Just bought my first pistol, m&p 40c. I'm trying to decide what kind of sights to put on it in case I had use it in the dark. What would u recommend and why?

I put some Trijicon night sights on my 40C. They do help
in low light situations. Check out their site.

first off, welcome to the forum.

lot's of choices out there, but here's what i did.

for late nite zombie home invasion work, my bed-side M&P .45 is equipped with a rail mounted light (Insight M3X) and XS Big Dot tritium sights.

my eyesight is not as good as it used to be and i'm liking me some Big Dots, along with some Gold Dots

i put Big Dots on my shield 40 carry piece too.

P.S. remember with zombies......aim for the head, nothing else will stop them.

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NRA life member

I agree with timn8er. I have night sights on my MP9 and they work.

It fits the M&P 40c...has both a 110 lumen light and red laser. Its a pretty good setup and is quite easy to put on and off. I picked mine up for $130. A good quality product.
I'm not big on the laser, but I'm right on the dot when I do use it, and I really like that. The light is easily clean and bright out to 30 yards. I like that too.

Defensive handguns should some type of night sights.

Night sights are nice in that they aren't visible from the front (at least mine aren't)

I have read that lasers can be intimidating when aimed at you.

Lights can help you see, but it can also give someone a target. If it's attached to the gun and they are a good shot there could be a problem.

That being said, I have a laser on one of mine and night sights on another.

A good quality, high lumen light in your intruder's face will temporarily blind him / her. A follow-up laser on his / her chest or face will give you the edge that you need. The reason that I am not much on night sights is that your face has to be lined up with the sights, however, you can use a light/laser from any position. I own a GLOCK 19 with a GTL 22, GlOCK Tactical Light/Laser, and am very satisfied with it. The only time that it isn't by my bed is when it goes with me on vacation. It is the only semi-auto that I own, all the rest are S&W revolvers. My 2 cents worth.
DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

I like night sights, there are comforting when I look at them on the nightstand. If you are going to fight/survive at night you need to see your target and your sights! I just put some tru-glo ( tritium/fiber optic ) sights on SD40VE's for 2 friends, very nice. As was said earlier a bright light at least 100 lumen ( more is better ) will temporarily blind an attacker allowing you to move, flee, shoot as the situation determines. Night sights because it is difficult to hold your light so that you can see your target and sights. Handheld light ( my preference- I have been doing it that way for 35 yrs ) some of the newer handgun lights with off/on pressure switch are nice, CT is doing lights and lasers that mount under the barrel on trigger guard, they are natural to use. I have laser max that replaced the guide rod in my sigma, expensive, forced me to move my hand/finger to activate it and worse trying to turn it off. Start with nights sights and a 100+ lumen light and you will be well prepared. You can always play with the toys later, since I do not know how many high/drunk/psychotic attackers will notice my laser. I will agree that an IR laser, night vision, subsonic loads, a can and an accurate rifle could be helpful in some situation. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Streamlight. Laser & light. You can use laser,light or both. The light is so bright,the BG won't be able to see you from being blinded.

Chrimson trace light and TRUGlow TFO night sights. They're blind and your not. Win win

Synergy-I535

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S&W SD9 VE

On my 9C I have a crimson trace laser in the grips, a S&W 90 lumen light on the Picatinny rail, TRUglow tfo night sights and a 17 rd mag with an x-grip. The sights glow in the dark without having to be "charged" and the fiber optics make them easier to see in daylight. All in all its a nice "full dress" package.
This is my HD weapon I keep in the bedroom. I keep a 9mm Shield on my hip when Im up in the house.

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I have fooled with a light (Harries technique), laser, and night sights. I like a hand-held light, the more lumens the better. I view the others as crutches with limitations.

Which reminds me--I need to get out and practice.

I would just add XS big dot tritium sights and spend the rest of your money on ammo to practice with.

You can always add laser later, I don't agree with a weapon mounted light, but laser doesn't replace good sights and lots of practice. Sights and practice first, laser later, and keep a small flashlight in your pocket as you wont be able to pull your gun out while fumbling with keys at a darkened front door.

First let me state that I do not work for any gun or accessory company. I get no benefits from my opinions other than responses that help me learn and I'm endorsed by no one for anything so any comments I make are because I'm honest and somewhat opinionated. Please don't take anything personal if my thoughts oppose yours. I just want to do what's right and offer some considerations that could possibly help someone survive a horrible encounter.

