This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links.
Are you shooting too low?
Are you struggling to see your sights at night?
Can you switch out the sights that came with the handgun?
In general, factory sights tend to leave a shooter wanting. It’s customary for stock sights to simply serve as fillers intended to be replaced. Aftermarket pistol iron sights can make a big difference to accuracy, sight and target acquisition, and overall performance.
But what sights are right for you and how are they different?
To pull together this list of the best pistol iron sights, I included a few that I own on various handguns to compare cost, usability, accuracy, and installation. From an owner’s hands-on experience, these pistol sights offer affordability and quality to match or outdo their price points.
Top Pistol Iron Sights for 2024
Open sights have a rear sight with a window, notch, gap to view the front sight mounted forward on a firearm. This is the sighting system in and of itself. Going forward, open sights will be referred to as iron sights for simplicity’s sake.
Iron sights, open sights – semantics. Really though, open sights are under the iron sight category as iron sights is a catch-all for sighting systems, including aperture sights, that use the naked eye to form a direct line of aim to the target.
Most pistols purchased today come installed with sights. Though some are better quality than others, plastic fillers or basic factory sights are the standard. They do little to improve accuracy or sight visibility and may be why a replacement set is needed.
While this round-up gathers some of the most popular pistol iron sights including my very own aftermarket handgun sights – which I have high opinions of – it’s not all-inclusive. Other things must be considered such as your particular firearm, use with a red dot or suppressor, and of course, heights to ensure the POA matches the POI.
So, here’s a handful of the top handgun iron sights to muse over to help you get started on your sight replacement journey!
7 Best Pistol Iron Sight Reviews
1. TruGlo Tritium Night Sights – Best Budget & Best Night Sights
The TruGlo Tritium Night Sights are some of the most popular night sights in the market. This was a large factor in why I personally purchased four sets for my Glocks. Obviously, affordability played a big role, and from my hands-on experience, they’ve been a value buy with big performance.
Pros:
- Price
- Tritium night sights
- Low profile – no holster snagging
- Easy to install on Glocks
- Multiple applications
Cons:
- Same color dots
I bought these earlier in the year and installed them myself with a sight pusher and hex tool that I bought separately online. The sight pusher was easy to use and to see the sights are lined up correctly from the get-go. Overall installation process is easily a 5/5 rating considering that they’ve not come loose, it wasn’t difficult at all, and I haven’t had to make any adjustments.
Now all my Glocks came with factory sights, and I’ll admit there was a small transition that I noticed adjusting from the U-notch to the square when aligning the dots, and I was accustomed to using the 6 o’clock hold sight picture. However, it’s been a relatively rapid process in overcoming it.
With the Truglos, I put rounds down at 15 and 25 yards with 5-shot groups in the combat sight picture. I was a little slower at 25 yards, and obviously at 15, it’s a lot easier to be consistent and send down round after round. With the factory sights, I was using the 6 o’clock hold, and with the Truglos, I’m shooting with the combat sight picture.
Every one of these Glocks has an OWB holster, and the design has not interfered at all. The glowing tritium lamps are way brighter in person than can be seen in the pics. Would I buy these again? Yes!
2. Trijicon HD XR – Best Glock Night Sights
For non-MOS Glock pistols, the Trijicon HD XR Night Sights serve for fast target acquisition with highly visible night sights. For Glocks 17, 17L, 19, 22, 23-28, 31-35, 37-39, and 45, the HD XRs are a highly popular upgrade from factory Glock sights.
Pros:
- Tritium night sights
- Highly visible painted front dot
- Thin front sight
- LEO & competition
- For non-MOS Glocks
Cons:
- Price
If you’re buying the set, you could be out almost a couple hundred dollars, but you can find them for more than 25-33% off in most cases. In my opinion, that would be a better price that I could justify over full retail cost. It’s worth remembering that they’re Trijicon quality that come with a 12-year warranty on the tritium lamps (from date of manufacture).
I really like the high-visible painted ring around the tritium lamp for fast sight focus. The paint is a photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) ring that is a trademark of the HD series. I think combined with the black-out performance of the rear sight during the day but glowing performance at night, its usability makes them operationally ready regardless of the conditions.
The front blade has a 0.122” width. Combined with the 0.169” rear U-notch width, it provides improved target acquisition, more FOV, and long-distance precision. It’s also steeply hooked meaning that if you’re in a rush and a one-hand rack is it, the front sight will catch for a fast first-in-chamber load.
If you’re sporting a Glock MOS, you’ll want the HD XR MOS sights for that longer fit on the rear of the slide. However, they’re stock height, so they won’t co-witness with a RDS if you’re sporting one.
Excellent for the needs of competition shooting and law enforcement, these night sights for Glock will also serve for carry firearms as a home and self-defense sighting system.
