M & P Shield - Big Dots or Truglo TFO?

[GlockJoe]

I got my Shield for CC. I'm mostly a point shooter, but will be using the weapon for classes. The stock sight is really pretty good, but I have 57 year old eyes and want to upgrade the sights. Trying to decide between the Big Dots and the Truglo TFO with contrasting colors (green up front and yellow in the reat).

1. Opinions on the 2 options?
2. Anyone have any problems with the slighly oversight M & P rear Truglo TFO sight?
3. Any other front sight options to consider?

Sure appreciate any advice on this subject. It way to expensive to experiment.

Joe

 

[1fly2ty]

Joe,
I too have eyes that are 64 years young, wear Bi Focals and would say that I would cast my vote for the TFO's since I have a set on my shield and really like them. I have no experience with the big dots so I can't say whether they are a better option. I also have a regular set of fiber optics by TruGlo on my 9 L and out doors they are great to shoot , but at our indoor range lighting is poor and they don't work as well. Good luck in your search.

 

[1bdvet]

I guess we are getting older, and our sights is not what it use to be, this is why I had three M&P changed Truglo sights.

 

[VMaxSplat]

Never used the Big Dot sights, but the Tru-Glo TFO's are absolutely off the hook. They really are amazing, night or day.

 

[BIGMAC116]

Count my vote for TFOs. They are fantastic. Super bright at night AND day. I've only used the green on green though. I do a lot of combat shooting at night with only street lights on and the TFOs rule out there. Highly recommended.

 

[OpsMgr]

I put TFOs on my Shield 9mm. Have always used Trijicon sights on my handguns but the TFOs are really easy to pick up in all light conditions - Even with my aging eyes...

 

[SWAT Lt.]

I'm going to take a hard look at the Ameriglo i-Dots. I wish they made the Hacks for the Shield.

 

[RussC]

Joe,
I too have eyes that are 64 years young, wear Bi Focals and would say that I would cast my vote for the TFO's since I have a set on my shield and really like them. I have no experience with the big dots so I can't say whether they are a better option. I also have a regular set of fiber optics by TruGlo on my 9 L and out doors they are great to shoot , but at our indoor range lighting is poor and they don't work as well. Good luck in your search.

I had installed XS Big Dot night sights on my Shield.

I wear bi focal and my aiming eye even with coke bottle thick glasses is not great.

I can't speak for the other sights but I do like the oversized white dot.

The rear sight does not illuminate but I am ok with it. In fact I prefer the low profile shallow v shape for pocket conceal.

The XS. Is quick on Target and makes a great point shooting sight but it is not as accurate as a notch and post sight. However for defensive shooting it is hard to beat.

You may want to checkout YouTube. There are a few videos on XS Big Dot I watched before I opted for the golf ball front sight.

Russ

 

[smitret]

Big dot vs. TFO

I had installed XS Big Dot night sights on my Shield.

I wear bi focal and my aiming eye even with coke bottle thick glasses is not great.

I can't speak for the other sights but I do like the oversized white dot.

The rear sight does not illuminate but I am ok with it. In fact I prefer the low profile shallow v shape for pocket conceal.

The XS. Is quick on Target and makes a great point shooting sight but it is not as accurate as a notch and post sight. However for defensive shooting it is hard to beat.

You may want to checkout YouTube. There are a few videos on XS Big Dot I watched before I opted for the golf ball front sight.

Russ

I prefer TFO's.

That said I didn't get along with the shallow V rear sight that
is used with the Big Dot.

A Big Dot front with a wide notch rear worked better for me.

Good Luck

 

[Hohopelli]

I like the BigDot's on this type pistol as well.. I like the "dot the i" sights.. Ron

 

[scattershot]

I didn't care for the Big Dots at first, but then I discovered that they aren't designed for target shooting, but self defense. They excel in that role. Just hang that dot on what you want to hit, and pull the trigger. For a strictly defensive weapon, I'd go with the Big Dots.

 

[gnystrom]

I am in the same quandary. I want the best of both worlds, a quick sight picture as well as a highly accurate shooting gun for paper targets. If you are a point shooter it probably will not make a big difference but it is fun to shoot small groups into paper at the range.

I am looking at Ameriglo's and Trijicon HD's as maybe the best of both worlds. A wider rear notch with a very bright front should do the job. Both are currently out of stock.
Trijicon HD™ Night Sights
AmeriGlo Weapon Sights | Complete Sets

 

[Hohopelli]

I'm a indoor range shooter with an occasional outdoor range session. It seems that most indoor ranges have to worst possible lighting conditions for shooting. There's not enough light for fiber optics and too much for trijicon sights. I haven't tried the combination sights, but may do that eventually. For now I shoot fiber optic front sights at the range and gold bead or now the BigDot for defense. It appears that shooting the BigDots is more in the mind than the eyes. The dot may cover the entire bullseye in the sight picture, but the mind/muscle memory, etc. will still put the holes on top of one another. Now if you plan on picking targets that are close together (i.e. both hiding under the dot) you've probably got a problem.. Cheers. Ron

 

[RussC]

I'm a indoor range shooter with an occasional outdoor range session. It seems that most indoor ranges have to worst possible lighting conditions for shooting. There's not enough light for fiber optics and too much for trijicon sights. I haven't tried the combination sights, but may do that eventually. For now I shoot fiber optic front sights at the range and gold bead or now the BigDot for defense. It appears that shooting the BigDots is more in the mind than the eyes. The dot may cover the entire bullseye in the sight picture, but the mind/muscle memory, etc. will still put the holes on top of one another. Now if you plan on picking targets that are close together (i.e. both hiding under the dot) you've probably got a problem.. Cheers. Ron

It has been my experience that the Big Dot is most effective with shots less than 15 yards. If you take long range shots I would go with a notch and post.

The oversized golf ball front sight will cover a 50ft rated Target beyond 15 yards.

I did read in the XS manual the point of contact for 25 yards (clearly not a defensive distance shot) is the top of the Big Dot and for defensive range (less than 15 yards) impact is the center of the Big Dot.

I will say if you can make a lollipop with the rear and front sight point of impact at said distances was correct for my shooting.

Russ

 

[skypilot7103]

I just installed the Big Dots and went to the range today. Really like the way the sights got on target so quick. Cheaper than dirt has them for sale at a pretty good discount. I bought my from XS cause Cheaper were out of stock at the time.

 

[eaglefrq]

I have used both the Big Dots and Ameriglo Pro i-dot sights and I think the Pro i-dot sights are much better.

The rear sight on the Big Dot doesn't illuminate, so in low light situations (indoor range) it can be a little difficult to see.

The Pro i-dots have a nice sharp illumination for low light and during brighter lights, the front sight has a white outline ring around it, so it's easy to see.

My accuracy and speed increased with the pro i-dots.

 

[BBS1]

With such a short sight radius, id opt for the big dots for the quickest possible sight acquisition you can get. These are, afterall, close range sd guns. Not target weapons. Just my useless opinion!

 

[S&WProtected]

I had the Big Dots on my Shield 9 for a while, but I noticed the rear sight was not a very tight fit. After about 150 rounds the sight came loose. I switched to the TFO's and have not looked back I really like them. They are very bright at night and daytime visibility is very good as well.

 

[mailman390]

I've got the TruGlo TFO's on my Shield 9. I also wear bifocals so the brightness of the TFO sights are awesome.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I have XS Big Dots. I, too have old eyes, I find the big dot quick to find. Which is good, as I am r handed, but left eye dominant. Not the best for punching paper though.