First Impressions of Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile
The 1911, a timeless classic, often needs modernization to keep up with evolving needs. That’s where sights like the Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile come in. Kensight promises enhanced visibility in low-light conditions and a refined sight picture with this upgrade.
I’ve always believed in optimizing my 1911 for practical use, and aging eyes coupled with a need for reliable night-time capability made a sight upgrade essential. Factory sights are often a compromise, and my aging eyes struggled to quickly acquire a clear sight picture in anything less than ideal lighting. The promise of tritium illumination and a serrated blade for reduced glare immediately piqued my interest.
Upon unboxing, the Kensight sight exuded quality. The deep black finish, clean lines, and precisely cut serrations spoke of careful manufacturing. It felt substantial and well-made, a reassuring sign of durability.
I was also considering a set of Trijicon HD Night Sights and the XS Sights DXT2 Big Dot sights, both reputable options. I chose the Kensight for its more traditional profile, the promise of a crisp sight picture with the white-outlined tritium vials, and the reputation for precision that Kensight has cultivated within the 1911 community. The contoured profile also seemed less likely to snag during concealed carry.
My initial impression was one of cautious optimism. I was eager to see if the Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile would live up to its promises and transform my 1911 into a more capable and reliable tool, both day and night.
Real-World Testing: Putting Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile to the Test
First Use Experience
My first outing with the Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile was at an indoor shooting range, a controlled environment perfect for evaluating sight acquisition and accuracy. The dimly lit bays simulated low-light conditions, allowing me to immediately assess the tritium’s effectiveness.
The difference was remarkable. The white-outlined tritium lamps provided a clear and distinct sight picture, far superior to the standard sights I was accustomed to. Target acquisition was noticeably faster, and I felt more confident in my aiming.
I did notice that the rear sight’s serrations, while effective at reducing glare, could be a bit aggressive against the skin during racking if you have very soft hands. Otherwise the serrations were a non-issue.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several months of consistent use, the Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile has proven its worth. I’ve used it in various conditions, including outdoor ranges, IDPA matches, and even during a low-light training course.
The sight has held up exceptionally well. There are no signs of wear or tear, and the tritium lamps remain bright and clear. Cleaning is simple; a quick wipe with a lightly oiled cloth keeps it looking new.
Compared to my previous experiences with standard 1911 sights, the Kensight is a significant upgrade. It provides a much clearer and more consistent sight picture, boosting my confidence and accuracy, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. It has exceeded my expectations and become a permanent fixture on my 1911.
Breaking Down the Features of Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile
Specifications
The Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile is designed for the 1911 platform. This sight is a fixed rear sight with two green tritium lamps.
The sight is Wire-EDM cut from a single block of 4140 Chrome Moly Steel, ensuring exceptional strength and durability. The 4140 steel provides excellent resistance to wear and corrosion, extending the sight’s lifespan.
The rear sight blade features distinctive grasping serrations, also Wire-EDM cut. These serrations minimize glare and provide a positive gripping surface for racking the slide.
It utilizes Trijicon Green tritium lamps, known for their reliable and consistent illumination in low-light conditions. The lamps are encased in high-visibility white outlines for improved daytime visibility and faster target acquisition.
The sight is compatible with Novak-type front sight dovetail cuts (0.330″ x 65 x 0.075″). This compatibility makes it a straightforward upgrade for many customized and factory 1911 pistols.
The standard blade height is 0.200”, but blade heights from 0.150” to 0.220” are available upon request. This allows users to fine-tune their sight picture for optimal accuracy.
It is available in black. The black finish provides a low-profile look and enhances corrosion resistance.
The front blade height is 0.16 in when purchased as a set with the Kensight front sight.
Performance & Functionality
The Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile excels in its primary function: providing a clear and reliable sight picture in various lighting conditions. The tritium lamps offer excellent low-light visibility, while the serrated blade minimizes glare in bright conditions.
Its strength is its crisp and clear sight picture, regardless of lighting conditions. One area for potential improvement might be offering different color tritium options for personal preference.
It meets and exceeds expectations. It transformed my 1911 into a more capable and versatile firearm.
Design & Ergonomics
The Kensight sight boasts excellent build quality. The 4140 steel construction feels robust and durable, inspiring confidence in its longevity.
The sight is user-friendly, with no noticeable learning curve. The contoured profile is comfortable and snag-free, making it suitable for concealed carry.
Durability & Maintenance
The 4140 steel construction suggests a long lifespan. The sight is easy to maintain, requiring only occasional cleaning and lubrication.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile is primarily a standalone upgrade, but it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with existing 1911 components. It pairs perfectly with a Kensight tritium front sight.
It’s compatible with any 1911 that accepts Novak-style dovetail sights, ensuring broad compatibility with aftermarket barrels and other upgrades.
Pros and Cons of Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile
Pros
- Excellent Low-Light Visibility: The Trijicon Green tritium lamps provide a bright and reliable sight picture in dark environments.
- Durable Construction: Wire-EDM cut from 4140 Chrome Moly Steel ensures exceptional strength and longevity.
- Improved Sight Picture: The serrated blade reduces glare, enhancing visibility in bright conditions.
- Easy Installation: Compatible with Novak-type dovetail cuts for straightforward installation.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Faster target acquisition and a clearer sight picture contribute to improved shooting accuracy.
Cons
- Serrations can be a bit aggressive against skin when racking the slide.
- Limited color options for the tritium lamps.
Who Should Buy Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile?
Perfect for 1911 owners looking to enhance their pistol’s low-light capabilities, improve sight acquisition speed, and increase overall accuracy. Ideal for concealed carry users, home defense enthusiasts, and competitive shooters who demand reliable performance in all lighting conditions.
Anyone content with standard 1911 sights or those prioritizing a drastically different sight style (e.g., fiber optic) might want to explore other options. If you can’t rack a pistol slide effectively, then the aggressive serrations could be a hindrance.
A quality gunsmith for proper installation is a must-have. Depending on your use case, a quality holster is also a consideration to avoid snagging.
Conclusion on Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile
The Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile is a worthwhile upgrade for any 1911 owner seeking improved low-light performance and a refined sight picture. It delivers on its promises of enhanced visibility, durability, and ease of use.
At $150.61, the price is justified by the quality of materials, precision manufacturing, and noticeable performance improvement. This is a reasonable price for a critical defensive upgrade.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Kensight DFS Serrated Blade Fixed Rear 1911 Night Sight w/Contoured Profile to anyone looking to modernize their 1911 and enhance its capabilities. Upgrade your 1911 today and experience the difference a quality set of night sights can make.