I have hands-on tested various night sights on the FNX-45. This handgun is a powerhouse, and having the right sight only enhances its potential. After extensive field testing, I have found the TRUGLO TFX to be the clear winner, a sight that notably outperforms its peers in numerous scenarios.
This article aims to provide an in-depth review of the TRUGLO TFX, elucidating why it is my top choice for the FNX-45. I’ll share my personal experiences and insights, highlight the factors that set this night sight apart from the competition and also explore the Best FNX 45 Night Sights.
Top 5 Best Night Sights for FNX-45
1. TRUGLO TFX- Overall Best
As a professional shooter, I can tell you TRUGLO TFX Pro is not your typical night sight. It’s engineered with Swiss tritium, ensuring maximum brightness and all-day, all-night visibility. You won’t need batteries or light sources; it glows in the dark.
Benefits: The TRUGLO TFX Pro offers unrivaled visibility, transitioning seamlessly from bright white dot sights in daylight to glowing green dots in the dark. The construction is robust, enhancing the sight’s longevity even in rough handling.
Why to Buy: If you prioritize clear-sight picture 24/7, then TRUGLO TFX Pro is a perfect match. Its enhanced brightness, automatic glow, and rugged design set it apart from the rest. This sight takes the guesswork out of the equation, providing constant, reliable visuals, and making your FNX-45 even more reliable.
Why Not to Buy: While the TRUGLO TFX Pro is exceptional, I experienced the tritium vials backing out during recoil. If you’re concerned about minor alignment issues or product inconsistency, you might want to weigh other options.
Who Should Buy: If you’re a professional or recreational shooter who appreciates a clear sight picture regardless of lighting conditions, TRUGLO TFX Pro should be on your radar. Its durability and design fit well for users who desire compact, snag-free, and self-illuminating sights.
My Experience
Using TRUGLO TFX Pro with my FNX-45 was a game-changer. Its visibility in different light conditions exceeded my expectations. Though it took some getting used to, the overall experience was nothing short of remarkable. It certainly took my shooting to another level.
Pros
- Excellent visibility in all conditions
- Fits standard holsters
- Angled rear sight for one-hand operation
Cons
- Potential for tritium vials to back out
2. TRUGLO Tritium Pro – Best Affordable Sight
The TRUGLO Tritium Pro, one of the top handgun sights in the market, truly sets the standard for affordability without compromising quality. It’s incredibly bright in both daytime and nighttime settings without requiring a single battery, providing both white and green dot sights, respectively.
Benefits: Aside from its practical brightness, the TRUGLO Tritium Pro’s most significant advantage is its compact and lightweight design. It’s easy to mount and doesn’t add unnecessary weight to your FNX-45, making it a user-friendly option that will appeal to many shooters.
Why to Buy: This sight is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a compact, lightweight, and reliable sight that delivers optimal visibility. The fact that it doesn’t require a battery also contributes to its appeal, making it a low-maintenance accessory for your firearm.
Why Not to Buy: Despite its many positive attributes, the TRUGLO Tritium Pro does have a minor alignment issue where it doesn’t sit completely flush with the rail. This gap could potentially affect accuracy, especially for competitive shooters who need precise aim.
Who Should Buy: Casual shooters, and those in need of a budget-friendly, no-fuss sight, will find the TRUGLO Tritium Pro a perfect fit. Its compact design, simplicity, and automatic light adjustment make it ideal for various shooting conditions.
My Experience
Having tested the TRUGLO Tritium Pro on my FNX-45, I was genuinely impressed. It provides an excellent sight picture and easy targeting with its bright light. Despite the minor alignment issue, the overall experience was positive, and the benefits far outweighed this minor inconvenience.
Pros
- Extremely bright visibility
- Compact and lightweight design
- User-friendly
Cons
- Doesn’t sit completely flush with the rail
- It might affect accuracy for competitive shooters
3. Trijicon HD XR – Premium Performance
The Trijicon HD XR Tritium Night Sight Set is a premium performance sight built with high-quality materials and a sophisticated design. It features a thin front sight post that offers an expanded field of view, beneficial for accuracy at longer distances.
Benefits: This sight set stands out with its ‘U’ notch rear sight, tritium-phosphor lamp, and a protective aluminum casing. These features collectively aid in quick target identification in all lighting conditions, making the sight an excellent tool for both day and night shooting.
Why to Buy: With an enhanced front sight acquisition and glow-in-the-dark outline, the Trijicon HD XR is perfect for shooters looking for high visibility and quick target acquisition. Its durability and protective features also make it a worthwhile investment.
Why Not to Buy: Keep in mind that the installation of this sight set requires professional assistance. Improper installation could lead to malfunction or damage, rendering it non-returnable. Hence, factor in the potential additional cost and effort of professional installation.
