How to pick the "right" sights?

[EdJG]

I thought picking a holster for my Shield would be difficult given all the various options, but I find choosing which nite sight to get to be a greater challenge!

It all boils down to not being able to see/use the sights before purchasing them. Seeing them on YouTube just doesn't do it for me and my LGS doesn't stock the ones that interest me for comparison purposes.

I wouldn't buy a gun without at least holding it and preferably firing it and I feel the same way about sights. Any suggestions on how to overcome the problem would be appreciated, or is it going to be my best guess and go with it?

TIA

 

[bigwheelzip]

Go to gun stores and start looking at different sights on any type of gun. Note the ones you like.

 

[EdJG]

Go to gun stores and start looking at different sights on any type of gun. Note the ones you like.

Thanks, I thought of that but I'm looking for aftermarket sights, not the one from the factory.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Thanks, I thought of that but I'm looking for aftermarket sights, not the one from the factory.

The Used/Consignment cases are chock full of modified guns. The Glock's seem to get the highest percentage of sight upgrades.

Don't forget pawn shops also.

I meant private gun shops, not the "big box" stores, but Cabela's has it's "library" of pre-owned firearms.

 

[Raisin]

Go to a shooting range and ask others about their sights. Most will even let you shoot their gun to try it.

 

[B0308]

Ed,

Think about your age, which for many drives vision. Which helps define your rear sight, width of the gap & maybe square or "U" shape. Then the front, narrow black or night sight or fiber.

Working through the basics might help narrow the field for you.

Good luck

 

[Neumann]

I have installed Trijicon and Meprolight tritium sights on several pistols. Trijicon sights are somewhat brighter, but smaller, with little or no white surround for daylight visibility. Meprolight sights have a wide white border around the tritium cell, which is good for daylight visibility, especially against a dark background. Both are made from steel, and are well constructed.

Trijicon makes HD sights, which have a large front border which is phosphorescent, glowing up to 10 minutes after exposure to daylight. The intent is for good visibility on entry, and fast acquisition in normal light. The border comes in various colors. The rear sights have no white border around the cells, just a pinprick opening. The slot is U-shaped to conform to the large front dot.

I don't have any HD sights, but would give them serious consideration next time. They were "unobtanium" at the time I was installing night sights.

That's for self defense carry. For target range, it's hard to beat a wide black post for a 6:00 hold, or fiber optic for combat sighting (POI).

 

[EdJG]

Ed,

Think about your age, which for many drives vision. Which helps define your rear sight, width of the gap & maybe square or "U" shape. Then the front, narrow black or night sight or fiber.

Working through the basics might help narrow the field for you.

Good luck

Thanks - my vision isn't as good as it used to be. So I'm looking for a sight that is easier for target acquisition - which I think should have a larger rear gap (I've always had 3 dot rears, but I'm open to other types) and I'd like a "bright colored" front sight. My Shield is my EDC for SD, but as with most of us is used primarily for target shooting.

I've whittled my choices down to the following:

• 1. Trijicon Heavy Duty - like the red front sight, but not the price
  2. XS Big dot - seems it's OK for distances up-to 7 yds, but obscures the target at anything greater
  3. TruGlo TFX - just wish the front sight could be had in a different color
  4. Meprolight - doesn't seem to have a model for the Shield

Seems every time I research the choices another sight gets added to the list

 

[bigwheelzip]

Since target shooting and failing eyesight are your parameters, you could try something simple first. Bright nail polish or model paint to fill in the dots. Worked wonders for me on my CZ. I used a toothpick point to apply a bright white dot of nail polish.

 

[Gaucho59]

I have Truglo TFX on a 9c and like them a lot. But for my Shield, I didn't like how long that front TFX sight was. After a good bit of research I went with the Ameriglo SW145s. I ordered them for this guy (Ameriglo 3 Dot Night Sight Set Smith & Wesson Shield) who installs them for free. You send him you slide and he reportedly does excellent work. Mine should be back soon!

