RDS vs IRON SIGHTS

[Where's Bruce?]

You misunderstood the inquiry. I am proficient with both RED and irons, and own both. I just haven't embraced using an optic on my primary CCW sidearms because I remain unconvinced the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Within 25 yards I can put rounds on target, beyond that distance is where the RDS actually benefits me which is why my bear guns have em for OWB carry when bow hunting, scouting, fishing and camping. I can ring steel with my G40 at 100 yards. But for EDC I have yet to see any argument that suggests RDS is far superior to irons. In digital training, my time-pressured accuracy on moving targets were comparable with both sights. I'm a "less is more" type. I dislike a weapon-mounted light in favor of a hand held SureFire Stiletto. I am inquiring about ACTUAL CIVILIAN SELF DEFENSE and arguments in favor of one sight over the other. Currently I can argue for both equally as an EDC option but I have never been in a life or death gunfight up close and personal. Since the average civilian gunfight takes place within 3 yards, in 3 seconds firing 3 shots...it makes more sense to practice accurate hip shots and look for speed advantages for scenarios when you are reacting to someone drawing a weapon. My best traditional draw speed (in practice drills) is 1.1 seconds. Just on the fence about RDS for average EDC. Been downsizing my Glocks to compacts & subcompacts lately.

 

[RustVendor]

You misunderstood the inquiry. I am proficient with both RED and irons, and own both. I just haven't embraced using an optic on my primary CCW sidearms because I remain unconvinced the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Within 25 yards I can put rounds on target, beyond that distance is where the RDS actually benefits me which is why my bear guns have em for OWB carry when bow hunting, scouting, fishing and camping. I can ring steel with my G40 at 100 yards. But for EDC I have yet to see any argument that suggests RDS is far superior to irons. In digital training, my time-pressured accuracy on moving targets were comparable with both sights. I'm a "less is more" type. I dislike a weapon-mounted light in favor of a hand held SureFire Stiletto. I am inquiring about ACTUAL CIVILIAN SELF DEFENSE and arguments in favor of one sight over the other. Currently I can argue for both equally as an EDC option but I have never been in a life or death gunfight up close and personal. Since the average civilian gunfight takes place within 3 yards, in 3 seconds firing 3 shots...it makes more sense to practice accurate hip shots and look for speed advantages for scenarios when you are reacting to someone drawing a weapon. My best traditional draw speed (in practice drills) is 1.1 seconds. Just on the fence about RDS for average EDC. Been downsizing my Glocks to compacts & subcompacts lately.

At 5 yards and under, maybe further would you even see your sights in a self defense scenario? If you use a dot you at least might see it.

 

[pancakes]

red dot wins it will alwayswin

 

[Gawernator]

You misunderstood the inquiry. I am proficient with both RED and irons, and own both. I just haven't embraced using an optic on my primary CCW sidearms because I remain unconvinced the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Within 25 yards I can put rounds on target, beyond that distance is where the RDS actually benefits me which is why my bear guns have em for OWB carry when bow hunting, scouting, fishing and camping. I can ring steel with my G40 at 100 yards. But for EDC I have yet to see any argument that suggests RDS is far superior to irons. In digital training, my time-pressured accuracy on moving targets were comparable with both sights. I'm a "less is more" type. I dislike a weapon-mounted light in favor of a hand held SureFire Stiletto. I am inquiring about ACTUAL CIVILIAN SELF DEFENSE and arguments in favor of one sight over the other. Currently I can argue for both equally as an EDC option but I have never been in a life or death gunfight up close and personal. Since the average civilian gunfight takes place within 3 yards, in 3 seconds firing 3 shots...it makes more sense to practice accurate hip shots and look for speed advantages for scenarios when you are reacting to someone drawing a weapon. My best traditional draw speed (in practice drills) is 1.1 seconds. Just on the fence about RDS for average EDC. Been downsizing my Glocks to compacts & subcompacts lately.

I agree that within 7 yards if you train with both you'll basically shoot the same, disagree that the average shooting is 3 yards exactly, many are at longer distances and the data is spotty

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I agree that within 7 yards if you train with both you'll basically shoot the same, disagree that the average shooting is 3 yards exactly, many are at longer distances and the data is spotty

Well I'm not gonna argue it, I have heard the 3-3-3 Rule from a half dozen trainers over the years and advised this is a statistical truth.

 

[Gawernator]

Well I'm not gonna argue it, I have heard the 3-3-3 Rule from a half dozen trainers over the years and advised this is a statistical truth.

Lot's of people repeat myths or out of date info. I see it weekly as an instructor. I was googling to find the data a cop friend showed me before and found this: https://www.2afirearmsacademy.com/gunfight-myth/

Being able to shoot well past 3 yards is a critical skill.

more than 50% of real defensive shootings require accuracy past 7 yards

 

[Where's Bruce?]

These same trainers had me shooting to 25 yards and even had the target moving back and forth. Then digital training replaced that. I see a lot of shooters at the range with targets that never even get pushed past the center of the lane. Practicing with the target on the back wall is common sense in my book. I like to start close and increase the distance as i shoot.