Question Pistol optics or iron sights?

[XM619]

Yes, and that is something I’ve had to learn to accept. I was brought up to always turn off anything electrical when not being directly used, as a means of saving $$ in regards to utility costs. Leaving lights on in rooms not being used was a way of life, so it took a bit to get used to leaving my RDS always on. Actually, at this point I think there is a greater chance for wear or malfunction by constantly turning them off/on, so I leave them on. Batteries are a negligible expense over their service life. Haven’t had one fail yet with a good battery.

Oh man do I totally get the whole not leaving lights on, I probably still have a bit of childhood ptsd from the pops getting pissed off that I left the kitchen lights on

 

[Tere_Hanges]

I voted for bacon because I like both. But red dots and optic cut slides are more expensive than irons so I don't have them on all my guns. But I do enjoy shooting with a red dot. All my red dot guns have iron sights that co-witness. And I think the red dots have helped me shoot better with iron sights. Shooting with a red dot is pretty effortless. I'm still not ready to rely on a red dot for my go-to self/home defense pistols. Those are still iron sights only. And I still enjoy shooting with iron sights only. I don't feel the need to only have guns with red dots.

 

[Malibu]

Oh man do I totally get the whole not leaving lights on, I probably still have a bit of childhood ptsd from the pops getting pissed off that I left the kitchen lights on

Yea, my post had a typo, I meant to say that ALWAYS turned lights OFF when walking out of a room. My dad was all over us all the time about that until it was second nature. I’m still that way now.

 

[SomeOne]

Red-dots add some weight and increase the footprint of the handguns. However, the target acquisition is way faster and (arguably) the shots are more accurate. There are pros and cons, obviously.

 

[Joker67]

This video cleared up my complete misunderstanding of what cowitness means on a pistol and why it is not at all the same as cowitness on a rifle. I accidentally did it right.

 

[SomeOne]

This video cleared up my complete misunderstanding of what cowitness means on a pistol and why it is not at all the same as cowitness on a rifle. I accidentally did it right.

Great video. Indeed, you don't want your iron sighs in the center of the reddot. Instead, it's more like a backup option.

 

[Malibu]

I found it well explained.

 

[ChestnutBleach]

Not a FUD so I didn’t vote. Irons for me. As much as I want to get into red dots (even considered green dots), astigmatism just makes the dot too distorted. I don’t even add batteries to my illuminated reticle scopes cause of the distortion.

 

[delhang]

For handguns I learned with irons and still practice them, but optics all the way. It doesn't help that I also have poor eyesight and wear eyeglasses.

Reflex sights are just sooo much easier to shoot with. It's like night and day.

Same, learned on Irons almost 20 years ago. Transitioned to red/green dots. Irons gave me the fundamentals, but red dots are like a cheat code, plus my eyes aren't the same as they use to be, so it really helps.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

I don't care (Bacon). I'm proficient enough with it or without it.

 

[Nautworthy]

Iron sights for me. I do have a Ruger MkIII with a Burris FF3 but otherwise, none of my pistols are optic ready. I can’t see myself getting a slide cut on any of the OEM slides but I might consider an aftermarket slide that’s optic ready for a Glock or two. If I do a future purchase, something that’s optic ready will probably be a consideration. I’m just not there yet.

 

[ronzkie21]

For me, it depends on the pistol. Is it tacticool or not? My XDs don't have optics. They're not tacticool enough . But my Hellcat Pro (I know it's more of an EDC) and SFx Rival do. I can gucci them so optics are kind of a must

 

[ar15robert]

Still prefer irons for my ccw gun. If you can’t pull gun and hit something within 20 ft you don’t deserve to be carrying. That’s optics or not. One thing I know is my irons don’t need power or battery and I’m same
Spot.

For range gun I can see an optic being great but whatever you choose practice makes you better.

 

[BadKitty]

I'm kinda old school and all but one of my weapons have iron sights. I finally got an RDS for my G34 earlier this year. It will take some getting used to and, like others have mentioned, it's more of a training issue. I'm sure, in time, I will come to appreciate the RDS more.

 

[OpusX]

It took me a while to get used to it but once it clicked, I am objectively faster with my hits, and I can reach and hit a lot farther reliably.

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We see this in classes as well. If you take a group of shooters and do a side by side comparison of their groupings using guns with irons vs. red dots, their groups with red dots are always significantly better because they allow shooters to instinctually put their focal plane on the target instead of behind their gun sights. Some people can handle single focal plane shooting with irons just fine, but for most people it's going to feel much more natural with a red dot.

 

[Vintagearms]

Interesting take! You don’t find optics to be faster for defense?

I highly suggest anyone who wants to carry to take a force on force training. That optic is gonna be about useless within self defence distances unless you get it out of the holser before the bg approaches with say 10 yards.

 

[OpusX]

I highly suggest anyone who wants to carry to take a force on force training. That optic is gonna be about useless within self defence distances unless you get it out of the holser before the bg approaches with say 10 yards.

This is why red dots are actually better than irons for fast acquisition because they not only give you a full sight objective, but also put your focal plane on the target instead of behind the sights. Much easier to draw and point. It's a big reason why so many PDs are transitioning to RDS on their duty guns.

Definitely still something to be said for personal preference, but typically most people that pick up a gun with a red dot are not only going to be more accurate, but also have faster follow-up shots, and anything that gives us an edge, however slight, can mean all the difference between a life and death situation.

 

[Korben Dallas]

Point shooting for me. Irons for distance.

Red dots fail. Irons are just there, unless they fall off.

Train for the worst case scenario.