Ameriglo vs Trigicon for Shield Advice

[TechJunkie]

I am looking to put night sights on my Shield 9mm. I am looking at the Ameriglo SW-745 night sights and the Trigicon HD sights. I have searched and searched and I have turned up empty on comparisons between these two.

I like the fact that the Ameriglo SW-745's have white rings around the rear sight for daytime use though I can't say that this is better or worse than the Trijicon HD's not having the white rings.

It is my understanding that Ameriglo uses Trijicon lamps.

I know that Trigicon warranties their sights for 12 years. I could not find warranty information on the Ameriglos. I have sent an email to them to find out.

The Trigicon HD's are significantly more expensive making me wonder what the difference are. I have also not had as much luck finding many reviews on the Ameriglo SW-745 sights.

I am aware that there are many other types of night sights and configurations, however, these being my first and being used to the three dot sight picture I figured it was better to stick with one of these than spending the money on something I am not used to and having difficulty using them.

Any input on the Ameriglo SW-745s or Ameriglo's in general compared to Trigicon would be very helpful.

Picture of Ameriglo SW-745:


Picture of Trigicon HD:

 

[milton]

the big difference to me, and it's a big one for me, was that the painted ring on the front sight on the ameriglos is exposed vs the trijicons which are sealed or jeweled. It seems the trijicons are built a bit better, so they are my choice.

A lot of people try to say the HD fronts are the same as the Ameriglo's, and unless they have changed very, very recently they are not. Similar, but not the same.

 

[TechJunkie]

the big difference to me, and it's a big one for me, was that the painted ring on the front sight on the ameriglos is exposed vs the trijicons which are sealed or jeweled. It seems the trijicons are built a bit better, so they are my choice.

A lot of people try to say the HD fronts are the same as the Ameriglo's, and unless they have changed very, very recently they are not. Similar, but not the same.

Thank you for the feedback. What gets difficult is not being able to see each in person. I wasn't sure about the front sight because Ameriglo offers just the front sight as seen in this picture:



This one has the white lettering on it and says Trigicon though they are from Ameriglo. I have seen this site on some pictures of the SW-745 and then I see some pictures of the SW745 as the one I first uploaded.

Decisions, decision, decisions.

 

[milton]

I think they are stamped Trijicon, at least the three sets of ameriglos I had have been. I think they are stamped because of the tritium vials, which are made by trijicon.

You won't be disappointed with Ameriglos, I just like the HD's a bit more.

 

[WebSnyper]

Ameriglo warranty: https://www.ameriglo.net/sights/warranty

 

[TechJunkie]

I think they are stamped Trijicon, at least the three sets of ameriglos I had have been. I think they are stamped because of the tritium vials, which are made by trijicon.

You won't be disappointed with Ameriglos, I just like the HD's a bit more.

Thanks.

When you say sealed or jeweled, can you explain to me what that means and how that makes it better such as wear or longevity? I don't want to save a dollar today to regret it later.

Thanks again.

 

[WebSnyper]

You can also get Ameriglo's without the white ring. I picked some up for my Glock 43. Bradis had both for that gun, so I selected the ones without to match my Trijicon's on my 19.

 

[TechJunkie]

Ameriglo warranty: https://www.ameriglo.net/sights/warranty

Thank you for that. I must be getting old. I didn't see that at the bottom of the site until you posted it.

I am thinking the white around the rear sight might help with daytime shooting, though I may be wrong. It just seem the sight picture might be more like the standard sights I am used to. I read posts where some felt the rear sights without the white rings were harder to used during the day. I personally do not know as I have only had factory style sights on any of my pistols.

Do you feel that the white rings are unnecessary or that they may provide some benefit in daytime shooting?

 

[WebSnyper]

Thank you for that. I must be getting old. I didn't see that at the bottom of the site until you posted it.

You are welcome. I spent time on their site quite a bit when looking between the Trijicon and Ameriglo when picking out sights for the last Glock 19 I got. Ultimately it came down to what was available at the time. I actually had been wanting the Ameriglo's as they were a good bit cheaper, etc, but I waited for my main LGS that I use for sights to get them for several weeks. They ended up giving me a break on the Trijicon's as the Ameriglo's seemed to be difficult to get at the time.