3. Truglo Fiber Optic Sights – Best Fiber Optic
The Truglo Fiber Optic Sights are regularly mistaken for night sights. They’re day-use sights with the fiber portions recessed into the sight well for concealment. They will be harder to see and dim in low light, but as fiber optic sights, they’re intended for daytime applications.
Pros:
- Price
- Fiber optic
- Contrasting dot colors
- For Glock (non-MOS)
- Snag-free design
Cons:
- Not good for lowlight
If you’re looking for a budget pair to upgrade stock plastic sights (fillers) on your Glock, Truglo’s fiber optic fits the bill. The best fiber optic sights provide dot visibility in daylight conditions.
As such, poor performance in shadows, lowlight, and dark conditions is to be expected – they are not night sights, so I’d say these are best for use in normal conditions.
Why they stand out to me as value pistol sights are that they’re well-made for the price point. They’re made from solid steel and have a treated Fortress Finish to protect the surface. Even though they’re not adjustable, they’re accurate enough.
With the right tools, they’re very easy to install and but it’s recommended to be installed by a trained gunsmith – per Truglo’s warranty. Obviously, there is a warranty but there are several conditions such as, it applies only to the original purchaser and proof of purchase is required.
I prefer contrasting features, and as these fiber optic sights reflect, the rear dots are green while the front sight is a contrasting red. I wouldn’t say they’re “daylight bright” but that is true of most red dot sights too.
With all that said, I recommended the Truglo fiber optic sights for target shooting and training.
3. AmeriGlo Optic Compatible Tall Suppressor Sights (GL-429) – Best Glock Black Out Sights
The best blacked-out Glock sights to pair with a red dot sight would be AmeriGlo’s optic compatible suppressor height irons. Though low in cost, they offer black-on-black simplicity for eliminating distractions through a pistol mounted red dot.
Pros:
- Price
- Suppressor height
- Blacked-out sights
- Glock compatible (except G42/43)
- Serrated front sight
Cons:
- Finish wear-and-tear
The AmeriGlo serrated sights I field-tested are similar and comparable to these Tall Suppressor sights though not the exact same pair. While they’ve been excellent for duty use thus far out to 25 yards, this Glock 17 Gen 5 was recently outfitted with the Holosun HE509T red dot sight.
The rear has a U-notch, and they’re slightly shorter making for a very low, I’d say, lower ¼ co-witness on the MOS slide with an adapter plate and 0.59” optical RDS height.
In my opinion, the recommended black-out sights would be a better replacement as they’re tall suppressor height sights and co-witnesses in the lower 1/3 with Trijicon RMR red dots. Heights are 0.315” for the very thin front blade and 0.394” for the rear.
Though both sights have neither tritium nor fiber optics, they’re steel with a matte black finish. This has been particularly beneficial as they don’t distract from a functioning pistol mounted RDS, like how it is used right now, or for those who use NODS with that RDS.
The finish is barely starting to wear at the angles after more than a year on my irons, and that can happen. Other than that, they’ve been excellent for target shooting, patrol/duty, and use with a red dot. AmeriGlo sights are made in USA starting with US steel blocks all the way to assembly.
5. Meprolight Mepro Tru-Dot Night Sights – Best Handgun Sights for Old Eyes
In general, aging eyes are having a hard time with front sight focusing and dot visibility in poor light conditions. A possible solution is to consider the Meprolight Mepro Tru-Dot Night Sights with a green front sight filled with tritium for low light and dark conditions.
Pros:
- Tritium night sights
- Contrasting dot colors
- Alloy steel
- For Glock (non-MOS)
- 12-year tritium guarantee
Cons:
- Not highly visible in the day
If older eyes are struggling in those lowlight and dark hours, night sights will help with dot visibility. I really like that these Meprolight sights will help with visual acuity because of the green on orange configuration, making them great pistol sights for old eyes.
The front sight has green tritium that allows for easier and brighter dot identification than other colors. The rear sight has orange tritium, and the contrast will ensure the front sight stands out.
The catch with tritium is that they don’t glow during the day. To help with dot visibility during daylight conditions, a white ring is painted around the tritium vials. In my opinion along with some buyers, they’re not as useful in these conditions and this would be true especially for those with bad eyes.
I know that the Mepro sights will fit Glock models except for MOS slides. They’re made from alloy steel. The tritium vials come with a manufacturer guarantee for 12 years which I think is fantastic as it’s on par with Trijicon’s tritium guarantee. The front sight blade is 0.17” in height and 0.16” in width. The rear sight blade is 0.19” in height.
Though older eyes might benefit from sights that offer both fiber optic and tritium dots, they’re more expensive. When you’re in the market for night sights, your eyes might need a little help from the green-on-orange configuration.
