Who Has An Optical Sight On a Handgun?

thperez1972 said:

If you're drawing from concealment, moving the clothing out of the way should be part of training. Generally speaking, if there's room for the weapon to clear, there's room for the red dot to clear. There are no sharp points on red dots to catch and the red dot does not stick out very far from the weapon. Most red dots have a rounded hood and/or rounded corners. Also, the surface area of the back of the slide is usually as big or bigger than the surface area of the part of the red dot that may be of concern. Snagging the red dot should be a non-issue with the training to effectively draw a weapon without a red dot.

The draw with a good red dot should take no more time than the draw without one. The red dot should either be on already or have an auto-on feature. Battery life is also a non-issue with the proper maintenance, i.e., changing the batteries regularly on a schedule once you learn the run time of the red dot.

But the proper training should lead to the shooter being able to hit close enough to center mass without needing the sights or a red dot. Once someone has trained enough, they should be able to draw and, using muscle memory, aim such that the sights/red dot are almost lined up right where they want it. Since most self-defense incidents occur within about 10 feet, proper training should also include drawing as you take a half a step back to create a little more room to draw and shooting effectively from the hip. Obviously, no sights or red dot will help you there either.

One of the few situations where you may have time to spend that second or less lining up the best shot would be an active shooter situation where you are not in immediate danger. Because that may be a longer shot (25 feet or more), a red dot and the proper training can only help you.

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Bonephish said:

I have two Vipers, one on this M&P 9L and one on a Glock 19. I saw a Shield with a reflex red dot for concealed carry but not something I would consider doing.

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Magdump said:

all good arguments, just not for me. If it was open carry in a holster designed for the pistol as equipped I could see it. But I don’t recall ever seeing a cop carry their sidearm so equipped.
Snub nosed revolvers are a favorite for concealed carry by a few people. Some of those have very small hammers that even experienced shooters prefer to have bobbed for the simple reason that they are just a bit of something sticking out from the weapon and do indeed have the tendency to snag on anything remotely in the way on the draw. Even squared off edges and sharp corners on a handgun can slow the draw. Anything that demands special care on the draw will slow me down. The reason I wouldn’t carry an auto with a big honking rear adjustable target sight. I don’t see Red dot sights on concealed carry weapons ever becoming a trend. Not saying it can’t be done, just that most people know it shouldn’t.

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gemihur said:

I don't know if this is what you had in mind
but I recommend that you use TWO hands

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gwpercle said:

After suffering detached retina's in both eyes , the natural lens had to be removed in both so the retinas could be reattached surgically . An implanted lens wasn't possible so I was left blind in my right eye and with tri-focal glasses for my remaining left. This ended my pistol shooting days.
With tri-focal glasses you can not use iron sights any longer.
A Millet SP-1 red dot on a Ruger MKII let me shoot again and actually hit things and shoot small groups again.
I mounted another Millet on a Model 64 S&W 38 Special for target shooting and my next goal is to get one of the small Burris Fast Fires mounted on a 1911 45acp .
I like the optics because they enable me to keep shooting....nothing else except 20 year old eyes works as well.
Gary

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GearFondler said:

Ten years from now it will be odd to see a pistol that doesn't have an RDS.
The only place I can see an RDS hindering concealment or draw is pocket or ankle carry.

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John_ said:

I agree with Mag. There are a few obstacles to RMRs, rain, snow, and fogging to mention a few. Imagine walking out of a cold building which you have been sitting in for the last 4 hours into summer heat and humidity, and u need ur weapon right now, life or death. But ur RMR lens has fogged up with condensation and you can't see **** thru it!

Iron sights on pistols are simple and effective, and they work all the time, no matter what.

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Magdump said:

Perhaps some believe they are necessary for a carry weapon. For me personally, if I’m fortunate to be far enough away from a person I consider to be a threat to need some type of optic to get a decent shot, given that I also have the time to take a controlled shot at a distance thru an optic, I’m thinking those factors would lend to me getting my ass and or my family out of harm’s way, rather than get into a gunfight. If you’ve got that kind of distance between you and the threat you have options. Shooting someone when you have the option to get away is not the best choice unless you’re a LEO and doing a job.
It’s fair to assume that the unavoidable gunfight would be one of very close proximity. I’m certain in that instance within 25 feet (more like 3-6 feet), I would be quicker putting shots on target with my plain Jane semi auto drawn from concealment than any weapon with a hooded holosight hanging off the slide. I prefer to plan for the most possible scenario. If I had doubts about my marksmanship at a reasonable handgun distance, say within 25 feet, before I’d mount hardware on my carry, something that may potentially fail or otherwise hinder my ability to quickly and safely draw and fire the weapon, I’d practice my skills until I felt more confident.

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