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I use Ameriglo Hackathorn sights. The shield to me is a concealed carry gun. In a defensive situation, if I even use my sights, I'll only be focusing on the front sight anyways.

 

[NCW Ray]

I'll second or third or fourth the suggestion for the Ameriglo Pro i-Dot's. I have the SW-345's on my Shield and really like them. I'll eventually replace my factory night sights on my full size and compact with them too. Nice sights, the limegreen ring around the front sight is easy to see in daylight conditions. Good for my old eyes!

 

[chicagoslim]

Since target shooting and failing eyesight are your parameters, you could try something simple first. Bright nail polish or model paint to fill in the dots. Worked wonders for me on my CZ. I used a toothpick point to apply a bright white dot of nail polish.

The above, has always worked for me. I have recently switched to Blaze Orange, jig head paint. It can be found in the fishing department of most major sporting goods stores. There are several colors available, but Blaze Orange tends to work best for me, in a variety of light conditions. A toothpick works great for the application.

 

[bigwheelzip]

... Blaze Orange, jig head paint. It can be found in the fishing department of most major sporting goods stores. There are several colors available, but Blaze Orange tends to work best for me, in a variety of light conditions.

Thanks, I've got another CZ on order and will try the Blaze Orange on it. I tried similar color nail polish but was unsatisfied with the result when it dried.

 

[chicagoslim]

Thanks, I've got another CZ on order and will try the Blaze Orange on it. I tried similar color nail polish but was unsatisfied with the result when it dried.

I'm also a CZ guy. I've got a CZ75 SP01, with the sights painted orange, and a CZ75D Compact, with white sights. I'm still experimenting, to see if the white sights work better, under certain conditions. With the CZ's smaller dots, the color seems more critical than on the shield.

 

[EdJG]

The above, has always worked for me. I have recently switched to Blaze Orange, jig head paint. It can be found in the fishing department of most major sporting goods stores. There are several colors available, but Blaze Orange tends to work best for me, in a variety of light conditions. A toothpick works great for the application.

Found the Blaze Orange jig head paint - guess I'll prep the area by cleaning with alcohol, do I need to do anything else besides applying the paint, like a base coat of white, or a clear coat covering? Hope not, if I do I need to buy 3 oz. of paint for for a 3 drop job

 

[Rpg]

Thanks - my vision isn't as good as it used to be. So I'm looking for a sight that is easier for target acquisition - which I think should have a larger rear gap (I've always had 3 dot rears, but I'm open to other types) and I'd like a "bright colored" front sight. My Shield is my EDC for SD, but as with most of us is used primarily for target shooting."

I'd suggest you start by taking a file to the rear sight and open the gap. Then I'd use a bit of fingernail polish on the front sights.

You may find you don't need night sights.

At a minimum, you would learn what works for you.

 

[chicagoslim]

Found the Blaze Orange jig head paint - guess I'll prep the area by cleaning with alcohol, do I need to do anything else besides applying the paint, like a base coat of white, or a clear coat covering? Hope not, if I do I need to buy 3 oz. of paint for for a 3 drop job

I never cleaned or did clear coat, or anything. So far, it's stayed on as well or better than the factory dots. The 1 oz. bottle should be enough to last me, if I need to re-paint.

 

[EdJG]

I put the Orange Blaze Jig head paint on my front sight.

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It looks better in bright light than the front white dot, but not as good as it gets darker - will have to see if I keep it.

 

[Big Blue]

Since I bought the Performance Center Shield I find that my 60 year old diabetic eyes really appreciate the three dot fiber optic sights that came on that gun. The factory three dot night sights that came on my Vermont State Police trade-in M&P 40 are too small and hard to pick up for daytime use. If you must have night sights, I'd look for the largest dots you can find that have a good painted outlines. I have even considered XS rear post and front dot night sights(about $80 per set) for faster acquisition. I don't think they would be great for target work, but would excel at fast shooting. My bedside pistol has a light mounted on it. If I can't see the sights at arms length, I probably won't be able to identify the target very well either and at across the room distances I'll do better pointing shooting the pistol rather than aiming.