Fight me! Iron sights vs "red dot" on defensive pistols

Controversial topic... Let's rumble!
Racer88

Racer88

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This is always a hot topic on other gun forums. People are passionate on both sides. It inspired a new subject prefix "Fight me!" :devilish:

I like both, but I like optics better now. My EDC has an optic.

I'll elaborate as the thread develops! What say ye? Let's rumble! 🤠
 
I've never had an optic on a handgun, not that I wouldn't like to try one, but have always aspired to the "learn how to use iron sights before getting an optic" on my rifles and shotguns and kept that same mindset with handguns. I practice my draw concentrating on acquiring the same grip and the gun being in line and held in line with my forearm every time. This makes the natural direction of pointing the same as my aim with iron sights. I have never been in a situation where I had to draw my handgun for defensive use but believe that muscle memory will put the gun on target long before I can get my eyes aligned with the sights and target. That's my reasoning for staying with iron sights.
All that being said I have used a red dot on an AR and can see where it could be an advantage over iron sights once one learns to get the gun pointed in the right direction and pick up the dot. But that does come down to practice and muscle memory.
 
I have optics on my firearms. Accuracy, speed, precision, and ease of use (especially for newbies).

Only down sides I can think of is:
maintenance
may need adjustment if weapon lands on/bumps a hard surface.
some models look gaudy IMO….large protruding monster on the slide is ugly.
 
I think some of them look gaudy and too big for the guns they are on. On a longer slide they actually look good to me. I have no idea what maintenance they would require nor do I know how sensitive the 'shake awake ' models are or can they be adjusted. I do know that if I am in a hurry or stressful situation I do not want to have to think about turning one on.
 
Curmudgeon said:
I have no idea what maintenance they would require nor do I know how sensitive the 'shake awake ' models are or can they be adjusted. I do know that if I am in a hurry or stressful situation I do not want to have to think about turning one on.
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Shake awake works flawlessly in my experience. But for those models without it, just leave them on full time. Change batteries once a year. Done and done.
 
Racer88 said:
Shake awake works flawlessly in my experience. But for those models without it, just leave them on full time. Change batteries once a year. Done and done.
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Wasn't aware the batteries would last that long.
 
Curmudgeon said:
Wasn't aware the batteries would last that long.
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Longer in most cases. 20,000 - 50,000 hours according to the manufacturers, depending on model.
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So, most will last for 2 - 3 years easily. So, if you change them yearly, the chances of a battery failure goes to about zero.
 
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Having just completed 2 Threat Focused Pistol classes, I think from 3’ to about 25’ sights will slow you down. My preference is still iron sights, however my eyesight ain’t what it used to be. Without my readers or top bifocal shooting glasses I really can’t see the sights very well, hence the main reason for taking said classes. I do have a dot on one of the guns I carry, but I really need to practice more. I sometimes still search for the dot. Again leading me back to the aforementioned class, the dot is there for more distant shots.

Racer88 said:
Shake awake works flawlessly in my experience. But for those models without it, just leave them on full time. Change batteries once a year. Done and done.
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I have a gen1 Holosun 507 where the shake awake stopped working. If I remember correctly the batteries last about 2 days. It’s been in a drawer for 3 years. I should contact Holosun. I’ve heard they have good customer service but I probably won’t.
 
I too have no experience with a red dot on a pistol.
I have a friend with a CNC mill so I am thinking of having him cut one of my 1911 slides so I can mount a red dot for testing.

Or I could just buy a new 1911 slide :ROFLMAO:
 
Notshawn54 said:
Again leading me back to the aforementioned class, the dot is there for more distant shots.
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I've taken the class twice. The same could be said for iron sights... for more distant shots. Iron sights and a dot are just two different types of sights.

Notshawn54 said:
I have a gen1 Holosun 507 where the shake awake stopped working. If I remember correctly the batteries last about 2 days.
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2 days??? Something is very wrong there. My 507s (got two of them)... one is a regular green 507. The other is a green ACSS Vulcan reticle on my EDC.

The regular 507 sits in the safe most of the time on my very first build (G34), and I haven't replaced the battery yet since new in Sept 2021. It's turned on, but in sleep mode until I pick it up and take it to the range.

The ACSS Vulcan optic is on my EDC, and turned on. While on my hip, it's on all the time (from motion). I have the ACSS outer circle turned on, even though I don't really need it. That cuts battery life in half, if I recall. And with it on, the first battery lasted a year. It gives a warning of low battery by flickering.
 
Racer88 said:
2 days??? Something is very wrong there
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I’m sure there is. Remembering to turn it on/off is not something I’m good at. I’m not married to the idea of a dot though, so out of sight out of mind.
 
