Fiber optic sights
- Thread starter JimL
- Start date
They will "always" be brighter than ambient, and I would describe the point at which they become too dim to see as "surprising". They are much more effective outdoors than indoors. That is, the same levels of sunlight and artificial light result in differing levels of sight illumination. The fiber optic is still glowing when the light levels are still too high to see tritium night sights, and when the latter become effective the fiber has dimmed to invisibility. I'd say there is a point where neither is going to really be of much help; too dark for FO, and still too light for tritium.
A friend of mine just had fiber optic sights installed on his P99. I was there when he had them installed. Inside the building they were installed, the light kinda sucked. And those red dots looked like LEDs when I picked up the pistol and sighted it
I shot that pistol on Wednesday. And the sights really jumped out at you. Even in full daylight they will. I was mighty impressed with low light performance on those sights
In darkness, glowing night sights should be great, while the fiber optic ones are worthless. But how do I identify my target in that environment? I sure am not shooting at a target that I can't ID
I shot that pistol on Wednesday. And the sights really jumped out at you. Even in full daylight they will. I was mighty impressed with low light performance on those sights
In darkness, glowing night sights should be great, while the fiber optic ones are worthless. But how do I identify my target in that environment? I sure am not shooting at a target that I can't ID
TriumphGuy
New member
I have a set on my 1911. As mentioned, they jump out like nothing else. Not any better than standard irons in very low light, but far better than tritiums in other conditions.
They work!
I 'd been wanting to try fiber-optic sights since they came out, but decided to wait for a suitable handgun that included them as standard equipment before buying. Figured that if a manufacturer endorsed them, they'd be OK.
I finally decided on this one, a Smith & Wesson 351PD.
I can vouch for the fact that they really "jump out" at you! Very easy to see when you're trying to make fast shots by indexing the front sight only---even in an indoor range lighted to simulate an underground parking area.
As to durability issues, only time (and a lot of ammo) will tell. The setup appears to be pretty robust on this particular S&W snubbie, though.
Cheers!
I 'd been wanting to try fiber-optic sights since they came out, but decided to wait for a suitable handgun that included them as standard equipment before buying. Figured that if a manufacturer endorsed them, they'd be OK.
I finally decided on this one, a Smith & Wesson 351PD.
I can vouch for the fact that they really "jump out" at you! Very easy to see when you're trying to make fast shots by indexing the front sight only---even in an indoor range lighted to simulate an underground parking area.
As to durability issues, only time (and a lot of ammo) will tell. The setup appears to be pretty robust on this particular S&W snubbie, though.
Cheers!
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I have a fiber optic site on my Stock 10mm. It's great for daylight, or even even dim daylight. Also, the site I use on my bow has excelent fiber-optics. The length of the fiber-tube determines how bright the dot will be. More tube-more light captured and focussed into the fiber end. However, I still prefer a good set of night sights which are good for daylight, dawn/dusk and nightime.
I've shot with tritium night sights before, and they are completely ineffective, that is, offering no improvement in sight acquisition or visibility, in daylight, or at dawn/dusk unless it is quite dark. Fiber-optics do require ambient light to function, but they function to some extent whenever there is light available, while night sights really work only when no light is available. I don't know the brand, but there is a sight that is a fiber-optic illuminated by tritium, and that should be the best of both worlds, as it should be visible all the time regardless of ambient light.
riggins_83
New member
I use a fiber optic front bead on my bird shotgun. It's great if you're taking a shot into the sun.
azredhawk44
Moderator
I love fiberoptic sights. They don't work at all once it's actually night, but in dusk/dawn light that front sight just POPs out at you!
Madcap_Magician
New member
The fiberoptic ones lit by tritium lamps are Truglo TFOs.
I would like fiberoptic sights better if they would stay attached more reliably.
I would like fiberoptic sights better if they would stay attached more reliably.
In bright light, the tritium sghts are just as effective as any other sights....which is all I really want out of my sights. I can see just fine and I want my target being my primary focal point, not my sights. The tritium sights are the only ones that work in low light / no light situations. The fiber optic sights are the ones that are truly useless in such situations.
If you are doing competitive shooting, I can see the reason to have fiber optic. But, for a defensive gun, the tritium sights are, IMHO, the best all around sights. They are also much lower profile than the fiber optic sights.
JimL, what I know is this:
I've had to check my house for a possible intruder several times over the last 20 years or so. I recall doing this once with my S&W 659 which had no night sights, and recall being alarmed by how difficult it was to actually aim. I've done this several times with my Glock which has tritium sights and I'm much more confident with it as I know exactly what I'm aiming at. My house and surroundings are not pitch black and I can see fairly well at night. I can't even imagine having a HD handgun without night sights.
I've had to check my house for a possible intruder several times over the last 20 years or so. I recall doing this once with my S&W 659 which had no night sights, and recall being alarmed by how difficult it was to actually aim. I've done this several times with my Glock which has tritium sights and I'm much more confident with it as I know exactly what I'm aiming at. My house and surroundings are not pitch black and I can see fairly well at night. I can't even imagine having a HD handgun without night sights.
Exactly. You need a light to ID the target in the dark, anyway. Tritium sights are great for shooting in the dark - and I do admit that they are so effective it's almost cheating - but in a self-defense situation you shouldn't be shooting at something that hasn't been positively ID'd as a threat, and tritium is of no help on that score.