There has to be a better way than Red Dots on pistols.

[TinCuda]

I don't think anyone did.

There are some other solutions, most of which have been posted in this thread. I've watched a few reviews on these 'others' none seem much better than iron sights with tritium or fiber optic inserts.

BTW, I think the big fat thingy atop that MP5 is the SAS's early version of a gun mounted 'white light'. It's a flashlight.

Please go back and read what I wrote about the pictured MP5 in my first post.

 

[John from MD]

I have been Fighting with the red dot thing for some time. I have a few on pistols as teaching tools for classes, but still don’t feel comfortable with a dot as I do with irons.

I may force myself to use the dot at a steel plate match and see what happens.

Do I think repetition would help acquire the dot better? Of course. Do dots have thier place and benefits, yes. Should everyone run out and buy one, nope.

TD

Yo bro, you're cutting into my retirement. I have stock in Holosun so everyone should run out and buy a dot sight.

 

[Bob A]

Point shooting. Index off the back plate.

funny, when I was doing the qualification, I did just that but modified.

Works for me.

Saves fractions of a second, when they might count. Point shooting bears no resemblance to target shooting; whole different animal.

I don't have the time or opportunity to practice with red dots; obviously takes a lot more in the way of muscle memory and practiced technique to keep yourself functioning optimally.

 

[alucard0822]

There is definitely a learning curve, and IMO the difference in presentation and follow-up shots and target transitions within 25 yards is minor for most decent shooters. For me, I see them as a tool with tradeoffs that work well in some applications. I like them on larger pistols, and use them if I am choosing to compete in open or carry optics classes. I have one on just about all of my 22 pistols, and a couple larger pistols, usually drawing from OWB holsters, they can get on targets quick, and the further away the target is, the greater the advantage over irons.

For carry, and close/fast/point shooting, They really don't offer as much. The dot is pointless with a lot of defensive techniques and might be tough to pick up drawing with an adverse grip, or from awkward positions like when seated, or laying on the ground. Open reflex sights can get dirty or smudged, and quite a bit of the time I end up just point shooting through the window, and in that regard it's a little better than a grip index or sighting on the top of the slide. It does add some bulk, although can make failure drills easier, provided it's a good sight and can hold up to being used as a charging handle. All in all, I like shooting with them, but can take it or leave it for defensive use.

 

[outrider58]

Please go back and read what I wrote about the pictured MP5 in my first post.

My bad. I'll be the first to admit my reading comp sucks.

 

[Biggfoot44]

.

If you can 'point shoot', you can shoot a red dot.

If you can Point Shoot , you don't need a red dot .

[ Not necessarily an endorsement of Point Shooting , or red dots , just pointing out the circular reasoning of a frequent argument .]

 

[hogarth]

.


If you can Point Shoot , you don't need a red dot .

[ Not necessarily an endorsement of Point Shooting , or red dots , just pointing out the circular reasoning of a frequent argument .]

Except that point shooting isn't going to help you much at 25 yards. A red dot might.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Presumably the Point Shooters still have their legacy iron sights for such occasions .
.
I'm not advocating point shooting either . Just poking at the " Retrain yourself to ignore sights . teach yourself to point shoot , and once you can point shoot , the red glowing thing will also be there " cliche .

Instead of either Dots or Pointing as Plan A , you should learn Flash Sight Pictures , and various of the Cirillo - esque Alternative Visual Indexing .

 

[emerald]

Except that point shooting isn't going to help you much at 25 yards. A red dot might.

But if we're talking defensive shooting, it's apt to be an arm length or two, and happening so quickly you don't really get to aim anything.

 

[hogarth]

But if we're talking defensive shooting, it's apt to be an arm length or two, and happening so quickly you don't really get to aim anything.

Apt. But not guaranteed. And I can point you to numerous incidents where the distances involved were far greater

 

[Bafflingbs]

Red dots on carry pistols are not for me.
I've tried several and I can't get on the target with any speed and accuracy isn't noticeably better.

Same. I’ll stick with my night sites. It’s what I’ve trained with, for almost 30 years. I bought one for my G19 Lone Wolf slide, and ended up putting it on my Ruger Mk IV Target pistol. It’s cool there, but, I also don’t depend on it for my life.

 

[Sunrise]

View attachment 447638
Enclosed are big and bulky?

EPS Carry?....

A fine choice.

 

[Sunrise]

Red dots on carry pistols are not for me.
I've tried several and I can't get on the target with any speed and accuracy isn't noticeably better.

This was me when I tried out a Streamlight TLR-6 light/laser combo someone had installed.

Nope. Not for me at all.

Red/Green dots on the other hand.... Love them.

 

[emerald]

Apt. But not guaranteed. And I can point you to numerous incidents where the distances involved were far greater

No, no guaranties on any of it. Look at Dicken stopping the shooting at the Greenwood, Indiana mall. The unlikely does happen.

You've got to find what works for you and your comfort level and train as best you can. Guess I'm stating the obvious.

 

[Inigoes]

I shot with a friend's Crimson Trace laser grips and liked them enough to buy a set. You still retain your iron sites too. No holster changes needed.

Crimson trace is my goto for low light. The only downside is battery maintenance.

 

[hogarth]

No, no guaranties on any of it. Look at Dicken stopping the shooting at the Greenwood, Indiana mall. The unlikely does happen.

You've got to find what works for you and your comfort level and train as best you can. Guess I'm stating the obvious.

Agree 100%.

And for the record, at present I don't have optics on any of my handguns.

 

[teratos]

Interesting assertion. I'd argue point shooting actually doesn't teach you the skills you'd need to shoot with a red dot (or irons), mostly because it's only a useful technique at extremely close distances. I can "point shoot" at a few yards because I have a well-developed index.

It most likely what you’re going to do in a SD situation.

The more you practice with your irons or red dots, the better “muscle memory” is going to present your firearm in the proper position to hit minute of torso at SD ranges.

 

[joppaj]

Wanna get weirder?

MEPRO FT BULLSEYE™ Pistol Rear Sight - Meprolight

The Mepro FT Bullseye™ sight is the fastest, brightest, and most intuitive tritium fiber optic sight built. Powered by fiber optics and tritium.

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Curse you. Now I want these.

 

[Sunrise]

Wanna get weirder?

MEPRO FT BULLSEYE™ Pistol Rear Sight - Meprolight

The Mepro FT Bullseye™ sight is the fastest, brightest, and most intuitive tritium fiber optic sight built. Powered by fiber optics and tritium.

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Wow!

These look pretty cool.

 

[Inigoes]

Curse you. Now I want these.

Wow!

These look pretty cool.

They arent expensive either.

$150ish, depending on the type of pistol.

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