When I picked up my Glock 43, they had the Ameriglo's that I pictured above and so I got those. I haven't really compared them to the nth degree. I'll have to do so and see if I notice any differences. It is not the same exact gun, so there may be slight differences in sight height, etc that are just part of that. I think you would do well with either, but if price were not a factor, I'd probably lean toward the Trijicon, simply because it is their tritium vials in both, might as well go straight to the source.

 

[WebSnyper]

Thanks.

When you say sealed or jeweled, can you explain to me what that means and how that makes it better such as wear or longevity? I don't want to save a dollar today to regret it later.

Thanks again.

I'm guessing that he is referring to the


SAPPHIRE WINDOW
Each Trijicon tritium lamp is capped
with a sapphire jewel which helps to
evenly distribute the light from the
tritium lamp as well as protect it
from solvents and puncture

or

PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT
Resists powder residue and cleaning solvents
to keep color bright for years

referenced here:
https://www.trijicon.com/resources/downloads/2016_Trijicon_IronSights.pdf

 

[WebSnyper]

Thank you for that. I must be getting old. I didn't see that at the bottom of the site until you posted it.

I am thinking the white around the rear sight might help with daytime shooting, though I may be wrong. It just seem the sight picture might be more like the standard sights I am used to. I read posts where some felt the rear sights without the white rings were harder to used during the day. I personally do not know as I have only had factory style sights on any of my pistols.

Do you feel that the white rings are unnecessary or that they may provide some benefit in daytime shooting?

Depends on what you are used to. I prefer not to have the distraction during day time shooting. Others like the white rings.

Without the white rings on the back, during the day or light conditions, the orange dot draws your attention. At night/low light, the orange dot goes away and all 3 tritium vials really stand out.

If you are running 3 dots on other guns and like it, go with the white ring. I have 3 dots on others (where I have Meprolight sights), but am moving toward all not having the white outlines (black rear sight)

 

[TechJunkie]

Thank you WebSnyper! I really appreciate the information. It is true you never quit learning.

I can get the Ameriglo SW-745 for $97.50 and the cheapest I have found the Trijicon HD's is about $158.00. I am not sure if the Sapphire Jewel is worth the extra $60.00 though I am sure my wife would disagree! If I say Sapphire Jewel in front of her she will think I am buying her birthday present. Man would she be disappointed.

 

[milton]

WebSnyper pretty much covered what I was referring to. I haven't seen anyone have any issues with the Ameriglo's, and I certainly think they are one of the better sight manufacturers out right now, but I think Trijicon has the edge on quality.

Bottom line, if I weren't running the HD's, I'd be running something from Ameriglo. I don't like white outlines, and love the big Proglo front sights. Sights are very subjective. I ran about 5 different sets before I decided the HD's were the best for me.

I'm also one of the oddballs that likes the green/yellow fronts over the orange.

Kris

 

[TechJunkie]

Thank you Kris for your help as well. I am one of those guys who research things to death before I buy but there is nothing better than listening to good advice from those who have been there!

I really appreciate your input!

 

[seedubs1]

Ameriglos are good to go. If you like the sight picture, save yourself the money and go with the Ameriglos. They're well proven and used by LOTS of people.

 

[milton]

Thank you Kris for your help as well. I am one of those guys who research things to death before I buy but there is nothing better than listening to good advice from those who have been there!

I really appreciate your input!

No problem! I am the same as you. I've spent a month researching which .22 can I want to buy. The minute I think I have it figured out, I read something and start second guessing. Nothing wrong with making educated decisions. Let us know what you decide on! Pictures are great too!

 

[Jvernon]

I think anything on the rear sight is a distraction and too busy. Black out the rear dots on the original sights with a sharpie and you'll see what I mean.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

If the lowest you can find the trijicons for is 158 you arent looking hard enough. we sell them for 139.99

With that said my personal preference would be the trijicon. They fit better on the gun and it is my favorite personal defense sight.

 

[WebSnyper]

If the lowest you can find the trijicons for is 158 you arent looking hard enough. we sell them for 139.99

With that said my personal preference would be the trijicon. They fit better on the gun and it is my favorite personal defense sight.

Agreed, I got much better pricing on mine than $158.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

Another thing. I like ameriglo sights but in my experience they are some of the most consistently poorly fitting sights made.