[Dr. Strangelove]

Have your friend load the gun and safely give it to you. You find out quickly if you are anticipating the recoil if you pull the trigger and there is no round in the chamber but the front end drops.

 

[kenji9]

I was going to write something but then thought better of it...
LIVE & LEARN..... LOL...!!!
Careful who you take advice from...
If you don't like the answer given, you should probably take their advice more-seriously...!!!
LOL...!!!

 

[LSJones]

I live by the belief that anything that has a battery will fail at the most inopportune time, therefore I would suggest iron sights and when you go to a red dot, make sure your sights co-witness.

 

[45fan]

I live by the belief that anything that has a battery will fail at the most inopportune time, therefore I would suggest iron sights and when you go to a red dot, make sure your sights co-witness.

No don't make back up sights co witness, that is counter productive.

The point of an rds is speed.
Your eyes can only fucus on one thing at a time, that is the target as you press the gun into position, the dot is over the target, if you've done it correctly.

If you co witness that takes looking at one thing and turned it to 5 things.
Back up sights should be in the lower third of the window and should be ignored until the rds stops working.


To the OP learn how to use sights then move to rds.

 

[Naldo63]

Maybe a little bit off topic, but what does everyone think about a laser as opposed to a rds, my problem is that with 60 yr old eyes and the onset of diabetic neuropathy, and onset of cataracts, when I look through the Romeo 0 on my 365xl, or on any of my other guns that have a rds installed, I tend to see 3 dots in a triangular position due to astigmatism, however, on my 365xl I have also installed a green laser, the sig lima365, at distance, I see only the one green dot, and the lima365 looks great on my gun, I have been shooting since I was 5 yrs old, and at 13 years old I was shooting better than most LE in town, I was lucky enough to have full access to the local PD due to my father being LE,

 

[robertchandler58]

Stay with irons and don't fall into the RED DOT HOLE!

Welcome, from the Heart of Dixie!

Kind of off-topic, but I'll post anyway. You didn't ask for opinions re: which RDS to purchase; maybe you have already made up your mind.
This is my response to an earlier (2021) inquiry, "Romeo Zero or HOLOSUN?" for a P365XL:

I have a Romeo Zero on my P365XL. I wish I had bought the HOLOSUN.
My Romeo Zero lasted long enough to get sighted, worked half a day on the range, then the 20,000 hour battery died, although it had been in the safe and not moving.
When I got the replacement after eight weeks, it came with the new shroud, which should improve its durability.
There are no tactical or visual markings for sight adjustment on the Romeo Zero, making it (sighting) more of a trial and error thing if you're not an expert or don't know one.
The RDS must be removed to change the battery, and the sight re-zeroed after each change. Serial number must be recorded for warranty before replacement.
The lens is polymer, not glass. It was recommended to me by the Sig Optics department to use a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol to clean it.
Adjusting the brightness is a pain. You have to get your finger right up next to the glass and hit that button (my hands are tiny) several times through the cycle to adjust it, which gives ample opportunity to smudge the glass with finger oils. The button is not particularly tactile, making adjustment difficult.
I have not used the HOLOSUN, but will look into it if/when the Romeo Zero breaks, based on recommendations from users of this forum.

I would go with holosun but what you do is put suppressor height sight front and sight red in then use Red Dot and front sight together best move I've ever made hope this helps.

Welcome, from the Heart of Dixie!

Kind of off-topic, but I'll post anyway. You didn't ask for opinions re: which RDS to purchase; maybe you have already made up your mind.
This is my response to an earlier (2021) inquiry, "Romeo Zero or HOLOSUN?" for a P365XL:

I have a Romeo Zero on my P365XL. I wish I had bought the HOLOSUN.
My Romeo Zero lasted long enough to get sighted, worked half a day on the range, then the 20,000 hour battery died, although it had been in the safe and not moving.
When I got the replacement after eight weeks, it came with the new shroud, which should improve its durability.
There are no tactical or visual markings for sight adjustment on the Romeo Zero, making it (sighting) more of a trial and error thing if you're not an expert or don't know one.
The RDS must be removed to change the battery, and the sight re-zeroed after each change. Serial number must be recorded for warranty before replacement.
The lens is polymer, not glass. It was recommended to me by the Sig Optics department to use a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol to clean it.
Adjusting the brightness is a pain. You have to get your finger right up next to the glass and hit that button (my hands are tiny) several times through the cycle to adjust it, which gives ample opportunity to smudge the glass with finger oils. The button is not particularly tactile, making adjustment difficult.
I have not used the HOLOSUN, but will look into it if/when the Romeo Zero breaks, based on recommendations from users of this forum.

