As a shooter, I have garnered a deep understanding of what works best in various shooting scenarios. One firearm that I have come to appreciate for its reliability and performance is the Springfield Hellcat.
However, enhancing its effectiveness for low-light situations calls for the addition of a robust night sight. After testing and evaluation, one sight rose to the top – the Night Fision Stealth.
Top 5 Best Night Sights for Springfield Hellcat
1. Night Fision Stealth – My Top Choice
The Night Fision Stealth Night Sights are a marvel of firearm accessory engineering. Equipped with Tritium inserts that provide 30% more glow than most competitors, these sights ensure an outstanding brightness level.
CNC machined from high-quality steel, featuring a matte black Nitride finish, is robust, resistant to corrosion, and prepared to withstand heavy use.
Benefits: One of the significant advantages of the Night Fision Stealth sights is their domed lens design. This feature effectively collimates the Tritium rays, resulting in a sharper sight picture and a clearer view of the target.
Why to Buy: The Night Fision Stealth sights should be your go-to option if you’re seeking reliability and performance.
Their impressive brightness and the sharp sight picture they provide make them a standout choice. In addition, their durable construction ensures they can stand up to regular use without faltering.
Why Not to Buy: While Night Fision Stealth sights are excellent, they might not be the best choice if you’re looking for an economical option.
The superior brightness and quality do come with a higher price tag. Additionally, the installation process requires a non-marring punch, as the use of a sight pusher is not recommended due to the larger sight vial.
Who Should Buy: The Night Fision Stealth sights are perfect for dedicated shooters who prioritize quality and performance in low-light situations.
If you frequently use your Springfield Hellcat in darker conditions and demand a robust, reliable, and bright night sight, these should be your top choice.
My Experience
On my Springfield Hellcat, the Night Fision Stealth sights have been nothing short of a revelation. Their brightness in low-light conditions exceeded my expectations, providing an impeccable sight picture.
Pros
- Exceptional brightness
- Provides a sharper sight picture
- Durable and corrosion-resistant
- Optics Ready Stealth Series is perfect for slide-mounted red dot sights
- Provides lower 1/3 co-witness
Cons
- Higher price tag compared to some competitors
- Installation might be challenging due to the larger sight vial.
2. XS Sights R3D – Robust Construction
The XS SIGHTS R3D Night Sights represent an outstanding solution for shooters operating in low-light situations. They feature self-illuminating Tritium vials and a photoluminescent glow dot that brightens in low light, providing a highly visible sight picture.
Made in the USA from American steel, these durable sights are backed by a 10-year, no-questions-asked warranty.
Benefits: One of the key benefits of the R3D Night Sights is their ability to ensure high visibility in both day and night conditions.
The high-contrast sight picture on the front sight and the blacked-out rear sight enable faster target acquisition and focus, while the steel construction guarantees durability and resistance to damage.
Why to Buy: The R3D Night Sights are an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their low-light shooting capabilities. With high-visibility glow features, intuitive design, and a robust build, this sight will undoubtedly enhance your shooting accuracy.
The product’s 10-year warranty adds a layer of assurance, reflecting the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s durability.
Why Not to Buy: The R3D Night Sights, despite their fantastic features, might not meet the expectations of some shooters in terms of finish.
Who Should Buy: These sights are perfect for shooters often operating in low-light situations or who require faster target acquisition.
With their glow features and focus-inducing design, the XS R3D would serve anyone seeking less distraction and a sharper focus on their target.
My Experience
While testing the XS R3D on my Springfield Hellcat, I was particularly impressed by their performance in low light conditions. The glow features really stood out, and the blacked-out rear sight helped maintain my focus on the front sight.
However, I did note that the finish and machining might not be up to the standards of some
professional-level gear.
Pros
- Excellent visibility in low-light conditions
- High-contrast sight picture for faster target acquisition
- Durable steel construction
- 10-year, no-questions-asked warranty
- It fits most standard holsters
Cons
- Finish and machining might not meet professional-level standards
- Potential deformation during installation if not done carefully
- It may require professional installation
3. AmeriGlo Spartan 3 – Best 3 Dot Sight
The AmeriGlo Spartan 3 sights offer a refined take on the classic 3-dot design. They present a variety of outline combinations optimized for visibility in all lighting conditions, including darkness.
The rear sight is adorned with two Tritium lamps, which can have either white or black outlines.
Benefits: The primary advantage of the Spartan series is its versatility. Thanks to the variety of outline combinations, these sights provide a highly visible sight picture in any lighting condition, enhancing your accuracy whether it’s day or night.
This makes them a reliable choice for everyday carry and defensive applications.
Why to Buy: The Spartan 3 presents an opportunity to augment your low-light shooting performance with its high-contrast, self-illuminating sights. The various outline options allow for personalization according to your preferences.
Their durable construction and enhanced visibility make these sights a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in improving their shooting accuracy.
Why Not to Buy: Though the Spartan 3 sights have many positive features, it’s important to note that they require professional installation. Improper installation can damage the product or cause it to malfunction, making it non-returnable.
Therefore, you should factor in the cost and time of consulting a gunsmith before purchase.
Who Should Buy: The Spartan 3 is an excellent option for shooters looking for a versatile, high-visibility sight. Its design makes it especially suitable for those involved in everyday carry or defensive applications.
