night sights: a waste of money
- Thread starter omega
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Read the last sentence of SigAlert's post.
Night sights are not a cheap affectation, nor are laser sights. Used in the right way, both can be devastatingly effective. But, they have to be used correctly.
Night sights are not for precision shooting. neither are laser sights. So, what are they good for?
They are to assist you in getting a shot on target REALLY fast. Not during competition, either--but to help you align the sights of your gun, when you might be off balance, stumbling or already on your back or side; when your fine motor control is destroyed by fear and apprehension.
These sighting aids are for those final, critical moments when your life hangs in the balance; when all that stands between you and death is a good handgun in your fist.
Lots of people talk about this stance, that stance, this method, that method. Horse cookies.
Unless you have trained--REALLY trained--in reacting to a deadly threat; or unless you have seen the elephant and held that tail or trunk (those who have been there will know what I'm saying), it is a proven, irrevocable fact that when presented with a deadly threat the average joe WILL:
1. Square off in a boxer's stance, or a close approximation.
2. Get your non-firing hand up in a reflex to ward off the threat, and:
3. Punch your pistol out toward the target in a ONE HANDED hold, pulling the trigger several times.
It will probably be at close range. And believe it or not, when you are stressed or frightened, when that "crisis cocktail" of adrenaline is running full tilt through your system, it is ENTIRELY possible to completely miss your target--at almost point blank range.
When used properly, night sights or lasers allow you to use your gross motor coordination to your advantage. When you train properly--using that reflex action of your body to properly orient or address the threat; when you have engrained the proper grasp of your handgun into your muscle memory--the sights or laser allow you to have a fast visual reference to at least orient your handgun toward your target, and thus give you an edge to possibly save your life.
Wanna train, prepare, and have some fun? Try going with the flow...at the range, set your target at seven yards. Face the target in a natural stance, nothing set in stone; loose, flexible and comfortable.
Now, concentrate on the basics: grip the handgun high on the stocks to get that barrel close to the centerline of your arm; alignment of the handgun in a perfect line with your arm. LOOK at the target, NOT THE GUN. Smoothly, draw your weapon, bringing the gun STRAIGHT to bear on the target. As soon as the gun enters your line of sight, roll that trigger straight back, and watch the holes magically appear in the target.
Be safe. Smooth equals speed; do it RIGHT. Don't try for speed; it will come naturally.
If you can shoot in low light, your night sights will present the physical reference to get your weapon lined up on the center of mass for the initial response. If you use the laser, you must train to use that laser as a pointer--put that dot on the center of mass and roll that trigger!
Oh, yes--do this with ONE hand, NOT two.
Be safe, folks!
Night sights are not a cheap affectation, nor are laser sights. Used in the right way, both can be devastatingly effective. But, they have to be used correctly.
Night sights are not for precision shooting. neither are laser sights. So, what are they good for?
They are to assist you in getting a shot on target REALLY fast. Not during competition, either--but to help you align the sights of your gun, when you might be off balance, stumbling or already on your back or side; when your fine motor control is destroyed by fear and apprehension.
These sighting aids are for those final, critical moments when your life hangs in the balance; when all that stands between you and death is a good handgun in your fist.
Lots of people talk about this stance, that stance, this method, that method. Horse cookies.
Unless you have trained--REALLY trained--in reacting to a deadly threat; or unless you have seen the elephant and held that tail or trunk (those who have been there will know what I'm saying), it is a proven, irrevocable fact that when presented with a deadly threat the average joe WILL:
1. Square off in a boxer's stance, or a close approximation.
2. Get your non-firing hand up in a reflex to ward off the threat, and:
3. Punch your pistol out toward the target in a ONE HANDED hold, pulling the trigger several times.
It will probably be at close range. And believe it or not, when you are stressed or frightened, when that "crisis cocktail" of adrenaline is running full tilt through your system, it is ENTIRELY possible to completely miss your target--at almost point blank range.
When used properly, night sights or lasers allow you to use your gross motor coordination to your advantage. When you train properly--using that reflex action of your body to properly orient or address the threat; when you have engrained the proper grasp of your handgun into your muscle memory--the sights or laser allow you to have a fast visual reference to at least orient your handgun toward your target, and thus give you an edge to possibly save your life.
Wanna train, prepare, and have some fun? Try going with the flow...at the range, set your target at seven yards. Face the target in a natural stance, nothing set in stone; loose, flexible and comfortable.
Now, concentrate on the basics: grip the handgun high on the stocks to get that barrel close to the centerline of your arm; alignment of the handgun in a perfect line with your arm. LOOK at the target, NOT THE GUN. Smoothly, draw your weapon, bringing the gun STRAIGHT to bear on the target. As soon as the gun enters your line of sight, roll that trigger straight back, and watch the holes magically appear in the target.
Be safe. Smooth equals speed; do it RIGHT. Don't try for speed; it will come naturally.
If you can shoot in low light, your night sights will present the physical reference to get your weapon lined up on the center of mass for the initial response. If you use the laser, you must train to use that laser as a pointer--put that dot on the center of mass and roll that trigger!
Oh, yes--do this with ONE hand, NOT two.
Be safe, folks!
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Oh, and the reference to the .222 Bee might be a reference to the .218 Bee; a dandy little pest cartridge. Kinda misleading--the references in your load manuals to .218, .222, .223, or .224 all use the same bullet. Yes, there is a .20 caliber (.204). The .218 is much older.
