Need tips for using a micro red dot on a pistol

[Phillip Farney]

I am used to using rifle type red dots, no problem. However, I recently put a Sig Romeo Zero on my p365xl and am trying to get it sorted out. If I don't present the pistol well, sometimes it makes it difficult to find the dot. It seems especially difficult at night when I can't see the pistol. Trying to become proficient. My pistol does have a night sight on the front which I can cowitness with. It just seems a little unnatural. All help is appreciated.

 

[a2x4bbl]

It’s new to you , train and shoot more and you will quickly get used to it , and be spoiled forever. I’m sure others will make some excellent training technique suggestions.

 

[12Bravo20]

It’s new to you , train and shoot more and you will quickly get used to it , and be spoiled forever. I’m sure others will make some excellent training technique suggestions.

Practice is the key. I was the same way when I put a micro red dot on my S&W 22A. Then it clicked that I need to bring the pistol up like I am still using the iron sight and the dot presents itself just fine. The more I shoot with the red dot, the easier and quicker it becomes. And yes it will spoil you.

 

[Texas10mm]

Practice, practice, and more practice.

If you have a range where you can draw from the holster and fire all the better. It's going to take you around 2000-3000 draw strokes to get it down.

 

[shoobe01]

...If I don't present the pistol well, sometimes it makes it difficult to find the dot...

Exactly.

RDS are not harder to use. They are in fact easier. You will be quicker, and MUCH more accurate.

BUT: they expose any flaws in your presentation, a lot! If you already have a perfect draw stroke, they will work out of the box. But who has such excellent skills?! So, dry fire a lot until you are good again. If you have had training and it's just a matter of reminding yourself to punch out and acquire the sights (sounds like you know the issue already), it could be 2-3 until you do it right, then just many iterations until it's more ingrained. I actually got a cheap RDS and (poorly!) attached it to my SIRT so get really used to it and remind myself to draw correctly all the time. In theory, I practice every day or two at home to keep familiar with it all.

Since it reinforces good process, it also is not changing TO the RDS style, but once you shoot the RDS well you can also use iron sighted guns (or the backup irons if you do kill the dot) instantly, and likely better than before.

 

[Alex Clayton]

My eye's and time marching on, open irons are hard for me. LOVE dots and lasers. Both get a lot of bad press for different reasons. To me they are the best thing since sliced bread. For the OP since few ranges will allow drawing from a holster the next best is of course home practice. To make it a little better one of the target set ups using a laser module that drops in like a round and sends a signal to the target. So you can dry fire and see where you are hitting. It's just a matter of practice till it becomes second nature to line the dot when you draw.

 

[Phillip Farney]

Exactly.

RDS are not harder to use. They are in fact easier. You will be quicker, and MUCH more accurate.

BUT: they expose any flaws in your presentation, a lot! If you already have a perfect draw stroke, they will work out of the box. But who has such excellent skills?! So, dry fire a lot until you are good again. If you have had training and it's just a matter of reminding yourself to punch out and acquire the sights (sounds like you know the issue already), it could be 2-3 until you do it right, then just many iterations until it's more ingrained. I actually got a cheap RDS and (poorly!) attached it to my SIRT so get really used to it and remind myself to draw correctly all the time. In theory, I practice every day or two at home to keep familiar with it all.

Since it reinforces good process, it also is not changing TO the RDS style, but once you shoot the RDS well you can also use iron sighted guns (or the backup irons if you do kill the dot) instantly, and likely better than before.

Thanks. All good advice, sir. I shot with it today and did fairly well. Learning with each shot and mag. Also having to adjust to my pistol. First time purchasing a Sig Sauer. The sights are adjusted to the middle of the front post dot and not to the "pumpkin on a post" point of impact on nearly every other gun. Really had to force myself to get the gun up higher. Am liking the Romeo Zero dot better and better. Got the aiming down, now just need to get faster and more efficient. Thanks.