Experiences with red dots -- after several months

OhioGuy · September 9, 2018, 06:59 AM

I went all-in with a Trijicon RMR on my primary pistol back in the spring. Since then I've put many rounds and hours into training with it, including lots of dry fire and some IDPA style competition. I've definitely improved with it and generally can be far more accurate than with irons, or with a laser especially at distance.

But even after all this time I still have a tendency to lose sight of the dot, especially when transitioning between targets. Even with backup irons it's not that easy to find because the RMR window does make it harder to see the irons.

For rapid hits, especially in lower light and when transitioning rapidly, I just can't seem to beat the speed I get with a green laser sight. With parallax it's never more than 2" off at practical distances.

Has anyone else had this experience?

I'm beginning to think I should use a green laser and good night sights for ccw duty and stick to red dots for competitive shooting...? If the worst case ever came and I had to defend myself, I really don't want to be hunting around for a red dot or trying to fall back on plain black suppressor backup irons.

railroader · September 10, 2018, 12:36 AM

I have a couple of handguns with viper red dots on them. At times I have lost the dot mainly weak hand. I have found that at 10 to 15 yards I can shoot as fast with iron sights and I don't lose the dot. Red dots really shine though when you have to make longer accurate shots.

jr24 · September 10, 2018, 09:31 AM

I only tried one in a brief range session (so inexperience could have been a factor) but is surely hated it. I was always "chasing the dot" and couldn't get thr natural feel. I was also shooting it low, but the rental gun had no sights to cowitness so I'm not sure exactly why.

I left feeling I much prefer iron sights, even for longer distance and especially for defensive distances.

Maybe more practice would change my mind, but I certainly cant justify the cost of one right now.

Love em on my AR though.

Ben Dover · September 10, 2018, 11:44 AM

For quick SD type shooting, I find good irons hard to beat.

Mobuck · September 10, 2018, 04:23 PM

I learned in the beginning to "point" the handgun at my target before looking for the sights. If you learn to present the gun on target, the sights will be where you're looking.

September 9, 2018, 06:59 AM	#1
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	Experiences with red dots -- after several months I went all-in with a Trijicon RMR on my primary pistol back in the spring. Since then I've put many rounds and hours into training with it, including lots of dry fire and some IDPA style competition. I've definitely improved with it and generally can be far more accurate than with irons, or with a laser especially at distance. But even after all this time I still have a tendency to lose sight of the dot, especially when transitioning between targets. Even with backup irons it's not that easy to find because the RMR window does make it harder to see the irons. For rapid hits, especially in lower light and when transitioning rapidly, I just can't seem to beat the speed I get with a green laser sight. With parallax it's never more than 2" off at practical distances. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm beginning to think I should use a green laser and good night sights for ccw duty and stick to red dots for competitive shooting...? If the worst case ever came and I had to defend myself, I really don't want to be hunting around for a red dot or trying to fall back on plain black suppressor backup irons.

September 10, 2018, 11:44 AM	#4
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	For quick SD type shooting, I find good irons hard to beat. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

September 10, 2018, 12:36 AM	#2
railroader Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2000 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,756	I have a couple of handguns with viper red dots on them. At times I have lost the dot mainly weak hand. I have found that at 10 to 15 yards I can shoot as fast with iron sights and I don't lose the dot. Red dots really shine though when you have to make longer accurate shots.

September 10, 2018, 09:31 AM	#3
jr24 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2011 Posts: 870	I only tried one in a brief range session (so inexperience could have been a factor) but is surely hated it. I was always "chasing the dot" and couldn't get thr natural feel. I was also shooting it low, but the rental gun had no sights to cowitness so I'm not sure exactly why. I left feeling I much prefer iron sights, even for longer distance and especially for defensive distances. Maybe more practice would change my mind, but I certainly cant justify the cost of one right now. Love em on my AR though.

September 10, 2018, 04:23 PM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I learned in the beginning to "point" the handgun at my target before looking for the sights. If you learn to present the gun on target, the sights will be where you're looking.