Suppressor height front sight together with Red Dot and practice best move you will ever do holosun because you can't put Romeo pro 1 on your gun.

 

[rmechelke]

Hello all. First post. Be kind. New shooter. I just bought a P365X slide for my new P365 as I plan to add a red dot optic for CC (starting course soon). I have shot the P365 and P226 a handful of times pretty well as a beginner with iron sights. I have tried red dot on a Glock one time and liked it.

As I start doing more shooting and training should I learn on the red dot since I plan to use it or are there advantages for learning first on iron sights then moving onto red dot?

I did a search and this is the only article I could fine on this topic:

Beginners May Learn Better Using a Red Dot Sight | U.S. LawShield

Learning how to shoot? Consider using a red dot sight instead of the traditional iron sights to set yourself up for success. Read more.

www.uslawshield.com

Thanks all.

Iron, Iron and more Iron sights... I'm another old fart that started shooting decades before Red Dot Optics. ...but, It really depends on your objective. If it is on the range gun and you are focused on scoring tight groups, Red Dot is great (I use them on my 870 DM and Micro Roni, Beretta APX, and scopes on the rifles. With handguns (and the 870 DM), I practice for self defense and don't train to put every shot in the same hole. I practice shooting steel (4", 6", 8" and 10") Starting from the holster at 5 feet with polymer frangibles. I point and shoot from the draw while backing away and bringing the gun up to use the irons as I go. Fun drill with progressively smaller plates as you improve. I also practice two to center mass and one to the head. Two quick with the head shot a little more deliberate. Then I throw in some lateral and standing, kneeling as I move. Left, right, up, down, and throw in an off hand round or two. Self defense is my objective. Practice, practice and more practice based on what your objective is, so I guess Iron or Red Dot sights really don't matter for me, but I think learning to point and shoot from the draw as you move is important for EDC/self defense.

 

[Brianm14]

This is nothing whatsoever like the “learning to drive a standard transmission first” etc. argument. Also, this topic isn’t new; we faced it when telescopic sights were introduced for use on handguns. I used a zero magnification scope for years with great success in bullseye competition, but was always glad I started on iron sights. Both optics and iron sights have something to teach us.

Learning iron sights first. You will always have iron sights, and will find them on any handgun. There is a learning curve, but along the way, you will help develop your capacity to minimize unwanted movement of the firearm (nervous system training -muscles have NO memory!). Then move to an optical sight if you wish. But the concept of obtaining an adequate (not “perfect”) sight picture, and then not disturbing it with a sloppy manipulation of the trigger, is a universal lesson and best learned on iron sights.

Don’t be swayed by what is fashionable among “trainers” today. That changes direction like the wind. Iron sights are here to stay, even if optical sights are a welcome and popular development.

 

[Caveman]

Don’t be swayed by what is fashionable among “trainers” today. That changes direction like the wind. Iron sights are here to stay, even if optical sights are a welcome and popular development.

^^^^^This^^^^^

I've been around long enough to see 'expert' shooting advice change. Just look at grip and stance. They look nothing like they did when I started shooting. We've gone from isosceles to Weaver to modified Weaver and everything in between. Feet parallel, strong side foot forward, weak side foot forward, etc. Fingers and thumbs gripping the grip or heel of the hands gripping the gun and thumbs in the air (thumbs in the air grip is stupid BTW, YMMV).

