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

**QCATrader** · 10-07-2007, 04:45 AM

I'll admit, I own guns with night sights and without, and my home defense gun has a tacktical light mounted on it.

In a true defensive situation I believe you must have the ability to 'point and shoot (if necessary)' without taking the time to actually focus on the sights.

I also understand that the LEO community may have scenarios where they have the time, and the need, to obtain an accurate sight picture.

But for those of us who CCW, or have a gun for home defense, wouldn't a good tactical light or flashlight make more sense than night sights? If you prefer night sights, I'd like to know why?

**nikon777** · 10-07-2007, 04:49 AM

For a home defense gun both couldnt hurt. For example if its low light, but you dont want to give away ur position with a tac light, night sights are good. r, if its dark, the tac light may be just what u need to identify your subject as a threat, then deliver a few rounds of "air mail" free of charge.

DeltaCharlie2 · 10-07-2007, 07:23 AM

I prefer the tac light in a home defense situation. My TLR-1 is really freaking bright if pointed in your eyes. I think it would help not only with quick target aquisition, but also as an intimidation factor against the bad guy.

Just like having a laser, a bad guy would know that your weapon was pointed STRAIGHT at him with 80 lumens shining right in his eyes.

I agree with the point about using night sights to not give away your position, but what if it was too dark to see the his position? All you would be able to see would be your night sights.

rgeliske · 10-07-2007, 08:22 AM

I vote for the night sights first. I have a couple tactical lights that mount on the gun but I am getting more and more convinced on the gun is a dead give away to the bad guy so I have gone to a Pelican M6 in my left hand held away from my body. Of course this means you have to practice shooting with just one hand but I have learned to do that fairly well. You don't need to spend a lot on the light, I think a Mini Maglight would work just as well. So my choice for home defense is night sights (TFOs) first and a flash light. You can purchase a hand held high intensity tactical light later.

arizona98tj · 10-07-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgeliske

You don't need to spend a lot on the light, I think a Mini Maglight would work just as well.

I agree, you don't need to spend a lot on a light. And I prefer my light in my hand vs. attached to the weapon. For just $29.99 (the frequently found sale price at Big 5 Sporting Goods), you can pick up an S&W Delta Force tac light. Rated at 93 lumens output, I honestly can't see using a mini-mag light when this is available for just a few $$ more, IMHO.

Lab_guy · 10-07-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikon777

For a home defense gun both couldnt hurt. For example if its low light, but you dont want to give away ur position with a tac light, night sights are good. r, if its dark, the tac light may be just what u need to identify your subject as a threat, then deliver a few rounds of "air mail" free of charge.

All of my training says night sights and a tac light that you control. You can't shoot at what you can't see (literally and morally) and night sights help you figure out your orientation in low light. I have done a good deal of dusk/low light and no light/ flashlight only live fire training and the night sights made it much easier. Every pistol I own that could conceivably be used for self defense has a good set of night sights.

ElJimmyStrappo · 10-07-2007, 08:18 PM

In a super high stress situation, you won't be able to focus on the sights anyway. I would go with a light.

jtkratzer · 10-07-2007, 09:02 PM

With the price of basic flashlights, is it going to break the bank to get one on top of night sights?

A light is a necessity, but being able to see your sights, even if it's high stress, I want to at least have the option of being able to put well aimed shots on target and without sights, you can't do that consistently.

For home defense, I live in town and there are street lamps outside, and light posts running up the steps from the sidewalk to the front door. My house is not very dark at night.

Now, when I was in the Poconos a few months ago and the power when out for over 20 hours during a thunderstorm, I couldn't see my wife laying in bed next to me, that's how dark it was.

XD_Hokie · 10-10-2007, 08:33 PM

I would have reached over every once in a while just to make sure it was still my wife laying there. If just for the fun!

You always should have a flash light of some kind. Lights can go out in office buildings or any building and you will need to see where you are and how to get out even if it is daylight outside. One of the first items of safety on any list even for anti-gunners.

Tony

KnightHawk · 10-11-2007, 08:39 AM

Darkness is your friend.

10-07-2007, 04:45 AM	#1
QCATrader XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Iowa / Arizona Posts: 291	Night sights or tactical light? I'll admit, I own guns with night sights and without, and my home defense gun has a tacktical light mounted on it. In a true defensive situation I believe you must have the ability to 'point and shoot (if necessary)' without taking the time to actually focus on the sights. I also understand that the LEO community may have scenarios where they have the time, and the need, to obtain an accurate sight picture. But for those of us who CCW, or have a gun for home defense, wouldn't a good tactical light or flashlight make more sense than night sights? If you prefer night sights, I'd like to know why? __________________ If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a vet!

