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Pistol Red Dots - Yea or Nay?

2367 Views 47 Replies 33 Participants Last post by sigkimber, Jun 1, 2022

AZshooter

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2022

Not a fan myself, and won't use one until my eyes get so bad that they become a necessity. I see that they are a benefit for acquisition and accuracy (albeit only slightly) over iron sights, but I'm not buying in, yet anyway. The best shooters I've shot with don't use them and their results are amazing. Are they just a fad?

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1 - 20 of 48 Posts

Amigo

· #2 · May 25, 2022

I have them on 4 of my pistols and on my PCC and AR pistol. Certainly not a fad. Some Special Ops have the option to use them. Rent or borrow one and see for yourself. BTW I have a green dot on one.

Sig007

· #3 · May 25, 2022

Forget about the best shooter..
How about you.. if you can’t see the iron sights then get red dot .. simple ..!!

Reactions: 5

ZuluDeltaWhiskey

· #4 · May 25, 2022

I never thought I’d like it but I put one on my VP9SK. Holy **** it made everything easier once I got used to initially finding the dot. Follow up shots, transitioning, shooting at range are all way quicker and effortless. I’m definitely a fan but still run irons on most of my guns. Mostly because I’m poor and strive for quality and pride (sorry but no Chinese optics for me personally, only American, Swedish and German)

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Sig Bulldawg

· #5 · May 25, 2022

Here is my two cents and so take it for what it’s worth. I would consider myself a pretty skilled advanced shooter and I say this not to brag, but so a person could gauge my background and experience. I have several red dots used on multiple applications. I personally feel they add far more speed and accuracy with rifles than pistols. I can hand one to a newer shooter and get them hitting fairly quickly on a rifle. I find the speed is reduced and newer shooters struggle to find that dot on pistols way more than rifles. I personally think they slow me down on pistols, but aid in longer distances with accuracy. I can point shoot and pick up a front sight faster. But once your eyes start to fail you, they can have their advantages.

Reactions: 5

weatom

· #6 · May 25, 2022

I have both irons and red dots, For me, I get on target faster with the iron sights but
I chalk that up to a lack of training on the red dots.

My solution was to order an extra optics ready slide for my Sigs. So I'm currently shooting
my 229 with an R1 and still using the irons on the 226. I just like the option of switching
slides.

I will say this, red dots are extremely accurate and will certainly challenge you to shoot
better. Meaning once your red dot is dialed in, its hard to blame your fliers on anything
but shooting technique and skills.

Reactions: 4

Thebankerman

· #7 · May 25, 2022

It is a solid yea. They flat out work. Improved my shooting greatly.

Reactions: 3

New320X

· #8 · May 25, 2022

Never thought I’d like one till I tired it. You have to practice draw and red dot on target drills that can be done at home with an empty pistol. The red dot teaches you how to put the gun on target faster based on how you present. Too much pressure or not enough the red dot responds when you get it right and keep it right it then becomes muscle memory and no longer even a thought but it takes a some practice to get there.

Reactions: 1

AUGop41

· #9 · May 25, 2022

There is a learning curve and training and practice will help tremendously. As long as you have the proper fundamentals it should be an easy transition with very slight modifications to your technique. Don’t judge it by just trying one. Many will loose the dot after the first shot so don’t let that discourage you or be a negative-it’s just a little more technique needed. There are clear advantages more than just failing eyes-but they aren’t worth a damn if you don’t learn how to use it properly. So just going out to rent one isn’t the complete answer. You should try one out with someone who is trained or competent with one to see if it’s for you.

Reactions: 1

Jslow

· #10 · May 25, 2022

Only on range/HD guns. Never on carry guns for me.

Reactions: 5

AUGop41

· #11 · May 25, 2022

Jslow said:
Only on range/HD guns. Never on carry guns for me.

I am currently here too-I need more practical and training with the small guns which tend to jump around a little more specially with defensive loads. I will move to transition to this though as I see the benefit of running dots on my competition guns. Particularly I see clear benefit or running a dot in low/no light. And being able to focus on your intended target and what it is doing-to better assess my decision to engage if need be

Reactions: 2

ibourque154

· #12 · May 25, 2022

I just committed to my first red dot. It's definitely a learning curve and I won't carry it until I'm positive I can get my dot on target consistently. Irons are still faster because I have the years of XP using them. But the red dot is definitely nice to focus on target and not on the front sight.

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Reactions: 2

Nilla

· #13 · May 25, 2022

AZshooter said:
Not a fan myself, and won't use one until my eyes get so bad that they become a necessity. I see that they are a benefit for acquisition and accuracy (albeit only slightly) over iron sights, but I'm not buying in, yet anyway. The best shooters I've shot with don't use them and their results are amazing. Are they just a fad?

That be a Yea....

SkippySanchez

· #14 · May 25, 2022

Jslow said:
Only on range/HD guns. Never on carry guns for me.

Why (or why not)?

----------------
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous

Jslow

· #15 · May 25, 2022

SkippySanchez said:
Why (or why not)?

----------------
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous

Just something else to potentially fail and go wrong. I go with Trijicon HD iron sights and a small handheld flashlight for CCW/EDC. And if you point your gun (with the light on) it’s in direct line with your face! Not a good spot to show a bad guy where to aim and possibly shoot back.

LARSX

· #16 · May 25, 2022 (Edited)

Excellent with practice. I train to present on target from the AIWB draw cycle so the dot is on target. Can’t hunt for the dot, including follow-ups. P320C EDC pictured: Cowitness supressor high irons. Cowitness a green laser at ten yards.

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SW547

· #17 · May 25, 2022

Tritium Night Sights allow me to see my target and sights in very low light. I can't do that with a red dot unless I use a flash light.

Reactions: 1

mrerick

· #18 · May 25, 2022

I am not interested in them for self defense, but use them on the range.
I find them slower in tactical contexts. Others I know prefer them.

Reactions: 4

Carmel Sig

· #19 · May 25, 2022

People's situations vary. For me, with poor eyesight, my multifocals require snapping my spine by rocking my head back at 45 degrees just to see the front iron sight in focus (and forget the target...where did it go?). Red dot has changed me from a mediocre shooter to a decent shot, able to hit center mass at 25 yards with 4 rounds from a holster in <2 seconds (including draw). Without the red dot, the range would be shut down by all shooters falling over laughing at my inability to hit the target in double that time.

Sure, the optic can fail in an emergency (you pick the odds for that). And in pitch black conditions, it doesn't work well - though if it's that dark, I won't shoot a target I can't see and identify. However, without the optic and with my poor eyesight, my speed, accuracy and ability to responsibly defend myself without unnecessarily risking harm to bystanders is degraded 100% of the time. I'm a numbers guy - for me, that equation is easy to solve.

I'm working with an eyesight issue many of you excellent irons shooters don't have to deal with, so am not a typical case. I respect and admire folks that are awesome with irons. For me, a red dot is an equalizer, and augments my ability to be effective given the body I've currently got available to work with. (I've asked for a body trade-in, but no dice so far...)

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Hammer

· #20 · May 25, 2022

Love 'em. And there are advantages, imo.

Irons have been relegated to backup.

Reactions: 2

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