When you start a post with a provocative assertion (you have to be an "assassin" to benefit from night sights), you can pretty much assume you're going to get some provocative responses-at least, on this forum you will and deservedly so. Other than the initial cost of them (admittedly a caveat of some import), I don't see any downside to having sights you can actually see in the dark. What possible use do sights have if you can't see them in low visibility situations when you are most likely to need them?
I have night sights on two of my pistols and if I had the money (see above caveat
), I'd have them on any handgun I own that might be called on to be used for self-defense. Just my opinion-I tend to dabble a lot too...
riggins_83
New member
Very nicely said and probably kept cooler than I'm often capable of.
A self defense shooting is more likely to occur at night or evening than during the day. Thugs and robbers prefer the cover of darkness.. I guess it's more fun to rob when it's harder to be seen. Based on that night sights make finding your target much easier. There are night sights out there I don't like, too bright, etc.
I agree a person should know and be capable of shooting at close range without having to take a cautious sight picture. However do you want to trust your life on that? Let's say a stray dog is charging you in late evening (as happened to me here and a LEO as well a few months later). Are you going to wait until it's very close and/or be glad you don't have night sights to make your sight picture easier?
In a situation where you have to front sight squeeze in low light you're also much better off having night sights (even if just the front bead).
Finally on a person note, when a person joins a forum and one of their first posts is something of personal opinion you might not want to come in talking about what a waste they are and wondering how much money "we've wasted on them." Besides, a good set of night sights is a lot more than $50, sorry. It's quite obvious you've never purchased a pair.....
/rant
Thanks Suze Orman
Ah, the old “I can only afford a Springfield G.I. model, so any higher end model, or custom gun is a waste of money!” thread.
Some people, believe it or not, value items differently than you do, Omega. And hold onto your hat, there are some people who can easily afford the $50 bucks for the night sights.
“I wonder how much money we have collectively wasted on this new and improved radioactive gimmick?”
Really? You just wonder about the dollars spent on night sights? I wonder how much money everyone on this board has “collectively wasted” on our guns in general. I probably only need one gun, but what fun is that?
Ah, the old “I can only afford a Springfield G.I. model, so any higher end model, or custom gun is a waste of money!” thread.
Some people, believe it or not, value items differently than you do, Omega. And hold onto your hat, there are some people who can easily afford the $50 bucks for the night sights.
“I wonder how much money we have collectively wasted on this new and improved radioactive gimmick?”
Really? You just wonder about the dollars spent on night sights? I wonder how much money everyone on this board has “collectively wasted” on our guns in general. I probably only need one gun, but what fun is that?
riggins_83
New member
.
I have night sights on my personal favorite compact auto. Sub compact is a different story (such as a Keltec, etc).
I missed your followup post stating you were talking about cheap sets for sub compacts. Might want to clarify that earlier in your post (or edit your original post instead).
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Big Caliber
New member
I bought a set of the tritium night sights for my brand new 9mm just after the Rodney King fiasco in LA. Be prepared, I thought. Well, after 10 years of no need, they faded out, and I would rather buy reloading components than waste another $100+ on a new set. How's that for 2 cents?
Omega,
I sure do keep it across the room. I have twin boys under the age of two and it is not unusual to have to bring one to bed in the middle of the night. I was a bedside guy like most others, but when the Lord blessed me x2, I decided to go with top closet shelf about 5 yards from bed and the night sights guide me right to it when I have felt the need to find it. I would not forsee anything preventing me from my primary defense gun having these. It is like a cell phone, you don't need one til you get one and then you would never not have one...
I sure do keep it across the room. I have twin boys under the age of two and it is not unusual to have to bring one to bed in the middle of the night. I was a bedside guy like most others, but when the Lord blessed me x2, I decided to go with top closet shelf about 5 yards from bed and the night sights guide me right to it when I have felt the need to find it. I would not forsee anything preventing me from my primary defense gun having these. It is like a cell phone, you don't need one til you get one and then you would never not have one...
Micropterus
New member
I have Trijicons on all my Glocks. I really like them. I think their real value lies in being able to find your pistol in pitch dark room when you are roused from sleep.
I slept alone in my house for the last three nights with no power - an unfortunate side effect of our recent Nor'easter. The wife and kids stayed at a family member's house. Last time we had no power for an extended period of time, there was some crime in the neighborhood. It was very comforting to have my Glock 21SF on the bed beside me and being able to just look over and see those glowing sites. There's no groping around for that pistol in the pitch dark.
I slept alone in my house for the last three nights with no power - an unfortunate side effect of our recent Nor'easter. The wife and kids stayed at a family member's house. Last time we had no power for an extended period of time, there was some crime in the neighborhood. It was very comforting to have my Glock 21SF on the bed beside me and being able to just look over and see those glowing sites. There's no groping around for that pistol in the pitch dark.
That was my point exactly. To ask in the form of a question rather than a blanket claim in a condescending tone which is still at best only an opinion may have allowed a slightly more civil discourse.
And "stealing wifi " is just that. Stealing.I work in IT and we put in a ot of effort to stop theivery of wifi signals.
But that's a whole other thread.
Edward429451
Moderator
Nite Sites. I don't shoot a lot of people in the dark so I just use my night sights to be able to see my pistol in the dark sitting on the night stand or wherever.
I put nite sites on my RH for that dusk walk back to camp.
I put nite sites on my RH for that dusk walk back to camp.
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