stagpanther
New member
What would be the advantage of a red dot over some kind of bright front post sight? Just curious (might be an obvious answer--I just don't know what it is).
Just cutting and pasting a little to help answer your questions.What would be the advantage of a red dot over some kind of bright front post sight? Just curious (might be an obvious answer--I just don't know what it is).
Understood. However, the slide top still has length--and even when using a rear iron it's only a "peripheral awareness" (since we can't focus on both). If it's possible to bring a red dot up with proper alignment without using any kind of co-witnessing with irons--why wouldn't you be able to do the same with a front bright post? Not trying to be purposefully obtuse.Stagpanther, a front sight only gives you a two dimensional point of reference when you need a three dimensional reference to align the barrel correctly. With just the front post you are essentially point shooting.
I don't use "sights" either. At self defense range, under 10yards (probably way under). You had better be used to point and shoot instinct shooting, not looking for any kind of sight like you are on a range shooting at a piece of paper.You could apply the same silliness to sights in general and argue against sights entirely.
So the targets are moving? Dodging, and weaving, up,and down, thrusting, and charging. I guess one of those video scenario screens in an indoor range would do that.But that isn't what I see most often. Stationary targets, maybe pop-ups, with the training shooter moving.training should be based in real life.
Quote from my post #47Practice is good, training is good.
True, however if one becomes dependant on seeing a dot they will tend to waste precious time in a high stress situation looking for one if it isn't there, or where it's "supposed" to be. Human nature. It would be important to train without the dot. Especially if it can be done randomly without knowledge of when it will or will not work.And none of this changes the fact that having a red dot doesn't stop you from point or reflexive shooting.
Nice! It sounds like you are doing good training. Thanks for commenting about your experience.I checked out those 4 videos. I put tape on my front sight post and practiced drawing and luckily I have no issues getting the dot on target immediately. I would have been pissed if I was searching.
I have been doing things backwards with my MOS pistols. I've been putting the suppressor height sights on first and only when I'm comfortable with them do I put on a red dot. When I get a G45 I will do the opposite.
I have a M&P-9 with a delta point mounted but I have no desire to carry it. It's a whole other training issue... I'm more efficient with irons than a red dot on a pistol.
Yeah, I agree. I just don't care to put the time in though. There are definite benefits... but you wont see me mounting a dot and bastardizing my carry 1911 ever. I'll just run it as I have it forever.
Takes PRACTICE and it is NOT a magical cure for making shooting better. But with the proper investment in training I think it's the future.
The main advantage of a red dot sight is focus on the target, not the sight(s). This is intuitive. Guns are the only weapons we use where we focus on the tool and not the threat. Millions of years of evolution taught us focus on the threat. Our fight or flight responses have us focus on the threat. Rocks, clubs, spears, knives, bows, etc, all are used by focusing on the target/threat. Throw a ball or frisbee, where do you focus? Punch something, where you you focus? Hit a nail with a hammer, where do you focus? Red dot sights whether they are on a handgun, or long gun, allow us to target focus efficiently and effectively.Understood. However, the slide top still has length--and even when using a rear iron it's only a "peripheral awareness" (since we can't focus on both). If it's possible to bring a red dot up with proper alignment without using any kind of co-witnessing with irons--why wouldn't you be able to do the same with a front bright post? Not trying to be purposefully obtuse.
Yes, that is very true and important.True, however if one becomes dependant on seeing a dot they will tend to waste precious time in a high stress situation looking for one if it isn't there, or where it's "supposed" to be. Human nature. It would be important to train without the dot. Especially if it can be done randomly without knowledge of when it will or will not work.