Best Glock Night Sights (2026): Tritium vs Fiber vs Blacked-Out

Types of Night Sights

Tritium Night Sights

Tritium sights use small vials of tritium gas that glow continuously without external light. They're self-illuminating and work in complete darkness. Tritium has a half-life of approximately 12 years, meaning the brightness decreases over time but remains usable for many years.

Popular tritium sight manufacturers include Trijicon, Ameriglo, Meprolight, and Truglo. Tritium sights typically feature a bright front sight (often green or yellow) and dimmer rear dots (often white or yellow) to help draw the eye to the front sight.

Tritium sights are the most common choice for defensive pistols because they work in any light condition, including complete darkness. They're reliable, require no batteries, and provide consistent illumination.

Fiber Optic Sights

Fiber optic sights use a small fiber optic rod that gathers ambient light and makes the front sight appear bright. They work excellently in daylight and can be usable in some dim light if there's ambient light, but they're not a true low-light solution like tritium and don't work in complete darkness.

Fiber optic sights are popular for competition and range use because they provide a very bright, easy-to-see front sight in good lighting. However, they're less suitable for defensive use in complete darkness compared to tritium.

Some shooters combine fiber optic front sights with tritium rear sights for a hybrid approach that works in various lighting conditions.

Blacked-Out Sights

Blacked-out rear sights (often paired with a high-visibility front) reduce rear-sight distractions and can be useful for fast sight acquisition. They don't provide low-light capability on their own but help simplify the sight picture.

Suppressor-height or co-witness sights are a separate category (often used with red dots) and can be blacked-out or not. These sights are typically taller than standard sights to co-witness with red dots mounted on the slide. They're backup sights that don't interfere with the red dot's field of view.

Best Night Sights for Glocks

Trijicon HD XR

Trijicon HD XR sights feature a bright tritium front sight with an orange or yellow ring, and blacked-out rear sights with small tritium dots. The design emphasizes the front sight for faster target acquisition. They're popular for defensive use and work well in all lighting conditions.

Ameriglo CAP

Ameriglo CAP (Contrast Acquisition Point) sights come in various configurations. Some CAP sets feature a bright tritium front sight with a colored ring and blacked-out or tritium rear sights, designed for fast target acquisition and low-light use. CAP configurations vary, so verify the specific model includes tritium if low-light capability is a priority. Good value for the features offered.

Meprolight Tru-Dot

Meprolight Tru-Dot sights feature three-dot tritium configuration (two rear, one front) that's easy to align. They're reliable, affordable, and provide good low-light visibility. A solid choice for those who prefer traditional three-dot alignment.

Truglo TFX Pro

Truglo TFX Pro combines tritium and fiber optic technology, providing visibility in both daylight and darkness. The fiber optic gathers light during the day, while tritium provides illumination in darkness. This hybrid approach works well for all lighting conditions.

Tritium vs Fiber Optic vs Blacked-Out

Installation Considerations

Glock night sights can be installed by DIYers with the correct tools, though professional installation is a convenient option. The rear sight uses a dovetail (often easier with a sight pusher tool), and the front sight uses a small screw/nut. Many shooters successfully install sights themselves with proper tools and care.

Glock factory night sights are available on some models and come pre-installed. Aftermarket sights offer more options and often better features, but require installation. Professional installation ensures proper alignment and can prevent damage, but it's not strictly required if you have the right tools and knowledge.

When installing sights, ensure they're properly aligned and secured. Misaligned sights will affect accuracy, and loose sights can fall out or shift during use.

Who Should Choose Each Type

Choose Tritium If

• • You use your Glock for self-defense
• • You need visibility in complete darkness
• • You want reliable, maintenance-free sights
• • Low-light capability is a priority

Choose Fiber Optic If

• • You primarily shoot in daylight
• • You use your Glock for competition
• • You want maximum brightness in good light
• • Complete darkness visibility isn't needed

Choose Blacked-Out If

• • You want to reduce rear-sight distractions for fast acquisition
• • You use a red dot optic as primary sight (suppressor-height/co-witness)
• • You want backup sights that don't interfere with your optic
• • You prefer a clean, uncluttered sight picture
• • Low-light capability comes from your optic or weapon light

Glock Night Sights FAQ

Safety Considerations

Proper Installation

Night sights must be properly installed and aligned. Misaligned sights will cause accuracy issues. Have sights installed by a qualified gunsmith or use proper tools if installing yourself. Always verify zero after installation.

Tritium Safety

Tritium is a radioactive isotope, but the amounts used in sights are very small and pose no health risk when contained in the sight vials. The vials are sealed and safe to handle. If a tritium vial breaks (rare), follow manufacturer guidelines for cleanup.

Training with Night Sights

Night sights require practice to use effectively. The sight picture and alignment may feel different than standard sights. Practice in various lighting conditions to become comfortable with your night sights. Consider low-light training courses to develop proper techniques.