Heinie Straight 8 or Truglo TFO

[DaveC]

I know there are many threads on sights.
But, I'll narrow it down with a simple choice:
Heinie Straight 8 or Truglo TFO and why?
...for a carry pistol that would see some plinking/target shooting.

[Lazarus]

I like the Truglos. Going to put them on my Kimber.

[ab8mi]

I like the Straight Eights.......have them on my XD-45. For me quicker target aquisition. I will try and take some pics this weekend.

[The Knight Of Light]

I have Heinie 8s on 2 of my pistols and I like them a lot. I had them on my competition gun but I changed them out for Dawson Competition sights. Heinie sights are fast and easy to use. There is no confusion between the 2 dots on them, just put one on top of the other and there you go. Some people have trouble with three dot systems because there it more to focus on. The TFO system is also very fast because they are very bright. If you get the front sight a different color than the rear sight you may have a better time with using them. I like the fiber optic sights for their brightness. However, they are more fragile. I don't care what anyone says but Fiber optic sights should not be used on a defense gun. I have read many different stories and seen many pictures on different forums where the Fiber Optic pipes have broken, fallen out, or in one case the front sight broke off. Whether these are bad installations, poor maintenance, or the use of harsh solvents on the gun, who knows? But anytime you use a plastic insert in a sighting system, you may increase your chances for breakage. The Heinie sights are all steel save the tritium inserts. They are very hard to break and with proper installation they will last for a long time.

Hope this isn't too much to think about.

[methos1979]

I'm going to say the TFO's. While I liked the concept of the Straight Eights (my favorite sights of all time were the Novak Bar/dots) the Heine SE's were just too small for quick acquisition for me and they were terrible in the daylight. I had them on my first XD, an XD9 Service with Heines from the factory. So when I bought my first XD45 with stock sights I tried the TFO's and my eyes really like them, pick them up very fast, day or night. I just never warmed up the Straight Eights. My eyes (and me) are getting older though!

M

[dkd83]

I know this doesn't quite count as on topic but I think the XS Big Dot sights mights prove a better option than the Straight 8s. Same basic concept except "doting the I" instead of "completing the 8."

[leeindy]

dawson fixed carry sights. best sights made

[rgeliske]

I have guns with both and I prefer the TFO, I find that most of the time with the straight 8 I can't see the front dot and I use them like normal open sights. The TFOs are bright and you can not miss seeing the dots in all light conditons. I shoot with both eyes open and find I have to readjust sight picture to the top of the sights for vertical alignment. I can see the rear dots of the TFO without readjusting my sight picture. But that may be just me because I'm righthanded and left eye dominate.

[ab8mi]

Not a great picture but here is my XD-45 after the Hienies were installed:



Hope it came out right.

[retired]

Dave, I have both also. My SC9 came with the Heinies because LAPD orders them that way, saying the officers "want" them. I would rather have the stock sights as I could have seen them better.

I never shot with them at night because the places I shot at don't do night shoots. They did light up well in my closet tho and I'm sure they would do the job. During the daytime tho, it was just like having blue metal sights and I had a hard time with them.

I bought some TFOs from OS and had AJames install them and they are great. I carry the gun daily as a ccw with a Crossbreed Supertuck and have had no problem with the tubes as of now.

Dave, if you want to purchase some great condition Heinie Straight 8 sights for $75 I have some.