Who Should Buy: The Trijicon HD XR is an excellent option for seasoned shooters who need a dependable, high-performing sight that offers an expanded field of view. Its resilience and high-visibility features make it ideal for a variety of shooting scenarios.
My Experience
The Trijicon HD XR Tritium Night Sight Set significantly enhanced my shooting experience with the FNX-45. The sight’s wider field of view allowed for faster target identification, especially at longer distances. The high visibility and sturdy construction added to its appeal, making it a satisfying and worthwhile addition to my firearm.
Pros
- Enhanced field of view for quick target identification
- High visibility in all lighting conditions
- Protective aluminum cylinders for durability
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- Improper installation could lead to malfunction or damage
4. Trijicon Fiber Optic Sight – Best for Beginners
The Trijicon Fiber Optic Sight is ingeniously engineered with high-quality fiber optic materials used in various Trijicon fiber optic scopes and sights. It boasts an ultra-bright aiming point while retaining strength and offering a refined sight picture.
Benefits: These sights are designed for the ultimate bright aiming point. Their thin, bright sights provide the perfect aiming point for fast, accurate rounds on target. This can be particularly advantageous in quick-response shooting situations, both in competition and defense scenarios.
Why to Buy: The Trijicon Fiber Optic Sight is a solid choice for its brightness and refined sight picture. Drawing from Trijicon’s industry-leading night sight and fiber optic technology, these sights provide an accurate and visible aiming point.
Why Not to Buy: While these sights excel in brightness and ease of use, some users have noted that the build quality doesn’t match up to competitors.
Who Should Buy: This sight is particularly useful for beginners who require a clear, bright aiming point for quick and accurate shooting. The Trijicon Fiber Optic Sight offers a combination of ease of use, visibility, and fast target acquisition, making it an excellent tool for those starting their shooting journey.
My Experience
The Trijicon Fiber Optic Sight was a game-changer when I equipped it on my FNX-45. Its bright aiming point dramatically improved target acquisition speed, and the sight picture was crisp and clear. While the build quality might not be the sturdiest, it didn’t detract from the overall positive experience.
Pros
- Brightest aiming point
- Fast and accurate target acquisition
- Ideal for beginners
Cons
- Build quality may not be on par with competitors
5. Meprolight Highly Visible – Great Value for Money
The Meprolight Highly Visible Night Sight is a fixed pistol sight featuring an extremely bright contrasting colored ring for the front sight, available in Green, Yellow, or Orange.
The tritium illumination provides low-light and nighttime aiming capabilities. The sight is made of Tritium and Metal, offering durability and robustness.
Benefits: This sight comes with a large and brightly colored front sight ring, enhancing its visibility both day and night. The contrast in the colors of the two components aids shooters in focusing on the front sight quicker, which is crucial in defensive and competitive shooting.
Why to Buy: The Meprolight Highly Visible Night Sight stands out for its color options and the brightness of its Tritium night sights. It provides value for money with its efficient and useful features, ensuring smooth installation and high visibility in dark conditions.
Why Not to Buy: The Meprolight Highly Visible Night Sight might not be the right choice for you if you prefer a more subdued or stealthy sight. Its bright color contrast might be distracting to some shooters.
Who Should Buy: This sight is a great fit for both defensive and competitive shooters who value quick target acquisition. It would particularly appeal to those looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on visibility and efficiency.
My Experience
When I installed the Meprolight Highly Visible Night Sight on my FNX-45, it was a game-changer. The highly visible front sight ring allowed me to acquire my target swiftly, even in darker conditions. Its installation was a breeze, and the brightness of the sight proved to be a significant advantage.
Pros
- Highly visible day or night
- Quick target acquisition
- Efficient and smooth installation
Cons
- Bright color contrast may not suit everyone
- It might not be as stealthy as other sights
Final Verdict
As a professional shooter, I have thoroughly tested various sights and experienced their performance firsthand. Each sight has its unique strengths, but the TRUGLO TFX emerged as my top choice. Its unrivaled visibility, seamless transition between daylight and darkness, and robust construction tipped the scales in its favor.
However, I recommend other users choose according to their individual preferences, shooting conditions, and budgets. Ultimately, the perfect sight should not only enhance your FNX-45 but also align well with your shooting style and comfort.
FAQs
Does the FNX-45 have night sights?
Yes, the FNX-45 can be equipped with various night sights.
Is an FNX-45 worth the money?
Yes, the FNX-45 is a high-quality, dependable firearm worth considering for tactical and defensive purposes.
How long do pistol night sights last?
The brightness of tritium-based night sights like the ones reviewed here typically lasts about 12 years.
Is the FNX-45 big?
Yes, with an overall length of 8.6 inches and a height of 6.5 inches, the FNX-45 is considered a full-sized handgun.
