Hello fellow enthusiasts! If you’re a Colt 1911 user like myself, you’ve experienced firsthand its precision, versatility, and legendary status in the firearms community. But as we all know, the potential of any firearm lies not just in its inherent performance but also in the accessories that enhance its functionality.
One such accessory is a night sight. After testing various models with my trusty 1911, the Trijicon HD rose above the rest. It added an unforeseen level of prowess to my after-dark shooting experiences, solidifying its place as my top choice.
Read on as we dive into a detailed review of the Best Colt 1911 Night Sights with my top recommendation leading the pack.
Top 5 Best Night Sights for Colt 1911
1. Trijicon HD – Best Choice
The Trijicon HD is a premium night sight with a high-visibility colored front sight post. It’s adorned with glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent paint and a tritium-phosphor lamp, offering excellent visibility in all lighting conditions.
Benefits: Its unique features, like the subdued, serrated, and angled rear sight with black painted rings, dramatically enhance your focus on the front sight.
Moreover, the ingenious “U” notch rear sight design facilitates quicker front sight acquisition.
Why to Buy: This sight offers unparalleled illumination in low-light settings, ensuring seamless target acquisition. If you are looking for a sight that significantly improves your shooting precision after dark, the Trijicon HD is the one for you.
Why Not to Buy: While the Trijicon HD is an exceptional night sight, it may require some filing for a perfect fit on your Colt 1911, which may not appeal to some users.
Who Should Buy: If you’re a dedicated shooter who doesn’t mind spending a little extra time on installation to gain remarkable low-light performance, the Trijicon HD is worth your consideration.
My Experience
In my experience, the Trijicon HD has been a game-changer, enhancing my Colt 1911’s performance in transitional light settings. Its unique features have improved my target acquisition speed and focus, making my shooting experience unparalleled.
Pros
- High-visibility colored front sight post
- Tritium-phosphor lamp provides superior illumination
Cons
- Some filing may be needed for a perfect fit
2. MEPRO Tru-Dot – Maximum Brightness
The MEPRO Tru-Dot is a robust night sight offering ’round the clock readiness. Its Swiss-made tritium vials ensure maximum brightness for both front and rear sights, promising clear visibility in low light and nighttime conditions without any battery or light source.
Benefits: The high durability of the MEPRO Tru-Dot makes it reliable in any lighting or weather condition. Its unique white reflective material around the tritium vials maximizes brightness for swift target acquisition.
Why to Buy: This night sight stands out for its unerring consistency. Whether it’s day or night, the Tru-Dot offers three solid dots as your aiming reference, making it an always-on, always-ready companion for your Colt 1911.
Why Not to Buy: However, for those looking for color variation in the tritium dots, it’s worth noting that the MEPRO Tru-Dot only comes in green for both front and rear sights.
Who Should Buy: Shooting enthusiasts seeking a robust, reliable sight with superior brightness and consistent aiming reference across all lighting conditions should consider the MEPRO Tru-Dot.
My Experience
On my Colt 1911, the MEPRO Tru-Dot has proved to be a steadfast companion. It has consistently delivered impressive brightness and precision, significantly enhancing my shooting experience, day or night.
Pros
- Always on, always ready
- Swiss-made tritium vials for maximum brightness
- High durability and weather resistance
- Unique white reflective material around the tritium vials
- Consistent aiming reference
Cons
- Limited color options for the tritium dots
3. LPA SPR Adjustable – Affordable Option
The LPA SPR, Adjustable sight set, hails from Italy and is renowned for its top quality. This fully adjustable sight set features a low-profile design and is made to work in tandem with the included front sight. The package also offers additional wrenches for convenience.
Benefits: Made from sturdy steel, this sight set is fully adjustable for elevation and windage. It allows fine-tuning to correct your pistol’s point of impact, providing an enhanced shooting experience. Plus, it conveniently uses the original dovetails/slots on your pistol slide.
Why to Buy: The LPA SPR Adjustable sight set offers flexibility and control, allowing you to adjust the sight to your preference. Its solid adjustments and appealing sight picture, along with a comfortable dovetail fit, make it a valuable addition to your Colt 1911.
