Posted: 10/17/2011 10:21:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Clasky][Edited]
TNVC has had a long relationship with the folks at VTAC. In fact, we are proud to count them as personal friends. Over the years, they have released some incredibly innovative products. But, their latest release, the Viking Sight, is one of the best! The Viking Sight is a new take on pistol sights and truly shows that someone had their thinking cap on. Currently available for the Smith & Wesson M&P series of pistols (more makes and models to follow), these are drop-in replacement iron sights that take functionality to a whole new level and literally need to be experienced to be believed.
At first glance, the Viking Sights look complicated. I admit that I was skeptical when I first saw them. I mean, after all: there's six dots. But, knowing who designed them, I knew there was more than meets the eye. I got behind the sights and was amazed that my eyes immediately were on target and drawn to the front sight blade. My eyes saw all six dots, but my brain only saw the top three fiber optic dots. Cool. Now, I have never been a big fan of fiber optic dot sights because they are lousy at night, but they are great for competition because they draw your focus in daylight than any other type of sight. OK, so the sights were fast and my mind wasn't getting fouled up by the six dots (I actually had to really focus my brain to "see" all six dots. The bottom three naturally disappeared when I pointed the gun). But, the vast majority of my operational work in my previous life took place at night and I currently work for a night vision company. So, how did these expensive sights work in low light? I stayed behind the sights and began walking from a lit room across the hallway into a dark room. Holy Shit! All of the sudden my brain was seeing the lower three tritium dots! the transition point was imperceptible. The transition was the smoothest I have ever seen on a pistol. 
OK, OK, but we're a night vision company. Why are we selling pistol iron sights? Good question. Most folks don't realize it, but it is possible to engage targets/threats using pistol iron sights while wearing night vision goggles! It's not ideal, but then again; neither is combat. You use what works and along the way, you pick up little tricks. Using tritium iron sights, you can successfully engage with a pistol while wearing NVG's. And, since Night Vision, without peripheral gear, is a liability, we wanted to make sure our customers have access to the best night vision support gear. That, and these things are just that cool  If you want to learn to shoot pistol irons with NVG's, come to one of our classes.
Back to the sights. The Viking Sights are well made, machined steel. All edges are chamfered and corners are rounded making them ideal for carry. I have a set on both my work gun and CCW and there are no snag hazards. The back faces are serrated to diminish glare. The front face of the rear sight is flat to allow for one handed slide manipulation off a belt or holster. These sights are a bit taller than the stock M&P sights, measuring in at 0.25" tall. But, they still fit fine in my Safariland and Comp-Tac holsters with room to spare. To sum it all up, these sights are tits. Are they expensive relative to other night sights? Yes. Are some guys gonna spend more time making clever remarks about what else they could buy with that money? Yes. Are they overlooking the total functionality of the Viking Sights and how much faster the combination dots are than regular night sight? Most definitely. I have tried a lot of other night sights, but these are the first ones I have stepped back and said "Holy shit, we have to offer these on our site." They really have to be seen to be believed. Anyway, here they are. They will rock your socks off. 
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Tactical Night Vision Company - TNVC
www.tnvc.com
(909) 796-7000
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
www.tnvc.com
(909) 796-7000
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Originally Posted By vandal:
I've always wondered if it would be possible to use tritium to light up the fiber at night. Just put the tritium in some kind of reflective housing underneath the fiber? Somebody must have tried that, right? Truglo TFO. A friend of mine runs them on his XDm, and likes them. |
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I bought my M&P VTAC in mid December. On the first day at the range, the fiber optic in the front sight fell out on round 22. I called S&W Customer Service, and they were very apoligetic, and sent me a FedEx tag to return the pistol for warranty repair.
I got the pistol back day before yesterday. Today I went to the range, and at approximately round 35, the fiber optic AGAIN fell out of the front sight! Needless to say I'm NOT a happy camper. The pistol itself has functioned flawlessly, with approximately 300 rounds down range. The sights in principle are great, but the workmanship leaves something to be desired. As long as the fiber optic stays in the front sight, they are awesome, that just doesn't seem to happen very often. I'll be contacting S&W again tomorrow to return the pistol. I am going to demand they replace the VTAC sights with the new Trijicon HD sights. It won't be a true VTAC pistol any more, but at least I will be able to shoot it!! I'll keep you posted... |
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What is the poa vs poi on these sights for various calibers and bullet weights?
