Sights

Trijicon HD vs HD XR – Which Should You Choose?

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.

HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
 
Pros:
  • Best Value For Your Money
  • Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
  • Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
Pros:
  • Great In Low Light Conditions
  • Lighting Fast Target Acquisition
  • U-Shaped Notch Draws Your Eye Perfectly
Cons:
  • Only A Few Color Options
Cons:
  • Larger Than XR - Obscures Target From Long Range
HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
Pros:
  • Best Value For Your Money
  • Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
  • Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
Cons:
  • Only A Few Color Options
Pros:
  • Great In Low Light Conditions
  • Lighting Fast Target Acquisition
  • U-Shaped Notch Draws Your Eye Perfectly
Cons:
  • Larger Than XR - Obscures Target From Long Range
Lasso Brag

Pros & Cons Trijicon HD XR

HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
Trijicon HD XR Night Sight
5.0
Pros:
  • Best Value For Your Money
  • Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
  • Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
Cons:
  • Only A Few Color Options
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us - we really appreciate it!

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

Trijicon HD Night Sights
4.5
Pros:
  • Great In Low Light Conditions
  • Lighting Fast Target Acquisition
  • U-Shaped Notch Draws Your Eye Perfectly
Cons:
  • Larger Than XR - Obscures Target From Long Range
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us - we really appreciate it!

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

Picture of Trijicon HD XR mounted on glock handgun

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?

They are one of the best handgun sights on the market. The tritium inserts make them glow in the dark, so you can always see your target no matter what time of day it is. They’re also very durable and will last for years without needing to be replaced. As you can see, I have personally tested the Trijicon HD vs HD XR night sights and found both to be fantastic options.

Does the military use Trijicon?

Yes, the US Military frequently uses Trijicon optics. Trijicon is a trusted provider of optics for the military, and its products have been proven to be effective in a variety of combat scenarios. Their RMR red dot sight creates a crystal clear sight picture and allows for advanced target identification and engagement.

How long do night sights last Trijicon?

Most models of Trijicon night sights have a lifespan of 12 years, though they are warranted for 12 years. This is because the tritium gas-lit inserts slowly lose their brightness over time. However, if you take care of your Trijicon night sights and keep them clean, they should last for many years beyond the 12-year warranty.

What color is best for gun sights?

Green is the best color for front and rear sights. This is because green is the easiest for the human eye to see in low-light conditions, so it is generally used for gun sights. Other colors can be used as well, but they may not be as visible in dim lighting.

Which is better fiber optic or night sights?

When it comes to choosing the best rear sight for your handgun, many shooters struggle to pick between fiber optic sights and night sights. Most people prefer fiber optic sights over night sights because they provide a clearer aiming point when using iron sights. Optics like the Trijicon HD XR night sight is fantastic, but they do not provide the same target acquisition and visibility as a fiber optic sight.

Do Trijicon sights fade?

Yes, Trijicon sights do fade. Trijicon’s estimated half-life of their sights is 12.5 years. This means that after 12.5 years, the sight will be half as bright as it was when it was new. But let’s be honest, 12.5 years is a very long time for Trijicon HD night sights to last.

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!

HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
Trijicon HD XR Night Sight
5.0
Pros:
  • Best Value For Your Money
  • Slim Profile - Great Sight Picture
  • Great Performance In Low Light Conditions
Cons:
  • Only A Few Color Options
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us - we really appreciate it!

About the author

Patrick Howard

I have been working as a gunsmith for 20 years. Rain, fog, moisture, high temperature, or even snow are all the things a product must withstand in order to be recommended by me.

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