Will Optics Overtake Iron Sights on Pistols?

[HGM22]

It seems optics have overtaken most rifles these days. Will the new micro red dots and other optics do the same for pistols?

 

[oneounceload]

Maybe for target pistols, but I doubt it for CCW ones. Maybe more laser pointers though.

 

[rodregier]

It's coming. It will take a while given the price differential. Even today you can get rifles with decent iron sights, but the user community has spoken with their wallets. One opinion I read on the handgun topic drew parallels from cap and ball to cartridge arms, or the migration from revolvers to semiautos for the bulk of the user community.

 

[25-5]

For hunting fine. I have no use for adjustable sights, let alone optics.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No....

 

[gbran]

For me it already has.

 

[burrhead]

I have a hard enough time as it is concealing a G21 without adding a RDS.

 

[gbran]

I don't carry scoped handguns. Shouldn't need them at defense distances.

 

[ROAshooter]

my carry is a BHP....the sights on it are redundant....it is a pure point shooting dream....but I will use the irons to use on paper..

 

[Ponderosa Territory]

Red dots, Lasers, and Scopes all have their place of course, absolutely. But, for a non-le CCW who is just up and about the town and carries for SD, the point and shoot or irons are the ticket. I coined this phrase some time ago: "While you're looking for the dot you will be shot".

 

[DeepSouth]

If I could put one one some of mine without machining I'd probably do it.
To me mounting is the issue, now for any type of defense pistol it's a no go.

It amazes me how many people here assume ALL pistols are defense pistols, don't you guys have any you just like to shoot?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Not at my house iron sights are fine . I don't want laser or any thing else .

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No they won't. They are certainly useful, especially to competitors, but IMO they turn a fine side arm into an obnoxiously shaped clothing snagger.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I bet there is somebody who will design an optic less prone to snagging, but chances are the optic is going to be considerably reduced in size and as a result, reduced in utility, thereby actually hampering the shooter more so than helping.

 

[Nuclear]

A smaller red dot would co-witness just above the iron sights, and be no bigger than say, double the size of the iron sights. They wouldn't be any harder to conceal than a gun is now.

And I think handguns will go more to red dots. Easier to shoot accurately with greater speed.

 

[eldon519]

I could see them become more popular for duty carry where size and concealment are not as big of an issue. That is assuming the durability is up to snuff.

 

[1911 guy]

Nope. For some applications, an optic would be fine. However, for the use many apply a handgun to, it would be a hindrance.

 

[USAF_Vet]

For competition, sure. For everyday ordinary folks who plink at the range, probably not.
For concealed carry, I highly doubt it.

Personally, I have no use for optics on handguns. Nor do I currently have any lights or lasers. Right now, it's a novelty option that comes with a much increased price tag. Note the different between the M&P and the M&P Core.

I think extended threaded barrels and taller sights to allow shooting over suppressors will become industry standard before optics, especially if suppressor legislation moves forward and removes them from NFA, or reduces their tax stamp.

 

[basicblur]

Well I come at it from a SD point of view, so I can't see it happening.

They'll have to shrink them quite a bit, and I don't think I'd want anything other than a Tritium dot - no time to depend on batteries or mess with on / off switches for a SD gun, especially a pistol.

I have two identical SIG 22 1911's - one with iron sights, and one with a Burris FastFire III mounted.

The optic is a hoot to shoot if you've never tried one, but it wore off quickly.
I probably spend more time shooting the one with iron sights only.

 

[mnrivrat]

Red dot , optics ,and lasers are specialty added features for specific purposes.

For general hangun use (and especialy for SD) iron sights are king ,and will be for a long time to come.

 

[Twiki357]

Not on any of my handguns.

 

[geologist]

Nope.

At 7'-10' I doubt that there'll even be time to see my front sight never mind a red dot.

If the target is further away then I'll use my rifle.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Yes they will. But they are not there yet. Its a lot quicker to pick up a dot then align two sights. That has been proved in competition and combat.

 

[jmr40]

Lasers can be used on CC guns and add no real bulk to the gun. I can see them being used on CC weapons. Other than cost there is no downside and I think they are going to be very common as will weapons mounted lights.

Other optics can and will be used for hunting and other sport shooting.

 

[samweller]

Iron sights always for SD. I live in Ga, so I hunt mostly with iron sights. Not a lot of long shots here. I shoot deer and hogs with the iron sights on my Marlin 336 30/30. I did miss a coyote at @ 100 yds. or so last month with the iron sights on the Marlin. I was shooting down hill and the bullet hit the sand beneath him. I have a scoped .22 for squirrels and rabbits.