I stopped by Novak's last year to get some night sights for a 1911 since they're located somewhat near me (they're great people by the way). Apparently, they rarely get locals so I got to have a great conversation with the guy working the counter who has a TON of experience in this department. Unfortunately, I forgot his name (one of my biggest flaws) but he was such a great guy to talk with. He's been involved with accessory designing, product testing for top brands, and a good amount of field experience. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get this thought-provoking insight from a guy who's stood in the line of fire and convinced CEO's to eliminate product design flaws he found for them even with their top engineers in the same room arguing otherwise (he told me a really cool story about one-handed slide racking against riot shields).His stance is that for home defense, night sights and a quality weapon light are the most important purchases that you can make.

Here is his reasoning. Night sights not only allow you to identify where your bullets will end up in almost every lighting situation, but they also allow you to identify where your gun is located in a pitch-black bedroom. However, night sights alone aren't enough because when you flip on a light switch on to identify the intruder and validate them as a threat, you given them an even playing field since he can see you too. A high-lumen light will not make you a target because 200-500 lumens in the face will make you see spots for a long time even after turning it off. It only takes a quick flash and the intruder will only be able to rely on peripheral vision for the remainder of the engagement. Stand across the room and try it with a mirror if you don't believe me. Also, in a close quarters engagement that beam will be between the size of a cantaloupe and watermelon so if the light in on the intruder's chest, the bullets will reach their destination. In a sense, you have a blinding light and a laser all in one for HD. You can't rely on a handheld light for that. Those who have trained with a handheld light can attest that it's much more difficult and it ties up your other hand which would be used to steady the gun, control recoil, and miscellaneous things like turning door handles, awaking loved ones, and hand-to-hand engagement if the need arises. A laser will not blind them and it will put a bright dot under your gun which he will be able to see. So, congrats you just gave the criminal his own laser/target indicator. In addition, when people frequently use a laser they can become dependent on it. In turn, they naturally abandon proper shooting mechanics causing multiple missed shots (i.e. shoot from the hip) and have a tendency to overcompensate for their missed shots. For example, you pull your gun and while using the laser as your aiming tool, you shoot from the hip but your adrenaline causes your shaky one-handed shot to hit too low. Your natural reaction causes you to pull the gun up but since you're not aiming down the sights as you do when training/practicing and your adrenaline has taken over, your wrist jerks the front of the gun up and now your second shot hits above him. It may be just a second or two before you can split the difference but seconds can mean life or death in a close quarters gun fights. Since the intruder is not debilitated by a blinding light, he has the ability to fire back and your momentary upper hand has been wasted. There's also the issue of batteries dying and a laser-dependent shooter will find themselves in a serious "uh oh" situation.

He thoroughly tested a multiplicity of weapon lights and he recommended Surefire, specifically X300 (the Ultra hadn't been created yet). I asked about Streamlight and he said they were just so-so and had broken on him before. Why skimp on something you intend to use to save the lives of you and your family? $300 is a lot of money for me but I spent more than that on my wife's Christmas presents and I can handle her complaints about the cost. However, if I failed to defend her life and I lived through it, every day would be a struggle since I would always know I could've prepared more. I bought the X300 that day and obviously a set of Novak's night sights on the spot. I'm getting the X300 Ultra as a belated Christmas gift (to myself since my wife bought me clothes). We got married this year and she bought me a Colt LE6920-FDE as a wedding present so there's no way I'm letting her get away from me. Talk about a keeper!


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I forgot to address what some people call light ricochet. The idea is that too many lumens against white/lighter colored walls and around corners causes you to have difficulty seeing after awaking from a deep slumber. My school of thought says if I'm having trouble seeing and I'm behind the light, the guy I'm pointing it at must feel like Ray Charles. In addition, that muzzle flash is much brighter than most people realize so if it's dark, your first shot better be a darn good one cuz you'll have trouble tracking him with your sights/laser after that.


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Last one. Here's my night stand defense tool:

M&P 45c
Apex DCAEK and AEK trigger
Trijicon HD night sights
Full size 10 rd mag with x-grips and a dab of epoxy
Surefire X300 (soon to be X300 Ultra) with DG switch
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr.

It doesn't get any better than this IMHO.



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