What sights to use on a ccw

[jdougg92]

I use a G33 as my primary carry and I've narrowed it down between ghost sight/dead ringer or those Israeli TAS fiber optic sights (that don't need a front sight) to replace the stock Glock sights. Does anyone have any experience with either and have any pros or cons they would like to mention about them? Or even better sight choices for self defense?

 

[Onward Allusion]

Generally in SD shootings, one will be focusing on the FRONT sights, so the TAS sights may be an issue. Personally, I like the big-dot front sights like the ones on the newer Smith J-Frames.

 

[wally]

I like the Trijicon RMR dual iluminated (fiber & tritium) with no batteries. You look through the dot and focus on the target -- I don't care who you are, its darn hard to look at the front sight instead of the threat if the bullets might be flying both ways! Its why these dot optics rule in CQB.

Here is the view on one of my carry pistols:

I'm not familiar with the TAS sights, got a link?

 

[Deaf Smith]

What sights to use on a ccw

Ones you can see.

For me the plain old Glock sights work fine.

Deaf

 

[jonnyc]

Minimal................visible, but minimal. Nothing you have to line up or consciously use.

 

[Twiki357]

I have always felt that in a self-defense situation that if anything more than very basic sights are needed, the threat is far enough away that it might not be considered self-defense.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Everyone sees sights differently. What is great for one person is junk for some one else. I once pulled a very expensive high end set of sights off a used gun I bought. They just did not work for me.

 

[jdougg92]

I like the Trijicon RMR dual iluminated (fiber & tritium) with no batteries. You look through the dot and focus on the target -- I don't care who you are, its darn hard to look at the front sight instead of the threat if the bullets might be flying both ways! Its why these dot optics rule in CQB.

Here is the view on one of my carry pistols:

I'm not familiar with the TAS sights, got a link?

http://www.tas-sights.com/web/8888/...IS=in&_UserReference=9137505361E90A0853EC98E8
So the $500 + you dropped on it was well worth it? That will cut into cerakote plans

 

[Sam1911]

I have always felt that in a self-defense situation that if anything more than very basic sights are needed, the threat is far enough away that it might not be considered self-defense.

There is a kind of truth in that, but probably the better way to say it is that the primary need in self-defense gun sights is high visibility, as opposed to a fine degree of precision.

Most instructors teach a continuum of sight picture development as you move from contact distance (no sight picture, firing from a "retention" position with the gun off the line of sight), to a couple of yards away (using the gun's profile superimposed on the bad guy you are focused on), out to the 7-15 yard range (where you're just getting the FRONT sight visible on the center of mass), and then beyond that (where you start to need to incorporate the rear sight and "dress" the sight picture for precision).

That last category, where you're needing to finely tune the sight picture is really low probability in defensive shooting. If you've got the time to do that, there's a good chance some other solution to the problem would be better.

Having a large, bright, high-visibility front sight then helps draw the eye and get the sight incorporated into your continuum of sight picture refinement sooner (i.e. closer distance) in the scale, which is a good thing.

The fine, precise, usually all black target sights a bullseye shooter needs to be able to precisely place shots on a 50 yd. bull are the opposite of what a defensive shooter needs to locate and place that front sight on a body mass in the 10th of a second s/he has to orient the gun before pressing the trigger.

The RMR style dots are very nice in competition and seem to be starting to prove their worth in the real world, too. There is some question of whether there is any benefit to them in that critical 0-5 yd. space where most defensive shootings happen but, with practice, it seems safe to say they probably won't slow you down. And for hitting those "occasional shots out to 35 yds" (per IDPA) or really long USPSA shots they are indeed awesome.

 

[Frank Ettin]

The thing is to be able to pick up the front sight quickly. My favorite set up has become a gold bead front sight with a wide notch, plain black rear sight.

​

Here's an article I wrote on the subject a few years ago.

Also, with training and practice one can be very fast on target using the front sight and flash sight picture. Here's how Greg Morrison described the flash sight picture (Morrison, Gregory, The Modern Technique of the Pistol, Gunsite Press, 1991, pp 87 - 88, emphasis added):

...The flash sight-picture involves a glimpse of the sight-picture sufficient to confirm alignment....The target shooter’s gaze at the front sight has proven inappropriate for the bulk of pistol fighting. However, the practical shooter must start at this level and work up to the flash, which becomes reflexive as motor skills are refined. With practice, a consistent firing platform and firing stroke align the sights effortlessly. This index to the target eventually becomes an instantaneous confirmation of the sight-picture.

...Using the flash sight-picture programs the reflex of aligning the weapon’s sights with the target instantly....There is good reason for sights: one needs them to align the barrel with the target reliably....

 

[RustyShackelford]

My pick.....

For carry or defense uses, Id select the Trijicon HD. It's steel & well made for daily carry.
Many US police agencies & military units across the world issue Trijicon pistol sights.
I like the HD orange-green. The green type night sight is considered the brightest & longest lasting.
A former SF soldier & combat veteran R&Ded a new Glock sight system. I think it's called IWS but I may be wrong.

Rusty
www.Trijicon.com

 

[wally]

So the $500 + you dropped on it was well worth it? That will cut into cerakote plans

Most definitely for me, but it is pretty sad to spend more on the sight and mount than I did on the gun

But seeing any front sight without reading glasses is just not happening for me anymore. The TAS sight being on the rear will just be an even bigger blur that the front would be.

There is some question of whether there is any benefit to them in that critical 0-5 yd. space where most defensive shootings happen

0-3 is "point shooting" distance where you won't have time for any sights, its 3+ where sights start to matter. In my point shooting practice I'm supremely confident 0-3, beyond three, poor hits and misses happen so after the initial point shooting shot, I'll find the sights for a hopefully decisive follow-up, under three I'll just keep shooting until the threat is gone or the gun is empty.