Red dot on EDC handgun

[EricG]

Always, red-dot...no return.

Super-impose the dot on the target and pull. Many of the windage/elevation concerns are deminished.

In a perfect world, I would train newbies on red-dots first. One can visualize their flaws during dry/live fire.

The fuss about red-dot reliability has LONG been dismissed with the plethora of reliable options.

 

[Gabriel]

The fuss about red-dot reliability has LONG been dismissed with the plethora of reliable options.

I would agree with this with rifle optics, but I wouldn't quite say that about handgun optics. Manufacturers are getting close, but slide mounted optic failures are still a lot more common than I would like.

 

[breakingcontact]

Actually...I'm a better irons shooter now that I've used a dot extensively. I have all those dots because I want them! Yea, that's it! I don't have a problem!

Also, tell me you're buying too inexpensive of handguns without telling me you're buying too inexpensive of handguns. (notice i was nice and didn't say "cheap"!)

I've found shooting with a red dot helps me with my fundaments when I'm not shooting with a red dot.

That wobble you see in the red dot...you don't notice as much on the iron sights...but now you know it is there.

 

[Dean C.]

I would agree with this with rifle optics, but I wouldn't quite say that about handgun optics. Manufacturers are getting close, but slide mounted optic failures are still a lot more common than I would like.

We are getting there RAPIDLY , I am seriously considering dropping a large amount of cash for several Trijicon RMR HDs or RCR's.

 

[Gabriel]

We are getting there RAPIDLY , I am seriously considering dropping a large amount of cash for several Trijicon RMR HDs or RCR's.

I'd like to get my hands on an RCR.

 

[EricG]

I would agree with this with rifle optics, but I wouldn't quite say that about handgun optics. Manufacturers are getting close, but slide mounted optic failures are still a lot more common than I would like.

Thus, another reason I prefer Trijicon. IF that rare event ever happens, one can still align the edges of the optics "shoulder to shoulder" within self-defense yardage. From contact to about ~40 yards, I'm clocking A zones with the occasional B zone flyers with this method. Any further than that, it gets squirly.

I've attended enough pistol instruction to see drifting or broken irons, too. It's not the end of the world.

 

[Dean C.]

I'd like to get my hands on an RCR.

When my Delta Point Pro eventually dies that is 100% what is going on my Staccato. I have said it years give me a big window enclosed USA made dot and I will buy it, time to prony up, they could have waited a bit though since we are building a house currently

 

[WebSnyper]

Warning - Once you've dialed yourself into shooting your pistols with a dot, they all need to have one. And all going forward...

The other thing is that the value of the self defense contraption on your hip has just raised substantially, if not close to doubled. As always one is none...

I'm definitely starting to see this myself, even not being 100% dialed in. Trying to shoot dots and irons in the same range trip messes me up a bit (had that experience just this weekend). Maybe because I'm still a noob on the dot, but I'm pushing the handgun up looking for the dot on the iron sighted gun... and of course it's not there ;-).

I also find myself trying to shoot irons 2 eyes open like the dot, etc, as I've been shooting the dot more these days.

Definitely starting to like the dot. I'm still slower on my first shot at times as there are some presentations where I'm hunting for the dot.

I just got a shot timer so I will be working on this first shot, smoothness with the dot.

 

[cedartop]

I'm definitely starting to see this myself, even not being 100% dialed in. Trying to shoot dots and irons in the same range trip messes me up a bit (had that experience just this weekend). Maybe because I'm still a noob on the dot, but I'm pushing the handgun up looking for the dot on the iron sighted gun... and of course it's not there ;-).

I also find myself trying to shoot irons 2 eyes open like the dot, etc, as I've been shooting the dot more these days.

Definitely starting to like the dot. I'm still slower on my first shot at times as there are some presentations where I'm hunting for the dot.

I just got a shot timer so I will be working on this first shot, smoothness with the dot.

There are a lot more people going for target focus shooting irons now as well. It is tough for me with all of those years of front sight focus.

 

[Born2vette]

I'm definitely starting to see this myself, even not being 100% dialed in. Trying to shoot dots and irons in the same range trip messes me up a bit (had that experience just this weekend). Maybe because I'm still a noob on the dot, but I'm pushing the handgun up looking for the dot on the iron sighted gun... and of course it's not there ;-).

I also find myself trying to shoot irons 2 eyes open like the dot, etc, as I've been shooting the dot more these days.

Definitely starting to like the dot. I'm still slower on my first shot at times as there are some presentations where I'm hunting for the dot.

I just got a shot timer so I will be working on this first shot, smoothness with the dot.

Maybe its just me, but with both my small pistols with dots I line up with front sight and the dot is right there. My Rami has the stock back and front sights which co-witness with the dot. My P365 has the rear notch on the dot that lines up fine with the front sight and co-witnesses.

I have a Romeo1 on a dovetail mount on my SP-01 so no backups there, but if I am using that the target is 10’ away in my bedroom and its point and shoot, no aiming.

 

[cedartop]

Maybe its just me, but with both my small pistols with dots I line up with front sight and the dot is right there. My Rami has the stock back and front sights which co-witness with the dot. My P365 has the rear notch on the dot that lines up fine with the front sight and co-witnesses.

