Question re Tritium Night Sights

[THOR74]

Question for everyone regarding tritium Night Sights:

It is my currect understanding that the tritium inserts that are used for night sights lose their ability to radiate light after a few years.

When they are no longer bright (enough), is it necessary to actually remove and replace the entire sight assemblies OR is it possible to simply replace the tritium inserts?

ALSO, how long can they be expected to actually give off enough light to be fully useful?

Thanks guys,

THOR

 

[beltfed]

I have a Sig 220 that was made in West Germany with the original night sights on it, and still glowing (although diminished). When did the wall come down?

To answer your question, Tritiums' half life is 12.3 years; meaning it will generally display half it's visibility in 12.3 years as when it was new. Then loose half that in another 12.3 years (25% from new).

For the cost of new sights, I could not be bothered trying to have the tritium replaced in the originals; I'd just change the sights.

 

[RePete]

The average life on new is 12-14 years, depending on the manufacturer.

They tend to start to dim in 10.