Tac Light vs. night sights - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

JAZZ · 11-17-2006, 11:23 PM

I'm almost thinking having a TLR-1 or something similar would negate the need for night sights. If you've got a BG illuminated in the tac light, it wouldn't be too hard to see if the rest of the gun around the light was pointed at him. whereas if you had just night sights, you'd still need a tac light to see what's there and where exactly the threat is. Thoughts??

rescottpac · 11-17-2006, 11:34 PM

IMO the only downfall of tac lights is you give away your position to the BG. Granted an 80 lumen beam in the eyes will alter the vision of the BG, but you are also providing a target. Rather than walking toward the light, they shoot at the light. Easier said than done as most likely I have already drilled a round or two into his chest, but.......I have a TLR-1 and Tru Glo TFO sights on my bedside XD 40 service. Best of both worlds, or overkill. As Forrest would say, "maybe a little of both".

res

jednp · 11-17-2006, 11:36 PM

as long as you have something to bounce light back at you when you shine the light, you will be able to make out the outline of your sights. At least that's what I've found with using mine. I still do think for a home defense gun that it's worth having night sights on it. I don't have them yet, but I plan on getting them eventually.

arolfsen · 11-19-2006, 07:55 PM

i think i posted this in the last tfo thread, but i'll do it again. either a tac light or a hand held light works well if you practice with it. if you highlight the bg with your light and then stand there yelling for him to show you his/her hands or to get on the ground, you make a very good target. the first thought is going to be shoot where the light is. this is why you must practice your technique. if your using a tac light, use the toggle switch to highlight/find the target, release it (turning it off), move then fire. if your using a hand held light, same principle, unless your using like modified fbi or one simular where your getting the light away from your body. and if you don't practice your shooting yourself in the foot. do several dry runs in your house so you know how to move when the time comes.

vafish · 11-19-2006, 08:50 PM

I think you really need both a light and night sights.

I prefer night sights and a hand held flashlight.

That way I can flick on the light to identify what ever it is that made the noise without the possibility of pointing a loaded gun at one of my kids or the dog.

Tiburon65 · 11-20-2006, 02:13 PM

you have two key things to see, your sights unless you are completely comfortable about the distance to your target and aiming by feel and knowing what your target is. if you haven't identified your target, you shouldnt be shooting. its quite easy to hold a flashlight and spot your target without giving yourself away completely. Having night sights would probably be eaiser to keep your sights aligned and on target.

DoTheDietDew · 11-23-2006, 08:26 PM

i have a m6 light laser combo for my xd service model which is my hd gun and it is perfect, i see no need for night sights with that set up, especially is you have the laser on as well. last weekend i wanted to try out the light, at night, i had already used it and the laser at 5-15yds and wanted to go out a little farther, so with the light and regular stock sights, i shot from 30yds and had 12 for 12 center mass of the paper plates that i use for targets.
as far as the being a traget with the light on there, that is true in some aspects but with a little bit of trainning, and practice you can flip the light on fire, and repeat as needed, so they don't have time to aquire a beed on you. that is what I have been practicing, and it works great. you have to remember that if it is pitch black and you hit them with the light they are gonna be out of commision long enough to get a good contrllled pair off.

11-17-2006, 11:23 PM	#1
JAZZ XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 129	Tac Light vs. night sights I'm almost thinking having a TLR-1 or something similar would negate the need for night sights. If you've got a BG illuminated in the tac light, it wouldn't be too hard to see if the rest of the gun around the light was pointed at him. whereas if you had just night sights, you'd still need a tac light to see what's there and where exactly the threat is. Thoughts??

11-17-2006, 11:34 PM	#2
rescottpac XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NC Posts: 139	IMO the only downfall of tac lights is you give away your position to the BG. Granted an 80 lumen beam in the eyes will alter the vision of the BG, but you are also providing a target. Rather than walking toward the light, they shoot at the light. Easier said than done as most likely I have already drilled a round or two into his chest, but.......I have a TLR-1 and Tru Glo TFO sights on my bedside XD 40 service. Best of both worlds, or overkill. As Forrest would say, "maybe a little of both". res __________________ XD45 Compact w/ Tru-Glo TFO XD45 Tactical TLR-1 XD40S w/ Tru-Glo TFO XDM .40S&W XD40 Subcompact XD9 Subcompact "For those who fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know." -- Author unknown, found written on an ammo crate at Khe Sanh

11-19-2006, 08:50 PM	#5
vafish XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,469	I think you really need both a light and night sights. I prefer night sights and a hand held flashlight. That way I can flick on the light to identify what ever it is that made the noise without the possibility of pointing a loaded gun at one of my kids or the dog. __________________ \"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.\" -- Confucius

11-20-2006, 02:13 PM	#6
Tiburon65 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 688	you have two key things to see, your sights unless you are completely comfortable about the distance to your target and aiming by feel and knowing what your target is. if you haven't identified your target, you shouldnt be shooting. its quite easy to hold a flashlight and spot your target without giving yourself away completely. Having night sights would probably be eaiser to keep your sights aligned and on target. __________________ XD 45acp You're not living life till you are part of the food chain. I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

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11-17-2006, 11:36 PM	#3
jednp XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 4,691	as long as you have something to bounce light back at you when you shine the light, you will be able to make out the outline of your sights. At least that's what I've found with using mine. I still do think for a home defense gun that it's worth having night sights on it. I don't have them yet, but I plan on getting them eventually.

11-19-2006, 07:55 PM	#4
arolfsen XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 246	i think i posted this in the last tfo thread, but i'll do it again. either a tac light or a hand held light works well if you practice with it. if you highlight the bg with your light and then stand there yelling for him to show you his/her hands or to get on the ground, you make a very good target. the first thought is going to be shoot where the light is. this is why you must practice your technique. if your using a tac light, use the toggle switch to highlight/find the target, release it (turning it off), move then fire. if your using a hand held light, same principle, unless your using like modified fbi or one simular where your getting the light away from your body. and if you don't practice your shooting yourself in the foot. do several dry runs in your house so you know how to move when the time comes.

11-23-2006, 08:26 PM	#7
DoTheDietDew XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 136	i have a m6 light laser combo for my xd service model which is my hd gun and it is perfect, i see no need for night sights with that set up, especially is you have the laser on as well. last weekend i wanted to try out the light, at night, i had already used it and the laser at 5-15yds and wanted to go out a little farther, so with the light and regular stock sights, i shot from 30yds and had 12 for 12 center mass of the paper plates that i use for targets. as far as the being a traget with the light on there, that is true in some aspects but with a little bit of trainning, and practice you can flip the light on fire, and repeat as needed, so they don't have time to aquire a beed on you. that is what I have been practicing, and it works great. you have to remember that if it is pitch black and you hit them with the light they are gonna be out of commision long enough to get a good contrllled pair off.