My Experience
Having tested the Spartan 3 on my Springfield Hellcat, I found these sights impressive. They delivered excellent visibility across all light conditions, and the option to choose from different outlines allowed me to customize the sight picture according to my preference.
However, their need for professional installation is something potential buyers should keep in mind.
Pros
- Versatile with various outline combinations
- Excellent visibility in all light conditions
- Solid construction ensures durability
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- Improper installation can lead to damage or malfunction
- Additional cost for professional installation may be incurred
4. AmeriGlo Trooper – Quick Sight Picture
The AmeriGlo Trooper sights are designed to deliver a quick sight picture and reliable accuracy in both daylight and night conditions.
This three-dot design features a ProGlo front sight and a serrated square notch rear sight, both equipped with green Tritium.
Benefits: The Trooper series offers an immediate sight picture due to its three-dot design. This attribute allows for quick target acquisition, which is a critical aspect of effective self-defense.
Moreover, the serrated square notch rear sight helps direct focus to the front sight, making the alignment process more straightforward.
Why to Buy: The Trooper sights are ideal for those who value quick target acquisition and consistent accuracy. With the ProGlo front sight and serrated rear sight, they allow for fast and focused aiming.
Their design, borrowed from government contract sights, offers the assurance of quality and reliability.
Why Not to Buy: Despite its many strengths, it’s important to note that the Trooper sight set requires professional installation. Incorrect installation can cause the product to malfunction or become damaged, and this could lead to its non-returnability.
Therefore, the need for a gunsmith and potential additional costs should be considered.
Who Should Buy: The Trooper sights are perfect for shooters who prioritize quick target acquisition, reliable accuracy, and a focus-enhancing sight design.
They’re especially suitable for self-defense applications and for those who shoot in various lighting conditions.
My Experience
In my hands-on testing of the Trooper sights on my Springfield Hellcat, I was pleased with their performance. The three-dot design offered a swift sight picture, and the serrated rear sight made focusing on the front sight easy.
However, as with any sight, it’s essential to remember the necessity for professional installation to ensure optimum performance.
Pros
- Quick target acquisition with three-dot design
- Reliable accuracy for consistent performance
- Serrated rear sight assists with focusing
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- Potential for malfunction if improperly installed
- Additional costs for professional installation may apply
5. TRUGLO TFO Tritium – Compact Night Sight
The TRUGLO TFO Tritium Night Sight stands out with its lightweight, compact design and durable CNC-machined steel construction. Weighing just 0.68 grams, this sight set offers a choice of green or yellow fiber for the rear sight, with concealed fibers that won’t alert your target.
It uses Swiss Tritium for optimal brightness, has a snag-resistant design, and comes with a 12-year limited warranty.
Benefits: One significant advantage of the TFO sight is its concealed fibers, offering a tactical edge by keeping your position hidden from your target. The sight offers reliable visibility regardless of the shooting conditions.
It also provides durability with its steel construction, ensuring better resistance against damage compared to its plastic counterparts.
Why to Buy: The TRUGLO TFO sight offers a perfect blend of durability, functionality, and practicality. It guarantees a consistent sight picture, regardless of the lighting conditions, enhancing accuracy and confidence.
Moreover, the choice of green or yellow fiber for the rear sight can quicken target engagement.
Why Not to Buy: Although the TFO sight offers many advantages, the installation of the front sight can be tricky and might require significant press fitting.
This could potentially necessitate professional installation, which might increase the overall cost.
Who Should Buy: This sight is perfect for everyday carriers and tactical shooters who require a dependable, versatile, and practical sighting system.
If you value a sight that maintains your position’s secrecy and provides consistent performance in varied lighting conditions, this could be an ideal choice.
My Experience
Testing the TRUGLO TFO sight on my Springfield Hellcat, I was genuinely impressed. Despite the initial challenge with the front sight installation, the performance was exceptional.
The option of green or yellow fiber for the rear sight allowed for quicker sight acquisition, and the concealed fibers kept my position undisclosed.
Pros
- Durable, lightweight, and compact design
- Concealed fibers keep your position hidden from your target
- Swiss Tritium provides excellent brightness in all conditions
Cons
- Front sight installation might be challenging
- It might require professional installation, potentially adding to the cost.
Final Verdict
After testing these night sights on my Springfield Hellcat, I’ve found that while each sight has its unique strengths, the Night Fision Stealth emerged as my top choice. It offered unmatched brightness, a sharp sight picture, and robust construction.
However, the ultimate choice should align with your individual needs and shooting conditions.
FAQs
Does the Springfield Hellcat have night sights?
Yes, the Springfield Hellcat does come with standard night sights.
What sights are compatible with the Hellcat?
Several aftermarket sights are compatible with the Hellcat, including Night Fision Stealth, XS Sights R3D, AmeriGlo Spartan 3, AmeriGlo Trooper, and TRUGLO TFO Tritium.
Who makes the sights for the Hellcat?
The factory night sights for the Springfield Hellcat are made by Springfield Armory. However, numerous aftermarket manufacturers produce compatible sights such as Night Fision, XS Sights, AmeriGlo, and TRUGLO.
