Best Night Sights and Other Questions

[rkwallace]

I purchased my first HK a week ago after years of staring through gun case glass. A used USP .40 LEM variant 3/4 (SA/DA decock no safety) for $500 with five 13-round magazines. After lurking on the forum for a couple weeks and reading everything I could find I'm still wondering as to the best night sight options (Superluminova seem good according to Greg Bell but I've read on a Beretta page that they don't last that long) and also to whom should I turn for a re-finishing job for the slide. I live in Southwest Michigan but my wife and I are planning a move out west so I'm also looking for shooting companions here and eventually in Utah or Oregon, depending. Lastly, I take the CCW this Saturday, June 7 and am interested in knowing if anyone my size (5'9", 165lbs, very athletic body type) has tried and succeeded in carrying this gun concealed. Any ideas?

[carboncycles]

Welcome to the fold...it's a bit big to CC comfortably IMO, but there are some guys here that CC tacticals...go figure.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

First off, for $500 and with 5 mags. you damn near stole that thing! Good buy!

If it has a decocker, it's not LEM at all.

Opinions on the preference of night sights will vary. Tru-Glo's are what most HK's come with from the factory when they are night sight models. I like these and Trijicons.

I would leave the finish alone.

Let's just say I'm smaller then you and have carried a fullsize USP Combat Competition on my hip without a problem. :D

[rkwallace]

If it has a decocker, it's not LEM at all.

The guy I bought it from said it had been a Euro cop carry, perhaps he was mistaken.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Sounds like a V3 to me. LEM is essentially DAO, therefore no decocker.

...The guy I bought it from said it had been a Euro cop carry, perhaps he was mistaken.

I find that hard to believe. Pistols in .40S&W are very rarely used in Europe, much less a police force actually issuing pistols in this caliber.

[rkwallace]

Thanks for the info, it does seem though it was a carry piece, though, due to the massive disparity in wear on the right side of the frame (seatbelt scratches) compared to the left. Regardless of where it was issued, it shoots really well. The local PD shooting instructor is a friend and he's impressed with it. For $500 I'm happy. Now I need a compact.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Honestly, I wouldn't mess with the finish. The HE (hostile enviorment) finish on the HKs is actually bonded directly to the metal. Even if it has wear and scratches it should still remains 100% rust proof under normal conditions.

...Now I need a compact.

See, now look what you went and did! Be happy with the new found sickness called HK youv'e just acquired! :D

[ajl2121]

First off, for $500 and with 5 mags. you damn near stole that thing! Good buy!

If it has a decocker, it's not LEM at all.

Opinions on the preference of night sights will vary. Tru-Glo's are what most HK's come with from the factory when they are night sight models. I like these and Trijicons.

I would leave the finish alone.

Let's just say I'm smaller then you and have carried a fullsize USP Combat Competition on my hip without a problem. :D

I have the tru-glos from the factory, and they work great. I'm happy with them. So, to be completely accurate, are the factory HK night sights manufactured by Meprolight, and the tru-glos are the line from Meprolight? The night sights on the rear sight say TRU-GLO, but I have heard from numerous people that they are Mepros.

[rkwallace]

I have the tru-glos from the factory, and they work great. I'm happy with them. So, to be completely accurate, are the factory HK night sights manufactured by Meprolight, and the tru-glos are the line from Meprolight? The night sights on the rear sight say TRU-GLO, but I have heard from numerous people that they are Mepros.[/QUOTE]

I have the same ones and was wondering what kind of lifespan they are expected to have.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

You need to be liscenced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commision to work with tritium for night sights. Tru-Glo probably does use Meprolight lamps. Alot of companies, like XS, use Trijicon lamps in their sights so this is not an uncommon practice.

The half-life of tritium is about 10-12 years. Trijicon warranties their green sights for 12 years against dimming.

[rkwallace]

That makes sense, mine seem dim and the gun is a '98 mfg. If I purchase a new set of 3-dots is it possible to replace them myself? Can you get 3-dots in two colors? I've only seen them available in green, would like to get a front sight in a contrasting color.

[Detroit Defender]

There are some companies like MMC PT night sights that have different available rear colors, but typically your front sight is going to be green. (Highest visibility of all colors)

Also, you should let someone qualified do it, but if your feelin froggy, go for it!

[rkwallace]

Have you used these sights or had any contact with this company? Are they comparable to the more recognizable names like Mepro?

[ajl2121]

You need to be liscenced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commision to work with tritium for night sights. Tru-Glo probably does use Meprolight lamps. Alot of companies, like XS, use Trijicon lamps in their sights so this is not an uncommon practice.

The half-life of tritium is about 10-12 years. Trijicon warranties their green sights for 12 years against dimming.

Ok...I think I get it...So when someone asks me what kind of night sights I have on my USP's with ns from the factory, the technically correct answer would be TRU-GLO, not meprolight. Technically, other companies could use meprolight lamps in their night sights, but they are not made by TRU-GLO, correct?

[Detroit Defender]

Have you used these sights or had any contact with this company? Are they comparable to the more recognizable names like Mepro?

I am having them installed on my USPc as we speak. The looked good to me. I am doing red rear green front. Ive heard good reviews on here from other members.

[Tabsr]

For my PSK, I tried MMC again, since they were great on my HK USPC 45, and with a different color combo. Green rear and yellow front.

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

"TRU-GLO" is a fiber optic sight not made by Meprolight.

"TRU-DOT" is a line of tritium sights made by Meprolight.

[Detroit Defender]

Just got my USPc back with my MMC PT night sights on it. So far I dont like them. They have a higher profile than my stock sights, by at least 1/8th inch! Im wondering if this is going to change my point of aim. and just look too tall for the weapon. I may remove them and order a different type. I guess I'll have to find the measurements of the stock sights and look at the specs of other manufactures. They do glow nicely but.....Dont like the height.

[IGO1320]

I bought Tru-Dot's for my P2KSK, when installed they shot high, I removed the slide put it in my mill and machined down the rear .003 inch test fired then took off another .003 shoot's perfect now.......125 of an inch that is a lot....you sure they are that high? If you have the room to the dot you could maching both front and rear the same amount to lower them but you need to be careful a little difference between front and rear makes a huge difference in point of impact.

[Tabsr]

The rear is higher but the sight is adjustable on the MMC. For carry, makes no difference and I like the elevation adustment.