The Advent Of Handgun Optics
BY Herschel Smith
8 years, 10 months ago
Red-dot optics mounted on pistols are becoming so popular that some professional shooters see them replacing iron sights in the tactical environment.
Non-magnifying optics have long been the primary rifle sight for troops on the battlefield. Besides being accurate and durable, they are also faster than iron sights and perform better in low-light conditions.
Now the popularity of ultra-light red-dots — such as Trijicon’s Ruggedized Miniature Reflex, or RMR, sight — has compelled pistol makers to introduce special lines of their handguns specifically designed for accepting red-dots.
Glock just unveiled its Modular Optic System at SHOT Show 2016. It’s designed so shooters can install the red-dot of their choice with just a few tools. Smith & Wesson did the same at SHOT 2015 with the introduction of its M&P Competition Optics Ready Equipment, or C.O.R.E., pistols.
“Red dots on pistols are the future of handguns,” said firearms instructor Matt Jacques.
At SHOT 2016, Jacques was showing off Raven Concealment’s new Balor mount designed for an Aimpoint Micro T1 or H1 red-dot sight on a Glock with just a few simple tools.
Red-dots offer a single-sight plane, so the shooter doesn’t have to worry about sight alignment as with traditional front and rear iron sights, Jacques said.
I don’t have any red dot optics for pistols, but I find this concept to be very appealing. I wonder though, if existing pistols can be retrofitted for these optics without significant rework and gunsmithing, and I am not talking about the dozen or more gunsmiths who work at Hyatt Gun Shop, who can do just about anything with anything. Will shooters have to buy new guns in order to make this a reality for them?
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On January 29, 2016 at 8:25 am, Jack said:
Before being distracted by more pressing personal issues, I was starting to research 3Gun competition. One of the favorite red dots for pistols appears to be the C-More system. They make RDS specifically for slide mounting (which, I believe, has more violent motion than a rifle or a pistol frame) and for frame mounts.
http://www.cmore.com (n.b., I’m not in any way affiliated)
On January 29, 2016 at 9:40 am, John Richardson said:
This is one way to add a red dot. I’m not saying it’s the best or cheapest but it is a way to do it without buying a new pistol. I did get to try it out at last year’s SHOT Show Media Day and it worked very well.
On January 30, 2016 at 4:15 am, Mark Dietzler said:
There are many machinists that mill the top of the slide to accept an RMR or other similar sights. Glock and S&W developed their own systems so people don’t have to go through that step with their products.
You can get 1911s from Nighthawk Custom with an RMR mount milled into the slide.
It should be noted that sights similar to the RMR take some getting used to. You will likely have to modify your draw stroke and practice that until you get it down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVVyFORQaZc