Night Sights
One of the best upgrades you can make to a defensive pistol is installing a set of night sights. What are night sights? In a nutshell night sights are small lamps housing small amounts of radioactive material that glows in the dark.
Fiber-optic sights, a tube that catches light making it easier to aim, are often considered night sights as well but I don’t consider them true night sights. Since fiber-optics rely on a light source shining on them at the right angle to work they can’t be relied on in low light situations.
The benefit of having a sturdy set of night sights is obviously being able to properly see how your sights are oriented in any lighting situation. There are many variations of night sights available including 2 color sets, where the front sight is a different color, but another advantage is durability. Night sights are usually made of steel and much stronger than your standard plastic sights that many guns are manufactured with.
Weapon Lights and Lasers
What’s better than being able to see your sights at night? How about seeing your target in pitch black?
Thanks to advancements in batteries and bulbs, there are a variety of weapon lights available for pretty much any name brand firearm. A light on your pistol not only makes it easier to see what you’re aiming at, but it also has the secondary benefit of blinding your target.
I say secondary benefit because the primary is obviously being able to probably identify your target.
Lasers are also great for not only training purposes but also to ensure you’re on target even without having to use your sights. A laser on a snubnose revolver is a glorious combo of 19th-century technology (and reliability) with 21st century accuracy.
But remember: much like a weapon light, the biggest thing you’ll want to do is train. A laser may make it easier to aim but if you’re not able to activate it quickly under pressure it is essentially useless. Once activated though (and assuming it’s been sighted in properly), you’ll be able to fire accurately at close ranges from any position.
One drawback to using a laser is ambient brightness. While we assume most defensive situations will take place at night there is the chance you’ll need to use your weapon outside in broad daylight. If that’s the case you’ll find the laser, especially red ones, harder to see.
When considering a light or laser (or combo), also keep in mind there is a battery component involved and if you’re not replacing it every so often then the attachment may fail you.
Red Dots (RMR)
On the subject of lights and lasers, red dots RMR (ruggedized miniature reflex) sights aren’t far behind.
While they don’t have the exact same benefits as a laser, like firing from the hip with higher accuracy, they do make it extremely easier to put rounds on target accurately without having to line up sights, especially at longer ranges. Which can be troublesome for shooters with weaker vision.
As mentioned with lights and lasers, training and maintenance plays a big part in using these attachments effectively. From making sure they’re properly sights and activated, replace the battery every so often.
Grips and Stippling
Whether a sleeve or attached via adhesive grips come in a variety of types. If you constantly find yourself adjusting your grip after firing your pistol and have done everything you can to ensure your grip isn’t the issue, then you may want to try adding something to the grip to help it fit your hand and increase your ability to handle the pistol.
Downsides to adding something to your grip come into two forms. Rubber grips are more likely to catch your clothes and cause bunching of material making it more likely to accidentally reveal your firearm.
On the other hand, granulated or grip-tape type of grips have been known to be uncomfortable when rubbing up against your skin all day long.
One other option is “stippling” where portions of the grip area’s texture is changed, usually from a smooth texture to something more akin to studded, to increase grip. The only issue with this is it is a permanent thing. So if you don’t end up liking it you are SOL. If you’re considering having stippling done try and find someone else who already has it to make sure it’s something you won’t have a personal issue with.
Things Not to Do in My Opinion
Trigger jobs
I personally blame the obsession of people feeling they need a superlight trigger for their defense pistol on marketing/advertisements. The truth is you don’t need a hair trigger on your defense pistol. Hair triggers should be saved for competition guns and hunting rifles.
Also, I’ve never owned a pistol that the trigger hasn’t improved over time after proper break in. If you’ve fired a few hundred rounds, performed a thorough cleaning, and use a proper grip you should have zero issues with your trigger.
In a defensive situation with your heart thumping and adrenaline pumping that last thing you need is an accidental discharge due to a super light trigger.
If you think a non-stock trigger is going to improve your accuracy, I’m sorry to tell you it’s not. Train and practice are the two surefire ways to improve accuracy. A lighter trigger will only increase the chance of accidental discharges.
https://youtu.be/TuqticFg9q8
Graphics, Backplates, Cerakote, Etc.
Your defensive pistol is a tool and a weapon and not a fashion statement. The truth of the matter is in the unfortunate scenario you are forced to defend yourself and take the life of another individual your pistol will be used in a court as evidence.
If your pistol is presented and has a Punisher skull backplate and a Boondock Saints quote along the slide, how do you think this will make you appear?
The only superficial modifications I suggest are a cerakote finish in either the original finish or in the color of your skin tone. A skin tone colored pistol helps you keep your pistol concealed and less likely to be noticed should it ever accidentally be exposed. Never do anything to a pistol that you plan on carrying for defense that make look like someone who goes looking for trouble. Because, in this day and age, you might end up in prison—and that would definitely suck.
Final Thoughts
While it’s definitely tempting to “pimp” out your gun, don’t go overboard and certainly don’t put anything that would ultimately make the weapon less reliable.
At the end of the day your carry pistol should be looked at as a tool for defense and not a showpiece or fashion statement. Personally, I recommend staying away from any unnecessary internal upgrades and only recommend upgrades or modifications that will assist in you being able to defend yourself. What your gun looks like ultimately has no impact on its ability to stop an attacker. No one is going to see your graphics and immediately stop and say to themselves, “Oh man that guy is a badass, what am I thinking?” Good luck!