As far as irons vs optics goes either you're presenting the gun correctly or you aren't. As someone else already noted the aiming device has nothing to do with it. Most people are going to point shoot in a defensive circumstance anyway. If you're presenting correctly accurate point shooting is the natural result.

To counter @Lancer L5 AWM I would argue that if you want to learn iron sights you should tape over or remove the MRO because it will get in your way and slow down your sight alignment. That's my expert advice.

Everybody I know can shoot accurately with an optic. Whether or not that's a condemnation of iron sights or support for optics is up to you to decide. However, what's also true is people that can accurately shoot with iron sights can also accurately shoot with optics but the reverse isn't necessarily true. Learn irons first.

 

[Beret]

It's fine to start with a red dot if that's what you plan on using.

Of course this is kind of like the debate on if someone should learn how to dive a standard transmission before driving an automatic. Thing about this is we have several generations of drivers now that have no idea of how to drive a standard, probably never will, and will get through life fine.

The argument I would make here is that RDS are the standard transmissions. With RDS you have front row seat to every mistake you make - from your grip, to recoil control, to trigger press, etc. With iron sights, you don't get that level of feedback.

I believe everyone should know how to shoot with iron sights. I believe those that learn to shoot RDS well, whether they be experienced shooters or new shooters, will translate those skills and be better shooters with iron sights as well.

Personally, I learned to shoot iron sights first. Decades later, I learned to shoot with RDS. My shooting with iron sights improved immensely after becoming proficient with RDS. A new shooter today, I would recommend the opposite approach. RDS first, then irons. Having the habit of target focus is an additional upside.

~B

 

[chiquitas1mom]

Iron sights first in my opinion. Red Dots or scopes can break, batteries die, bad weather, etc. If this happens, you'll have the iron sights to fall back on if necessary.

 

[jhunziger53]

As someone who teaches Transition classes for RDS, I agree with above that you shoul learn how to use iron sights also, however depends on what your RDS is for- targets or protection.. For protection red dots allow you to focus on the target instead of the front sight, and have both eyes open. With only one eye open you have successfully taken 50% of your vision away. Love the red dot and learn to trust it. Takes a lot of rounds, but it does happen.

 

[rmechelke]

As someone who teaches Transition classes for RDS, I agree with above that you shoul learn how to use iron sights also, however depends on what your RDS is for- targets or protection.. For protection red dots allow you to focus on the target instead of the front sight, and have both eyes open. With only one eye open you have successfully taken 50% of your vision away. Love the red dot and learn to trust it. Takes a lot of rounds, but it does happen.

I don't teach any shooting skills, but I disagree. The comment implies that you don't have both eyes open when you use iron sights. A good shooter keeps both eyes open whether irons or optics. For defense, focus on the target and learn to point and shoot two into center mass before you get to the red dot or the front sight. At 64 years young and shooting guns for over 50 years, I'm not going to put 5 rounds in a 1" group, but I'll put two in the chest faster than you can find the Red Dot or front sight! Practice, Practice and more Practice.

 

[Caveman]

I don't teach any shooting skills, but I disagree. The comment implies that you don't have both eyes open when you use iron sights. A good shooter keeps both eyes open whether irons or optics. For defense, focus on the target and learn to point and shoot two into center mass before you get to the red dot or the front sight. At 64 years young and shooting guns for over 50 years, I'm not going to put 5 rounds in a 1" group, but I'll put two in the chest faster than you can find the Red Dot or front sight! Practice, Practice and more Practice.

I, too, keep both eyes open when using iron sights. Always have.

 

[Vetteguy904]

There’s no such things which one first
Pick one and master it ..
I installed red dot immediately and concentrate on it .
practice.. practice.. practice!!

I disagree. learn the basics then go to the toys.

 

[SpudboyQ]

OP,

If you've never learned to swim and want to swim well, take a lesson and listen to the coaches. Watch some instructional videos.

Learning to swim solely on your own by just flopping around in a pool is a great way to learn bad habits.

UNLEARNING bad habits is a lot slower and tougher.

.
.

Maybe so, but it adds a powerful incentive.