Available at: Amazon
6. Sig Sauer X-RAY3 – Best Night Sights for Sig
The X-RAY3 day and night sights are configured for Sig Sauer firearms. Though they’re included as the standard sights on the P229 and Legion series pistols, they’ll also fit the P-series 225, 227, 220, 226, 238, 938, and 320.
Pros:
- Day/night sights
- 3-dot alignment
- Fluorescent polymer & tritium
- Suppressor height
- For Sig P series
Cons:
- Dead tritium dots
I don’t have any performance complaints with them, and there are few to no complaints to find online. However, it seems that some sights are turning up with dead tritium vials or they don’t glow after a very short period of ownership. I did find that even though the lifetime warranty doesn’t cover tritium, Sig’s limited 5-year warranty covers tritium components starting from date of manufacture.
As suppressor height sights, they do come just above a suppressor and co-witness with a red dot in the lower 1/3 or a shade lower depending on the firearm and other factors.
The front blade is 0.374” in height while the rear is 0.417”. It will take some trial-and-error to figure out your POA and POI as they have not been set for any sort of sight picture.
The tritium vials provide dot visibility in lowlight and night conditions and are housed inside the steel sights for protection. The front sight has an oversized fluorescent polymer dot that surrounds the tritium for high visibility in daylight but also glows in the dark.
It’s my opinion that they would be excellent for use regardless of the conditions and as such, they offer a lot of value for the money. If you’re not running a red dot, the X-Ray3 does come in Sig size configurations of F6/R8, F8/R8, F8/R6, and F8/R8.
7. Viking Tactics VTAC Sig Sauer – Best Day & Night Sights
The VTAC Sig sights have both fiber and tritium dots ready for day/night use. I own and love them, so they were included as a hands-on field test. I got them because they’re stock for the P320 X-VTAC. They’ll fit most of the P series from the P220 to the P365 as well some out of production ones.
Pros:
- Day & night sights
- Fiber or steel
- 3-dot alignment
- Tapered front sight (0.110”)
- Fits a wide range of Sig P models
Cons:
- May shoot low
I sighted-in the VTACs for a 25-yard zero in the combat sight picture. Though others have reported that the sights are 1-2” low at 10 yards or more, I haven’t had such issues. Any flier shots I’ve had, had more to do with my pistol shooting fundamentals than the sights themselves.
The front is a Sig size #6 (0.230”) and the rear an #8 (0.250”). Even though I haven’t had need to switch out sizes, some have found better results with a front 8 and rear 8 combination to bring up groups that were too low with the F6/R8 combo.
I find the tapered front extremely beneficial with its slimming silhouette because it gives me the potential for improved precision with its 0.110” pinpoint post. Because the VTACs are standard height, they didn’t co-witness with the field-tested Leupold DeltaPoint Pro I stuck on there.
The dovetail base can be adjusted with a sight pusher for windage, though windage has never been an issue for me and that seems to be consistent across the board.
There are a lot of dots going on (a total of six!), but dot acquisition and visibility performance has always been easy, and I’ve never confused them.
My eyes find the fiber optics easy and fast to pick up in the day and align in the 3-dot alignment configuration. At night, my eye is immediately drawn to the glowing tritium dots. Though as a side note, there is an option for the black steel rear sight with a day & night front sight.
Though they’re the least well-known sights in this lineup, they offer day and night benefits that are perfectly matched with Sig Sauer P series pistols if you’re considering an upgrade. On my P320, they’re not going to be replaced any time soon. I’ll probably put a different RDS on there, but the VTACs aren’t going anywhere.
What to Look for in the Best Pistol Iron Sights
Overall, iron sights are simple and affordable. However, additional components and various materials can influence the cost, how they perform in certain conditions, and diverse specifications can determine what application they’re best suited to.
For a run-down on the need-to-know info, this guide will get you thinking.
Cost
In general, handgun iron sights will vary in cost depending on material, adjustability, and visibility enhancement components. They can be as affordable as $20 and as expensive as $200. Even so, they’re cheaper than pistol red dot sights with an average starting price point of $250 (approx.).
When considering a budget for pistol sights, you must sum up your needs:
- Application (type of shooting: hunting, patrol/duty, competition, carry, home defense, etc.)
- Dot visibility for daylight, lowlight, or dark conditions
- Durability (plastic housing VS metal)
- Adjustability (fixed VS adjustable)
The more you require from your sights, the more expensive they will be. You should also include a budget for the proper tools needed for installation or for a professional install by a gunsmith. A professional install is nearly always recommended by the manufacturer and is sometimes a requirement of the warranty.
Fiber Optic Day Sights VS Tritium Night Sights
Both fiber optic and tritium components do not require electricity, power, recharging – any of the inconveniences of illuminated red dot sights. However, these enhanced visibility sights cost more than basic blackout and fluorescent painted iron sights.