As in impact at the top edge of the front sight at 25 yards for a full size m&p shooting 124 gr ammo? |
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OC is like a fat girl in spandex, they think they look hot, but all anyone see's is an attention whoring pile of ass.
OC is like a fat girl in spandex, they think they look hot, but all anyone see's is an attention whoring pile of ass.
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Has anyone else had issues with the fiber optic falling out? I'm about 2 seconds away from ordering a set..Also currious if it will clear a AAC .45 Tirant Can?
If the optic falls out i'm not going to waste my time and I'll just order a set of adjustable sights.... I run my duty gun hard. The past year it has been the most reliable weapon I've ever used. I'm currious to try out these sights, but if they are going to fail and fall apart, I'm not wanting to waste my time and money. |
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I have the VTAC 9. I've had zero problems with the sights.
These things are phenomenal. The fiber optics are crazy bright in the sun, and the tritium rocks at night. That glowing front sight lines itself right up to the target. If they make them for XD I'll be buying a few more sets. |
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Like anything that we buy, you could potentially get a lemon. But don't be too concerned with the few lemons out there. The sights are phenomenal.
Personally I use Glocks but I have shot M&Ps extensively and have used the VTACs on occasion. I still remember the first time I shot with them on my buddies custom M&P9. Keyholing five shots at about 15 yards on a VTAC target head. Made me a believer instantly. I don't think the sights will clear your can but they should still work fine because of how your eyes work. You know how you can sort of "see through" your gun when you have both eyes open? You'll probably just look through the suppressor while your staring at that beautiful green dot floating over your target! Get them! Also I don't see these coming out for Glock anytime soon. VTAC has a contract with S&W and the sights are propietary for now. Hopefully something similar can be developed for us Glock lovers. |
--as it comes, take it easy--
| I have a VTAC .40, only 600 rounds fired so far but my sights have been solid and work very well. They are great for fast follow up shots. I really like them. But I will not be putting them on any of my other guns. The cost is just too high, Trijicon HD's for $115 TFO's for $95 and this for $240, great sites and I know the old saying how much is your life worth and all but darn thats a lot of coin for pistol sights. Half the cost of alot of very good guns. If they were around $150 I think they would fly of the shelf. But with the cost of ammo, gear, training and life in general thats just more then I am willing to spend for pistol iron sights. |
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I have a ton of rounds through my 40VTAC as well with no issue. In fact I believe that now the sights FO are covered in a sealant so they wont fall out.
I am not sure if they will clear a can but they are higher that the regualr M&P sights if that makes a difference |
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Originally Posted By Clint-M:
Do you actually have experience with them, or are you just assuming because you already own something else? Originally Posted By Clint-M:
Originally Posted By rtran:
Like the idea but doesn't work for me. Love my 10-8 Do you actually have experience with them, or are you just assuming because you already own something else? I must admit I dont have any range time with them but I can say it definitely too busy for me |
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Originally Posted By ak4784:
Yeah. No kidding, Originally Posted By ak4784:
Originally Posted By Gamma762:
Over 2 years later, and still only available for M&P? Yeah. No kidding, im ok with this... |
"Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things, right now: Jack and shit.. and Jack left town"
ADEPTO UTRIUSQUE
ADEPTO UTRIUSQUE
Tell Victor I still have the Chinese Reflex sights on several AR's (on top of scopes) I'll put these on a MP45c. I'm doing reflex on my CORE and got the MRDS from you guys. Now, the real winner will be these new sights made high enough to co-witness with the MRDS. If anybody can do it you guys can. 
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Scouts Out
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Originally Posted By vandal:
I've always wondered if it would be possible to use tritium to light up the fiber at night. Just put the tritium in some kind of reflective housing underneath the fiber? Somebody must have tried that, right? Truglo TFOs have been around how long now? This seems to be a case of a solution to a non-existent problem. |
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Originally Posted By ChrisC701:
nothing? FWIW I'm an LEO M&P armorer. We used to buy the fiber optic sights for our dept guns b/c they are nice for fast sight acquisition in the daytime. We had nothing but problems with the fiber rods coming out. We ditched them completely and now only use the S&W night sights that come with the gun or buy Truglo TFOs for $70. |
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Originally Posted By RMcKean:
I don't know how long they've been available, but they're up on the website for Glock and in more configurations than the M&P as well. http://www.vikingtactics.com/product-p/vtac-vsgl.htm Dang, how did I miss this. He's right ,they're available for Glocks now. But $175? DAMN ... |