Non-typical sights

[Kevin]

Gail- I noticed some non-typical sights at the match last Saturday. Bright orange front looked like a triangle with some dayglo yellow slashes for rear sights. What were they, and do they come stock on pistols or is it an aftermarket thing? How well do they work? What about eyes that are getting a little tired? I'd give anything to be able to see my sights again without reading glasses. I can see it now, "Hold on a second there Mr Mugger, let me get my readin' spectacles on." Just curious. Did they still stand out well against the orange plates? Maybe you could bring it up at your next podcast session. Thanks - Kevin

[MasAyoob]

Hi Kevin:

Sounds like you're talking about the Advantage sight. I thought they were a gimmick at first, but they've been pretty good to me at the two matches where I've used them (On Glock 17, Jax IDPA) the last couple of months. You're welcome to give them a try at the January match.

[Kevin]

Thanks Mas. Those were the ones. You see so many things that are supposed to be an improvement that end up just being the latest gimmick. I'd love to shoot them sometime, for a testdrive. Oddly, all my iron sights are getting fuzzy. Must be defective steel or something.

[Gail]

Hey Kev,

    The really cool part about those sights is that you can change the colors whenever you want. Hey, that's my gun those sights are on.

Gail

[Kevin]

How much of a learning curve is there to getting used to them? Any advantages over the regular notch and post design?

[MasAyoob]

Kevin, it took me 100 rounds or more to get comfortable with them.

They don't LOOK as if they can deliver precise hits.  That takes some shooting to get past. (Yes, they can.)

Then, the usual drill of shooting faster and faster until you find the edge of the envelope, which is only found by breaking through that envelope and then slowing down a bit.

I really like them, though. And they're coming out with a night sight version, which I'm REALLY going to be looking at for carry guns when they become available for testing.

[Kevin]

Hey Mas, the night sight ought to really be something if the whole colored part glows. Hard part for me on night sights was trying to aquire those little bitty green dots. I'm looking forward to trying these out some time.

[Superheat]

Maybe this can be another episode?  I'm looking at getting some night sights for my G30sf, which I bought because Mas likes it.  I was looking for something with quicker acquisition, possibly xs style.  Maybe I just need more work but sometimes I have to hunt for the front sight.  I feel like it costs me about 1/2 a second coming from a holster.  What sights do the podcasters carry?

[Gail]

Carry Guns: night sights (on Glocks) or Crimson Trace Laser Grips (on Revolver and Ruger LCP)

Fiber Optic / Night Sights  on competition gun.

Those advantage sights are pretty cool, got them on a Glock 17.

Gail

[Steve]

Well, this podcaster has mostly Trijicons, mainly because they were available on several of my guns as factory installed.  I prefer the TruGlo TFO's which I have on my Glock 23/32.  They install easily on the Glocks, not so easily on the XD and M&P pistols, so I haven't gone to them on those guns yet.  I, too, have the CTC Lasergrips on my J-frame pocket carry guns.

Even though I'm the one who installed the Advantage sights on Gail's pistol, I have only shot them briefly.  They would take some getting used to, and I seem to still manage with the traditional notch and post/three dot style sights.  My eyes certainly are aging and one of them is currently still under construction (well re-construction actually), so I am usually looking for all the help I can get in the sight department.  Still, I am used to a conventional sight picture, so that's what my eyes seem to be most comfortable with.  I've tried a bunch, including the big dots and the various bar-dots, etc.  I think you need to go with what your eyes see best.  If you can borrow a gun with different sights from someone else, as Mas has proposed to Kevin, I'd take advantage of the offer.  It certainly is cheaper than buying a bunch of sights that don't work for you.

I agree that this would be a good podcast topic.  Collectively I suspect that we have tried them all, and we might be able to share our impressions before someone spends their money.

Steve

 

[Matt G]

I am definitely going to have to try them first and will reserve my final opinion for that.  Radical, but possible effective.  You guys seem to like them.  My first concern would be how they came in and out of the holster.  That pointy front sight may have snagging issues (?).  Looking to hear more.  Thanks for the rest.

Matt 

[Kevin]

Thanx Steve, Gail and Mas. It's great to be able to pick the brains of people of your experience. This forum thing is awesome. Where else could you get such an immediate response to a question. Looking forward to the next podcast.

Hey Gail, Can I get them in an off lavender and burnt umber?(where's that freaking smiley emoticon when you want it?)

[MasAyoob]

Kevin, you can special order them in off-lavender and burnt umber, but then you have to carry it in a lace holster.  I'm sorry, but it's the law.

In any case, the lavender sight will slow you down, because every time you shoot you have to pause and cry, F-AA-a-bulous!

[Kevin]

Awesome! My 1911 just never looked right in this darn lace holster (a DeSantis La-Tee-Da). I only wear it 'cause it matches my thong. Now if they'll just make a matching double mag holder...  Faaaabulous 

[crashbobo]

Kevin, you can special order them in off-lavender and burnt umber, but then you have to carry it in a lace holster.  I'm sorry, but it's the law.

In any case, the lavender sight will slow you down, because every time you shoot you have to pause and cry, F-AA-a-bulous!

I just about shot soda out of my nose after reading this...

[Gail]

OK now stop it!!!

I can't get the mental picture of Kevin in a thong out of my minds eye. I am just barely getting over seeing him sitting on a toilet last week.

I got your smiley right here:   

Gail

[Kevin]

That's it! I'm wearing it to the next match!

[Chris]

I just put a set of Advantage Sights on my Glock 29 10mm. That gun is a close range self-defense piece. I haven't shot them a lot. But my initial tests at 15 yards with full power Win Silvertip and Cor-Bon 180 bonded core were interesting.

They were every bit as accurate as the standard sights, and faster to acquire. So far, I'm impressed with them and it didn't take more that 20 rounds to get there. My only concern is keeping the front sight from loosening under recoil. I'm working on that. We'll see how they hold up. But, for fast target acquisition and good accuracy under 20 yards I like them so far.

Chris Christian

[Kevin]

What's holding the front sight in place that you would have a concern for it loosening? Is it just press fitted into the gun or is there a set screw? Also, would that just be a concern with magnum calibers? How about .45, like on an M&P.

[Chris]

The sighting concept... optically... is brilliant! It's fast... quick to acquire... capable of shooting a two inch group at 15 yards... to POA.

The mechanical aspect of getting those sights to be solid and reliable is my question. I got them on... fired 15 rounds... and the front sight got loose. I can see how to fix it, but it will never sell. Required machining that the home installer can't do, along with some better quality screws and a lock washer (both expensive... not to mention the machining).

This applies only to my Glock 29... which has less space around the securing screw head than do some other models. I'm working on
a fix. Will keep you posted.

Love the sights. Just require iron clad reliability. Not convinced of that just yet.

Chris Christian