For most shooters, traditional night sights on a Glock or other handguns are just not good enough. Mounting night sights make target acquisition lighting fast, especially in poor lighting conditions. However, it can be very tough to choose between the different Trijicon front sight options.
In this post, we’ll help you make the decision between Trijicon HD vs HD XR night sights much easier! After testing both, I found the Trijicon HD XR to be the clear winner.
Which Is Best: Trijicon HD vs HD XR?
Many shooters get tripped up when choosing between Trijicon HD and HD XR night sights. The truth is you really can’t go wrong with either Trijicon sight. However, after testing both sights I label the Trijicon HD XR the winner for its advantages on sight size and fast front sight acquisition.
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- Best Value For Your Money
- Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
- Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
- Only A Few Color Options
- Great In Low Light Conditions
- Lighting Fast Target Acquisition
- U-Shaped Notch Draws Your Eye Perfectly
- Larger Than XR - Obscures Target From Long Range
Pros & Cons Trijicon HD XR
- Best Value For Your Money
- Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
- Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
- Only A Few Color Options
Pros
- Smaller Sight Profile – The thinner front sight post makes fast target identification easy.
- Long Range Accuracy – The thin front post makes it possible to shoot accurately from longer distances.
- Gives You Options – Front sight comes in multiple color options.
- Latest Design – Contains all of Trijicon HD features & more.
Cons
- Harder To Find – Due to popular demand, at certain times of the year it can be tougher to find these in stock.
Pros & Cons: Trijicon HD
- Great In Low Light Conditions
- Lighting Fast Target Acquisition
- U-Shaped Notch Draws Your Eye Perfectly
- Larger Than XR - Obscures Target From Long Range
Pros
- Low Light Performance – Significantly more accurate than traditional stock sights in poor lighting conditions.
- Durability – These tritium sights are made from hardened metal that will last for decades.
- Enhances Focus – The U-shaped design of the rear sight notch draws your eye to the target.
Cons
- Target Obstruction – Larger sight profile can obstruct a pistol shooter’s field of view.
- Distance Restricted – Not as accurate as the HD XR night sights from longer distances.
Main Differences – Trijicon HD vs HD XR
1) Size & Weight
The size and weight of your pistol night sights is very important. Concealed carry & self-defense weapons are designed to be fast and mobile. This is always one of my biggest ranking factors, especially in our list of the Best Night Sights for M&P Shield 9mm.
Both of these sights are small, but the Trijicon HD XR sights are smaller and lighter than the HD. In fact, this is the biggest reason why I think the XR is the better buy. The slimmer front sight makes fast target identification a breeze from longer distances!
2) Accuracy
When comparing the Trijicon HD vs HD XR sights for accuracy, I give the XR the victory. Don’t get me wrong, both sights are accurate from short to medium range. The natural U-shaped design of the rear sight makes it easy to lock on to a target fast. If you ever struggle with accuracy, be sure to read our guide on How to Adjust Glock Rear Sights. Small adjustments can make a huge difference.
I rated the Trijicon HD XR night sights to be more accurate due to its advantages from longer distances. Both sights are great from close range. But the XR is better from medium to long range.
3) Quality Comparison
Trijicon has a fantastic reputation for making top-quality sights and scopes. When rating other popular optic companies like Vortex, I have found Vortex Viper problems & even Vortex Crossfire problems.
However, both of these Trijicon optics are top-notch quality. These sights are built to last even in the toughest environments. I’ll call it a draw.
4) Durability & Reliability
It is a draw when it comes to durability. Both sights are made to Trijicon’s quality standards. We already know from our review of the SRO vs RMR optics that Trijicon’s American-made products are top-of-the-line.
Both night sights are made from hardened metal & will no doubt last for decades to come. If you put effort into cleaning and protecting your equipment, there is a good chance you never need to buy another set of night sights again!
I know from my testing of Vortex scopes made in China that you can’t take American-made quality for granted!
5) Price
Whenever I review a new sight or optic, price is always a consideration. Some brands make top-quality equipment, but their pricing is just not reasonable. Trijicon has always stood up well compared to other top brands in terms of price. In my comparison of rmr vs deltapoint pro you can really see how much you get for your money!
When it comes to price, it’s pretty much a draw between the Trijicon HD vs HD XR night sights. Depending on where you shop for them, both sights are priced about the same. In fact, they are even cheaper than many of the best cheap pistol red dots that I tested in the past.
Trijicon’s Reputation
When it comes to optics, there are few companies that can match the quality and precision of Trijicon. For years, Trijicon has been providing the military, law enforcement, and civilians with some of the best optics on the market.
From my scope reviews in the past, I even found that Trijicon made some of the Best Red Dot Sights for AR15 w/ Fixed Front Sights on the market. They even make some of the Best Scopes for .450 Bushmaster scopes on the market! From red dot sights to scopes, Trijicon has a product to fit every need. Plus, most of their products are backed by a lifetime warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Trijicon night sights good?
Does the military use Trijicon?
How long do night sights last Trijicon?
What color is best for gun sights?
Which is better fiber optic or night sights?
Do Trijicon sights fade?
The Bottom Line
Now you have a complete understanding of the differences between the Trijicon HD vs HD XR. These are two of the most popular choices and for good reason. If you’re familiar with what are night sights, then you know Trijicon is top quality.
After testing both, I firmly believe that the Trijicon HD XR night sights are the best value for your money. But if you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the traditional HD sight post.
It really comes down to your personal preference. Do you want a thinner front sight post? Do you want an orange front sight? Figure out what suits you best and make your decision! And if you prefer a red dot sight, consider checking out the Holosun 507 vs 508 as well!
- Best Value For Your Money
- Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
- Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
- Only A Few Color Options
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