Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns What is your objection to red dot sights?

I’ve gone back and forth for a few years now, this last hitch has been better than the first few goes.

I still carry and compete with irons but the dots are gaining. I give up very little yet gain a lot with a dot.

Reliability, I have seen irons fail more than once in a match, saw a Dawson FO front break right off at the dovetail. I’ve seen plenty of cheap dots fail but the two proven dots I trust are the RMR and the HS 507C. Seen lots of these and only read of the older RMR’s with problems. I don’t trust either’s auto mode. Batteries are cheap. I like the bigger window on the 507C.

Carry ability, I cut a notch out in my kydex IWB for the dot. It rides at my belt line. I don’t notice it.

Shooting ability, I’m still quicker to the shot with irons but it’s not by much and after todays match with an iron sighted 1911, I noticed I was taking more time on my first shots cause distances weren’t the usually quoted 7 yards and under… I have to have either fiber optic front or one with illuminecent paint to draw my attention and I embrace the blur.

What I gain is better accuracy, up close and at distances I used to not consider “pistol” distances. I can focus on the target and see the entire area in focus for my next targets in real time, better situational awareness. I can call my miss’s by knowing where the dot was when the shot broke.

Yes I still use irons and I will continue to use dots. I don’t care what others use but overall a good shot with irons will be a better shot with a dot. But only if you dedicate the time to train like you did with irons. If you won’t train then stick with what you know or at least think you know.

There are a number of things.

First, I use the top of the gun itself, not just the sights, as a coarse aiming "thingy" for close shots. Anything that changes the shape of the top of the gun makes it less usable. In this instance, its the same factor that makes a Glock a non-starter for me. The square, flat top simply does not lend itself to that shooting technique the way a rounded top does. ... and neither do dot sights.

Second, I do not like stuff on top of my handgun. Iron sights and nothing else. It is, to my eye, clutter.

Third, complexity / reliability. My iron sights are always on. I don't have to flip switches or squeeze dingly things to activate them. Batteries don't wear out, etc. I don't have to periodically stop and check iron sights to make sure they haven't quit on me.

I could probably think of more but that's enough to seal the deal for me and then some.

Tom

Was waiting to see this. First gen pro point circa mid 80’s. Sat on a 41 mag Blackhawk in a B-Square mount for about 10 years. Second pic shows the etching from the cylinder gap. Got a 1 gen aimpoint and B-square mount kicking around for Ruger MKII and GP100 just waiting for the day that they get mounted on something.





They have their uses but not on a carry gun. And no I didn’t wait decades to wise up.

I wouldn't put one of those monsters on a carry gun, but I really like the Holosun 507K and 507C

507K

Thankfully red dots have advanced over the years

Excellent answer. But, for a lot of people, that ain't good enough! It seems they simply cannot stand the fact that you don't like what they like. You don't do it the way they do it. Their way is superior! Don't you see???? You MUST do it like I do it, or else you're an idiot!....

And just tell them you don't like Glocks.... ho, man, the knives will come out!

Agreed that a man can like what he likes, but one correction to his post: my RMRs are always on. No switch flipping required.

Thanks for that useful survival tip.

Did you just seriously equate those things with the MRDS that are the current common carry optics?

I first tried my Leupold DPP on my 1911 but couldn’t reacquire the dot as quickly as a front sight. I might have been able to learn how to get back on target with it but patience isn’t one of my virtues. I switched it to my hunting revolver a S&W 629 classic 5” that truly rapid acquisition isn’t as critical to me. Rushing a shot at a deer isn’t something I would do at this point in life, it would get a pass. Defensive use is another thing entirely.

Everybody loves my girlfriend. Wait...

As to brown-nosing, this thread is awesome. LOL

I’ve seen a lot of people transition from irons to dots, of varying age, vision, and shooting ability. I’ve also now seen many shooters start out directly with dots.

With proper instruction they have all, all, been as fast up close and more accurate at long distance (50 yards as an example).

The biggest improvement is in the 15-30 yard range. Hitting reasonable size targets at speed is hard and anybody who disagrees is welcome to post up targets with times. Those previously hard shots become very obtainable.

Dots have essentially doubled my pistol engagement distance with no downside up close.

The key is seeking out the proper presentation technique. But if you’re not willing to do that then you’re probably not willing to purchase a quality dot or keep up with battery life or maintain the skills you acquired.

And that’s fine, iron sights still work. But it’s undeniable that they work as well for someone willing to learn something new.

KISS

If you want to keep it simple, I can think of no greater benefit than eliminating sight alignment and sight picture during the shot process.

1-See target and present the pistol.
2-Subconsciously know what level of sight alignment is necessary for the shot difficulty presented.
3-Obtain that level of sight alignment.
4-Verify the proper sight alignment is at the correct place on the target.
5-Subconsciously know where your visual focus needs to be for the shot difficulty presented.
6-Shift visits focus as needed…..Sometimes this will require you to stop looking at the thing that wants to kill you.

Or….
1-See target and present pistol.
2-See red dot on target.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I just bought a p365 with plans to put a Holosun or Shield RMSc on it. But after shooting it a little and seeing how easy it is to hit with and feeling how easily it slips into a pocket or waistband I’m struggling to figure out what I’d gain by putting the dot sight on it. I know I’d lose some of the ease of pocket carry with the dot sight too

PS - I love red dot sights and have them on multiple shotguns and another handgun

Red dot sights are still growing on me. I like them on guns that I keep bedside, take in zippered cases on road-trips, plinking, and hunting. For carry guns, such as compact and subcompacts, I just haven’t worked one into the rotation as I feel more comfortable with good iron sights that I don’t have to worry about. Not trying to contradict myself but for true carry guns, I just like to keep it very simple. That could change the more I use them but I have preferred the clean lines of a carry gun, especially IWB without a dot/rmr setup.

None whatsoever! 😎

Well the phone I had back about that time isn’t quite like the phone I have today now is it? Same technology. Dial a # make a phone call. Just now they pack more sh*t in a smaller package.
Same for dot sights. Yes mine are old. Same tech, smaller package but still has the same advantages and limitations.

Bad analogy, for starters.

And no, they are not the same. Using them is not the same. Carrying them is not the same. It doesn't take decades to figure that out.

Spot on