Night sights or tactical light? - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

fire77 · 10-11-2007, 11:43 AM

I tried doing some night shooting with a tactical flashlight outside this summer and flat could not see the sights at all. My son's gun had luminscent sights that could be picked up pretty easy. Lights do not help whatsoever in knowing what you are aiming at.

I am planning on getting Trijicon night sights along with a combat action job from SA, and continue to use a flashlight. I would like to get the TLR2 down the road.

arizona98tj · 10-11-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fire77

Lights do not help whatsoever in knowing what you are aiming at.

No way I can agree with that statement.

A light will indeed illuminate the object you are aiming at. Without it, you will simply be aiming at the big dark shape next to the big black thing across the room.

Krackels · 10-11-2007, 07:01 PM

get the light.

It'll be used more often than night sights. While night sights allow you to get an aimed shot on something in the dark only a flashlight lets you see what you're shooting. Even with the flashlight you'll be able to see the silhouette of your sites and get an aimed shot.

fyrfytrcwd · 10-11-2007, 08:08 PM

I have a simple answer... BOTH!

-Fyr

**Pharmakon** · 10-14-2007, 02:58 PM

I would prefer a handheld light and a set of night sights personally. Mostly because for a home defense situation my eyes are better adjusted than theirs as the outside of my house is lit and the inside is pitch black and my night vision will be better adapted than his

. Streamlight makes a laserlight that will both blind and dot the target w/ a laser if you would prefer both hands on the gun. But I would still want night sights in case giving away my position wasn't a good idea at the time(armed intruder+lucky shot).

**Mad Geek** · 10-14-2007, 04:18 PM

I'd like to add another choice to this thread and ask for feedback:

I bought an XD 4" Service for carry and I'm considering a LaserMax Guide Rod Laser instead of, or as my night sights. This would take care of MY concern of a good sight picture in low or no light. In addition it would eliminate the discussion on whether a CC holster is going to impact my sight choice.

Add to that the light issue: All of these thoughts on some sort of light to identify a threat I see value in. I've seen LEOs use a MAG-LITE or some flavor of light held to their side or held on the opposite shoulder that they would have their weapon in. I'm looking seriously at the Streamlight TLR-1 but obviously not for CC. From people that talk about theirs it's a really good one.

Other than having the tactical advantage of NOT having the light rail mounted, how could this combination be better?

Of course personal preference is just that and I respect that.

Goodfella_XD45 · 10-14-2007, 05:59 PM

I keep a small Coast LED flashlight sitting right next to my XD, it does the job just fine. Night sights and a handheld light is in my opinion optimum.

**Pharmakon** · 10-14-2007, 06:23 PM

http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/74201.html

handheld Strion w/ rail adapter. Produces 80m lumens.

M2XD · 10-14-2007, 06:36 PM

Mad Geek

I have that set-up (XD-45ACP Service w/LaserMax) and it is my preferred self-defense handgun. The LaserMax is not exact as in the bullethole appears where the laser was, but who knows if that is the gun, the laser or the shooter. But it comes pretty damn close, and the mere sight of a flashing laser dot on the BG's chest is enough for him to know that I am serious. And I like the LaserMax as it doesn't interfere with concealed carry.

I also have a Mossberg Persuader 12 gauge that has a 120-lumen SureFire 6P attached. It is loaded up with 00 magnum buckshot, and it is the second weapon I grab if I have the time. But if I don't, I keep a Brinkman flashlight in the nightstand for quick access to go with my XD, in case I need light.

I highly recommend the XD/LaserMax combo, it doesn't come cheap but in a low/no light situation, I think it is one of the best rigs out there.

Cheers! M2

Goodfella_XD45 · 10-14-2007, 07:03 PM

I would love to have the Lasermax guide rod set up but its hard to cough up $300+ for it. Maybe one day...

10-11-2007, 07:01 PM	#13
Krackels XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 19,604 Blog Entries: 6	get the light. It'll be used more often than night sights. While night sights allow you to get an aimed shot on something in the dark only a flashlight lets you see what you're shooting. Even with the flashlight you'll be able to see the silhouette of your sites and get an aimed shot. __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin PA Roll Call

10-11-2007, 08:08 PM	#14
fyrfytrcwd XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sunny Florida. Posts: 233	I have a simple answer... BOTH! -Fyr __________________ XD45c, XD9sc, The Entire Kahr Collection (except .45...), Many 1911's, A Few Glocks, Kel-Tecs, A Few Black Rifles and assorted other toys... "Leave the gun... Take the Cannoli..."

