How many who went to a red dot increase their HG accuracy by a minimum of 50% or more first shots

[Doriangray6]

None of my handguns are designed for optics.

 

[Neumann]

In the best of all worlds, you can use a reflex sight coincident with iron sights for quick point shooting, and/or acquisition of the red dot. My M&P Mod 2 10mm 4" has tall iron sights, easily visible through a Vortex reflex sight. Iron sights are quicker to acquire for self defense at 10 yards or less, but a reflex sight is clearly superior at 25 yards or more (e.g., active shooter situations).

 

[Bald1]

I like them on my AR and PC9. Closest I come on a handgun is Crimson Trace laser grips on a 32acp Tomcat…… my wife loves shooting it.

 

[66fan]

Carrying for 4 law enforcement agencies, 2 military branches and teaching CCW for permits starting in 1996, I am a big fan of lasers.

There is nothing faster and nothing better for training. We all learn to control the wobble factor when we use a laser. The best is green, you can see them in bright daylight. And you do not need to see the gun or the sights, only the dot and the target. You can do all firing from the hip if you want, nothing faster or more accurate.

The problem with lasers is they need to be button activated when you pull the trigger. The Crimson Trace I have on 4 SW wheel guns work great. But they are not found on semi autos. The make great ones for the 1911, just not most semis.

Dot sights are also great for failing eye, just slower into action. Really, in self defense, you should not be using sights as you normally will not have time. That said, anything that helps you shoot better is good. And they solve all of those eye problems.

I agree with this absolutely! I put Crimson Trace on my Hi-Power and 66-2 21/2 inch S&W. I also have eye problems and early cataracts. Old 76 eyes need a lot of help these days. Thanks forum.

 

[rwsmith]

....I personally (having worked with electronics in industry for many years) and I do not trust any device that relies on a battery and also the electronics themselves are prone to break as well. They are fine for recreational shooting and probably some even want them for hunting with handguns but I would not trust one in a self defense situation.......

EXACTLY why I blanch at the idea of "smart guns".

"Excuse me while I check the battery. Sometimes I have to clean off the terminals and wiggle it a little."

Which is why you should be prepared to point and shoot in a defensive situation.

LIke the old camera commercial, "Point, shoot and take great pictures".

 

[TigerDude]

Too many abbreviations, but anything that makes you shoot better is a good thing. At this point it's absolutely proven as good tech. Avoiding it is just avoiding change to spite yourself. You can see the sights through mine if it quits working.

 

[TigerDude]

None of my handguns are designed for optics.

buy newer handguns then

 

[dajogejr]

Here’s my take…and it’s mine.
Anything can happen. Practice and routine are more important than anything.
Knowing your firearm. Building good, repeatable habits.

For those saying the average encounter (which I agree with) is so close red dot accuracy doesn’t matter… it’ll be point/shoot/react…
Then lining up a post between a V, or… a front dot to 2 rear dots.. does that even matter?

Part of training and practice is control and muscle memory.
Quick target acquisition isn’t the only piece of the puzzle.

I get electronics can fail.
So can the motor/transmission in your car or truck. So can the brakes. So can the tire.
So can the technology.

But I’m going to guess most of us aren’t driving cars/trucks from the 1950s with 3 on the tree, manual brakes, power steering, and a carb on top.

Is that a 100% apples to apples comparison? No. But I would counter…if any of those fail at 70 on the highway… could your life be in danger? Yes. Could others around you be in danger? Yes.

Practice and training are more important that looking at a blade or dot, for both yourself and knowing your firearm.

 

[Harv 24]

I've taken many classes over the years from well known Shooting instructors who were Cops and Mil. I myself have taught many folks over the years to shoot.

Not once did any of them teach me to "point and shoot" One instructor who retired from a 22 yr career with Delta Force, told us that they used there sights from "zero meters and out".



As I age, the benefit of a red dot on a handgun has been a huge thing. My EDC is a Red dot. It has cleaned up my draw stroke and actually made me better with irons.

I'm a fan.

 

[Doriangray6]

buy newer handguns then

Why? My handguns and other firearms may not have all the latest and greatest gizmos being marketed but I can hit what I aim at with them.

 

[65-2x2]

I still shoot iron sights.