Yes. Tritium emits light through beta-induced fluorescence, a byproduct of natural radioactive decay. This process is continuous and does not require any prior light exposure, battery, or activation. The sights will glow in total darkness, transitional lighting, and any low-light environment where ambient light is insufficient to illuminate standard sights. The daylight-fluorescing surround enhances visibility in normal lighting conditions but does not affect the tritium function.

Tritium has a radioactive half-life of approximately 12.3 years, meaning the glow intensity decreases by half every 12.3 years from natural radioactive decay. In practical terms, the sights will glow noticeably for 10-15+ years before the brightness drops to a level that significantly affects performance. The sights continue to glow after this point — just at reduced brightness. TAPCO does not publish a specific tritium warranty period for these sights; contact TAPCO directly for warranty coverage details.

TAPCO recommends professional gunsmith installation for these sights. Glock sight installation requires a sight pusher tool or equivalent to move the rear sight in its dovetail, and proper front sight screw torque to secure the front post without damaging the slide threading. Improper installation can result in a misaligned or loose sight, potential damage to the slide, or an unsafe configuration. If you have prior experience with Glock sight installation and the appropriate tools, installation is mechanically straightforward — but for shooters without that background, a qualified gunsmith ensures the sights are seated, torqued, and zeroed correctly.

The compatibility list covers standard (non-MOS) configurations of the listed models. MOS and aftermarket optics-cut slides have a milled section and mounting plate that changes the height relationship between the slide surface and the sight dovetail. Whether these sights co-witness with a specific optic configuration depends on their installed height relative to the optic — which varies by optic model and mounting plate. If you have a MOS or optics-cut model, consult a gunsmith or contact TAPCO before purchasing to confirm compatibility with your specific setup.

The daylight-fluorescing surround is a colored material that wraps around the tritium insert at each sight position. In daylight and bright indoor conditions, the ambient light that passes through or reflects off this material produces a high-visibility, high-contrast dot that the eye can quickly acquire. Tritium on its own is most visible in darkness; in bright conditions, its glow can be washed out by ambient light and the sight can appear to be a standard unlit dot. The fluorescing surround compensates for this by creating a brightly colored aiming reference that functions independently of the tritium in well-lit environments. Together, the two elements provide visibility coverage across the full spectrum from bright daylight to total darkness.