Are Red Dot/Green Dot optics really worth it?

[Leonard]

If you can see your front site you have no need for a red dot, I cannot and if needed to aim iron sites are useless. Up close its point shooting beyond a few feet, or with follow up shots its good to be able to see what your about to shoot.
Put another way if you do not need a red dot its of little value.

 

[AJ]

If you can see your front site you have no need for a red dot, I cannot and if needed to aim iron sites are useless. Up close its point shooting beyond a few feet, or with follow up shots its good to be able to see what your about to shoot.
Put another way if you do not need a red dot its of little value.

Agree, I was taught combat shooting at Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Schools. We were taught out to about 10 yards there was no real need for anything other than the front sight. Our schools were designed with the help of Lt.Col. Jeff Cooper. Our instructors were trained at Gunsite.

 

[double-dipper]

Allways a lot of mixed opinions when this topic comes up.

IMO A Dot on a carry gun is still a NO for me, but a grip laser is a big o'l YES!

 

[AJ]

Allways a lot of mixed opinions when this topic comes up.

IMO A Dot on a carry gun is still a NO for me, but a grip laser is a big o'l YES!

To me lasers dance around on a target like a sick person on a bedpan. or it sure seems that way when I see them being used on the range.

 

[sigp220.45]

The times, they are a’changing…….

I hardly ever shoot any people these days, but I do go to the range every week and my RDS-equipped Glock is a delight. I carry it once in a while and I’m sure it would be up to any task.

I do backgrounds for a local PD as a retirement gig, and they do shoot people every now and again. Their coppers are required to have a red dot on their duty guns. They qualify with the dot turned on, and with it turned off as well. They’ve done fine in the shootings they’ve had in the last 8 years.

I get it - some folks will never like them and that is cool by me. I didn’t think I would until I tried it. Horses for courses, as my English buddy says.

 

[AJ]

The times, they are a’changing…….

I hardly ever shoot any people these days, but I do go to the range every week and my RDS-equipped Glock is a delight. I carry it once in a while and I’m sure it would be up to any task.

I do backgrounds for a local PD as a retirement gig, and they do shoot people every now and again. Their coppers are required to have a red dot on their duty guns. They qualify with the dot turned on, and with it turned off as well. They’ve done fine in the shootings they’ve had in the last 8 years.

I get it - some folks will never like them and that is cool by me. I didn’t think I would until I tried it. Horses for courses, as my English buddy says.

I don't shoot people any more either and hope I never have to........ I do take enjoyment in shooting iron sights well. In fact much better than I see folks shooting optics. Gives me enjoyment, which at my age is a good thing.

 

[ladder13]

My big game rifles, thick woods here, have green dots. Green is better on my eyes than red.

 

[Doug M.]

My recollection, which may not be valid, is that green dots are going to be more expensive because they start as red and have to be converted to green. Take it FWIW; if you need green, the expense is not a real consideration.
I agree that training to RDS after a 40+ year period with irons is not a small problem. Your eyes and circumstances will have a real impact on that. I have found that my 4"PC Shield with RDS is a very good option for stupid states with mag capacity limits. If I did not already have that platform, I would look VERY HARD at the Glocks with the new Aimpoint, sold as an exclusive package for 2025. The 10 round 43X with RDS would fit the same niche.