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There are several important considerations when selecting a handgun for everyday carry, not the least of which is the sighting system you choose to train with. For those who prefer three-dot irons over electronic optics, tritium night sights offer high visibility even in low-light environments - but are they essential to have on a designated defensive firearm?
While it is perfectly fine to carry a pistol or revolver with standard iron sights, night sights offer several benefits that may prove advantageous should you ever need to draw your firearm in a self-defense scenario. Here are just a few reasons to consider installing night sights on your next EDC handgun.
Achieving the perfect sight picture is imperative for accurate shot placement. And because you cannot control where or when you might need your gun, the ability to properly align both the front and rear sight in the dark can give you the edge you need to stop the threat.
Similar to fiber optic sights, tritium night sights are typically easier to pick up in natural light (i.e. at an outdoor range) than regular three-dot sights. This allows shooters to transition from daytime to nighttime and back without worrying about their sighting system becoming less effective.
You can also use a weapon-mounted tactical light or an illuminated red dot sight to provide an advantage in low-light settings, but each option adds extra mass to your handgun and requires a custom holster for your optic / light combo. On the other hand, night sights simply replace the factory sights on your handgun and do not impact maneuverability or holster selection.
The majority of modern red dots are designed with concealed carry in mind, with streamlined construction that adds minimal material to the top of your gun. That said, there are still valid reasons for shooters to choose night sights over an electronic optic. Certain vision impairments may prevent the user from finding the dot at all, or the expense of installing and training to be proficient with a red dot may discourage some individuals from making the switch.
For many though, a red dot is the clear choice because it allows for faster target acquisition and more precise shot placement. They also provide illumination in darker settings and can co-witness with iron sights, so there is little tradeoff for the many benefits a red dot can offer. Moreover, there are currently no data points to suggest that one sighting system is more or less reliable than the other.
Although a red dot optic might be the best solution for most shooters, night sights are a more cost-effective upgrade that make sense whether or not you choose to run an optic on your EDC. They offer much of the same utility, so you have a more versatile backup in case your optic should fail. If you must choose and you don't have any vision concerns or budgetary constraints, a red dot optic might be the way to go - but then, why not run both?
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What and how you decide to carry is ultimately a matter of personal preference, as well as what makes you feel secure in your ability to defend yourself from a deadly threat. If you never venture out after dark or if you always tote a flashlight you can deploy with your off hand, night sights may not ever factor into your concealed carry setup.
However, night sights certainly offer a higher degree of adaptability than standard irons or an iron sight / weapon light combo. This means you will be prepared to tackle a wider range of defensive scenarios whether you run night sights only or pair them with a quality concealed carry red dot.
Still debating which sighting system is best for you? Watch our video to learn more about the benefits of iron / night sights and red dot optics.
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