What are Fiber Optic Sights?
Fiber optic tubes are installed into the sight. Ambient light is “collected” into the tube and then concentrated at the end – the dot. They are colored to provide contrast against the target and surroundings for high sight visibility. These are appropriate for day use in normal conditions.
What are Tritium Night Sights?
Tritium gas is concentrated into tiny vials that catalyze a glowing effect with fluorescent materials. They become highly visible in low light and dark conditions where visual acuity is reduced, and other iron sight alternatives would be rendered useless. Though very visible in these conditions, they do not glow during the day, and you cannot temper its brightness at night. These are night sights.
More expensive iron sights will incorporate both fiber optic and tritium dots for day and night use.
Blackout Sights
Blackout pistol iron sights are plain, as in basic. They lack enhancement features as they lack dots altogether. Why would these be preferable on any handgun?
Blackout sights have their purpose. Most of the time, the rear is blacked-out for simplicity to remove as many visual distractions as possible. This allows a dot on the front sight to stand out. In turn, this improves front sight acquisition and focus.
However, when both the front and rear sight are blacked out, they are better paired with a pistol mounted red dot sight. Though taller sights are visible through the RDS, their basic appeal does not distract from the functioning illuminated dot of the RDS.
This is also important when using night vision with a pistol-mounted RDS. Tritium can be seen through night vision and thus is another distraction to the shooter when viewing through the RDS with NODS.
Close range VS Long range
The blade width of the front sight will influence sight acquisition and focus, accuracy, and distance performance. They vary in width, and while some like thin blades, it may be too narrow and can get “lost” against the target or FOV making it slower to pick up.
Conversely, a wider front sight may cover up too much of the target and FOV to make accurate shots at distance. For close range shooting, say under 10 yards, a wider front sight of 0.140” (approx.) and wider will be faster to pick up.
For distance shooting over 10 yards, a front sight of around 0.100-0.125” (approx.) will cover less of the target aiding in precision and target acquisition.
Fixed VS Adjustable
Many pistol sights are fixed and cannot be adjusted. These types are set for a certain sight picture and are sighted in at a specific distance. Therefore, sights are model specific for the handgun. If placed on another pistol or installed incorrectly, the POA will not match the POI.
Not all fixed sights are accurate even though they’re the right sights for the right firearm. Some modifications can be made such as, front sights can be filed down and dovetail rear sights can be pushed left and right for some adjustability.
Easier adjustability is usually a feature of a specialty rear sight for competition shooters. Being able to adjust can result in greater precision, tighter groups, and increased confidence when shooting at various distances.
For more on how to sight-in and adjust, check out our How to Zero Iron Sights how-to guide.
Installation
Most pistol sights are fixed. It’s essential to be specific about blade heights so you can sight-in your iron sights. Some can be “pushed” to try to compensate for left/right (windage) and front sights can always be filed down. However, it’s not as easy to weld more steel to too short front sights.
While a brass punch and mallet is how it was done for a long time, a proper sight pusher is a better tool. Sights with tritium vials can break, and other than being out of the cost of the sight, you’ll want to avoid breaking an alpha-emitter product.
If you don’t have the right tools, are finding it difficult to get tight groups or to raise/lower them, or they’re not fitting right, a professional install is recommended. In fact, the instructions that came with the iron sights likely mentions that a trained gunsmith install the sights.
In some cases, the warranties demand this and warranties can be forfeited if installed with any other method.
Red Dot VS Iron Sights
With as popular and common as red dots are becoming on handguns, some are doing away with iron sights altogether. However, some of us are rooted in the opinion that red dots can fail, and a back-up sighting system remains relevant even in this electro-optic driven sporting industry.
Some comparisons include:
The rage right now is to combine irons and a RDS for a co-witness and never being without a sighting system. For more in-depth comparisons, check out our Iron Sights VS Red Dot guide.
Do You Need an Iron Sight Upgrade?
The factory iron sights that came with the pistol are not the end-all-be-all. If groups are off regardless of shooting fundamentals or dot visibility is difficult to acquire, aftermarket sights can be a practical upgrade. Some are tall enough to see over suppressors and red dots.
With various features like contrast enhancements, adjustability, and concealed carry features, upgrading your sights can make all the difference needed in usability, accuracy, shooter safety, and overall performance.
Further Reading
- How to Aim Iron Sights [Complete Guide with Photos]
- What is the Sight Picture & Sight Alignment? [WITH PICS]
- Iron Sights VS Red Dot Comparisons (Uses, Accuracy, Reliability, Durability & More)
- Pistol & Rifle Co-Witness Sights Explained!
- How to Zero Iron Sights on Pistol & AR-15 (With Photos)
