Red dot sights on carry guns

[TreyG-20]

With all the new fancy little guns out there with options for red dot sights like the P365XL, G43X MOS and Springfield Hellcat etc...just curious if anyone is actually carrying one with a red dot on it?

I have a P365 XL and am thinking about a Romeo zero for it. I don't own any handguns with optics mounted, but have been considering it. Any thoughts good or bad about this?

 

[ronr68]

I tried a red dot on my LCP when I first got it. Got rid of it after a bit. Seemed to be a lot of trouble for a purely defensive weapon.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

They definitely take time to get used to.

 

[toddnjoyce]

I love a good reflex sight. It can limit holster selection at times. I don’t think there’s a better/faster way to get on target in a defensive situation.

There are drawbacks. The reflex sight is zeroed at a particular distance, so making center of mass become point of aim can important as does ensuring you know where you’re going to hit for various distances.

 

[TreyG-20]

I love a good reflex sight. It can limit holster selection at times.

This might be even more of an issue for me since I am left handed. I guess I'll need to go look at some options. The holster I have now for the 365xl is not cut for a reflex. I guess I could modify it if needed.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

This might be even more of an issue for me since I am left handed. I guess I'll need to go look at some options. The holster I have now for the 365xl is not cut for a reflex. I guess I could modify it if needed.

Careful, that could mess up the retention.

 

[TreyG-20]

Careful, that could mess up the retention.

It definitely will with my current holster. I was just looking into that.

 

[Hoji]

As all of my “oh shit, this motherfucker is trying to kill me” training is at distances of 6 to 15 feet, and 100% of my shooting at these distances is from the hip after clearing the holster, I personally do not feel the need for one.
If I shot competition maybe I would have a different opinion.

 

[TreyG-20]

Is there any advantage to having a smaller 3moa dot compared to a 6moa? I prefer smaller dots on carbines, but it seems like a larger dot maybe easier to acquire on a handgun. I'll admit I'm not shooting ragged holes past 10 yards with a handgun anyway, so I'm thinking a larger dot maybe more practical for defense ranges.

 

[TreyG-20]

As all of my “oh shit, this motherfucker is trying to kill me” training is at distances of 6 to 15 feet, and 100% of my shooting at these distances is from the hip after clearing the holster, I personally do not feel the need for one.
If I shot competition maybe I would have a different opinion.

This is what I am wondering. From a practical standpoint at standard SD ranges is it worth it. For range purposes I certainly see a benefit. Not sure about quick point and shoot ranges.

 

[DyeF9]

I don't have one of those guns you listed, but I do daily carry a FN 509 MRD midsize with a Trijicon RMR.

I really like the red dot. It makes it easy to shoot both eyes open, you don't focus on the dot, just the target. The dot is just super imposed over the target. Once you get well practiced with the presentation of the firearm, its fast and you don't have to take your eyes off the target. I have mine zeroed at 15 yards and at 3 yards, PoI is about 1 inch low, further out than 15 yards tends to hit a bit high. Its close enough to PoA that it doesn't really matter.

I haven't heard much good about the Romeo Zero micro red dot from sig, personally I'd lean toward the Holosun offering for the 365 or 43x/48.

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[Charlie]

As all of my “oh shit, this motherfucker is trying to kill me” training is at distances of 6' to 15' feet, and 100% of my shooting at these distances is from the hip after clearing the holster, I personally do not feel the need for one.
If I shot competition maybe I would have a different opinion.

Agreed! If one cannot hit a target at 6 to 15 with irons, more practice is needed. I've got a laser red dot on the right side grip of my Defender and that makes it very easy to hit center mass at those distances.

 

[DyeF9]

Is there any advantage to having a smaller 3moa dot compared to a 6moa? I prefer smaller dots on carbines, but it seems like a larger dot maybe easier to acquire on a handgun. I'll admit I'm not shooting ragged holes past 10 yards with a handgun anyway, so I'm thinking a larger dot maybe more practical for defense ranges.

I have an astigmatism, so I actually prefer the 3 moa dot. I have a 3.25 moa RMR and a 6 moa. The 6 is more forgiving for fast acquisition and doesn't appear to wobble around quite as much, so you have less data overload. I'd say using the 3.25 is more like using a laser on a pistol, the subtle movement of your hand is far more apparent. It is way better for doing more precise shooting though if you want more of a range toy.

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[TreyG-20]

I don't have one of those guns you listed, but I do daily carry a FN 509 MRD midsize with a Trijicon RMR.

I really like the red dot. It makes it easy to shoot both eyes open, you don't focus on the dot, just the target. The dot is just super imposed over the target. Once you get well practiced with the presentation of the firearm, its fast and you don't have to take your eyes off the target. I have mine zeroed at 15 yards and at 3 yards, PoI is about 1 inch low, further out than 15 yards tends to hit a bit high. Its close enough to PoA that it doesn't really matter.

I haven't heard much good about the Romeo Zero micro red dot from sig, personally I'd lean toward the Holosun offering for the 365 or 43x/48.

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My reasoning behind the romeo zero is that it seems to be purposely made just for the 365xl. I'll definitely look into the Holosuns though.

 

[Byrd666]

I'm not positive certain that I'll carry, or even use a red dot mounted pistol. But, at the same time, with my eyesight growing weaker as I get older, I plan on keeping that option open. A Green laser of some sort is most definitely going to be a certainty in the future. An optic of some sort to compliment that makes sense.

 

[DyeF9]

My reasoning behind the romeo zero is that it seems to be purposely made just for the 365xl. I'll definitely look into the Holosuns though.

Yeah, I also considered the same thing. The most concerning talk for me was its difficulty retaining zero after some bumps. I get that we're not going to war and its basically just going to live on someone's waist, but if you need to use it, you probably want to have some faith that its working correctly. I honestly don't love the idea of buying Holosun, but they do have a record for well built optics.

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[DyeF9]

I'm not positive certain that I'll carry, or even use a red dot mounted pistol. But, at the same time, with my eyesight growing weaker as I get older, I plan on keeping that option open. A Green laser of some sort is most definitely going to be a certainty in the future. An optic of some sort to compliment that makes sense.

For what its worth, I've used lasers and red dot optics for pistols and I much prefer the optic to the laser. I got information overload with the laser. Thats a very specific thing to me, but just thought I'd share my experience.

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[toddnjoyce]

Lasers are certainly another option to aid getting the barrel on target.

Where a reflex sight shines, in my opinion, is allowing the shooter to focus on a wider threat/SA area without having to go back to front sight focus or remember to activate the laser or light or whatever pressure/switch based aid.

Also, if you expect using NVDs, make sure the reflect or other optical aid is compatible.

@Hoji brings up a good point and that is understanding the threat and environment you expect to engage/operate in vs the benefit of any given sight system. Once you understand that, then narrowing the options becomes much easier.

 

[Charlie]

How does one get information overload from a red dot laser? Not being sarcastic, just not understanding. I like the laser cause you know exactly where the dot is, and therefore where the bullet is (or very close to it). And besides being a both-eyes-open sight for where the bullet should go, it allows one to see the object, bad guy, as well as anyone around where one is shooting (good or bad).

 

[Tcruse]

Expect to spend time learning a new skill, depending on eye sight (age?) it will make a world of difference.