Many tools for many users and to solve many problems. To each their own. I love playing with various "dot" optics. So far all are on my range toys. For me, taking a long shot with a handgun for self defense isn't practical as I am not good/practiced enough to do it and trust I won't hit something I don't mean to. "Iron" sights work fine for me closer range (in quotes as I have fiber/tritium sights on one of my EDCs).
 
Notshawn54 said:
True, but since I don’t walk around with my shooting glasses, I can see the dot and target without the need for corrective lenses.
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One of the best things about dot optics is that they are a target / threat-focused sight.
 
I have not put a red dot on any 1911s. It makes the gun look like it's wearing a fucking top hat. If you cant hit what you are aiming at with a 1911 then you need more practice. Adding an optic to a 1911 you can't shoot well is like doing drugs to forget your problems.

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Most modern handguns today are designed with optics in mind. I've been shooting 1911's so long, to me putting an optic on one is like tits on a boar hog. I prefer to keep and preserve the classic design of the 1911 and have no problem putting a round where it needs to go without a red dot.

That said, I proudly advocate reflex, holographic, and prismatic red dots for other types of guns. My EDC is a Hellcat, no optic. But I have another hellcat that does have a Shield red dot. I have carried both with no issues. Mostly I prefer to carry the no-optic Hellcat because 99% of the defensive scenarios one is likely to experience are at close range. An optic brings nothing to the table in those situations.

However... shot placement with a red dot on a pistol is definitely easier and faster if you have to take a long shot. Anything beyond 15-20 yards.

I do put red dots on race guns. Some of those are 2011's. Most 2011s were designed from the get go to accommodate an optic. It doesn't look or function like an awkward add-on. Most of my PMFs have an optic as do my full size Glocks. Like the 1911's I dont put optics on my classic metal Berettas or Sigs. I don't need it, it looks like shit, and makes a big pistol even bigger.

PCCs... mandatory red dot. After some initial reluctance, I have embraced red dots on tactical shotguns.
 
Bongo Lewi said:
I have not put a red dot on any 1911s. It makes the gun look like it's wearing a fucking top hat. If you cant hit what you are aiming at with a 1911 then you need more practice. Adding an optic to a 1911 you can't shoot well is like doing drugs to forget your problems.

View attachment 30104 View attachment 30109

Most modern handguns today are designed with optics in mind. I've been shooting 1911's so long, to me putting an optic on one is like tits on a boar hog. I prefer to keep and preserve the classic design of the 1911 and have no problem putting a round where it needs to go without a red dot.

That said, I proudly advocate reflex, holographic, and prismatic red dots for other types of guns. My EDC is a Hellcat, no optic. But I have another hellcat that does have a Shield red dot. I have carried both with no issues. Mostly I prefer to carry the no-optic Hellcat because 99% of the defensive scenarios one is likely to experience are at close range. An optic brings nothing to the table in those situations.

However... shot placement with a red dot on a pistol is definitely easier and faster if you have to take a long shot. Anything beyond 15-20 yards.

I do put red dots on race guns. Some of those are 2011's. Most 2011s were designed from the get go to accommodate an optic. It doesn't look or function like an awkward add-on. Most of my PMFs have an optic as do my full size Glocks. Like the 1911's I dont put optics on my classic metal Berettas or Sigs. I don't need it, it looks like shit, and makes a big pistol even bigger.

PCCs... mandatory red dot. After some initial reluctance, I have embraced red dots on tactical shotguns.
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I agree, they just don't look "right" on a 1911. Kinda like those "tactical" lever-actions. Just ain't right! :)
 
Bongo Lewi said:
I have not put a red dot on any 1911s. It makes the gun look like it's wearing a fucking top hat. If you cant hit what you are aiming at with a 1911 then you need more practice. Adding an optic to a 1911 you can't shoot well is like doing drugs to forget your problems.

View attachment 30104 View attachment 30109

Most modern handguns today are designed with optics in mind. I've been shooting 1911's so long, to me putting an optic on one is like tits on a boar hog. I prefer to keep and preserve the classic design of the 1911 and have no problem putting a round where it needs to go without a red dot.
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Good point on the 1911's @Bongo Lewi - I don't like the look at all - I see these daily on a contest I am trying to win and it makes me want to 🤮 SIG SAUER 1911 45 caliber handguns | SIG 1911 Pistol Series

I don't know WHAT in the Hell I was thinking saying I should put an optic cut on my 1911's - clearly I was sober at the time 🤣

I too can hit anything I need to at a distance I'd use a 1911 for defensive use, and with a bit more practice ringing the 1 square foot steel target at 50 yards will be common place.
 

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