Does anyone carry a Red Dot for CCW?

Stuntman22 · 01-03-2012, 16:00

Hi,
Although I have been carrying since im 22 (in 48 now) I was always told what I could carry.

Now I am retired I can carry what I want. I like the GLock 19 with a Red Dot.

Has anyone carried one? I know the Red Dots are used in compititions but what about CCW?

I found one vendor but it was upwards of 2k with refinishing.

Suggestions? Pros? Cons?

Thanks as always.
Lou

TomB985 · 01-03-2012, 16:22

I'm new here, so bear with me...but can you explain to me how a red dot sight can mount to an automatic handgun? Just curious...

I don't have a CCW permit yet, and probably won't until I give in and get a Wisconsin driver's license, but I'm not sure complexity would be a desirable thing for a CCW weapon. I would think that in a situation where you would need to use it rational thought would probably be out of the question and therefore you'd be operating on instinct alone at that point. Would you really want to add an additional step of turning on your site to an already stressful situation that demands extreme precision?

turbostar66 · 01-03-2012, 16:32

I don't know of anyone, and have never heard of anyone using a red dot sight for concealed carry. Probably because it is such a large protrusion, I'd think the chances of it becoming snagged or damaged outweigh the aiming benefit (this is in a concealed carry capacity).

Here are some images of various red dot-type sights mounted on Glocks.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Spartan24 · 01-03-2012, 16:39

I have met only one guy that had a red dot on his CCW. He also had Japanese or Chinese characters engraved on the slide for what that's worth...

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G30Mike · 01-03-2012, 16:39

A laser would probably be a better option, though I wouldn't even use one myself. My brain says "front sight" when I draw my weapon.
IMO the red dot would probably get snagged on something. Might wind up shooting yourself into a girl.

Pierre! · 01-03-2012, 17:54

Gabe Suarez was recommending them and selling them for a while... So with that kind of endorsement, it's probably not that silly of an idea.

Personally, I like the night site arrangement, and the red dot will be *just a bit* more expensive than the night sites...

Here is a link to one of his pistol packages:
TSD COMBAT SYSTEMS TIER 1 GLOCK PISTOL

You can also visit his forum to find out what the general thoughts are on this type of system - WarriorTalk Forums

Hope that helps you out!
Patrick

Officer's Match · 01-03-2012, 17:54

I think you'll see more and more Trijicon RMR equipped duty and ccw weapons. They are now light enough and durable enough to be practical, and offer the potential for "average" eyes to score incredible hits a extended distances. I'm currently saving pennies to build an RMR Glock.

Officer's Match · 01-03-2012, 17:58

Pierre!, you beat me to it, but that's exactly what I'm talking about. The area of the pistol that "protrudes" is not a critical spot concealment wise. I know this doesn't sound "polite", but being able to pick which eye to shoot at 25 yards is a game changer.

Genin · 01-03-2012, 18:23

Yes I use a RMR'd Glock 19 for my EDC. I have CC'd this bad boy for the past 3 months and will continue to do so. The newer micro dots, such as the Trijicon RMR02 are extremely durable and have fantastic battery life. The Ameriglo suppressor sights allow me to easily cowitness and see my sights in any light. It is very important to have the BUIS to assist in dot aquisition initially. Over time they don't play as much of a role, but do help in total dark with body index (helps you get the dot upon presentation...trust me) and are good to have in case your dot ever goes down, which you'd just use them as traditional irons. I have put over 1k rounds down range in the past few months with this set up and have found it to be 100% reliable and far easier to make very fast, accurate hits...especially when moving dynamically. The biggest feature is that the dot allows you to be threat focused, no more blurry target and clear front sight. Also long range is now a reality. I can make 100 yard shots on a 12" steel plate consistently. HTH. Any questions, just ask.

Officer's Match · 01-03-2012, 18:56

Nice setup Genin.

bchand01 · 01-03-2012, 19:00

Gabe and Suarez International are topnotch at what they do. I say go for it. I do not carry one at the moment, but I am planning it for the near future. The concept in a whole screams advantage.

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Averageman · 01-03-2012, 19:02

I have one from Mr Suarez.
You would be amazed what a difference it makes and I feel it is well worth the money.
I C.C. a G17 everywhere I can and I haven't had anyone spot it yet.

RYT 2BER · 01-03-2012, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan24

I have met only one guy that had a red dot on his CCW. He also had Japanese or Chinese characters engraved on the slide for what that's worth...

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Hahahahaha that is classic!!!

bentbiker · 01-03-2012, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB985

Would you really want to add an additional step of turning on your site to an already stressful situation that demands extreme precision?

Check out the RMR RM02 -- it never turns off and batteries last years.

***Jeff82*** · 01-03-2012, 19:23

It's the future.

Officer's Match · 01-03-2012, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff82

It's the future.

I would say it certainly is for some.

Ken Dunham · 01-03-2012, 19:33

http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/testimonials.html

The downside is effort in training with it. The upside is that works well in semi-light environments against moving targets when you are moving.

troysglock · 01-03-2012, 19:47

Doesn't look easy to activate quickly if needed, and what if the batteries have died? I would think it would great for a 10mm hunting gun though. Not sure Yet I would trust my life with it.

cciman · 01-03-2012, 19:52

I do, but my AR-SBR is really uncomfortable in a IWB holster, and makes me look like J. Holmes. I really like the Eotech though.

Genin · 01-03-2012, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by troysglock

Doesn't look easy to activate quickly if needed, and what if the batteries have died? I would think it would great for a 10mm hunting gun though. Not sure Yet I would trust my life with it.

The RMR02 is constant on with self-adjusting brightness. Activation is instant. If the batteries have died, you use your regular irons just like any other pistol you've shot. You really have to try it to see just how large of an advantage it is. These pistols will be more and more common in the upcoming years. Mine is from OneSourceTactical btw.

bentbiker · 01-03-2012, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by troysglock

Doesn't look easy to activate quickly if needed, and what if the batteries have died? I would think it would great for a 10mm hunting gun though. Not sure Yet I would trust my life with it.

If you are talking about the RM02 in Genin's pictures, you don't do anything to activate it. As for the batteries dying, if you have backup iron sights, what would be the concern?

Edit: I was too slow. Genin answered.

troysglock · 01-03-2012, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentbiker

If you are talking about the RM02 in Genin's pictures, you don't do anything to activate it. As for the batteries dying, if you have backup iron sights, what would be the concern?

Edit: I was too slow. Genin answered.

My concern would be the time it took to transition your brain and eyes from expecting a red dot, not getting one in the moment of truth, to acquiring iron. I suppose I need to play with one to determine what this would be like.

jwhite75 · 01-03-2012, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuntman22

Hi,
Although I have been carrying since im 22 (in 48 now) I was always told what I could carry.

Now I am retired I can carry what I want. I like the GLock 19 with a Red Dot.

Has anyone carried one? I know the Red Dots are used in compititions but what about CCW?

I found one vendor but it was upwards of 2k with refinishing.

Suggestions? Pros? Cons?

Thanks as always.
Lou

www.bowietacticalconcepts.com

Mr. Bowie seems ot be a class act and is also an instructor at TDI. One of the better Combat gun schools on the east coast and maybe in the country.

Ranger357 · 01-03-2012, 21:02

Everytime I see one of these I think back to 1987 in basic at Ft. Dix. Several recruits asked the DI's about scopes or red dots for the M16's we had, and always were told "It will never happen, millitary use is way too rough for those things." or "Red dots? where would you get the batteries?" Now it's odd to see a millitary rifle of any sort WITHOUT one.

I think we are close to the same sitaution with pistols, your going to see one large department adopt it, and bingo, it will be the standard in ten years.

silversport · 01-04-2012, 05:30

once you train with it, it becomes as natural as any other sighting system...if you leave it on, then you wouldn't have to worry about it not being on when you need it...and as they lose their illumination slowly...you'll know well ahead of time that you should change the battery...or change it once a year...

Bill