Nightstand gun, what sights?

[villageidiot]

remember if you shine a light at an armed intruder, the point of light becomes a target, hold it to the side of the body out as far as possible, aim the light with 1 hand, gun with the other, if you know where your gun shoots, sights are not a necessity across a room, or down the average hall, just my 2cents

I remember Elmer Keith talking about a similar technique, however, I have never heard anyone more modern mention such an approach.

[Lex_Luthor]

Here's a stupid question:
Fiber Optic require SOME amount of light to brighten up, right? They won't be bright in total darkness....

Tritium sights are radioactive and glow for a period of time? How long do they last? What brand would you all suggest?

What about these (http://www.brightsights.com/index.shtml) kinds of paints? Do they even work, or are they a waste of money?

[TTWHTD]

A good dog will stop most intruders but I have a tritium sight. Front only.

[AirbornePathogen]

Tritium sights last for years. When I traded away my last SIG, the sights were at least 5 years old, and still nice and bright. I'm sure there's someone here that can explain the physics of it better than me, but tritium is actually a mildly radioactive isotope. The light is a byproduct of it gradually decaying. And no, the tritium in your sights will not make your hair fall out or make you grow a third ball or anything like that.

And I had the BrightSights paint on my old front sight post on my rifle, made it easier to pick up in low light. Not something I'd rely on as a primary though.

[cwripinz]

if you know where your gun shoots, sights are not a necessity across a room, or down the average hall,

+1 FOR THAT FROM HERE! Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!! Know your Weapon(s) very well before you bet your, or someone else's, life on it (them).

Within 50 feet, with either my .357 Magnum, 9mm or 12 Gauge, I Do Not Require Any Sighting Device What-so-ever. Center Mass with 100% Consistancy... moving or stationary targets. Heads up with my weapon at Hip or Chest Height and Outside of my Main Field of Vision. This is how I practice. I want to SEE First and then, SHOOT Only When Necessary & Appropriate! But I only practice "shoot to kill".

Just my perspective on Home Defense Weapons Preparedness & Deployment.

[Irving]

Within 50 feet, with either my .357 Magnum, 9mm or 12 Gauge, I Do Not Require Any Sighting Device What-so-ever. Center Mass with 100% Consistancy... moving or stationary targets. Heads up with my weapon at Hip or Chest Height and Outside of my Main Field of Vision. This is how I practice. I want to SEE First and then, SHOOT Only When Necessary & Appropriate! But I only practice "shoot to kill".

That's a pretty tall claim. I'd like to see you at a local match sometime.

[BPTactical]

Tritium sights last for years. When I traded away my last SIG, the sights were at least 5 years old, and still nice and bright. I'm sure there's someone here that can explain the physics of it better than me, but tritium is actually a mildly radioactive isotope. The light is a byproduct of it gradually decaying. And no, the tritium in your sights will not make your hair fall out or make you grow a third ball or anything like that.

And I had the BrightSights paint on my old front sight post on my rifle, made it easier to pick up in low light. Not something I'd rely on as a primary though.

Tritium sights typically have a life span of about 12 years, it's "half life". And yes it is a very weak isotope and in it's free gasious form will only travel about 6-8 feet in air. It will not penetrate the skin and the only health risk it poses is if inhaled/ingested.

Dont waste your money on specialized "sight paints". They are expensive. Go to Sportsmans Warehouse or Bass Pro and head to the fishing section. Look for "Jig" paint. It is available in an unbelievable amount of colors and most common firearm solvents will not harm it. Very tough stuff. I have the entire back of the blade on my Micro Compact painted white and unless there is absolutley no light I can pick it up, even with my glasses off.

Lot to be said for "Instinctive" shooting i.e. point and shoot without sight aquisition. Valuable skill.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Going after a "bump in the dark" is pretty much the same as clearing a building. The suspect will only have an advantage if you give it to him. Plus, this is your house, so you know the layout better.
I like to keep a compact tac light in my off hand, holding it with the blade of my hand pointing forward, and my thumb on the momentary switch, ready as needed. My stong hand is holding the weapon of choice, pointing forward, but down close to the hip. If you look at that position, it resembles the ready position of a basic fighting stance. If you are suddenly attacked, the off hand can strike or push off, while the weapon had can fire quickly without risk of getting grabbed as you turn a corner.
Move quietly and stay in the dark, moving slowly as your eyes better adjust to the darkness. If you do confront the suspect, lighting them up then will blind them and let you clearly see what's in his hands. Give clear verbal directions. Depending on your training, you can prone them out and take them into custody, (yes, I have cuffs handy), or hold them at bay while the police are called. If the suspect rushes you, or endangers your life with a weapon, do what you have you do. If the suspect tries to run away, going hands on is not a great idea, neither is shooting them as they flee. Know the law before you need it. Have a plan ahead a time. Practice clearing your house in the dark from your bedroom, no matter how much your wife thinks you're a dork.

Probably way more than you were looking for, however at that point, the best gun is the one that you have trained with and is reliable. The fancy night sights are great for a dark street shoot out or on the range for a night qual. Being an ace on the range, and being proficent at CQB are two different things. If you're going to carry a gun for self defense, do yourself, and those around you a favor and train for both.

[TFOGGER]

I'm thinking tritium sights of some kind for my night stand gun, and maybe a laser of some kind. After all, nothing says "I broke into the wrong house" like a laser dot 6 inches below your chin...

[cwripinz]

That's a pretty tall claim. I'd like to see you at a local match sometime.

Matches tend to be timed. I'm not fast, but I am accurate. I take my own sweet time... be certain of that which I am about to destroy... and only then will I pull the trigger. I'd rather let some miscreant escape than fire upon the wrong target.

Tall Claim? Not at all when Time is removed as a factor from the equation.

Additionally... Lighting issues seem to be of great concern in this thread. Try installing Photo Electric Switched LED Night Lights around your home. I put in 10 of them. They come on automaticly, eat almost no power, give off a nice level of illumination and last virtually forever. I have not smashed a toe since I installed them 4 years ago... and I consider that, in and of itself, well worth it... irrespective of the security lighting provided. If you are worried about Emergency Lighting, just have a separate circuit run with a battery backup... about $250-ish... and run LED Lighting off of that circuit. Even in a power failure, you and yours will be able to navigate your home safely.