[Busch297]

So as I indicated in my introduction I’m new to shooting, I purchased my 43x and immediately installed a Holosun 407c assuming that it was going to be the secret to accurate shooting. last weeks range session was quite productive, this week not so much. After my first 50 rounds I was getting frustrated as every shot placed was low and left, the second fifty I decided to shut the dot off and just use the iron sights. Interestingly enough my shots became more consistent toward the bullseye.
anyone have a similar experience and would there be a benefit to removing the dot all together until I become more proficient with just the iron sight?

 

[trucker-chase]

Did you zero the dot?

Shootings dots well takes practice; it’s a different concept. If you want to get good with it, keep trying, and practice a lot of dryfire drills.

Ben Stoeger has a lot of excellent videos on shooting dots.

He has a lot of excellent insight. Lastly, consider getting some instruction in a training class. Good luck, you’ll get it eventually!

 

[9x45]

Dots are target focused, not front sight. Stare at the targer.

 

[ak103k]

If you dry fire with the dot on, say at a light switch, does the dot move at all when the trigger breaks? (it shouldn't) And if so, which way does it go?

If youre a right handed shooter, it sounds like you might be anticipating the shot. The dot tends to be more fidgety and may be more prone to you doing that. The irons move too, but its not as apparent, but it happens with them as well.

Personally, Id take the dot off and shoot the gun until you get it and the irons down, and then put the dot on and go from there. But, that's just me.

 

[Julius Seizure]

For me and my 43X, my thoughts are it’s a slimline, compact EDC option that’ll probably be deployed at close distances. I like the high vis orange front sight that came on my pistol and I pick it up very well.

I’m a big fad of red dots, but for that particular platform, I chose to go without a dot.

 

[9x45]

Low left is grip and not using the first knuckle of your trigger finger.

 

[fl_snub_noz]

Low left is grip and not using the first knuckle of your trigger finger.

this is great advise for glocks

 

[Bren]

So as I indicated in my introduction I’m new to shooting, I purchased my 43x and immediately installed a Holosun 407c assuming that it was going to be the secret to accurate shooting. last weeks range session was quite productive, this week not so much. After my first 50 rounds I was getting frustrated as every shot placed was low and left, the second fifty I decided to shut the dot off and just use the iron sights. Interestingly enough my shots became more consistent toward the bullseye.
anyone have a similar experience and would there be a benefit to removing the dot all together until I become more proficient with just the iron sight?

People who are new to shooting associate hitting the target with how they aim. What causes you to miss isn't your aim, it's your grip and trigger finger. The sights don't matter. You only got better with iron sights because you were concentrating harder on not moving the gun.

Yes, a red dot makes aiming easier (although you miss out on learning to use iron sights, which is another skill). Regardless of which sights you want to use, changing sights has nothing to do with your problem.

 

[Milby]

I’m fairly new to dots myself and just started training to shoot with both eyes open. Needless to say I’ve got a lot of work to do but I do feel I shoot better with a dot compared to irons.

 

[warbow150]

So as I indicated in my introduction I’m new to shooting, I purchased my 43x and immediately installed a Holosun 407c assuming that it was going to be the secret to accurate shooting. last weeks range session was quite productive, this week not so much. After my first 50 rounds I was getting frustrated as every shot placed was low and left, the second fifty I decided to shut the dot off and just use the iron sights. Interestingly enough my shots became more consistent toward the bullseye.
anyone have a similar experience and would there be a benefit to removing the dot all together until I become more proficient with just the iron sight?

Definitely not an either/or equation. You’ll be far better served being skilled with both systems. Ideally, I’d want to see a competent trainer present and watching you for a while to make sure you’re not reinforcing bad habits early on.

The reason you’re shooting low left is probably your trigger press combined with whatever your strong hand is doing during it, and that’ll continue to be a problem regardless if you’re using irons or a dot. Get lined up with a skilled instructor as soon as practicable. It’ll pay big dividends later in life.

