OK - so even an old geezer like me can see the front sight on my new Mod 19, PC CC - but, for the life of me I can’t find the rear blade in near dark conditions. Either I’m expecting too much from 79 year old eyes or I need a rear blade with tritium inserts. Any advice?

Meprolight rear sight tritium k frame smith
Not sure if the link is working so type this into amazon search

So, the tritium rear blades are available, but why does it appear that the norm is to simply use a tritium front sight with a standard blade rear? Like I said, I’m new to night sights and I’m simply trying to understand the logic.

If you can't see the rear blade, you probably can't see the target . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I had already come to that conclusion. So, in reality the night sights primarily help in “low light” conditions? Wouldn’t white dots on the rear blade be effective down to the same light level? The tritium front blade seems to be handicapped to the degree that a white dot would be almost as effective?

I've never known night sights to do anything but help drive the economy . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Your focus should be on the front sight. The ideal of night sights is not to illuminate your weapon, but to make it easier to find and focus on your front sight. If there is enough light to see the target, then you should be able to see the outline of your rear sight.
Illuminating the rear sight would be counterproductive to the process, drawing your focus away from the front sight

I replaced both front and rear sites with night sights. I like to be able to line up the dots. Night sights don't illuminate the entire gun , they are only dots.

My vision is 20/20 with glasses, but my night vision is probably about typical for a senior citizen - i.e., somewhat reduced. For home defense, would lazer grips make sense?

A good flashlight makes the most sense . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Having shot a fair amount in low to no light situations (mostly at Ft. Benning, where moonless nights can be VERY dark!) I've found the three dot night sights very effective! Far better than the single dot or especially trying to hold both the revolver and a light.
It's quick, simple, reliable, with no tell-tale illumination coming from you, and very accurate in conditions that you wouldn't think possible, up to the point where it's so dark you are not able to tell friend from foe, which is where the "knowing your limitations" factor comes in.

I prefer a mounted flashlight but if you go that route you're going to need a custom holster if you want to carry it.

I'm not really sold on a mounted flashlight yet. Mounted is a dead giveaway to the assailant where the shooter is. Other thoughts on this?

it also means that to see something, you are pointing a loaded gun at whatever or whoever. {Friend maybe}

Cops seem to like them . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I routinely appreciate your sage thoughts.

I must add here, though, the triple tritium sites on my 640 Pro make it easy to acquire on the nightstand in a pitch dark room.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I practice in a variety of situations. It can be hard to pick up the sights staring at a huge black target, in a heavily shadowed environment, or at dusk.
Like all the cR@p we add to our guns, Nice to have but not absolutely necessary.

I know a lot of people like them, but I always had a problem with pointing a loaded gun at someone to identify a target.

But it's helpful if you have to shoot them right after identifying them . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

There is more than one WML on the market with over 800 lumens. That is MORE than enough to light up a whole room, even with it aimed at the floor, a wall, or the ceiling.

All of my semi autos and all but one AR wears some form of mounted light.

I can only see night sights useful when standing in the dark and the object you are aiming at is in light .. or in low light conditions You would be able to see the sights to aim in those instances ..

But if both you and your target is in the dark will you be able to even see it (target) ??

There are light levels between "I can see my regular sights easily" and "I can't see anything" where a 3-dot night sight setup will give quick and reliable aiming. I have also found that there are light levels where you can still see your regular sights, but it's a lot easier with the glowing dots. It's a seamless continuum - in brighter light you don't see the glowing dots at all or they're just barely visible, and as the light level dims the dots become more prominent until it's dark enough that it's all you can see of the sights. No adjustment needed, it just happens.

I don't have any night sights on my J frame carry guns but several of my small autos have 'em. If I could afford a J frame with 'em I'd have one.