New Shooters: Start with red dot or irons?

[weaverftw]

I'm firmly in the irons first camp. I feel like a lot of new shooters, if they start with the optic, once they get that optic mounted they are never going to bother learning with irons.

Ok so many gun owners now will NEVER have a pistol with iron sights. Do you agree they should start with a dot? In think dots are inherently easier and better, so if that’s all you’re going to own, just start there. You get faster feedback and can train on what you’ll use from the start.

If you intended to also have iron sights on your guns, start with irons.

I learned with irons and am glad I did, as it taught me good trigger control, presentation, etc. any now I can pick up anything and be proficient. But I get the argument to just start with a dot if you are planning on having a dot on all your HD/CCW/range guns.

 

[JC2020]

I’d like to know the average age on each side: how old are red dots to start guys, and how old are irons to start guys?

I feel as though there might be something of a generation gap, depending on when someone started with firearms.

 

[Jimi Jah]

Start with irons. If you still suck, get a scope.

 

[weaverftw]

I’d like to know the average age on each side: how old are red dots to start guys, and how old are irons to start guys?

I feel as though there might be something of a generation gap, depending on when someone started with firearms.

Age 36, first shot irons at age 11 on a rifle, first dot on a pistol age 34!! (I was a late bloomer)

 

[grandpapeepap]

I only use irons on pistols i own, but have red dots for rifles

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

I usually start with irons with any firearms I get then move to an optic if I feel like spending money. Doesnt mean starting with optics is bad, since usually shooting more with either one, helps with the other imo. Im just a cheapo

I like to zero the irons first before mounting the dot

 

[JC2020]

Age 36, first shot irons at age 11 on a rifle, first dot on a pistol age 34!! (I was a late bloomer)

Yeah, I think those who started shooting, especially pistols, within the past 5 years are more likely to like red dots.

Also, even though I don’t compete, it seems like all the competitors also prefer RDOs. So do my instructors under the age of forty.

 

[Randomdudewithguns]

People should learn to shoot both irons and dots with both eyes open 100% of the time.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Irons usually means new shooters learn to shoot with one eye, which is the opposite of red dots.
Switching from irons to red dots often requires a lot of rewiring and relearning.

IMO, if you ever plan to make the move to red dot, it's better to learn with red dot in the first place.
Irons are easy to learn, it's the trigger discipline that's lacking in most new shooters.

I’m seeing a lots of new shooters with dots mounted that are shooting with one eye. They seem to have gotten that from TV/movies.

Additionally, most of them start and stay on the static range and don’t train presentation or other dynamic handling/skills.

Not until they get in class and get to diagnosing issues that we find that out.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Yeah, I think those who started shooting, especially pistols, within the past 5 years are more likely to like red dots.

Also, even though I don’t compete, it seems like all the competitors also prefer RDOs. So do my instructors under the age of forty.

I think people get caught up with what they like more rather than what a new shooter should start learning with. For most experienced shooters it was too long ago and they’re so set in their ways.

For folks who are actually starting to shoot (older or young) I find they’re pretty open-minded. Most of them don’t even know much about dots yet unless someone told them.

 

[jkcerda]

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Ok so many gun owners now will NEVER have a pistol with iron sights.

I don’t think that’s true at all. For folks who primarily compete with dots only I see that but for defense, co-witnessing is still the standard.

 

[JC2020]

I think people get caught up with what they like more rather than what a new shooter should start learning with. For most experienced shooters it was too long ago and they’re so set in their ways.

For folks who are actually starting to shoot (older or young) I find they’re pretty open-minded. Most of them don’t even know much about dots yet unless someone told them.

Yes, exactly. That’s why I’m curious about how opinions are affected by the timing of when people first began shooting.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

View attachment 189831

stick shift works better though, not worse

 

[ikeo1]

Yes, exactly. That’s why I’m curious about how opinions are affected by the timing of when people first began shooting.

Young people = red dot | irons
Gen X = both
Older = iron | red dot
Old eyes = red dot

When everyone buys their next firearm it’s always irons first. A lot of people buy dots and don’t sight them in.

If you’re in long enough both.

 

[jkcerda]

stick shift works better though, not worse

point is not everyone will be able to use it.

 

[HiveMed]

Red dots all the way… you’ll be better faster but if you want to get really good irons is the next one to master after.

I think if you’re fast with red dots the index will come naturally with irons. Lining up the sights will be easier. Going from dot to iron is easier than iron to dot

Couldn’t agree more. If you plan on shooting with a dot, just start with a dot.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

point is not everyone will be able to use it.

since this conversation started last week or the week before I did actually find a slide I had with irons to go test it since I haven't shot irons in years and it was very anticlimactic. It wasn't hard it just felt really outdated and obsolete. I feel like the real difference is that if you are shooting fast you are relying much more on the feel of your index because you really just can't see your aiming system while staying target focused very well. Shooting slow it's just whatever, if you can't figure it out you can't shoot in the first place. But I think it would be no different than just taking the battery out of my dot and practicing that way. I don't think there is anything special about irons that makes it necessary to learn on them for a period of time, shooting is shooting.

 

[weaverftw]

Yeah, I think those who started shooting, especially pistols, within the past 5 years are more likely to like red dots.

Also, even though I don’t compete, it seems like all the competitors also prefer RDOs. So do my instructors under the age of forty.

I think if I was just starting, I’d probably get a pistol with a dot and just train that. I would get proficient faster because of that. But I also think there’s benefit to knowing irons just for purposes of being able to pick up any gun and shoot it well.

 

[weaverftw]

I don’t think that’s true at all. For folks who primarily compete with dots only I see that but for defense, co-witnessing is still the standard.

Maybe. I think a lot of new gun owners are pushed towards using a dot on their first gun. Couple that with the fact that so many new pistols come optic ready, and tons of people want “the best” right out of the gate, there are clearly more people nowadays who will start and stay with dots than in the past