I have a Romeo1 on a dovetail mount on my SP-01 so no backups there, but if I am using that the target is 10’ away in my bedroom and its point and shoot, no aiming.

That is fine (sorta) if you are only using that as training wheels that eventually you want to grow out of. Otherwise it somewhat defeats the purpose of having the dot.

 

[mmpsteve]

... My Rami has the stock back and front sights which co-witness with the dot. My P365 has the rear notch on the dot that lines up fine with the front sight and co-witnesses.

...

I meant to ask you earlier who cut your Rami slide for you?

.

 

[Born2vette]

I meant to ask you earlier who cut your Rami slide for you?

.

@AllenM

 

[ECS686]

It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks Red Dots on handguns are here to stay.

The main issue is most folks get fixated because a gadget makes them “go fast” when really as an EDC going .4 faster than what you can assess if shots are legal doesn’t matter.

Personally Red Sots are not my thing and I have attended Dave Spaulding’s Res Dot class. I see way too many issues with the majority of folks that run them (I said majority there are some competent phenomenal Red Dit shooters) however they are above average in their training commitment.

For the folks that tey and buy skill and throw it up there it’s gonna be an issue but as long as they feel better about themselves because all the cool guys have them!

So I’d someone wants to use them that’s their lane just like Appendix vs 3 O’clock carry, hammer vs striker or WML or not folks get way to deep in the weeds. Either the user is proficient in a practical assessment speed application or they are not it’s usually not the gear!

 

[WebSnyper]

Maybe its just me, but with both my small pistols with dots I line up with front sight and the dot is right there. My Rami has the stock back and front sights which co-witness with the dot. My P365 has the rear notch on the dot that lines up fine with the front sight and co-witnesses.

I have a Romeo1 on a dovetail mount on my SP-01 so no backups there, but if I am using that the target is 10’ away in my bedroom and its point and shoot, no aiming.

I'm not looking at or for the iron sights when shooting an optic equipped gun, TBH. Of course, I'm shooting steel and really just waiting for the dot to cross the plane of the steel plate, and once it does I'm pretty much sending it.
I'm not trying to go for crazy speed, but just putting the dot on the plate and trying to put the hit on the steel.

I haven't even put my guns with dots on paper beyond just initial sight in. That may be a bad thing, but that's how I'm going about it and generally the shooting I do.

 

[Born2vette]

I'm not looking at or for the iron sights when shooting an optic equipped gun, TBH. Of course, I'm shooting steel and really just waiting for the dot to cross the plane of the steel plate, and once it does I'm pretty much sending it.
I'm not trying to go for crazy speed, but just putting the dot on the plate and trying to put the hit on the steel.

I haven't even put my guns with dots on paper beyond just initial sight in. That may be a bad thing, but that's how I'm going about it and generally the shooting I do.

I practice with my EDCs regularly on both steel and paper. I am not looking for the front sight per se, I look for the dot but it is always there when I bring up my pistol. My Rami has a 507k with the 32 moa circle and dot. If the target is in the circle, the trigger is pulled. It os definitely a close quarters firearm, but I also practice to 25 yds regularly taking my time using the 2 moa dot. That is where a dot on a short barrel pistol (and a shooter with 67 yo eyes) really help. Not for close quarters encounters.

 

[Trebor657]

Tried it, hated it...no more...I do however have Crimson Trace Grip laser sights on 4 different handguns...really like them and if they fail I still have the iron sights.....just my preference...

 

[NHT3]

I'm hoping to shoot a lot more in the future to wring that theory out, on the irons. Doubt I'll put a dot on the deep cover G43, so it will be the test.

As far as cheap, I catch some hell for it, but err on the side of Glocks. Still, a dot on top starts to push the the $500 gun a lot closer to a grand. And you have to have backup, just in case.

Absolutely correct.. I solved that problem with a palmetto Dagger. Dagger WITH a decent Holosun is the price of an MOS Glock. YMMV

 

[WebSnyper]

I practice with my EDCs regularly on both steel and paper. I am not looking for the front sight per se, I look for the dot but it is always there when I bring up my pistol. My Rami has a 507k with the 32 moa circle and dot. If the target is in the circle, the trigger is pulled. It os definitely a close quarters firearm, but I also practice to 25 yds regularly taking my time using the 2 moa dot. That is where a dot on a short barrel pistol (and a shooter with 67 yo eyes) really help. Not for close quarters encounters.

I should try one of those reticles. I've got 2 407k's now with the 6moa dots. Looking at the EPS carry for my 365x, but possibly still going with the 6moa dot for consistency, but might change my mind on that once I shoot a different reticle.

 

[NHT3]

I should try one of those reticles. I've got 2 407k's now with the 6moa dots. Looking at the EPS carry for my 365x, but possibly still going with the 6moa dot for consistency, but might change my mind on that once I shoot a different reticle.

I've come to prefer the 32 MOA circle over the dot/circle or the dot. Easier for me to focus on the target without the dot in the way and a clear view of the target assists focus at the target.