Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights Review

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights Made a Bold First Impression

As a seasoned tactical gear specialist, I’ve seen countless 1911 upgrades come and go, but the Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights immediately caught my eye. My aging eyes needed an upgrade, specifically something that would enhance low-light target acquisition without sacrificing precision during the day. After years of struggling with standard sights, I was searching for an adjustable night sight that wouldn’t break the bank but still offered professional-grade performance.

The Kensight name has always resonated with quality, and I’d heard whispers about these sights being a fantastic blend of affordability and functionality. I had been using a competitor’s fixed night sights, but their lack of adjustability proved frustrating when switching between different ammunition types and distances. After researching several options, including Trijicon and Meprolight, I chose the Kensight model because of its reputation for ruggedness, positive user reviews regarding its adjustability, and the fact that it came in at a significantly lower price point.

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights arrived in a no-nonsense package, a simple clamshell design that spoke volumes about the company’s focus on function over fluff. The sights themselves felt substantial in hand, exhibiting a reassuring heft and meticulously machined surfaces. The matte black finish appeared durable, and the tritium vials glowed with a steady, confident radiance. The adjustable rear sight clicked with purpose, indicating precise machining and a well-thought-out design. Initial impressions were extremely positive, easily surpassing my expectations based on the price alone.

Real-World Testing: Putting Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights to the Test

First Use Experience

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights were first tested at my local outdoor range, a facility that sees everything from casual plinking to serious competitive shooting. I mounted them on my trusty Government-sized 1911 chambered in .45 ACP. The initial zeroing was conducted in broad daylight, followed by testing under the artificial lights of the range’s indoor bays, simulating low-light conditions. The weather was clear but a bit breezy, adding a slight element of challenge to the accuracy testing.

The adjustability of the rear sight was a godsend. Fine-tuning my point of impact at 25 yards was quick and intuitive, requiring only minor adjustments to achieve a perfect zero with my preferred 230-grain FMJ ammunition. Switching to +P hollow points, which tend to impact slightly higher, necessitated a few more clicks, but the process remained smooth and precise. In low-light conditions, the green tritium dots provided a clear and easily acquired sight picture, drastically improving my target acquisition speed. There were no immediate issues or surprises; the sights performed exactly as advertised, providing a significant upgrade over my previous setup.

Extended Use & Reliability

After three months of regular use, the Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights have proven to be remarkably durable and reliable. I’ve put roughly 1,000 rounds downrange with these sights installed, and they have maintained their zero without any noticeable shift. The finish shows minimal wear, even after repeated holster draws and exposure to cleaning solvents. Routine maintenance consists of a simple wipe-down with a lightly oiled cloth after each range session.

Compared to my previous fixed sights, the Kensight model offers a vastly superior shooting experience. The adjustability provides unmatched versatility, allowing me to fine-tune my accuracy for different ammunition types and distances. The bright tritium vials provide a consistently clear sight picture in low-light conditions, significantly enhancing my confidence in defensive scenarios. These sights have not only met my expectations but exceeded them by a significant margin.

Breaking Down the Features of Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights

Specifications

• Make: 1911. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of 1911 pistols, making it a versatile upgrade option.
• Model: Commander, Government, Officers. The sights are designed to fit various 1911 frame sizes, increasing their adaptability across different 1911 models.
• Sight Color: Green. Green tritium is known for its optimal visibility in low-light conditions, offering a bright and easily acquired sight picture.
• Style: 2-Dot, Adjustable, Night Sight. The two-dot configuration simplifies sight alignment, while the adjustability allows for precise zeroing and the tritium vials provide enhanced low-light performance.

These specifications are critical for several reasons. The adjustable rear sight allows for precise zeroing, ensuring optimal accuracy with various ammunition types and at different distances. The green tritium vials provide a clear and easily acquired sight picture in low-light conditions, enhancing the pistol’s effectiveness in defensive situations. The compatibility with multiple 1911 models ensures that these sights can be used on a wide range of pistols, making them a versatile upgrade option.

Performance & Functionality

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights perform exceptionally well in their intended role. The adjustability allows for precise zeroing, ensuring optimal accuracy with different ammunition types and at various distances. In low-light conditions, the green tritium dots provide a clear and easily acquired sight picture, significantly enhancing target acquisition speed.

The main strength of these sights is their adjustability. It allows for fine-tuning the point of impact. A minor weakness is that the adjustment screws can be a bit small and require a small tool.

These sights meet and even exceed my expectations. They deliver on their promise of enhanced accuracy, adjustability, and low-light visibility.

Design & Ergonomics

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights boast a robust design, featuring high-quality steel construction and a durable matte black finish. The sights feel substantial in hand, inspiring confidence in their long-term reliability. The edges are cleanly machined and rounded, preventing snagging on clothing or gear.

The sights are user-friendly. Installation is straightforward, although professional installation is recommended for those unfamiliar with gunsmithing.

Durability & Maintenance

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights are built to last, constructed from high-quality materials and featuring a durable finish. The tritium vials have an estimated lifespan of 10-12 years, providing years of reliable low-light performance. Routine maintenance consists of a simple wipe-down with a lightly oiled cloth after each range session.

These sights are easy to maintain and repair. Replacement tritium vials are available, extending the lifespan of the sights beyond their initial tritium charge.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights do not come with any accessories. However, their standard dovetail dimensions ensure compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket 1911 parts and accessories.

These sights are compatible with various front sight options, allowing users to customize their sight picture to their specific preferences. Different height front sights may be required to achieve proper zeroing depending on the specific 1911 and ammunition used.

Pros and Cons of Kensight 1911 Adjustable Night Sights