Old Eyes, Red Dot Sights, and Rails on Autos

[Walkalong]

I used to think that red dot sights and rails on a handgun were ugly and useless. Then my eyes started going south, the sights became harder to use, and definitely harder to aim precisely with.

That was when I decided that red dots on some guns could be a good idea after all.

Now I really like shooting with a red dot because I can shoot up to my potential again. (For what that's worth) I still shoot irons a lot, and I still like shooting those guns, and I shoot them pretty well all things considered, but simply cannot match what I can do with a red dot

I still did not care for the look of rails on autos, but have become used to seeing them, and if folks wanted to hang stuff on them, more power to them. It's all good.

My handgun purchase for this year was a XDm 4.5 in 9MM. (With several 19 round mags) I really like it and it has a rail. No big deal, take it or leave it. (The rail that is.)

Then one day a little light went off in my head. I could use a mount to put a red dot on the XDm by mounting it to that rail, and I could just pop off the mount and red dot together if I wanted to carry the gun or just shoot it without the red dot.

I ordered a mount made by Mako.

Well, the XDm is not one it works on as is. (If I had read the reviews it talks about that.) I had to cut a channel for the take down lever, pretty easy, but I also had to remove a LOT of metal to clear the slide at the top. The better part of 1/16". The screw for the mount was also missing, so I had to scrounge up one that fit. Doesn't match, but it fits. The mount is aluminum, not polymer like I have read.

I just got done with the modding, so I haven't shot it yet, but hope to this weekend.

So, I guess red dots and rails on guns aren't so bad after all.

 

[Tommy Medlin]

Looks neat,and I LOVE being able to shoot with both eyes open.One poster said he could leave the lens cover on and still aim with both eyes open,I haven't tried that yet,but I think I will .

 

[tarosean]

Then my eyes started going south, the sights became harder to use, and definitely harder to aim precisely with.

Im at this point now with rifles... Luckily no yet with pistol ranges but Im sure its coming sooner rather than later..

That set up seems a heck of a lot more feasible than drilling holes in the frame for other sight mounts.

 

[Walkalong]

Well, the mount was a total failure. Even with the screw snugged down really well it shot loose every 20 rounds or so, and that was with light target type loads. *sigh*

It may be OK on a steel or aluminum rail, but not this plastic one. One would think with a screw running through one channel in the rail it would not walk off, but the top of the rails channel is so low it went right over it.

Bummer.

Oh well, I still love the pistol.



This one won't shoot loose, but it is semi permanent. Not something to pop on and off.

 

[wally]

Works for me, Trijicon RMR dual illumination -- no batteries!

 

[Doug DeGraves]

Red Dot sights or not?

I don't have a mini reflex sight yet but I'm getting closer to the situation described above, the vision thing. For a handgun, which size dot would you all recommend, 3 MOA or 8MOA? I've also read that some folks find the no battery sights too dim in some situations. I like the idea of no batteries but I also see that the Burris Fastfire 3 can automatically adjusts to ambient light. Thoughs, observations, experiences, opinions, advice?

I've been looking at the FNX P45 Tactical because it's set up to accept a mini red dot.. But I've also thought about the SIG 220 Scorpion TB. More thoughts? I'd have to forget about the Mini red dot though.....

Doug

 

[wally]

some folks find the no battery sights too dim in some situations.

No situations I can imagine where it would be legal for me to shoot. I can sit on my patio (deep shade) and point the RMR dual illumination dot at my pool on a sunny day and still see the dot.

 

[Tirod]

I can sit on my patio (deep shade) and point the RMR dual illumination dot at my pool on a sunny day and still see the dot.

Expedient water trap? I would assume you are shooting downwards.

I was shooting a first gen Aimpoint in the '70s, loved the fast sight picture and how it worked in any light. Now, I need it, like it or not. It's just a lot harder to pick out a black crosshair in mottled shade on a sunny fall morning deer hunting these days. And you get a choice of colors now, which can help improve the contrast, plus not always being limited to just a dot - MOA circles and chevrons are just another choice on some. Twist the knob, you get what works. For the guys with some loss of color vision, it adds to their perception.

Last day of September, time to plan on sighting in the new sight. Less than 9 weeks to deer season in MO.

 

[Walkalong]

3 MOA or 8MOA?

3 for precision, and 8 for speed, although I can shoot the larger dot pretty darn well at a distance.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I had a no battery Trijicon Reflex sight and they can be too dark in some situations indoors. If you're in a dark area and aim into a brightly lit room through a doorway or window, the dot or triangle can de very dim. Outdoors they are great.

For a defensive gun I would always choose a manually adjustable red dot.

 

[tuj]

did someone say red dot sights?

 

[yogiboobooranger]

tuj, now you have a great setup there!! My eyes are 62 years young and the need for red dot scopes is rapidly sneaking up on me

 

[md2lgyk]

My eyes are 62 years young and the need for red dot scopes is rapidly sneaking up on me

Hah. The need caught me years ago. I've had the same Ultradot mounted on the slide of my bullseye .45 for nearly 20 years.