Seasoned Contributor for Minuteman Review and teaches over 100 shooting classes a year.
Trijicon Night Sight Sets
Shooters know that alignment is critical, and many end up modifying their units– sometimes even before customizing anything else.
You can’t hit what you can’t properly see, and target acquisition under stress can be incredibly difficult. Enter the Trijicon HD Night units– arguably the most expensive products for pistol out there, but there’s a very good reason for that.
PROS
CONS
Is It Worth Your Money
They are made to assist with target acquisition in a close-range scenario and offers a way to engage targets faster and more accurately even if you’re in the middle of the most stress you’ve ever felt. With a price point well over $150, however, it can seem at first glance like they’re not worth the cost – but they are.
If you need dependable units that are easy to train with and use, with reliability lasting for at least the next decade, the HD Night Sights should be your go-toproduct.
Scope Review and Breakdown
Features:
The top element of the product are the tritium glass lamps used for illumination. According to internal research conducted by the company, most users can achieve center-mass hits faster with the HD – up to 30% quicker– due to the picture focus and better lighting from the tritium.
Each item is individually manufactured for a specific make and model, and currently, the brand makes the HD for a full range of firearms from most major manufacturers, including the entire line of Glocks and the Springfield Armory XD, XDM, and the XD-S lines.
Photo from Pinterest.
Everything about the HD says close range function in a stressful situation. The HD sports a metal body – no cheap plastic here – and a U-shaped notch in the rear item. It’s not going to offer you precision accuracy over about 15 feet, and it’s not meant to do that. It will, however, give you faster acquisition on a center mass target, at a self-defense distance.
It also has a deep hook on the front, allowing for emergency one-handed operation. If you find yourself unable to rack your slide due to injury, you can use the hook to rack off of your belt, or anything else that you can see at the moment. It’s critical that you train for such operation, however – don’t assume that you’ll be able to do it in a crunch if you haven’t practiced.
Specifications:
- Bright illumination from tritium lamps
- Aluminum cylinders and sapphire window
- Shock protection with silicone rubber cushion
- Glare-reducing surface and black painted rings to enhance the front focus
- Contrasting colors on the front and rear products
Ease of Use and Reliability
If you’re used to mounting units, you’ll have no problem mounting this one. That being said, the brand does recommend you find a gunsmith to put it on for you.
Since tritium has a half-life of a little over 12 years, you’ll have a reliable unit for a decade. There are no batteries, no extra parts to mess up. Just install (or get a professional to do it), and start training.
Cost
The HD Night Sights are more expensive than similar models and vary considerably depending on the type of firearm. All models, however, run under $200 and are readily available.
Who is this Scope for?
Type of shooter
They aren’t for long-distance, or even target shooting at your preferred range. They’re specifically designed for the user who needs fast, reliable target acquisition in low light or no light conditions even when under stress. In short, they’re made to help you ensure consistent center-mass hits at self-defense range – fast.
Regardless of your current skill level, they can improve your acquisition speed and ability to hit a man-sized target, and that means you’ll be better prepared yourself in a self-defense situation.
Type of gun
The HD comes in numerous models, specifically designed for the firearm it’s meant to go on. Manufacturers supported by the HD include Beretta, Colt, FNH, Glock, H&K, Remington, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Walther.
Our Opinion
Trijicon Night Sight Sets
This Trijicon model isn’t cheap. The price point, in fact, may discourage you from buying. The bottom line, however, is that they’re worth every penny.
In a self-defense situation with your handgun, the time it takes you to acquire your target – especially in a low-light or no-light situation – can decide whether you survive the encounter or not. That means you’ll want the best product you can get for your money.
The 12-year life of tritium means even with the higher price point, you’ll have a dependable tool for the next decade. With the proven increase in target acquisition speed, the price ends up being a worthy investment.
If you want a unit that won’t fail when your life depends on it, this product is a solid buy. There’s a reason why they’ve been called “the ultimate sights.”
Other Options Worth Looking At
Not everyone is willing and able to shell out the cash for the Trijicon HD. The next best thing is probably the Ameriglo Spartan Tactical product. The Spartans have a slightly better picture past the 15’ distance mark than the HD, and it is a bit closer to the factory height. Depending on the model you choose, it can also cost less than $50.
The other option is the Ameriglo Pro I-Dot. It offers several of the advantages of the HD, but runs a single tritium insert on a two-dot system instead of the Trijicon three, which is very intuitive in low light. The melted edges mean snag-free operation, and the red dot is highly visible even in sunlight. It’s also less expensive than the HD, running less than $100.
Other Models from the Manufacturer
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