after market sights on Shield 9mm

Excoastie · May 23, 2017, 08:35 AM

I've been looking at upgrading the sights on my Shield 9mm EDC.

There are so many different options out there that I'm not sure where to start.
I'm wanting something that is just a little bit easier to focus on, perhaps even something along the night sights line.

Any suggestions? I've linked the two that I've been considering, but they're so far apart in pricing that I wonder why one is so much more.

Trijicon Night Sight $107 at CTD

Williams Fire Sight $39.97 also at CTD

How about something else?

Exco

jmhyer · May 23, 2017, 10:15 AM

What you are paying for in the Trijicons is the tritium, which is radioactive and literally glows in the dark. It slowly decays over 10-12 years and loses its glow.

The Williams sights are simply fiberoptic sights. They don't glow in the dark. They rely on the presence of available light and are definitely superior to tritium alone in daylight. They are cheaper because there is no tritium and the housing is aluminum...which some might criticize, however, I think it's at least superior to the polymer construction of Glock's stock sights. I wouldn't hesitate just because they aren't of steel construction. Just be careful not to damage them during the install. Steel sights can take a lot of abuse with a brass punch. With aluminum, however, I'd probable use a plastic punch, and file them to fit a little better before really whacking away. If you have acces to a sight puncher, that might even be better.

Which you choose is a matter of taste/choice. I have tritium sights on my service model M&P. They are excellent. But most would point out that you are very unlikely to shoot in complete darkness. So for most applications, the fiberoptic ones will suffice. And, as mentioned, they are far superior in daylight.

ScaryWoody · May 23, 2017, 11:34 AM

I would look at Truglo TFX it blends the tritium with the fiber optic. It's about the same price as the Trijicons. I just have a HiViz front for easy sight acquisition.

jackstrawIII · May 24, 2017, 09:09 AM

I have the standard Truglo tritium sights on my Shield and I love them. I had the TFX on a pistol a while back and I didn't love how big the front sight was.

Rogervzv · May 24, 2017, 09:37 AM

I have the Truglo Tritium sights on my Shield 9mm and really like the sights.

Miles better than the stock sights.

As an earlier poster said, you are paying for the Tritium. But it's worth it.

gpjoe · May 29, 2017, 01:24 PM

As stated, fiber optic (Williams) sights are great in daylight but are useless in the dark. If you want to use the gun for self-defense, buy tritium sights.

KyJim · May 30, 2017, 08:34 PM

Quote:

As stated, fiber optic (Williams) sights are great in daylight but are useless in the dark. If you want to use the gun for self-defense, buy tritium sights.

If completely dark, you are correct. If it is low light level, maybe a flood light, street light, etc. fiber optic sights may work very well --- some gather more light than others due to size. A gold/brass bead will also do the same.

But of course, that brings up the question --- if there's not enough light to see a fiber optic sight, is there enough light to see your target?

Mosin44az · May 31, 2017, 01:02 AM

Another vote for Truglo, either TFOs or TFXs. Bright all the time.

gpjoe · May 31, 2017, 03:43 AM

Quote:

If completely dark, you are correct. If it is low light level, maybe a flood light, street light, etc. fiber optic sights may work very well --- some gather more light than others due to size. A gold/brass bead will also do the same.

But of course, that brings up the question --- if there's not enough light to see a fiber optic sight, is there enough light to see your target?

True, but I probably should have worded my post differently.

I bought Williams Fire Sights for a pistol and they worked as long as there was a light source, though not very well in low light. I immediately replaced them with Trijicon tritium sights which are much more visible in low light or darkness.

Since the gun was mainly for home defense, I wanted something visible in dark conditions, and the fiber optic sights are not. Whether I take the shot or not is a different issue, but I know for certain that I can see my sights in ANY condition.

Excoastie · May 31, 2017, 07:02 AM

Thanks everyone!

I'm not sure what route I'm going to go. I do know that I want different sights than what I have now. I also know that I'm going to have them installed, as I don't really feel like beating on my EDC and breaking the sights. I'll let someone else do that, who can then contribute to my new purchase....

