Light, Laser, or Night Sight?

O

OhioAAA

New member
Which is your favorite option? Why?

Personally, I like night sight the best since it keep the handgun the way it was.
I don't have to get a specialy tactical holster for the gun that way; and when I tap & rack, I don't have to worry about the light is going to drop.
 
I prefer a flashlight, but in my other hand. I'm not fond of things on my guns.

I'd consider a set of Crimson Trace grips, but they don't make them for my gun (last I checked) and are rather pricey.

I've been meaning to put some night-sights on a couple of my guns, but never got around to it yet.

For now, I'll settle for the light, but I probably would still favor it anyway, depending on the situation at hand, I guess.
 
I'm very fond of having a laser and tac light on my P99, if I have to use my other hand for something other than holding a flashlight, I can.
 
I prefer a flashlight, but in my other hand. I'm not fond of things on my guns.
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Me 2. :D

If I could only have one of all the options, I'd take the flashlight first. If I had a choice between lasers or night sights, it would be the laser.

My off duty EDC has Night Sights and Crimson Trace Laser Grips. I really like the laser. Did I say I really like the laser? I have found that the laser, if used properly, is a great "tool" to have in your Tool Box.

Did I say I really like the laser? :)

Biker
 
I vote for night sites because it just as natural as standard stock sites but much better field of view.
 
I prefer night sights simply because they work for me, do not require batteries and do not add a cumbersome addition to the handgun that creates a problem with an existing holster, belt, or draw.
 
If you are going to use a flashlight, you don't need night sights as regular sights shows fine when used with a powerful light.

And you need a flashlight to indentify your target, and even see if it is armed, or you run the risk of shooting a member of your familiy/friend or firefighter or cop.

To me night sights have a very short spam of time when they are usable, say twiglight.

A Laser grip is something else, here are my reasons why I prefer it.

I will NOT be without one.

I have a laser grip on my .45, it is my primary home defense gun, together with a Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.

After the alarm sounded...
My tactic is to get to the bedroom door and from there control the passage way and the living room, with the body protected by the frame and with only my half face exposed, one hand holding the pistol and the other hand the Borealis flashlight.

With a laser is not need to line up your face with the pistol, no tunnel vision, no exposing body parts to get into a shooting position.
If you are going to have a gunfight, this is the best way!

This, for me is the most valuable feature of the laser.

The flashlight with the 1050 lumens (two millions candlepower) will cook the eyes of an intruder.

Colt .45 with laser grips and the Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.


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Cheers

Black Bear
 
I like night sights and a good flashlight. Think of them as tools in your toolbox. There are times when one tool is better than another. Use the right tool for the job at hand.
 
My needs are strictly HD/SD. I have Crimson Trace laser grips on three of my handguns, and would not buy a handgun that CT did not make a grip for. I fire 100 rounds weekly from two of them (double action with my S&W 637 and 686+) at silhouette targets five and ten yards downrange. Since, at my age, I cannot even SEE the iron sights without my glasses, most of my practice is point shooting with the laser. I have no problem spotting the red dot, and almost all my rounds hit within the nine ring -- good enough. I don't use a flashlight, because we have night lights in all the rooms.

Cordially, Jack
 
Taking a night shooting course is the best way to answer this question.

There are two fundamentals, identify your threat (what is around it also), then be able to accurately place bullet(s).

I'm in the camp that all offensive or defensive handguns should have night sights. Most tritium night sights last 12 or so years, won't suddenly fail, and no weight or holster changes. As long as situation allows sighting, and you can shoot well (requirement regardless).

Lights and laser should be used only temporarily, and depending on your training, light to splash identifiy)shoot yes/no), move (you just told the enemy where to shoot), now use night sights or laser(on only long enough to locate target) shoot. Lights and lasers identify your position to the threat, so minimal on time is preferrable. Lets leave strobe functioning lights for a seperate discussion. Laser placed on the threat, with certian idividuals in limited cases, can be a deterrent; less so, but sometimes effective with a 60+ lumen light. Make sure your HG will function reliably with any added device, has a problem for some rail/dust cover mounted lights/lasers.

A good seperate hand held light in most practical for many since you don't always have a weapon pointed with your light source. Weapons mounted lights for most civilians are on their dedicated home defense. Some prefer the HG mounted light as a backup to the support hand operated light. How do you shoot and manage recoil; if you need two hands then think and test this option before committing to it.

Some find there is such as thing as too much light inside typical homes/apts, over a 80 or so lumens can not only temporarily blind the attacker but the defensive shooter too. Try running dry fire drills to see how this does/n't effect you. Outdoors, generally the opposite is true, provided the enviorment doesn't provide splash back light.

Like everything related to guns, it is subjective, and what is best for some may not be best for you. When possible, borrow and test before buying.
 
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If its my HD handgun then I prefer laser & Tac light on mine.
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+1

I keep a Glock Light/Laser combo on my G22 when it's on the nightstand, comes off when I CC it just b/c it's way too bulky for daily carry. I carry a Browning 210L on my belt the rest of the time. Been considering Crimson Trace grips for it, I've got a set on my S&W 642, love em.
 
I've never been a fan of lasers but then again, I've never really used them. The few that I have played with seemed too "toy like" for me and were not near bright enough for anything other then total or near total darkness. The only exception would be the CT grips. I don't personally own them (our agency does not allow them) and something else usually comes up when I do have the money available, but I would probably consider them as they don't take up any space or add any weight to the weapon and from the couple I have tried seemed bright enough to work well. I hear that green lasers are more visible during daylight hours but that depletes my knowledge of that topic.

I've always been a weapon mounted light fan even before the powers that be at our agency approved them and have one on all my duty rigs. All of our issued handguns come with night sights which I am also a big fan of. Batteries die (and usually at a bad time) and sometimes all you're left with your sights so it pays to be able to see them.

So, I guess my order of preference would be:

Night sights
Light
Another light
Laser
 
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