For me, it is usually a customization decision that helps equip my handgun for its primary intended use.
When that need arises, the XS Sights website is usually my first stop.
This is a personal defense pistol with a focus on home defense.
In this review, the author installs a set of R3D 2.0 sights from XS Sights on his Springfield XD-M Elite 10mm pistol. Shown is the front sight that combines a tritium vial with a photoluminescent ring.
And for that use case, XS Sights has a new offering that I find ideal.
The R3D 2.0, available in green or orange front dot.
Why change from stock sights?
Shown is the complete XS Sights R3D tritium night sight set that the author installed on his pistol. The combination of tritium with the photoluminescent ring offers good low-light performance for CCW.
The XD-M Elite comes with a fantastic set of stock sights from Springfield Armory.
Together, they provide a sight picture that is both quick to acquire and easy to align on target.
I find this combination of front and rear to be ideal for personal defense, particularly for home defense.
The front sight is easy to see in all lighting conditions. The photoluminescent ring absorbs ambient light and radiates it in low-light conditions. It is also bright in daylight making it easy to pick up under stress.
TheRemoval…
Obviously, the first step is to remove the existing sights.
Keep in mind that factory-installed sights are going to be very tight and likely have adhesive under them.
I use the MGW Sight Pro tool and put it in a vise on a sturdy bench.
From this angle, you can see how the sights fit into the slide using a dovetail cut. A front sight tool can push out the factory sights and help you install the replacements.
My next tip is to drift the sights out and in from the same side of the slide.
This is a best practice and will help keep one side of your dovetail looking pristine.
Be sure things are level and straight before you apply any force.
The rear sight has a pair of tritium vials that glow in the dark. The black, serrated face reduces glare in bright light.
The rear sight process is virtually identical with just a few differences.
The final test of course, is firing live rounds at a target!
I promised Id get back to the quality of tool to use.
For many shooters, this sight picture is preferred to a red dot sight. The front is brighter than the rear sight, naturally drawing your eye to the front dot.
It can quickly become a $400-500 investment.
Unless you plan to do a lot of sight installations, it might be hard to justify that cost.
Its also a great way to build a relationship with that store or gunsmith and support the local business.
Id recommend that over trying to use an inexpensive tool that you find online.
And unless youre very skilled and experienced, I also do not recommend the hammer and punch method.
I was pleased that they seemed nicely adjusted and just shooting off-hand I was making nice groups.
They are available with the green front dot or orange, and also in suppressor height.
They are an excellent and affordable way to re-fit your pistol to suit your personal use.
