"NIGHT SIGHTS" Are they really worth IT...???

[Sourdough]

Yes, if they are free, sure they are nice. But are they really worth the cost...? Do $100.00 plus night sights on a $400.00 firearm make it 25% better....? If so why not have them on everything, all firearms....???
If it is dark and you can't distinguish your target, but your sights are luminated......you still have a problem. If you have a flashlight do you really need nightsights.....???

Are they more useful in the city....? In my world it is either dark-dark-dark or daylight, there are no streetlights. They seem most useful in my world at dusk and dawn, which at best is only 1/24th of the day, OK Maybe, just maybe 1/12th of the day.
Do I like them, YES. Are they really worth the cost, (Remember they only last 10 years) I am not SURE.

[crashdive123]

The only "night sights" I've used were military. They were infrared. Probably not what you're talking about.

[2dumb2kwit]

I may be way off, on this, but my thinking is that if I'm shooting at something in the dark, it's a threat that is close enough to me that I can hit it without really aiming.(And I'll probably keep shooting, until I'm sure there is no longer a threat.)

[Sourdough]

I may be way off, on this, but my thinking is that if I'm shooting at something in the dark, it's a threat that is close enough to me that I can hit it without really aiming.(And I'll probably keep shooting, until I'm sure there is no longer a threat.)

I'll second that, there might be a very few exception, (None come to mind quickly).

Another point is the bright flash of un-burnt power, at night after the first shot, and you are somewhat blinded by the bright flash, do the night sights help......?

[Sourdough]

The only "night sights" I've used were military. They were infrared. Probably not what you're talking about.

WOW, if I had $4,000.-- to $6,500.-- to blow, I would like some real night vision equipment.

[Pict]

I think you hit it with the low light or fading light conditions. If you can't ID your target or are in total darkness you could easily bury your wife or kid. Being able to hit what you can't really see is dangerous. In dusk or pre-dawn light night sights really show up well and could be an aid to better shooting. A lack of night sights doesn't seem to stop anyone from shooting at shadows in the dark. Just understand what you have and carry a tactical light.

Some night sights really do put out a glow in total darkness. I remember going down a trail and the three guys ahead of me all had night sights on their (holstered) Glocks. It looked like the march of the fairy sprites. They do make it easy to find your gun in the dark. Mac

[Pal334]

I think I agree with Hope. For the average "Joe"the cost/ benefit of a true "Night Sight" just makes no sense to spend the money (in this case you would truely be paying premium for the quality). If you had to hunt only at night, maybe it would. In a normal civilian environment, the target would probably be danger close, so it would not be needed. I used various weapons equiped with the state of the art military Night vision devices, and honestly they were of limited utility, other than as a spotting device. I would save my money and stock up on Brandy (for medicinal use only of course). And the muzzle flash does blank out your vision, it recovers quickly, but it does blank out.

[sgtdraino]

Yes, in my opinion, they are absolutely worth it.

[Sourdough]

Yes, in my opinion, they are absolutely worth it.

SO, does every firearm you own have night sights or just your Duty weapon, and off duty weapon. Do all your rifle and all your shotguns have night sights....????

[Sourdough]

General Question to everyone: Is there any downside to night sights, well a sniper could take you out, spotting the green glow. But realistically other than cost, or exposure to radioactive material is there any drawback to night sights......?

[crashdive123]

Honestly, it depends on what you want to do with them. The one I used the most was a thermal imaging scope. For shipboard use in a smoke filled compartment it was the only way you could be on target. In civilian life I honestly have no need or use for them. I've also used night vision goggles quite a bit. For the applications in which they were used - they were invaluable. I would think there would be more use for those in a night time wilderness environment. Much wider field of view.

[Pal334]

General Question to everyone: Is there any downside to night sights, well a sniper could take you out, spotting the green glow. But realistically other than cost, or exposure to radioactive material is there any drawback to night sights......?

There is really no green glow unless you do not have your eye properly seated on the sight. A good one has almost a thin rubber type "gasket" that you push your eye against and that seals what little glow there is. Now there is a possibility if your particular sight has Infrared capability, and you use it, it is like turning on a flashlight that is seen by other night vision device, thus illuminating you. My understanding is that in order to have any possibility of "radioactive " exposure, you would have to destroy the unit and physically ingest parts of it to have a measurable impact. I have never experienced any drawback to the sights, just don't think it would be a priority item for an average Joe. SGT Drano, probably does see a need due to his LEO duties.

[Sourdough]

I think we have some confusion here, I am talking about sights on the gun that glow in the dark, some have tritium. It is the sights that glow, not talking about Night Vision Goggles, or Equipment. Sorry If I was unclear.

[crashdive123]

Gotcha - please disregard everything I've said. I've used lighted reticles, but not tritium coated ones - besides, I know how you hate batteries.

[Pal334]

I think we have some confusion here, I am talking about sights on the gun that glow in the dark, some have tritium. It is the sights that glow, not talking about Night Vision Goggles, or Equipment. Sorry If I was unclear.

Ok,, never mind Was a good mental exercise though

[2dumb2kwit]

LOL...I was reading Pict's post and imagining some guy thinking that he was seeing UFO's off in the distance, when he's really seeing "three dots on a glock", in the holster of the guy walking 10' in front of him!

[oldsoldier]

Can't be of much help like 2dumb the only night sights I've used are the ones I have on my barrett a "friend" got me one from the military. Has night vision, infared "heat seeking" and standard settings I love it it works in ALL light levels. But there's no way i could ever afford or wouldn't pay the $17,000.00 they cost if you could buy one outside the military/law enforcement community.

[Ken]

LOL...I was reading Pict's post and imagining some guy thinking that he was seeing UFO's off in the distance, when he's really seeing "three dots on a glock", in the holster of the guy walking 10' in front of him!

Well, if he couldn't identify it, it was a UO at the very least........

[Rick]

And just remember, if you walk past the bad guy in the dark he can see those sights just as easy as you can. Then they become a tactical disadvantage.

[Ken]

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