Electrically illuminated sights?

Prof Young · January 10, 2018, 12:04 AM

So my post on learning to use a laser has caused me to ponder.

Does anyone make a handgun with electrically illuminated sights?

Like say little LEDS that are battery operated. I know there are rifle scopes that do all kinds of fancy stuff, and I've had a bow sight that had an led illuminate the pins in low light, but this would be a simple three dot sight wherein the dots are electrically powered to glow.

Hmmm . . .

Life is good.
Prof Young

rock185 · January 10, 2018, 12:14 AM

That very thing was tried as a very early attempt at night sights. I read one or more magazine articles about 40 years ago showing the gun, how it was wired,etc. One gun I recall shown modified with electrically lit sights was a S&W model 19. Believe me, our current night sights requiring no LEDs, no machining of frames to run epoxied in wiring, no batteries,etc. are a much better way to go.

UncleEd · January 10, 2018, 01:47 PM

When I flip on the wall switch in a room,
my sights are electrically illuminated.

Sorry I couldn't resist.

Rock 185 has an excellent answer.

Personally never cared whether I had
night sights or not.

Jim Watson · January 10, 2018, 01:49 PM

I once saw a safari rifle with a battery compartment in the stock and a plug in the foreend for a jacklighting setup.

Model12Win · January 10, 2018, 01:52 PM

There have been radium-painted night sights in use for over 100 years though they never caught on much until the much safer tritium vials came out.

Many argue if night sights are useful. I like them just so I can tell the orientation and position of my pistol on the nightstand in the dark.

Sgt127 · January 11, 2018, 01:48 AM

It was done in the 1970’s. As has been mentioned. Likely the article the poster above remembers. Sorry for the quality. Noting beats the quality of tritium. We are currently blessed.

Sgt127 · January 11, 2018, 01:49 AM

More

Big Shrek · January 13, 2018, 06:34 PM

Have to admit, with the new LED's that have come out recently, that are used
to put tiny little dots on the sides of guitars to mark frets...
my twisted mind started thinking about firearms applications.
The new batteries that are out now, and the ones that are coming will make
for some interesting options for sights...

What If the Glock Hole could be used as a battery box for intergral lighted sights??

Bill DeShivs · January 14, 2018, 05:40 PM

Electronics and guns don't mix well.
Guitars are not subject to the shock experienced when firing a gun.
Even tritium night sights are of limited use. Most are used as a crutch because people don't practice enough to point shoot effectively.

Model12Win · January 14, 2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

Electronics and guns don't mix well.
Guitars are not subject to the shock experienced when firing a gun.
Even tritium night sights are of limited use. Most are used as a crutch because people don't practice enough to point shoot effectively.

That makes no sense.

Cheapshooter · January 14, 2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Electronics and guns don't mix well.
Guitars are not subject to the shock experienced when firing a gun.
Even tritium night sights are of limited use. Most are used as a crutch because people don't practice enough to point shoot effectively.

Bill, go buy a lottery ticket, I am. The stars are aligned again. I agree with you!!!

cecILL · January 15, 2018, 08:02 AM

And, electronics fail and batteries die.

Prndll · January 15, 2018, 10:27 AM

Too many people get hung up on the batteries. Having a battery on a firearm simply is not required. A piezoelectric field can place a small charge into a capacitor by the action of racking the slide and keep it charged as each fire cycles. Most of this can can housed within the sights themselves. Having an LED on both sights are not even required since we can use fiber optics.

With semi-autos like the Ruger Marks or the Beretta Neos, this whole thing could easily by integrated into a replacement pic rail for the top of the pistol. That's not to mention all the possibilities when it comes to rifles and shotguns.

The real question in my mind:
As has been stated, electronics fail. Most firearms can last for 100 years or more being handed down from generation to generation if treated with respect and cared for properly. Is there any reason at all to expect ANY kind of solid state device or semi-conductor to come anywhere close to that kind of life span?

