Red dot or reflex sight for CCW?

[Japle]

I installed a JPoint sight on my XDm 3.8 9mm.

After two range sessions and three weeks of daily carry, I have to say I’m really happy with this setup.
I can’t tell the difference in the holster. It feels exactly the same. I know it sticks out more than the standard rear sight, but I don’t notice it at all.
On the range, it’s like night and day. There’s no potential sight alignment error. The bullets go exactly where the dot was when the primer lit off. There's no searching for the dot. When the gun comes up, the dot is instantly visible. I guess that means that, for me at least, the XDm is a really “natural” pointer.

According to what I’ve read, the battery is good for 6-12 months. I’ll replace it every 6 months, just to be on the safe side.

I know people will tell me I shouldn’t depend on anything that uses batteries on a carry gun, or it’ll be too fragile. Maybe so. But I’ve been carrying a gun every day since 1988 and have never had anything happen that might damage my gun. If it gets broken in a fistfight, I won’t be using the sights anyway.

We’ll see how it goes.

 

[X-Rap]

I would like to try the trijicon sight in a side by side. I find the reflex and holograph sights to be pretty fast on a shoulder fired gun so it probably is very similar with a handgun.

 

[K-Rod]

Red-Dots or Holo sights for CCW?? Am I the only one that thinks that doesn't make any sense? In a CCW defensive situation you act on reflex. Do you really think you have time to waste valuable secs to locate said BG with a Red-Dot or Holo sight? Even lasers do you really think at that "Moment" you gonna even remember you have a laser to use?

Get rid of all the "Flashy" gadgets & train with as mentioned already some good night sights. IMO all the Red-Dot & Holo sights are gonna do is possibly get you put down. You start putting all the "Flashy" gadgets on your CCW rig your gonna start to rely on them & your gonna forget how to use your basic sights.

I'm responding to the OP about CCW. Although, I can understand Red-Dots in a defensive "Combat" situation from an attack from a distance.

I guess some people get sucked into the marketing of the "Flashy" gadgets & forget the whole purpose of a CCW rig.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Red-Dots or Holo sights for CCW?? Am I the only one that thinks that doesn't make any sense? In a CCW defensive situation you act on reflex. Do you really think you have time to waste valuable secs to locate said BG with a Red-Dot or Holo sight? Even lasers do you really think at that "Moment" you gonna even remember you have a laser to use?

Vocal ignorance in action. Most lasers you don't have to turn them on. If you practice, when you bring the gun up to shoot it points to where your eyes are looking and lo and behold there is a red dot there or near it. Personally I think lasers help point shooting, a lot both when practicing and when you need it.

With a red dot I don't think it helps or hurts point shooting, they are like iron sights, not relevant to what you are doing because you are not using them. When you do use your sights though they are easier to acquire and faster. I just think they are a little to large still for CCW. I would not be surprised to start seeing them on LEOs soon though.

 

[K-Rod]

John,

Thats your opinion & your intitled to it. I just don't see the point in all the fancy "Do Dads" on a CCW rig.

 

[smince]

I can understand Red-Dots in a defensive "Combat" situation from an attack from a distance.

So you can guarantee at what distance you may be attacked from? What are this weeks lottery numbers, then?

Am I the only one that thinks that doesn't make any sense?

No, but people in the past didn't see a need for double action, semi-auto, tritium sights...there are always those who eschew technology.

 

[Comedian]

Get rid of all the "Flashy" gadgets & train with as mentioned already some good night sights. IMO all the Red-Dot & Holo sights are gonna do is possibly get you put down. You start putting all the "Flashy" gadgets on your CCW rig your gonna start to rely on them & your gonna forget how to use your basic sights.

Why would I want to train with night sights if the fight is going to happen so quickly that I won't be able to use a reflex sight? I can the see maybe arguing that someone should train to point shoot rather than bother with a sight picture, but gaining a proper sight picture is massively faster with a red dot than it is with iron sights, especially in darkness.

I suspect that optics which are small and reliable enough for conceal carry are going to be among the next major developments for handgun carry. The size is certainly approaching that point (for some people it's already adequate), all that's really left is for manufacturers to start milling the slide for them at the factory (something FN is already doing with the FNP .45 tactical). Personally, I think it's a good idea, so good that my next purchase is going to be a glock 22 and an additional slide modified by One Source Tactical.

 

[Girodin]

Warrior talk has a whole sub forum dedicated to the topic.

http://www.warriortalk.com/forumdisplay.php?205-Red-Dot-Sighted-Pistols

 

[Erik]

What's not to like exactly? They allow for rapid and accurate shooting in a variety of positions under a variety of conditions. And... They compensate quite a bit for "old eyes."

The answers to my question: Aesthetics, "bulk," and a bit of weight. The later two not being relatively that much. The first being much less important to many than performance.

But to each their own.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I went shooting today, got to the range and could not see my iron sights. Old eyes and allergies. I mean they were there but not in focus. I actually shot pretty good using the three dots which I could sort of see. Sometimes you need a crutch. I'd like a nice red dot on my carry gun, they just need to get a little smaller.

 

[smince]

"bulk," and a bit of weight.

These are answered by the milled slide versions. The amount of 'weight' we're talking about is negligible. The Trijicon RMR weighs 1.7 oz, and about half of that is compensated for by the metal removed from the slide. If you think the RMR is bulky, look to the milled Deltapoint or JPoint instead.

they just need to get a little smaller.

Again, look at the milled versions. They sit down in the slide (take up less room) and are able to use the irons for back up sights in the rare event of a failure.

However, I find I can carry my G19 with a J-Point in a dovetail mount IWB at the 12:30-1:00 position with no more trouble than carrying it without.

 

[JoeSlomo]

Thats your opinion & your intitled to it. I just don't see the point in all the fancy "Do Dads" on a CCW rig.

"Fancy do dads" have taken on many forms over the years.

A front sight post was once consider as such....
So were rear sights....
Than came the rear sight with elevation adjustments, and windage....
Peep sights....

You get the picture.

While the current micro dot sights are not....quite......there yet, for my tastes, they are getting close. If an optic enhances speed, accuracy, is reliable, and does not detract from the operation of the arm, than it is an asset. Each shooter must make that decision for themselves.

 

[smince]

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/small-arms-review-vol14-6.pdf

 

[tkopp]

There's no doubt that one day in the nearish future red dots will have a place on CCW weapons, but we're not there yet. When I can get a non-battery red dot that doesn't wash out in daylight, can't get covered in lint fuzz/dust/mud/etc, is waterproof to 100m (more for pressure of moving water than for actually going to that depth), and that I can use as a hammer in a pinch without risk of breaking, it will be time to swap over. I'd say we're ten to fifteen years out.

 

[Japle]

Gun in holster. Not too big at all.
In fact, the size isn't noticeable.

The dot is plenty bright in full sun. I've used it a lot on my CZ75 SA and XDm on the plate range in full sun. You just can't miss that dot.