 

[IngramTx]

Hello all. First post. Be kind. New shooter. I just bought a P365X slide for my new P365 as I plan to add a red dot optic for CC (starting course soon). I have shot the P365 and P226 a handful of times pretty well as a beginner with iron sights. I have tried red dot on a Glock one time and liked it.

As I start doing more shooting and training should I learn on the red dot since I plan to use it or are there advantages for learning first on iron sights then moving onto red dot?

I did a search and this is the only article I could fine on this topic:

Beginners May Learn Better Using a Red Dot Sight | U.S. LawShield

Learning how to shoot? Consider using a red dot sight instead of the traditional iron sights to set yourself up for success. Read more.

www.uslawshield.com

Thanks all.

Your answer is contained here in your first post.
You have already began by using iron sights, even if it is only a "handful of times". Enough to say that you did "pretty well as a beginner with iron sights".

See how easy that was?

Now we can move on to putting that red dot on your pistol.
I can only tell you how I do things. If I had a pistol with a red dot on it, I'd be working on how to use it effectively.
But, if I had a pistol WITHOUT a red dot, I'd be learning to use it too.

Are you seriously thinking about delaying your training until you achieve the "perfect setup"? See, it might just take you years to finally hit on just what is the perfect setup for you. Then about the time you finally get that dialed in your body will begin to play nasty little tricks on you. Like your hands shake or your eyes go to hell. At that point you begin again with a different "perfect setup".

Think of this as a journey instead of a destination.
Learn and become adaptable and your skill as a pistolero grows.
Are you going to tell a bad guy to "stand over there in the shadow so my sights work better?"

 

[MAGon121254]

Hello all. First post. Be kind. New shooter. I just bought a P365X slide for my new P365 as I plan to add a red dot optic for CC (starting course soon). I have shot the P365 and P226 a handful of times pretty well as a beginner with iron sights. I have tried red dot on a Glock one time and liked it.

As I start doing more shooting and training should I learn on the red dot since I plan to use it or are there advantages for learning first on iron sights then moving onto red dot?

I did a search and this is the only article I could fine on this topic:

Beginners May Learn Better Using a Red Dot Sight | U.S. LawShield

Learning how to shoot? Consider using a red dot sight instead of the traditional iron sights to set yourself up for success. Read more.

www.uslawshield.com

Thanks all.

IF you were a stone beginner, I would’ve said start with iron sights, then by all means transition to red dot. This because A. Your red dot can run out of battery juice, or be damaged. Iron sights don’t depend on batteries and are much more resistant to damage, and B. If you can shoot well with iron sights, once you familiarize yourself with a red dot, shooting is a cinch.
That said, you AREN’T a stone beginner. You’ve done SOME shooting, by your own description. So why not do both? Say half of your ammo with iron sights, half with your co-witnessed red dot. Or one full shooting session with iron sights, the next time at the range use your red dot. Or whatever floats your boat. But be sure to practice with both, just in case.

 

[theLBC]

Maybe a little bit off topic, but what does everyone think about a laser as opposed to a rds, my problem is that with 60 yr old eyes and the onset of diabetic neuropathy, and onset of cataracts, when I look through the Romeo 0 on my 365xl, or on any of my other guns that have a rds installed, I tend to see 3 dots in a triangular position due to astigmatism, however, on my 365xl I have also installed a green laser, the sig lima365, at distance, I see only the one green dot, and the lima365 looks great on my gun, I have been shooting since I was 5 yrs old, and at 13 years old I was shooting better than most LE in town, I was lucky enough to have full access to the local PD due to my father being LE,

i am not inclined to rely on a laser first, but i wouldn't hesitate to use one in many situations.
if my ability to use the irons or optics were impaired, the shot goes where the green dot shines.
a member on another forum with astigmatism said a green rds works better for him, so that is something you can look into without buying anything first.

 

[Pete K]

If I were just entering the world of shooting handguns (today) I would go dot first. It would force me to refine my drawstroke and presentation into a smooth (and hopefully fast) sight on target.
Then I would adapt to irons because all that would remain is lining up the front and rear sights on the target.