Are Red Dot/Green Dot optics really worth it?

[dben002]

Trying to decide.....add CT Rad Pro green Dot to my new carry comp or not.......Do they really help that much or do you waste a lot of time trying find the green or red dot........

Thanks in advance for opinions and comments.....

 

[CoryIsMyName]

I started out thinking that I didn't need a red-dot on any of my pistols. I liked shooting with irons, and I was pretty good at it. It felt like driving a manual transmission car.

Then I tried one.

I'm faster, and far more precise now with a red-dot than with irons. I still get regular reps in with my carry pistol that doesn't have one, so it's not that I practice more with one. At first I had a hard time finding the dot and would have to find my irons first, then the dot, but a little bit of practice took care of that. There are also some that have reticles with a circle + dot that makes it easier to find if that's a concern.

If the added bulk isn't prohibitive to carrying, then I would absolutely recommend trying one out. The only reason that my shield plus doesn't have one is because it doesn't have an optic cut, and I can't decide if I want to have the slide milled, or look for another carry option.

 

[dben002]

Added bulk still questionable

I started out thinking that I didn't need a red-dot on any of my pistols. I liked shooting with irons, and I was pretty good at it. It felt like driving a manual transmission car.

Then I tried one.

I'm faster, and far more precise now with a red-dot than with irons. I still get regular reps in with my carry pistol that doesn't have one, so it's not that I practice more with one. At first I had a hard time finding the dot and would have to find my irons first, then the dot, but a little bit of practice took care of that. There are also some that have reticles with a circle + dot that makes it easier to find if that's a concern.

If the added bulk isn't prohibitive to carrying, then I would absolutely recommend trying one out. The only reason that my shield plus doesn't have one is because it doesn't have an optic cut, and I can't decide if I want to have the slide milled, or look for another carry option.

I carry this IWB Appendix....so not sure if the optic will clear the belt buckle or not...may have to upgrade to a tactical gun belt with snap buckle. ?????????? a lot of if's and or's to consider.

 

[cololab]

Red/green reticle optics are potentially faster if you acclimate yourself to their use. It can take some practice to adjust from irons, but there are definite advantages to these sights.

 

[326MOD10]

If you are willing to put in the time to get the both eyes open presentation down it is a ton better.

Especially if your eyes are starting to lose near focus and finding the front sight is getting harder.

I invested in a couple SIG 365s and Holuson 507K systems and love it. Also attended a transition class to help.

 

[WardenRoss]

I compete weekly with both a red-dot and iron sighted pistols. My iron sight is actually a fiber optic front.

I shoot both about the same. It's all about practice. A lot of practice.

The only advantage the dot has is when the target is difficult to see, like in a shadow or back lit. The target is much easier to see through the red-dot sight because you are focusing down range and not at the front iron-sight blade.

I'm talking about shooting at 25, 35 and 50 yards. Shooting closer, like 15 yards or less, no advantage with the red-dot.

Forgot to say, I'm old and half blind.


Interesting video. Worth a look-see.


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjlL0hYgdag&t=2s[/ame]





,

 

[dben002]

eyes open

If you are willing to put in the time to get the both eyes open presentation down it is a ton better.

Especially if your eyes are starting to lose near focus and finding the front sight is getting harder.

I invested in a couple SIG 365s and Holuson 507K systems and love it. Also attended a transition class to help.

I have always shot with both eyes open....Have 78 year old eyes and Cataract removal on both but eyes are not perfect..also wear glasses for correction.....thinking the green Dot would help me

 

[GypsmJim]

My carry has a green dot that automatically turns on when you pull it out of the holster. It is co-registered with the fixed sights so its an easy target acquisition. For me it works better than a dot or sight by itself.

I ALWAYS shoot with both eyes open. That's how I was taught when I was 13 years old.

Squinting with one eye closed is not how it should be done. If that's your method, you're probably stuck with it because really bad habits are hard to correct.

 

[Transamconvert]

They're cheap enough...just get one and play with it.
If nothing else it's a great training aid that will show if you've got good trigger technique.
I think they're a huge advantage at night also compared to tritium sights. But they do add bulk and you have to have a holster that rides higher to clear the belt, so I haven't really switched to them for EDC though I have a few and am trying to get better with both systems.

 

[Doug M.]

It depends on your use and characteristics. I have crud vision and learned to use an RDS on my AR. In that setting, darned good. Farther than 5 yards, there should be a marked and easy to confirm improvement on a pistol. The RDS on my Shield has been good. The one on my Glock was too far above the slide at first and hard to find. I sucked. I eventually replaced the original RDS with an Aimpoint Acro, which was a lot better.

 

[Ματθιας]

I don't have them on handguns, but for long guns, they are quick! It does take a little practice to get used to them.

 

[SweetMK]

I have the red dot on two handguns,, but, I have the EER Leupold on two.

My preference is the Leupold,, I can shoot it well with both eyes open.

The Leupold is pretty close to being a red dot that never needs a battery,,,,,,,,

 

[Fishinfool]

I took the ops question to be more about color selection than a dot sight itself. Good advice above about dot sights in general.

When it comes to color choice, green works better for some, other do better with red. My 65 YEO eyes with corrected nearsightedness, and pretty much uncorrected astigmatism do better with red, although that can vary with the particular sight / manufacturer.

Best advice is take a road trip to a sporting goods shop that has a decent selection of both colors. Look thru a bunch, and see what feels right for you...

Larry

 

[SweetMK]

Best advice is take a road trip to a sporting goods shop that has a decent selection of both colors. Look thru a bunch, and see what feels right for you...

Larry

+

I thought almost all current "red" dots are both colors,, just twist the knob to your color of choice,,

Also, I thought one color is better for daytime, and the other is better for dark conditions??

 

[sigp220.45]

My nephew gave me this Glock 19 with a red dot a couple of Christmases ago. At first I was always looking for the dot, then I realized it was right on top of the front sight where it was supposed to be. Since then I stick it out there like I’m shooting irons and VOILA - red dot! Now its just natural to find it and shoot. Its like cheating. I love it.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I'm unaware of a quality red/green dot combo sight for a handgun...

Wouldn't it really need to have two separate emitters?

Cheers!

 

[Wyo]

They’re fine for some, not for others. Below is a recent article that begins at page 5 of the newsletter. Way too long to print here but the author makes some good points that should be considered before you buy. You sure can’t just screw one on your gun and go forth and expect good results.
https://d74722.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-01_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

 

[WardenRoss]

They’re fine for some, not for others. Below is a recent article that begins at page 5 of the newsletter. Way too long to print here but the author makes some good points that should be considered before you buy. You sure can’t just screw one on your gun and go forth and expect good results.
https://d74722.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-01_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

That is an EXCELLENT article.

Anyone new to mounted optics should read this.


,

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Pretty much what I have thought all along. Unless one wants to spend the time effort and expense of mastering the optics-best to stay with the iron sights. I have never been the enthusiast satisfying myself with range visits to the sheriff's range to shoot targets at 15 feet with defensive firearms to make sure I still remember how to pull the trigger, the gun still goes "boom" and the bullets still hit the target. I am more of a shotgun man concentrating on birds. That along with scoped .22 rifles and plinking with my .22 handguns are where my interests lie. If I was in my 40's perhaps I'd give it a shot, but at this stage, I'm content to observe, nod sagely and ponder my next shotgun purchase, the SBEIII in 20 gauge or the Beretta A400 in 20 gauge.
In any event it's all good!!!

 

[Leonard]

Green dot, no corrective glasses, both eyes open better field of view. Only down side is a bit bulkier for concealment.