10-14-2007, 02:58 PM	#15
Pharmakon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 1,518	I'm a handheld man I would prefer a handheld light and a set of night sights personally. Mostly because for a home defense situation my eyes are better adjusted than theirs as the outside of my house is lit and the inside is pitch black and my night vision will be better adapted than his. Streamlight makes a laserlight that will both blind and dot the target w/ a laser if you would prefer both hands on the gun. But I would still want night sights in case giving away my position wasn't a good idea at the time(armed intruder+lucky shot). __________________ Fascism is popular.

10-14-2007, 04:18 PM	#16
Mad Geek XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Yosemite Posts: 1,066	I'd like to add another choice to this thread and ask for feedback: I bought an XD 4" Service for carry and I'm considering a LaserMax Guide Rod Laser instead of, or as my night sights. This would take care of MY concern of a good sight picture in low or no light. In addition it would eliminate the discussion on whether a CC holster is going to impact my sight choice. Add to that the light issue: All of these thoughts on some sort of light to identify a threat I see value in. I've seen LEOs use a MAG-LITE or some flavor of light held to their side or held on the opposite shoulder that they would have their weapon in. I'm looking seriously at the Streamlight TLR-1 but obviously not for CC. From people that talk about theirs it's a really good one. Other than having the tactical advantage of NOT having the light rail mounted, how could this combination be better? Of course personal preference is just that and I respect that. __________________ Chuck NRA Patron Life Member US Concealed Carry Association Founding Life Member: Society Of The Honor Guard, Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier Senior Member CalCCW - Helping Californians Legally Obtain A Concealed Carry License "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." Robert A. Heinlein

10-14-2007, 05:59 PM	#17
Goodfella_XD45 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 112	I keep a small Coast LED flashlight sitting right next to my XD, it does the job just fine. Night sights and a handheld light is in my opinion optimum. __________________ -XD45 Service -Ruger SP-101 .357 -Keltec P3AT 1*

10-11-2007, 11:43 AM	#11
fire77 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	I tried doing some night shooting with a tactical flashlight outside this summer and flat could not see the sights at all. My son's gun had luminscent sights that could be picked up pretty easy. Lights do not help whatsoever in knowing what you are aiming at. I am planning on getting Trijicon night sights along with a combat action job from SA, and continue to use a flashlight. I would like to get the TLR2 down the road.

10-14-2007, 06:23 PM	#18
Pharmakon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 1,518	Or you can try both http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/74201.html handheld Strion w/ rail adapter. Produces 80m lumens. __________________ Fascism is popular.

10-14-2007, 06:36 PM	#19
M2XD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 494	Mad Geek I have that set-up (XD-45ACP Service w/LaserMax) and it is my preferred self-defense handgun. The LaserMax is not exact as in the bullethole appears where the laser was, but who knows if that is the gun, the laser or the shooter. But it comes pretty damn close, and the mere sight of a flashing laser dot on the BG's chest is enough for him to know that I am serious. And I like the LaserMax as it doesn't interfere with concealed carry. I also have a Mossberg Persuader 12 gauge that has a 120-lumen SureFire 6P attached. It is loaded up with 00 magnum buckshot, and it is the second weapon I grab if I have the time. But if I don't, I keep a Brinkman flashlight in the nightstand for quick access to go with my XD, in case I need light. I highly recommend the XD/LaserMax combo, it doesn't come cheap but in a low/no light situation, I think it is one of the best rigs out there. Cheers! M2 __________________ Springfield XD-45 ACP Service Springfield M1911 Loaded Target Springfield M1911 Lightweight Operator Springfield M1911 GI 1954 Colt .357 Magnum Plus a few others...

10-14-2007, 07:03 PM	#20
Goodfella_XD45 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 112	I would love to have the Lasermax guide rod set up but its hard to cough up $300+ for it. Maybe one day... __________________ -XD45 Service -Ruger SP-101 .357 -Keltec P3AT 1*

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