I have been leaning toward the fiber sights, as I don't seriously see myself using the weapon in complete darkness, at the most a low light situation.

Exco

gnystrom · May 31, 2017, 09:01 AM

When I owned a Shield I had a set of Ameriglo i Dots sights on it. I loved the yellow front which I found was easier for my eyes to pick up quickly.

May 23, 2017, 08:35 AM	#1
Excoastie Member Join Date: September 18, 2016 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 89	after market sights on Shield 9mm I've been looking at upgrading the sights on my Shield 9mm EDC. There are so many different options out there that I'm not sure where to start. I'm wanting something that is just a little bit easier to focus on, perhaps even something along the night sights line. Any suggestions? I've linked the two that I've been considering, but they're so far apart in pricing that I wonder why one is so much more. Trijicon Night Sight $107 at CTD Williams Fire Sight $39.97 also at CTD How about something else? Exco __________________ I'm going outside to stand, if anyone asks; tell them I'm OUTSTANDING

May 23, 2017, 10:15 AM	#2
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	What you are paying for in the Trijicons is the tritium, which is radioactive and literally glows in the dark. It slowly decays over 10-12 years and loses its glow. The Williams sights are simply fiberoptic sights. They don't glow in the dark. They rely on the presence of available light and are definitely superior to tritium alone in daylight. They are cheaper because there is no tritium and the housing is aluminum...which some might criticize, however, I think it's at least superior to the polymer construction of Glock's stock sights. I wouldn't hesitate just because they aren't of steel construction. Just be careful not to damage them during the install. Steel sights can take a lot of abuse with a brass punch. With aluminum, however, I'd probable use a plastic punch, and file them to fit a little better before really whacking away. If you have acces to a sight puncher, that might even be better. Which you choose is a matter of taste/choice. I have tritium sights on my service model M&P. They are excellent. But most would point out that you are very unlikely to shoot in complete darkness. So for most applications, the fiberoptic ones will suffice. And, as mentioned, they are far superior in daylight. Last edited by jmhyer; May 23, 2017 at 10:41 AM.

May 24, 2017, 09:09 AM	#4
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 901	I have the standard Truglo tritium sights on my Shield and I love them. I had the TFX on a pistol a while back and I didn't love how big the front sight was. __________________ In God we trust.

May 24, 2017, 09:37 AM	#5
Rogervzv Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,075	I have the Truglo Tritium sights on my Shield 9mm and really like the sights. Miles better than the stock sights. As an earlier poster said, you are paying for the Tritium. But it's worth it. __________________ The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility, protecting it with his life. The civilian does not.

May 31, 2017, 07:02 AM	#10
Excoastie Member Join Date: September 18, 2016 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 89	Thanks everyone! I'm not sure what route I'm going to go. I do know that I want different sights than what I have now. I also know that I'm going to have them installed, as I don't really feel like beating on my EDC and breaking the sights. I'll let someone else do that, who can then contribute to my new purchase.... I have been leaning toward the fiber sights, as I don't seriously see myself using the weapon in complete darkness, at the most a low light situation. Exco __________________ I'm going outside to stand, if anyone asks; tell them I'm OUTSTANDING

May 23, 2017, 11:34 AM	#3
ScaryWoody Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 368	I would look at Truglo TFX it blends the tritium with the fiber optic. It's about the same price as the Trijicons. I just have a HiViz front for easy sight acquisition.

May 29, 2017, 01:24 PM	#6
gpjoe Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Posts: 63	As stated, fiber optic (Williams) sights are great in daylight but are useless in the dark. If you want to use the gun for self-defense, buy tritium sights.

May 31, 2017, 01:02 AM	#8
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Another vote for Truglo, either TFOs or TFXs. Bright all the time.

May 31, 2017, 09:01 AM	#11
gnystrom Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 308	When I owned a Shield I had a set of Ameriglo i Dots sights on it. I loved the yellow front which I found was easier for my eyes to pick up quickly.

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