Why aren’t red dots more popular on air pistols?

[2Princetons]

??

 

[JERRY]

As opposed to irons?

 

[Cfish]

Different recoil impulse of an airgun might effect longevity on the red dot, just a thought.

 

[2Princetons]

As opposed to irons?

Yeah, as opposed to irons. I shoot a Beeman P3 at home. I'm 65, and have to wear 1.00 diopter "reader" safety glasses to see a front sight clearly. I'd rather train at home with the air pistol using a red dot & target focus, like I use with my powder burners at the range.

 

[2Princetons]

Different recoil impulse of an airgun might effect longevity on the red dot, just a thought.

That's more of a concern with springer air rifles, right?

 

[Cfish]

I believe vortex red dots are rated for air guns.

 

[2Princetons]

I believe vortex red dots are rated for air guns.

I believe it. If red dots survive on the slides of 9mm, 10mm, & .357 polymer strikers I think they’d hold up on a Beeman P3.

I‘ve received a number of Pyramid Air advertising flyers in the mail, and can’t recall ever seeing a red dot on an air pistol out of hundreds of photos.

On the other hand, I’m not aware of a polymer striker fired 9mm manufacturer that doesn’t offer optics-ready versions of their pistols.

 

[jmohme]

That's more of a concern with springer air rifles, right?

Correct
Pumps, CO2, and PCPs it is not an issue

As for why they are not more popular? Good question.

 

[jmohme]

I just did a quick search on the AGN forum and found a few pictures.

 

[eastbank]

i think the better ones will hold up. a friend bought a 49.00 red dot from wally world and we put it on his mossberg turkey shotgun and three round of federal 12 ga three " shells with 2 oz # 5,s put it into pieces, he returned to wally world for a full refund. he now has a burris fastfire 3 on it with no problems after many heavy shells thru it.

 

[ojh]

Maybe because red dots are best for action style shooting, and AFAIK not many folks do that with airguns. I do but prefer irons.

I have super cheap second hand red dots on a Gamo MP9 whose own sights I could not adjust to hit where I was aiming, and on a beaten up BSA Meteor springer whose backsight is broken. In both cases the motivation is just to make the pieces shootable.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

My guess is that the dots are too large for air stuff at 10m or so (the actual 3moa or so dot, not the sight itself). Now, if going out far, they may be more useful.

Just a guess though.

 

[ojh]

Red dots are not allowed in ISSF 10m disciplines so the shooters of those are not interested.

One thing is that there is no obvious way to add a red dot to a typical hobbyist's air pistol. I own several airgun clones of service and self defence pistols and and attaching a red dot to them would be difficult and costly. If one needs an alternative sighting system, a cheap laser attached to an already provided under barrel rail is a much more hassle free alternative.

 

[The Old Redneck]

I have a box of different dot type optics of all types. They work and work well. Have used on cartridge and air guns, long and handguns. Mounting a dot is easier than a scope usually if you are using one of the small handgun type. Some of the mounts replace rear sights. That said at my age scopes are nice. The magnification and cross hair work better for me. A dot gives a quick point of reference. Just put dot on desired point of impact and shoot. No sights to line up. Battery life on some of the better ones is fantastic. If younger would replace open sights on a lot of guns. T he better ones handle recoil better than lots of shooters.

 

[jmorris]

I think they are more popular now than they have ever been.

There were far fewer choices back when the sight on that glock was made.

Single Point Dot Sight - Guns and Ammo

Ever wonder where the idea for the first red dot came from? Here's a look back at the genesis of today's electronic sight technology and the science behind the first occluded eye gunsight (a.k.a., the OEG).

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I find that trying to use a simple red dot on an airgun for shooting at varied ranges presents issues. You sight in for 10 yards, your holding out in space under the dot at 30. You sight in for 30, you're going to have a significant marksmanship challenge at 10 in knowing your exact POI above the dot.

It gets less problematic with more powerful airguns with flatter trajectories, but it is an issue.

Regular old irons work much better for this type of thing, especially because irons on an airgun typically have a good degree of adjustability. Scopes with crosshairs and stadia and all are even better.

Personally, I think the See All open sights are a great option for an airgun optic. Nice and small and light, and the reticle makes repeating elevation holds easier.

 

[chicharrones]

I've done it with a simple Crosman, but the mount isn't really stable. I've done it more successfully with air rifles. But I find I really want magnification on an air rifle.

View attachment 1261150

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I've done it with a simple Crosman, but the mount isn't really stable. I've done it more successfully with air rifles. But I find I really want magnification on an air rifle.

View attachment 1261150

I used the same mount set on my 1322, and I think it would be fine if not for the barrel play in the plastic receiver. I intend to get the steel receiver eventually.

I am back to just using the irons after screwing around with it through a few hundred pellets.

 

[jmohme]

Those metal breech should make a huge difference. I have though about one and a longer .22 barrel for my 1377, but keep buying other guns that don't need that kind of mods.
I will still probably do it some day though. The 13xx Crosmans are really fun guns with lots of potential if you want to drop 3 or 4 times the money you spent on the gun.
And doesn't someone make a steel breach with a dovetail rail?

 

[chicharrones]

I used the same mount set on my 1322, and I think it would be fine if not for the barrel play in the plastic receiver. I intend to get the steel receiver eventually.

I am back to just using the irons after screwing around with it through a few hundred pellets.

I placed cardboard shims between the feet of the mount and the larger diameter tube below the barrel to reduce rotational play. Cheap, somewhat effective, but not ideal.

 

[chicharrones]

Those metal breech should make a huge difference. I have though about one and a longer .22 barrel for my 1377, but keep buying other guns that don't need that kind of mods.
I will still probably do it some day though. The 13xx Crosmans are really fun guns with lots of potential if you want to drop 3 or 4 times the money you spent on the gun.
And doesn't someone make a steel breach with a dovetail rail?

That dovetail rail with adapter would be the way to go.