Big Shrek · January 15, 2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prndll

Too many people get hung up on the batteries. Having a battery on a firearm simply is not required. A piezoelectric field can place a small charge into a capacitor by the action of racking the slide and keep it charged as each fire cycles. Most of this can can housed within the sights themselves. Having an LED on both sights are not even required since we can use fiber optics.

With semi-autos like the Ruger Marks or the Beretta Neos, this whole thing could easily by integrated into a replacement pic rail for the top of the pistol. That's not to mention all the possibilities when it comes to rifles and shotguns.

The real question in my mind:
As has been stated, electronics fail. Most firearms can last for 100 years or more being handed down from generation to generation if treated with respect and cared for properly. Is there any reason at all to expect ANY kind of solid state device or semi-conductor to come anywhere close to that kind of life span?

I'm not expecting any of my polymers to last over 50 years either...
but I might get a surprise

gwpercle · January 17, 2018, 12:10 PM

Energizer LED Cap Light. Clips onto the brim of your hat and illuminates the sights perfectly ! Ain't modern electronics wonderful ?

January 10, 2018, 12:04 AM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Electrically illuminated sights? So my post on learning to use a laser has caused me to ponder. Does anyone make a handgun with electrically illuminated sights? Like say little LEDS that are battery operated. I know there are rifle scopes that do all kinds of fancy stuff, and I've had a bow sight that had an led illuminate the pins in low light, but this would be a simple three dot sight wherein the dots are electrically powered to glow. Hmmm . . . Life is good. Prof Young

January 10, 2018, 12:14 AM	#2
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	That very thing was tried as a very early attempt at night sights. I read one or more magazine articles about 40 years ago showing the gun, how it was wired,etc. One gun I recall shown modified with electrically lit sights was a S&W model 19. Believe me, our current night sights requiring no LEDs, no machining of frames to run epoxied in wiring, no batteries,etc. are a much better way to go. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

January 13, 2018, 06:34 PM	#8
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Have to admit, with the new LED's that have come out recently, that are used to put tiny little dots on the sides of guitars to mark frets... my twisted mind started thinking about firearms applications. The new batteries that are out now, and the ones that are coming will make for some interesting options for sights... What If the Glock Hole could be used as a battery box for intergral lighted sights?? __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

January 14, 2018, 05:40 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,986	Electronics and guns don't mix well. Guitars are not subject to the shock experienced when firing a gun. Even tritium night sights are of limited use. Most are used as a crutch because people don't practice enough to point shoot effectively. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 10, 2018, 01:47 PM	#3
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	When I flip on the wall switch in a room, my sights are electrically illuminated. Sorry I couldn't resist. Rock 185 has an excellent answer. Personally never cared whether I had night sights or not.

January 10, 2018, 01:49 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I once saw a safari rifle with a battery compartment in the stock and a plug in the foreend for a jacklighting setup.

January 10, 2018, 01:52 PM	#5
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	There have been radium-painted night sights in use for over 100 years though they never caught on much until the much safer tritium vials came out. Many argue if night sights are useful. I like them just so I can tell the orientation and position of my pistol on the nightstand in the dark.

January 15, 2018, 08:02 AM	#12
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	And, electronics fail and batteries die.

January 15, 2018, 10:27 AM	#13
Prndll Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 123	Too many people get hung up on the batteries. Having a battery on a firearm simply is not required. A piezoelectric field can place a small charge into a capacitor by the action of racking the slide and keep it charged as each fire cycles. Most of this can can housed within the sights themselves. Having an LED on both sights are not even required since we can use fiber optics. With semi-autos like the Ruger Marks or the Beretta Neos, this whole thing could easily by integrated into a replacement pic rail for the top of the pistol. That's not to mention all the possibilities when it comes to rifles and shotguns. The real question in my mind: As has been stated, electronics fail. Most firearms can last for 100 years or more being handed down from generation to generation if treated with respect and cared for properly. Is there any reason at all to expect ANY kind of solid state device or semi-conductor to come anywhere close to that kind of life span?

January 17, 2018, 12:10 PM	#15
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Energizer LED Cap Light. Clips onto the brim of your hat and illuminates the sights perfectly ! Ain't modern electronics wonderful ?