I tested the new XS F8 Night Sights from XS Sights. F8 Sights are high visibility pistol sights designed for fast target acquisition. The most compelling feature of these sights was the fact that they handled light condition. I found these sights easy to install, even easier to “pick up” in low light, and more usable than any other gun rudder I have on my other handguns.
The XS F8 Sight has a blade front with a large, high contrast center dot. The rear sight is U-shaped. Both front and rear are tritium powered. If I end the description here, most shooters will probably think we have “just another sight product” on our hands.
The rear sight is also overhung, reducing daylight glare for the user. It also has a pretty good ledge for one-handed clearing. Because this sight is a bit overbuilt, consistent with XS Sights products, I was not even hesitant to hook this sight on my belt and heel for some clearing drills.
What distinguishes XS from all other sight companies is the fact that they are adept at brain manipulation. They use several features that work in conjunction with the subconscious desire of the mind to make order from disorder. In order to understand this, we have to first understand this subconscious quality.
When I taught soldiers sight alignment, I used to have them sight their M16s at the sky, using firearms rendered safe for this purpose, of course. If one is staring through the circular rear sight at the front sight, the brain naturally wants to align this pattern. They looked at this alignment toward the sky because it made the front sight more pronounced, and the pattern more obvious. The brain tries to make sense of the phenomena, and aligns this pattern, placing the front sight in the exact center of the image.
The F8 front sight capitalizes on the brain’s ability. First, the dot is huge. It is bright. It contrasts with both the rear sight and the target in the background. Front sight focus is quite natural.
The F8 rear sight has flat sides, parallel to the sides of the front sight. The bottom of the U is rounded. The brain processes this quickly, concentrating on centering the huge dot, flat surfaces on flat surfaces. Even though the front sight is wide, the F8 rear was deliberately opened to allow plenty of light around the sides of the front sight, allowing the shooter to fid the front sight faster.
I used to think a 3 dot was the only way to go, but the F8 uses a “figure 8”, placing one dot on top of the other dot. This is another brain manipulation, because it forces a two point, rather than a multiple point, alignment.
Tritium is great at night, but it’s not bright enough for daytime use. The critical time for sights is at dusk, when color contrast isn’t as prominent. I was a swing shift patrol officer for a few years and can attest to the dangers of a low sun, changing light, and maintaining a sight picture when
F8 Sights have a bright orange ring around the tritium dot. It absorbs ambient light, which allows it to glow in low light levels. No matter the condition, the eyes can find the front sight.
Is it really faster? I mounted my F8 Sights on my Glock 19 and compared it side-by-side with another Glock 19. Using the same target drills and an electronic timer, I proved that my shot speed and sight acquisition was faster with the F8 Sights.
The front sight was easy to install. I had a Swenson slide for a Glock 19 that I purchased from Midway just staring at me on my workbench. Swenson slides are the best aftermarket bargains in the business, and I like their design. This slide is slightly bull nosed, has forward cocking serrations, and a melanite finish. We have had great success with the fit and finish of Swenson products, and I chose it for this purpose.
The front sight uses a screw in the base for Glock models. XS Sights provides the tool and the thread locking liquid with the sight kit. The rear sight is drifted into place. Police armorers need to use a sight pusher for this. XS Sights have a video on their site for installation. Please view the video all the way through before attempting the installation.
The F8 Night Sights are backed by a 10-year, ‘no questions asked’ warranty. After 10 years, XS will replace the sight at a discounted price. They are available for most popular duty handguns.
