Would you put a red dot on a defensive handgun?

RMR

It's not needed for up close:
Very true, point shooting works fine in the under 10 yard engagement, the RMR shows it's value for precision shots from 3 to 40+ yards and torso shots out to 100+ yards consistently.
I am fond of reflex sights and appreciate the long distance capability.....but when I think "defensive handgun", I am thinking about shooting at 3 to15 feet.
I do not see that encounters at distances of 10 yards and beyond are defensive any longer. A "torso" shot at 100 yards is fine shooting; is it defensive?
Pete
 
I am fond of reflex sights and appreciate the long distance capability.....but when I think "defensive handgun", I am thinking about shooting at 3 to15 feet.
I do not see that encounters at distances of 10 yards and beyond are defensive any longer. A "torso" shot at 100 yards is fine shooting; is it defensive?
Pete


In the 3-15 feet range you don't even need sights on the gun; this is proven every time we teach a point shooting class and have students getting 6-8" groups at 10 yards without sights.
Outside of that distance what is the longest shot in your home? For me it's 20 yards because of the open floor plan. I can literally shoot from the bedroom at one end of the house into the kitchen at the other end of the house. The front door is next to my bedroom, the backdoor is in the kitchen. It shooting a home invader defensive? I would say yes since I have no duty to retreat.
Out on the town and get rolled up in an active shooter scenario. I'll take every advantage I can get.

I'm not saying everyone will like or even needs the concept; I just popped in to address a few misconceptions about what it is and isn't from first hand experience with the system.
You are correct though that it can very easily take the pistol from a defensive role to a more offensive role.
 
I see

it's 20 yards because of the open floor plan
I see what you are saying. Big house.
The longest shot in my home is 15 feet.
And, no, you don't have to retreat.

Since it came up, not being argumentative, I really don't know what you mean by

Out on the town and get rolled up in an active shooter scenario. I'll take every advantage I can get.
I am assuming that the scenario has longer distance shooting involved without the possibility of leaving.
Pete
 
Since it came up, not being argumentative, I really don't know what you mean

I'm not taking it in a bad or argumentative way at all Pete. I see nothing wrong with questioning someone's thought process or ideas. It stimulates good conversation and idea exchange.




I am assuming that the scenario has longer distance shooting involved without the possibility of leaving.

That's exactly what I mean. Something like the Washington mall shooting or one of the church shootings like happened in CO a couple of years ago. I'm all for using the Nike express, but if the threat is between me and the exit I'll take whatever advantage I can get. If that means a low profile sight that will allow me to safely and accurately engage the threat at extended distances more easily that with irons; I don't see a reason to not take advantage of the technology.


Take Care,
Don
 
Once the boys from Gunsite, Magpul or Thunder Ranch show up with one of these in a holster, the naysayers will be all over it.

Until then....;)
 
I'll admit. I would like to try it.

In my situation, it's an obvious case of sticking with what I know works for me... Anything new would require "waisting valuable time" to learn, when I'm already confident with my current method.

Or maybe it's a reluctance to experiment. I've never been into lasers either. Although I have shot with them and enjoyed myself.

I would be willing to give a red dot sight on a hand gun a try. (a low profile one like the Doctor sight) but I have no interest in taking the effort to set up a gun like that. Thats why It's nice having guys like you all around, maybe I'll run into one of you some day, and you'll let me try your gun. Then I'll have something to think about :D

When it comes down to it, there are still folks who use irons on AR riffles and swear by them. Thats because they are good with them and practice practice practice. And practice is what counts in the end.
 
Mellow, Sign up for a class down here in Florida and I'll let you shoot it. :D :D

I know where you're coming from; I was there until about a year ago when I decided I was actually limiting myself by not looking at other alternatives etc. and giving them a fair trial. Some things I liked(red dot pistol), some I wasn't as warm about like lasers. They have there place, but IMHO it's a smaller niche.
 
DonR101395

I agree:D
I wish I could come take a class in Florida... sounds like fun. By the way, your Glock 21SF sure looks nice. What a great idea putting a red dot on that thing... then you've got the grip reduction with a better texturing, a nice surefire light, and looks like you even have it set up to accept a silencer. (Which would be a great reason for the red dot, because normal sights would probably be obstructed by the can on the front. Now that I go back and look, it seams you have tall sights... boy, you thought of everything. I think I see an extended slide release there too:D)
 
I agree
I wish I could come take a class in Florida... sounds like fun. By the way, your Glock 21SF sure looks nice. What a great idea putting a red dot on that thing... then you've got the grip reduction with a better texturing, a nice surefire light, and looks like you even have it set up to accept a silencer. (Which would be a great reason for the red dot, because normal sights would probably be obstructed by the can on the front. Now that I go back and look, it seams you have tall sights... boy, you thought of everything. I think I see an extended slide release there too)

Thanks,
This thing started out as an experiment for me that worked out pretty well for me. One Source Tactical uses suppressor sights for the backup iron sights so they sit above the RMR and Cope Reynolds one of our other instructors did the grip reduction and stipple. I don't normally carry with the threaded barrel installed, but I do have to say it's more accurate than the stock barrel. The slide release has been on there for a couple of months I broke the stock one and had this one laying in the box of parts after I pulled it off another gun. I'm neither for or against them. If they work for someone great, if not don't use them. I sling shot the slide, so I could get by without any thumb area on it.
 
I just switched the J-Point to my 26 this week:

HPIM1653.jpg
 
I wouldn't on a pistol. But, I do want one for my SKS, just for fun.

I am partial to iron sights, that said; I have a small laser mounted on the rail. But, that's more for target shooting and helping my wife get used to how to get used to the iron sights at different distances.
 
Spend your money on a good defensive hand gun course.
You will not have time to “acquire” the dot if you’re ever in a situation.
 
not all gunfights ar 3-7 yard point shooting against a street thug. There are some police/military operators, who may be going into a gunfight. Or civilians in a bad situation and then think about this bad guy is holding a buddy hostage, i hope your not point shooting and actually use your sights for a rescue shot. If some tool is on a shooting rampage, id want to shoot from a distance. sights do need to be usable. I like the idea of a red dot i want to try one.
 
I had a red dot on my 44 mag hunting gun. One day at the range it shattered. I spent $125.00 for it, I should've spent more for something tougher. Some people point to the US military using red dots and say they are just fine, fit for any duty. The aimpoint and others the military are using cost around a thousand dollars. Probably more then some of us are willing to spend for a nightstand gun.
 
Probably more then some of us are willing to spend for a nightstand gun.
I'm not sure.

How many $$$ are spent to get guns set up by Wilson or Ed Brown? How much is spent to set an AR up "just like the SPECOPS M4"?

So $1000 or so for the RMR set-up isn't really all that expensive when you put it in perspective.

Of course, there are those who actually carry their guns when going out instead of sticking a J-frame or Keltec in the pocket.
 
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