When adding a suppressor to a pistol, shooters often run into an unexpected issue: their standard sights may no longer provide a clear sight picture. That’s where suppressor height sights come in. These taller sights are designed to clear the added bulk of a suppressor, ensuring you maintain proper sight alignment and accuracy. 

But are suppressor height sights necessary? How much taller are they compared to standard sights? And what other benefits do they offer beyond simply clearing a suppressor? Let’s dive in. 

• What Are Suppressor Height Sights? 
• Standard vs. Suppressor Height Sights
• Why Use Suppressor Height Sights on a Pistol?
• Red Dots for Shooting Suppressed Handguns
• Do You Always Need Suppressor Height Sights for Shooting Suppressed? 
• Tips for Good Sight Picture and Accuracy When Shooting Suppressed
• Final Thoughts

Suppressor height sights are taller versions of standard iron sights, designed to give shooters an unobstructed sight picture when using a suppressor or a slide-mounted optic like a red dot. Since most suppressors extend beyond the muzzle and add significant diameter to the barrel, they can block a shooter's ability to properly aim with standard-height sights. 

These taller sights ensure the front sight post is still visible above the suppressor’s body, allowing shooters to aim with a traditional iron sight picture. They also serve a secondary function: co-witnessing with pistol-mounted red dot optics in case of battery failure or environmental interference (like fog, rain, or dirt on the lens). 

The height difference between standard sights and suppressor height sights varies depending on the manufacturer and pistol model, but here’s a general comparison: 

Suppressor Height Sights vs. Standard Sights

This increase in height allows suppressor height sights to clear most full-size suppressors, ensuring a clean sight picture. Some extremely large-diameter suppressors (like suppressors designed for use on pistol caliber carbines and not only handguns) may still partially obstruct the sight picture, but most pistol suppressors are designed to be compatible with these taller sights. 

There are three primary reasons to consider using suppressor height sights: 

1. Maintaining a Proper Sight Picture When Shooting Suppressed 

One of the biggest challenges when using a pistol suppressor is that standard sights can get blocked by the suppressor’s body. If your sights are too low, you may find yourself “aiming through” the suppressor rather than getting a clear sight picture. 
Suppressor height sights fix this by lifting the front and rear sights above the suppressor’s obstruction, giving you a clear aiming point just like you would have when shooting unsuppressed. 

2. Improved Co-Witnessing with Red Dot Sights 

Many shooters today run slide-mounted red dots like the Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, or Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. One of the downsides to using a red dot is that if the battery dies or the optic gets obscured, you need a backup sighting system. 
Suppressor height sights allow for lower-third or absolute co-witnessing with most red dots. This means that if your red dot fails, you can still aim effectively using your iron sights without having to remove the optic. 

3. Faster Sight Acquisition in Some Cases 

While some shooters prefer low-profile sights for concealed carry, taller sights can be advantageous for competition or duty use. Suppressor height sights can make it easier to pick up the front sight post quickly, especially for shooters who train with red dots but want an iron sight backup. 

While suppressor height sights help clear the suppressor’s obstruction, many shooters prefer running a red dot sight on their suppressed pistols instead. Here’s why a slide-mounted red dot can be a game-changer when shooting suppressed:

1. Unobstructed Sight Picture Over the Suppressor

Unlike traditional iron sights, a red dot optic sits much higher on the slide, eliminating the need to look "over" the suppressor. With a proper sight picture, the dot simply appears above the suppressor body, allowing for quick and precise aiming.

2. Faster Target Acquisition

A red dot lets you focus on the target rather than aligning front and rear sights. This is especially useful when using a suppressor since the added weight and bulk at the muzzle can slightly change how the pistol handles.

3. Co-Witnessing with Suppressor Height Sights

Most modern red dots, like the Eotech EFLX, Trijicon RMR, and others work best when paired with suppressor height iron sights. This ensures that if the optic fails (battery dies, fogging, or damage), you can immediately transition to backup iron sights without removing the red dot.

4. Better Performance in Low-Light Conditions

A red dot works well in dim lighting, especially when combined with a weapon-mounted light. This setup allows for faster and more precise aiming compared to traditional iron sights in non-ideal lighting condiitons such as at night or in a structure. 

Not necessarily. Whether you need suppressor height sights depends on a couple of factors: 

Suppressor Diameter – Some slim suppressors, like the Dead Air Odessa-9, are low-profile enough that standard sights may still work. 

Firearm Attachements – If you use a red dot as your primary sighting system, you might not rely heavily on irons anyway. 

That said, if your suppressor significantly obstructs your sight picture, upgrading to suppressor height sights will make your shooting experience much smoother. 

Whether or not you’re using suppressor height sights, shooting suppressed does slightly change the way your pistol handles. Here are some tips to ensure accuracy and consistency: 

1. Maintain a Consistent Sight Picture 

With iron sights, your focus should be on the front sight while keeping the target slightly blurred in the background. If using suppressor height sights, it may take some adjustment to get used to the higher sight alignment—train accordingly. 

2. Adjust for Potential Point of Impact Shift 

Suppressors can slightly alter a pistol’s point of impact due to the added weight and minor changes in barrel harmonics. This shift is typically minimal with piston-driven suppressors but can vary between guns. Always zero your pistol with the suppressor attached to confirm accuracy. 

3. Ensure Proper Grip and Follow-Through 

Adding a suppressor can slightly affect the balance of your firearm, shifting more weight forward. This can be beneficial for recoil control, but it also means you should: 

• Maintain a firm grip to manage any added front-end weight.
• Follow through on each shot to ensure consistent accuracy. 

Suppressor height sights are a simple yet effective upgrade for anyone running a suppressed pistol, ensuring an unobstructed sight picture and providing a co-witness option for red dots. While not every shooter will need them, they improve sight alignment and make aiming more intuitive when a suppressor is attached. 

Whether you're running an EDC pistol, a competition gun, or a range plinker, choosing the right sights can make a big difference in your shooting experience and accuracy. If you frequently shoot suppressed, investing in a quality set of suppressor height sights is well worth considering. 

Shop for Suppressor Height Sights and Get the Most Out of Your Suppressed Pistol Today!