Why Not to Buy: One slight downside is that the sight overhangs a bit on 1911. However, this does not hinder its performance and may be a minor aesthetic issue for some users.
Who Should Buy: For shooters seeking a customizable, affordable, yet high-quality sight set that offers flexibility and performance, the LPA SPR Adjustable sight set is a great option.
My Experience
My Colt 1911 has found a reliable partner in the LPA SPR Adjustable sight. Its fully adjustable nature has allowed me to fine-tune my aim, greatly improving my overall shooting performance.
Pros
- Fully adjustable sight set
- Low profile design
- High-quality steel construction
- Original dovetail/slot use
- Additional wrenches included
Cons
- May overhang slightly
4. LPA TTF – Fiber Optic Sight
The LPA TTF Fiber Optic Sight is a top-notch Italian offering. This adjustable sight set includes a green rear and a red front sight, along with additional fiber tubes and wrenches. The sights are fully adjustable for elevation and windage and are made of sturdy steel, not plastic.
Benefits: This sight set fits into the original dovetails/slots on your 1911 slide. Its color differentiation between the front and rear sights provides a unique sighting experience, significantly enhancing your shooting precision.
Why to Buy: The LPA TTF Fiber Optic Sight offers versatility and premium quality. If you’ve been grappling with issues of hitting low with your stock sights, this adjustable sight set is designed to rectify that.
Why Not to Buy: Although the front sight is a bit tall, it still fits into most holsters. To achieve a perfect elevation adjustment, the rear sight might need to be maxed out.
Who Should Buy: If you’re in search of an adjustable, high-quality sight that offers precise control over your shooting elevation and windage, the LPA TTF Fiber Optic Sight is for you.
My Experience
The LPA TTF has been an exceptional upgrade for my Colt 1911. It has helped correct my pistol’s point of impact, significantly improving my shooting precision.
Pros
- Fiber optic adjustable sight set
- Green rear and red front sight
- Fully adjustable for elevation and windage
- High-quality steel construction
- Original dovetail/slot use
Cons
- Front sight is a bit tall
- Rear sight needs to be maxed out for perfect elevation adjustment
5. Kensight DAS Rear Sight – Good Value for Money
The Kensight DAS Rear Night Sight is a robust, fully adjustable sight ideal for various applications. Made from 4140 Chrome Moly Steel, it features a slanted, serrated blade with two high-visibility green tritium bars.
Benefits: The Kensight DAS boasts click-adjustments for windage and elevation, allowing for consistent POI adjustments on the go. Its low profile and “dehorned” exterior make it an excellent choice for concealed or combat carry.
Why to Buy: This sight provides a versatile solution for a broad range of shooting applications, from concealed carry to competition. The green tritium bars ensure visibility in low light or daylight conditions.
Why Not to Buy: The Kensight DAS sits slightly higher than standard adjustable sights and requires professional installation, which may not suit all users.
Who Should Buy: Those seeking a versatile, reliable night sight with easy windage and elevation adjustments will find the Kensight DAS a solid investment.
My Experience
The Kensight DAS proved to be a valuable addition to my Colt 1911. Its fine-tuned adjustments and high visibility significantly enhanced my shooting experience.
Pros
- Fully adjustable for windage and elevation
- High-visibility green tritium bars
- Fits Novak LoMount dovetail
- Low profile, “dehorned” exterior
- Made of 4140 Chrome Moly Steel
Cons
- Sits a bit higher on the firearm
Final Verdict
Each of the night sights reviewed in this article brings something unique to the table, offering varying degrees of brightness, adjustability, and build quality. However, the Trijicon HD Night Sight stands out as the top choice for the Colt 1911.
It’s an exceptional upgrade that can significantly enhance your shooting precision, speed, and focus in diverse lighting conditions.
FAQs
What type of sights are on the 1911?
The 1911 typically has one of four types of dovetail sights: GI, Novak, Bomar, or LPA TRT.
Do you need night sights on a carry gun?
Yes, night sights are essential for a carry gun, they provide quick and accurate target acquisition in low light situations.
Do night sights glow in the dark?
Yes, night sights glow in the dark, whereas fiber optic sights only appear to glow in available light.