10-07-2007, 04:49 AM	#2
nikon777 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH. The Danger Zone. Posts: 6,821	For a home defense gun both couldnt hurt. For example if its low light, but you dont want to give away ur position with a tac light, night sights are good. r, if its dark, the tac light may be just what u need to identify your subject as a threat, then deliver a few rounds of "air mail" free of charge. __________________ Clinging bitterly to guns and religion since 1977.. My Blogspot.

10-07-2007, 07:23 AM	#3
DeltaCharlie2 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlantic Beach, FL Posts: 215	Tac Light I prefer the tac light in a home defense situation. My TLR-1 is really freaking bright if pointed in your eyes. I think it would help not only with quick target aquisition, but also as an intimidation factor against the bad guy. Just like having a laser, a bad guy would know that your weapon was pointed STRAIGHT at him with 80 lumens shining right in his eyes. I agree with the point about using night sights to not give away your position, but what if it was too dark to see the *his* position? All you would be able to see would be your night sights. __________________ "An unloaded gun is just a club" Currently: Ruger LCP Desert Eagle .44mag Previously owned: XD9 subcompact w/ Insight XML XD45 service H&K USP 9mm w/ Streamlight TLR-1 Taurus PT24/7 Pro .45 S&W model 457 H&R Protector 12ga Romanian AK-47 (7.62x39 w/side-folding stock) Savage Arms model 111 (.30-06)

10-07-2007, 08:22 AM	#4
rgeliske XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,678	I vote for the night sights first. I have a couple tactical lights that mount on the gun but I am getting more and more convinced on the gun is a dead give away to the bad guy so I have gone to a Pelican M6 in my left hand held away from my body. Of course this means you have to practice shooting with just one hand but I have learned to do that fairly well. You don't need to spend a lot on the light, I think a Mini Maglight would work just as well. So my choice for home defense is night sights (TFOs) first and a flash light. You can purchase a hand held high intensity tactical light later. __________________ Sig P220, Taurus PT1911, Browning HiPower 9mm, CZ75, CZ75 P01, S&W Model 60 357, Savage 9317 BTVS .17, Browning Buckmark, Taurus Gaucho 357 (pair), Taurus Gaucho 45LC (pair), Uberti 1873 Saddle Rifle 357, Uberti 1873 45 LC Carbine, TTN 12 Gauge Double, Ruger Bisley Vaquero 357 (pair), Springfield XD9SC, XD45 Service, XD45 Compact Tactical, Glock G35, Taurus 617 357

10-07-2007, 08:18 PM	#7
ElJimmyStrappo XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Idaho Posts: 1,316	In a super high stress situation, you won't be able to focus on the sights anyway. I would go with a light. __________________ The Carry: Springfield XD 9 Service - Crossbreed Supertuck & DGR with #16 and #22 springs. The Tack Driver: Sako Vixen L461 .222 Rifle with Bushnell 4X Scope A real tack driver! The Fun Gun: Marlin .22 LR with Bushnell 7X Scope The best weapon anyone can have: a brain. "The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." -John Steinbeck "Beware the man who owns just one gun, he will know how to use it."

10-07-2007, 09:02 PM	#8
jtkratzer XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 16,291	With the price of basic flashlights, is it going to break the bank to get one on top of night sights? A light is a necessity, but being able to see your sights, even if it's high stress, I want to at least have the option of being able to put well aimed shots on target and without sights, you can't do that consistently. For home defense, I live in town and there are street lamps outside, and light posts running up the steps from the sidewalk to the front door. My house is not very dark at night. Now, when I was in the Poconos a few months ago and the power when out for over 20 hours during a thunderstorm, I couldn't see my wife laying in bed next to me, that's how dark it was.

10-10-2007, 08:33 PM	#9
XD_Hokie XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 157	I would have reached over every once in a while just to make sure it was still my wife laying there. If just for the fun! You always should have a flash light of some kind. Lights can go out in office buildings or any building and you will need to see where you are and how to get out even if it is daylight outside. One of the first items of safety on any list even for anti-gunners. Tony Last edited by XD_Hokie : 10-10-2007 at 08:36 PM.

10-11-2007, 08:39 AM	#10
KnightHawk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas, on the Border Posts: 156	Darkness is your friend. __________________ Packin' Heat Leather Galco Distributor & Bianchi Dealer McAllen, Texas, USA

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode