I think it's undeniable that there are some serious and very real benefits to running an RDS on a handgun. however, irons allows for a slimmer profile while carrying and simpler maintenance. So, which do you rock on your carry gun and why?
Poll: RDS or Irons on your Carry gun?
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FictionalGlock7
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Irons on all my handguns and one light/laser combo (TLR6) on my XD mod. 2 .45.
I'm neither cool enough or old enough to use/need RDS on my handguns.
I'm neither cool enough or old enough to use/need RDS on my handguns.
I'm not a big fan either. Mostly a mall ninja thing on pistols. N00bs think it's cool. Personally, lasers make more sense to me on a SBR or other tactical weapon in a CQB environment. The movies have made them more popular and seem more useful than they are. I have always thought that the laser is more about intimidating a threat than actually improving someone's aim.
Also, in daylight, red lasers are useless. Mostly a range toy.
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82,342 Posts
For close range self-defense, the hour or two it takes to learn to shoot without sights is the biggest advantage. I even shoot without sights in competition, for close targets in IDPA or USPSA type matches. Used to be a normal part of handgun shooting, before somebody who couldn't shoot decided you needed to use the sights for every shot.
There is a school of thought that in most SD scenarios you need to become proficient in pointing a pistol vs aiming it. Over years of SD training and drilling, I have come to agree. I shoot very well and most of my actions in a defensive shooting situation are now more instinctive than deliberate and calculated. Eye/hand coordination contributes as well. Some people are more natural shooters than others. Like athletes. Same thing.
Some sort of sight is mandatory for the long shot with a pistol. I'd say anything 25 yards and beyond. I can reliably and predictably put a five shot group in a six inch paper plate at 25 yards off the draw. I can do that with iron sights or a red dot. At that distance, the red dot for me is faster. You still have to drill and practice a lot to be able to do that.
Lots of gun owners conflate a relaxed target shooting session standing in a lane at their range with a bad guy walking up on you in a dark parking lot.
The RDS, after becoming familiar with it, definitely improves most people's accuracy at the range. A lot of ranges don't allow patrons to draw from a holster during a regular lane rental. Most, I think.
Simulating real-world defensive shooting is expensive, can be hard to find in many areas, and is physically demanding. So very few people do it. Shooting paper once a month and working to improve shot placement is all some can do. That's not defensive shooting but it's better than doing nothing.
I am putting together a G17 w a Brownells slide with suppressor sights and milled for RMR. At one point there were no sights on the slide so I took it to the range to shoot without sights. It is well known that shooters will not use their sights in close, life threatening situatuions. Their focus is on the threat. Experienced shooters already have their presentations dialed in. The gun gets aligned with where their eyes are looking.
At 21 ft and coming up from low ready, shooting rapidly and instinctively, I had no problem keeping 10 shot groups within a 6 inch circle. Most shots were within 4 inches. The groups opened up when I tried to use the top of the slide for aiming purposes. i.e. I overthought it.
The build will still have RMR plus suppressor sights but my 43x is still irons only.
At 21 ft and coming up from low ready, shooting rapidly and instinctively, I had no problem keeping 10 shot groups within a 6 inch circle. Most shots were within 4 inches. The groups opened up when I tried to use the top of the slide for aiming purposes. i.e. I overthought it.
The build will still have RMR plus suppressor sights but my 43x is still irons only.
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Not all platforms point naturally (Glock) and not all red dots are worth buying, those with astigmatism, like myself, (I've had corrective surgery for cataracts, 20/20, now lights have a side effect of starburst patterns...headlights, red dots) can have serious issues with certain red dots, including long barrel platforms. For those with astigmatism (starburst), accuracy decreases as distance increases, dialing down red dot intensity at the gun store counter and then going outside under a bright sun, where did the red dot go when dark sunglasses are worn?
In the real world, situations happen so fast that there isn't time to use sights or have a two-hand grip for that matter, those who train (w/o sights) this way have an advantage during a self-defense encounter, IMO.
FWIW, Army WW2 training with 1911s was not to use sights w/i 15 yards during combat, this helps explain those crappy GI sights.
In the real world, situations happen so fast that there isn't time to use sights or have a two-hand grip for that matter, those who train (w/o sights) this way have an advantage during a self-defense encounter, IMO.
FWIW, Army WW2 training with 1911s was not to use sights w/i 15 yards during combat, this helps explain those crappy GI sights.
B&T APC9 Pro, SIG Spear-LT, P365, P320, G19.5MOS, SIG MPX, P229 Pro, P320 Spectre Comp, M18
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1,126 Posts
RDS on all my AIWB or IWB guns (G19.5 MOS, P320s, M18)
Only irons on my pocket guns (P365s)
RDS are hugely beneficial for handguns, anyone who worries about reliability will be covered 99% of the time as long as they have cowitness irons. RDS on a pocket gun (G43, P365) is laregely unncessary and overkill for guns made for pcoket carry.
Only irons on my pocket guns (P365s)
RDS are hugely beneficial for handguns, anyone who worries about reliability will be covered 99% of the time as long as they have cowitness irons. RDS on a pocket gun (G43, P365) is laregely unncessary and overkill for guns made for pcoket carry.
Momma says the gun enthusiasts who shoot their pistol from a bag rest at the range then post the targets on their favorite forum often insist that night sights, lasers and red dots are essential self-defense accessories. I dont know where they get that information cuz they have never been shot at.
And that's all I'm going to say about that.
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And that's all I'm going to say about that.
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367 Posts
How about both? Irons sights that can co-witness with a Glock direct-mount (no mounting plate) RDS (actually green) that has a battery that is constantly recharged by ambient light. You get to use either or both.
I like RDS. Don't see a downside unless you don't know how to use them - don't figure out how to not hunt for the dot or, when you do, then chase the dot when you find it. Pretty simple stuff. I like the Holosun solar powered. It's always there and you present just like irons. I'm not concerned that the dot is low in the FOV.
Keep It Simple Silly, K.I.S.S
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296 Posts
Bought all my Glocks before the removable sight plate was an option so iron sights for me, though I see a mounting option which uses a plate allowing the red dot to be mounted using the standard sight dovetail, Swampfox Optics, which I may try out after I put some cash together after buying another heated toilet seat, they're magical.
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Both. RDS with Suppressor height irons as backup. Practice with both.
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Niether. You dont have to even bring a laser sited gun up to your eyes. Talk about quick acquisition. So my amswer is, laser.
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Both, Get a RDS that allows co witness!
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