Dots vs Irons

[kelljor]

Hi all. Not too sure where to put this, so I will start here since it seems to have more views than other forums. I have also asked this on the Smith forum, so if it seem familiar..... it is.
For those of you that have Red Dots on some pistols, and Iron sight on others, do you have any difficulty switching back and forth between the dots and the irons? I have a newish pistol with a pic rail and am considering putting a red dot on it. ALL of my other handguns have irons or fibers. I have heard that some people have difficulty when switching back and forth during a range session, and am trying to get more feedback on this. What are some of the difficulties you have had?
Thanks.

 

[GunnyGene]

Not a problem for me. Just a mental thing imo. Train your brain to recognize what you're looking at.

 

[s4s4u]

No problem here either. One thing that I feel is important is to mount the red dot as close to the bore line as possible, as it will make finding the dot faster and easy. If possible, I prefer a 1/3 co-witness with the irons.

 

[MaxMan]

Irons to Dots. The eyes don't have it anymore. The 1851 Navy Pietta and the Rought Rider have the notch in the hammer rear sight. Frustrating.

 

[Mobuck]

I wouldn't swap back and forth on my SD carry gun but otherwise see no problems

 

[Chief 101]

I'm sure dots are magical for those folks that use them, I like iron sights even tho my eyesight is getting poor...

 

[PapaDetail]

Be certain these co-witness, I use the irons to bring up and "present" the dot. Getting off topic, I also like the combination of a green laser with iron (tritium) sights. As you come up on target, the laser dot illuminates the bullet impact point. For me, this get me on and back on target much faster.

Basically the trigger has reset, the laser dot is on target, and I'm firing again. This is all guided by the sights, but more subconscious attention to the laser dot, and the second it is on target, the trigger pull completes.

 

[375hh1973]

Ive got both

No issues

 

[Kevin]

Ive got both

No issues

Same here.

The biggest problem I have are cheap dots not holding zero. And then, quality red dots can get expensive if you have one per pistol.

But it’s fun to experiment with different setups. Then you can be prepared for whatever.

 

[kelljor]

Thanks, guys. The gun is a mark iv tactical, so EDC not gonna happen with it. I can also get a red dot for around 100 buckarinos right from Ruger. Don't wanna go much more than that since it is mainly a plinker/range. And not out a lotta bucks if I don't like it.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Speaking for myself, open sights are for CC. And red dots are for range toys.
The average gun battle is three shots, at three yards...And, happens rather spontaneously.
I don't need an optic for that scenario.

 

[BareBear42]

With my eyes these days, I can see the rear sight, the front sight, or the target but no two at the same time. On my carry guns, I use laser grips, or circle and cross reflex sights. They work for me. And yes, iron sights are okay for some people. I'm a range officer at a gun club and an amazing number of folks can't hit a man-sized target at three yards regardless of the type of sight. After shooting thousands of rounds in training, IMHO, if you're thinking about adding a red dot sight to your handgun, consider a laser grip instead.

 

[GunnyGene]

Speaking for myself, open sights are for CC. And red dots are for range toys.
The average gun battle is three shots, at three yards...And, happens rather spontaneously.
I don't need an optic for that scenario.

I don't think John Wick ever carried a optic equipped pistol. Although Hallie Berry did pick up a Glock 34 with a Trijicon RMR on it. She was responsible for me buying a G-34 MOS. I figured if it's gudnuf for Hallie, it's gudnuf fer me.

https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/John_Wick:_Chapter_3_-_Parabellum#TTI_STI_2011_Combat_Master

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

I don't think John Wick ever carried a optic equipped pistol. Although Hallie Berry did pick up a Glock 34 with a Trijicon RMR on it. She was responsible for me buying a G-34 MOS. I figured if it's gudnuf for Hallie, it's gudnuf fer me.

https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/John_Wick:_Chapter_3_-_Parabellum#TTI_STI_2011_Combat_Master

View attachment 99287

Well Gunny, Halle does tend to have that effect on a fellow!

