Night sight is fading.
- Thread starter bennyh
- Start date
NSRA Member
Regular
- Location
- Halifax, NS
Tritium Sights
Basically the answer is no.
However, if they are Trijicon brand sights they will replace the dots for you.
The glow in the dark part of any quality night sight is a small vial of tritium gas. Tritium (H3) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen (H) Corrected. The tritium causes a layer of phosphor on the inside of the vial to emit visible light.
Since tritium has a short half-life of about 12 years you will notice it fade over the life of the sights.
Half-life refers to the time a radioactive material takes to decay, or become another, usually non-radioactive material. For example, if the sights are six years old they will be 75% as bright as when they were new and at 12 years only half as bright as new. After 24 years they will be just 25% of their original strength (half of half is a quarter).
I have a set of night sights that came on my Sig P226, they are now 14 years old and I can only see the dots glow if the room is pitch black.
Just remember that the dots on night sights are meant to be used in the dark. During the day or in bright light your notch and post will serve you well.
Basically the answer is no.
However, if they are Trijicon brand sights they will replace the dots for you.
The glow in the dark part of any quality night sight is a small vial of tritium gas. Tritium (H3) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen (H) Corrected. The tritium causes a layer of phosphor on the inside of the vial to emit visible light.
Since tritium has a short half-life of about 12 years you will notice it fade over the life of the sights.
Half-life refers to the time a radioactive material takes to decay, or become another, usually non-radioactive material. For example, if the sights are six years old they will be 75% as bright as when they were new and at 12 years only half as bright as new. After 24 years they will be just 25% of their original strength (half of half is a quarter).
I have a set of night sights that came on my Sig P226, they are now 14 years old and I can only see the dots glow if the room is pitch black.
Just remember that the dots on night sights are meant to be used in the dark. During the day or in bright light your notch and post will serve you well.
Last edited:
Craftsman 441
CGN Regular
- Location
- Wainwright
H2 is Deuterium, professor. 
Good to know that Trijicon will replace the dots, though. Has anyone here tried sending sights back for new sources yet?
Good to know that Trijicon will replace the dots, though. Has anyone here tried sending sights back for new sources yet?
Last edited:
NSRA Member
Regular
- Location
- Halifax, NS
H2
Indeed, you are correct!
I guess I was thinking about my new ride! ( I wish)
Craftsman 441 said:H2 is Deuterium, professor.
Indeed, you are correct!
I guess I was thinking about my new ride! ( I wish)
Craftsman 441
CGN Regular
- Location
- Wainwright
My old man worked at Glace Bay and Point Lepreau. I was at the point too for a while. Otherwise I'd have no clue about that stuff.
Trijicon brand night sights are guaranteed for 12 years from date of manufacture for defects. That includes not working any more, the crystal on the front falling off or excessive dimming. As stated above they will dim as the years go by and that is quite normal. Police Ordnance is the Canadian Warranty Repair facility for Trijicon. Guess who does the module replacements.
Craftsman 441
CGN Regular
- Location
- Wainwright
Is there a way to tell what year your tritium lamps are from? I just bought a Wilson Combat sight set, and the front sight seems really dim for what I expected.
Also, is there a place I can buy tritium vials, so I can install them in holes I drill myself?
Also, is there a place I can buy tritium vials, so I can install them in holes I drill myself?
