CORE Red Dots - Co-witness Pro and Con?

[jwynne]

First time poster to this forum...
About to buy a CORE 40 for use in USPSA - first Limited but want to get a red dot to eventually use in Open. I use red dots on my AR, but this first time with a handgun.
I see from previous threads that some of the red dots that fit the CORE co-witness, while others do not. Is co-witnessing necessarily a good thing? Seems to me the irons would distract from getting a clean sight picture on the red dot if they co-witness. Maybe I'm missing something - would appreciate any comments on this.
Thanks!

 

[ATF]

I would only think co-witness would be necessary on a self-defense gun, but even saying that my Aimpoints and Eotechs have never let me down on my HD shotguns and they don't co-witness.
I'd say the only thing iron sights would be useful for in competition would be if you got a washout of the red-dot.

 

[guidedfishing]

Some seem to think it is necessary as part of a back up on a self defense gun. If you are talking core you are more likely talking reflex sights and not aimpoints. I believe once you have moved to CORE pistols you have crossed into to game guns. They certainly can be used as a SD pistol but there are better options if that is the sole purpose IMHO. Some say they use the sights to find the dot, I have never found that a problem and find no purpose for the irons on my CORE ported 9L. Its a range gun and I don't pretend its something its not. If for some odd reason the battery would go dead, (it hasn't) I would simple put a new battery in takes all of 30 seconds or I would pick up my other 9L pro series that has irons on it. I find the whole fascination with co-witnessing kind of a waste of time. For others they feel its important, its what works for you.

good luck

 

[hardluk1]

I have hunted with red dots on revolvers starting back around 1976 Those sat higher and did not set close to being able to co-witness but on my wifes core she has for fun and carry that green dot sits right on top of the stock sights. Just the way it happens to be . If your buying a pistol for match adjust the red dot for your zero and disregard where the dot sets compared to the fixed iron sights. Or remove the iron sights . You will see it just happens to be right over the iron sights when shooting from a rest.

 

[27Veer]

I went through this and more and more of my Cop buddies are going with reflex sights that are co-witnessed. Gabe Suarez teaches a good red dot class and they prefer co-witness. I have both an MRDS and a RMR, the RMR ended up on my CORE and it was the right thing. Using the sights with Suarez'z methods and drills I have increased my score in Ayoob's qualification from a 293/300 to a steady 300/300. One of the really solid pluses is the long shot. Using your red dot with co-witness sights I can make the Andy Brown drill every time, a 64 meter shot and hit with the standing, kneeling, and prone, that is three shots at 64 meters in 12 seconds.

 

[noglock4me]

I own a CORE 9MM and immediately put a Trijicon RMR on it. It does co-witness with the tall sight of the CORE. The limited amount of shooting I have been able to do with it tells me that I am going to have to do it one way or the other; either take off the RMR or remove the iron sights. It is just too much distraction for me. I always want to line the dot and the front sight up and that is just too slow.

 

[27Veer]

I own a CORE 9MM and immediately put a Trijicon RMR on it. It does co-witness with the tall sight of the CORE. The limited amount of shooting I have been able to do with it tells me that I am going to have to do it one way or the other; either take off the RMR or remove the iron sights. It is just too much distraction for me. I always want to line the dot and the front sight up and that is just too slow.

Actually it will make you quicker. One day of classes with TPD Cops using drills they have mixed with Suarez drills I was shocked at how fast I got and how much my distance shooting improved.

 

[ATF]

Just a thought if you haven't used red dots before you may consider trying one of these on your existing gun before investing in a CORE. You can even put an Aimpoint on it and your iron sights will still be visible. There is another version with a quick release but I can't remember who makes it.

 

[noglock4me]

Actually it will make you quicker. One day of classes with TPD Cops using drills they have mixed with Suarez drills I was shocked at how fast I got and how much my distance shooting improved.

Nope. Sorry, but if I hadn't meant what I wrote I wouldn't have written it. SLOWER!
Yes, I do agree, red dots will/can make you faster but not necessarily when combined with a big white dot out front there too.

 

[hardluk1]

If a white dot is a problem you can put a drop of black paint on it. I find with a dot optic I can look thru the dot not like with iron sights where the focus is on the sights .