 

[cciman]

Shooting left and low is a right handers grip/stance/trigger finger/anticipation issue. search "shooting left" and you will get many answers.

Counter intuitively (fudd heresy), I would argue that mastering the target focused technique using the red dots BEFORE learning to use the iron sights is more effective for your shooting arts development than learning the iron sights first. Learning the iron sights will handicap you for future red dot use and lead to sight and attention direction that is antiquated.

That first video presented above will explain why I think this..

Taking professionally trained classes early on in your development will prevent build up of bad habits, and accelerate your skill growth MUCH, MUCH faster than thinking than practicing on your own. Correct shooting is not an innate skill.

 

[Blue72]

I practiced with a red dot for a long time and got frustrated. So I took it off. After Shooting a few rounds with irons, I realized I shot better with the red dot even though I was frustrated with it.

stick with it, it takes time to acclimate

 

[cciman]

I practiced with a red dot for a long time and got frustrated. So I took it off. After Shooting a few rounds with irons, I realized I shot better with the red dot even though I was frustrated with it.

stick with it, it takes time to acclimate

 

[lankox]

anyone have a similar experience ]

I had the same experience. Using dummy rounds placed randomly in the mag I realized I am "flinching" a lot more with the optic than with the irons. I believe it is due to 2 reasons. 1). I'm in my 50's, so the the front iron sight is a blob, and I have to concentrate a lot more on the sight when shooting irons than an optic. More focus on the sight means less focus on the recoil of the gun. 2). The dot on the optic dances a lot more than the iron front sight, which I believe causes more anxiety, which can increase flinching.

 

[racer88]

immediately installed a Holosun 407c assuming that it was going to be the secret to accurate shooting.

Wrong assumption. Even a laser won't make you accurate. A good grasp (no pun intended) on the FUNDAMENTALS is what will help you achieve accuracy. No gadget or gizmo will make you accurate.

Take lessons from a private instructor. Not a friend. Not a neighbor who's a cop. A professional instructor. THAT will help you understand and use the fundamentals.... grip, trigger control, stance / posture, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing, etc.

After my first 50 rounds I was getting frustrated as every shot placed was low and left, the second fifty I decided to shut the dot off and just use the iron sights. Interestingly enough my shots became more consistent toward the bullseye.

The low left problem has literally ZERO to do with which sights you're using. It's 100% grip and trigger control. Ask me how I know! LOL!

Sign up for a package of lessons with a local instructor. Not one lesson. A package of lessons. The hourly rate will be less than a few boxes of ammo.

 

[Busch297]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I’m in my 50’s and my hands tend to shake a bit, today I couldn’t keep them still to save my life which is where the frustration started. Shaky hands equal shaky red dot. The common theme appears to be getting some private instructio.
again, thanks for the advice.

 

[racer88]

The common theme appears to be getting some private instructio.
again, thanks for the advice.

You'll see amazing results / improvement with an instructor. Enjoy!

 

[tenifglockfin]

For EDC, I do not use red dots.

 

[tercel89]

I hate the red dots. I dont like having to look through a tiny window that has a frame. My regular sights have no window and no window frames. I can see all the way around my muzzle and gun. I have used red dot for 2 years now and still hate it.

 

[DSP24]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I’m in my 50’s and my hands tend to shake a bit, today I couldn’t keep them still to save my life which is where the frustration started. Shaky hands equal shaky red dot. The common theme appears to be getting some private instructio.
again, thanks for the advice.

I’m in that same boat with a little tremor at times. Using that 4-7-8 breathing technique a few times tends to calm things down a little. I also use the tungsten guide rod to add a little weight to the business end of the muzzle, it keeps the dot from jumping around. Pay attention to what your body is telling you, if you have that range day excitement, a little adrenaline and a cup of coffee you're probably adding to the shakes. This shooting thing is a like pizza, even the bad ones are still pretty good, enjoy the journey.