 

[GunnyGene]

Well Gunny, Halle does tend to have that effect on a fellow!
View attachment 99290

 

[Longcarbine]

I have reflex red dot sights on all of my handguns except my EDC, for the very reason BULL'S EYE stated above. My eye sight started getting bad a few years ago because of my diabetes, I can focus on the front sight, the rear sight or the target but not on any combination of the three. So no I cannot switch back and forth. However, I have trained myself to shoot the red dots with both eyes open and I really think it has made me a better more accurate shooter.

 

[375hh1973]

Same here.

The biggest problem I have are cheap dots not holding zero. And then, quality red dots can get expensive if you have one per pistol.

But it’s fun to experiment with different setups. Then you can be prepared for whatever.

Im slowly converting to all dots.

Carrying the dots more and more.

Youre right, it gets pricey with decent red dots

 

[Yaworski]

The biggest problem I have are cheap dots not holding zero. And then, quality red dots can get expensive if you have one per pistol.

I put a BSA $30 dot on my pin gun about thirty years ago. Never lost zero.

As for the original question. It's like going from a 5 speed to an automatic and back. Your brain can handle it.

 

[contender]

I see a lot of "dot" equipped guns at my range. Mostly USPSA shooters who are after speed & accuracy.
They work very well for this.
And switching back & forth,, most folks do not seem to have any issues.

One of the things a dot will do is to teach you to always get the same proper grip when handling your handgun. Otherwise,, you'll be "hunting" the dot. But once you find the dot,, AND if it's where you want the bullet to go,, pull the trigger. You do not have to "center" the dot within the optic window.
Many like the co-witness types. They offer the option of going to irons if the dot fails,, OR,, to assist in finding the dot if you have an improper grip.

I just had a friend who wanted to get a couple of dot optics for a pair of his handguns. He has zero experience with them. So I took out a MK Ruger that has one,, and allowed him to see what it would be like. He ordered a pair of Burris FF III dots from Midway,, where they are currently $149.99 each. Lifetime warranty, and no BS about it.
He will need an adapter plate for his SIG for one of them.

I also know quite a few folks who have them on their CCW handgun. And,, several who have them on their AR-15's for home use.
Put one on a 45 degree side mount off a rail,, and you can have a very fast & easy to use sighting system. Many folks do this for their competition carbines. Switching from their open sights to the dot is not a problem.

 

[blume357]

As I've said many times here... something I was taught in a coastal navigation class was to never solely trust your life to electronics.... my carry gun has iron sights but also a laser in the grip.... this past week I discovered the laser was about 5" low and 3" right at 20ft.....

I do like red dots for practice, they can help you fix problems like grip and trigger finger placement. Also make you look like an expert marksman sometimes... the best way is like the factory one that came with my Sig P320c on it you can use either... the dot or the iron sights....

 

[Sam Summey]

I compete in the Action Shooting International (ASI) sport out of the Pacific NW here in NC. I can always tell if a competitor is "new" to the red dot because their times are affected by "hunting" for the dot. The guys and gals who use them all the time have trained their brains and bodies so they put the pistol in front of their eye so they will see the dot. Controlling the dot by pressing on the trigger without disturbing the dot is the next great obstacle. In my humble opinion, in a gun fight, the rules on the playing field are changed, if you are looking for that "perfect sight picture", you are dead. Get the shot off as quick as you can and still make a hit on the torso of the assailant. I suspect that is the deciding factor in winning or losing.

 

[jav]

I have both red dot it’s new to me it’s on my cz sp01 I like it to be honest I haven’t shot my iron sites since getting the red dot so I can’t compare. I will soon

 

[ozyman]

Red dots aren’t better in every way but they have a speed advantage for sure.

 

[kelljor]

(UPDATE) I took the rail off last night. Stewed about it for a while (have vacillated between getting a red dot or not for quite a while now); decided that since I am so used to irons I might as well stick with them. I do pretty well with them, only bought the mk iv for plinking, target, and a cheaper way to practice with semi auto. It has same the same grip angle as my 1911 9mm and my SA 35, and even though 9mm is not that expensive; compared to 38 and 45, 22 is way cheaper.
Thanks for all your input, guys.