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

[John from MD]

If you practice enough, drawing a dot sight will come natural as using irons. You just have to practice and not just once a month when you go to the range. Drawing and shooting at the TV bad guys is perfect practice. ( remember, no ammo in the gun )

 

[River02]

If you practice enough, drawing a dot sight will come natural as using irons. You just have to practice and not just once a month when you go to the range. Drawing and shooting at the TV bad guys is perfect practice. ( remember, no ammo in the gun

Yep-- This technique has helped me feel more confident in my ability to acquire my target with better speed and accuracy....+1. I'm getting used to it-- but getting over the "tight group" mentality when it comes to committing to pulling the trigger is the "wall" I have yet to break through during practice.

 

[erwos]

Some of the critiques are somewhat eh to me. Rain is not a big problem in my experience (holstered gun means water falls AWAY from the emitter), and if it freaks you out, get an enclosed emitter MRDS. Who gives a fig if it's big and ugly? Is aesthetic really outweighing performance gains? Some people hate red dots because they reveal how absolutely shitty their index is off a draw, and irons hide it better. Ditto for recoil control.

Buy 1/3 scale USPSA targets. Stand ten feet away. Dry-fire until you figure it out. You don't need anything fancy. A light switch works just as well, if it comes to it. I learned on irons, but I learned a lot more from shooting optics.

 

[outrider58]

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

 

[SkiPatrolDude]

I like them but I don't have them on all of my pistols. I can get hits on silhouette steel in pitch dark at 20 yards (night shoots on my buddies farm) with just the throw of my surefire pistol light, so that's good enough for me for a SHTF pistol scenario.

 

[erwos]

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

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.

 

[Ponder_MD]

The average distance of a self-defense engagement is between 9 and 15 feet.

Defensive Shooting Target Distance | Winchester Ammunition

winchester.com

I don't feel that it's necessary, for me. I won't judge others for using them.

 

[Defense Initiative]

How do leather holsters work?....

I'm sure someone is making both.

 

[outrider58]

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.

Though they are different techniques, they both require the ability to point the gun at the target consistently without aligning sights. I think a lot of people have difficulties with RDS is, they are trying to present and aim them the way you would iron sights.

 

[erwos]

Though they are different techniques, they both require the ability to point the gun at the target consistently without aligning sights. I think a lot of people have difficulties with RDS is, they are trying to present and aim them the way you would iron sights.

You do present them the same way as irons. It's just that most people are garbage with irons, too.

 

[RFBfromDE]

Bigger iron sights do the trick for me.

 

[outrider58]

I'm sure someone is making both.

DeSantis does.

 

[Worsley]

This probably should be in the Unpopular Opinion" thread, but I never saw the purpose for red dots on pistols. I find myself losing valuable time finding the dot versus putting the front sight on the perp.

 

[outrider58]

You do present them the same way as irons. It's just that most people are garbage with irons, too.

Not so.

A long video, but jump to the 2:00 mark and he goes into the problems between the differences.

 

[TI-tick]

Bigger iron sights do the trick for me.

Brighter irons work for me.

 

[TinCuda]

 

[outrider58]

View attachment 447658

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.

 

[eruby]

Phased plasma pistol in the 25 watt range.

Do they not make 40 watt pistols?

Only rifles?

 

[DZ]

View attachment 447658

 

[miles71]

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