a nice, bright circle to follow in daylight and a bright green dot at night.


C4

[Noodle]

I can't see how night sights could be a hindrance in any way. You may not always need them. But if you do...........

[VMI-MO]

I can't see how night sights could be a hindrance in any way. You may not always need them. But if you do...........

That during the day, dots screw some people up.


PJ

[sammage]

In the low light shooting I have done, night sights were anything but a hindrance.

[Alric]

Its been a while since I shot at night, but I recall it being easier to deliver faster, more accurate shots with night sights than without. I believe they will also be more visible in varying types and positions of light than normal sights.

I personally have not noticed an appreciable difference in my shooting performance in daylight using normal sights versus night sights.

[C4IGrant]

That during the day, dots screw some people up.


PJ

If they are using the three dot system, they should not be looking at the dots. They should be aligning the front sight level with the rear sight.


C4

[Palmguy]

That during the day, dots screw some people up.


PJ

Many night sights available now have the option to not have the white outline around the dots...Ameriglo is the manufacturer I am most familiar with that has this option.

[KevinB]

Front sight luminous - yes.

Even is daylight, a target either dark or light will contract with a tritum front sight, as the white around it will contracts to the darker tritium vial in a light background, and with a dark background the white right or even the tritium vial will be discernable.

Add in leaving your light on is a good way to take rounds, so one you illuminate the target, light goes off, you move laterally to the threat and engage if necessary.

Lights that are off, are not a good help for lighting your sights...

Ken Hackathorn shows good enough reasons not to have tritium rear sights as they nothing good and a lot bad.

[VMI-MO]

Just to make it known. This was a discussion I was part of and wanted to open it up here.

On a square range where you can barely see your target, and you have night sights you will get faster and more accurate hits, because you can see your sights.

However, on the square range is there enough ambient light to truely make out all that much detail on your target?

In real life, would you still engage? Sure I can see my sights, but can you see whats in your targets hands?


PJ