How To Master Shooting A Red Dot Sight On Your Handgun
BY Herschel Smith
4 years, 8 months ago
One of the first things I noticed when I began firing a red-dot-equipped pistol was my trigger control and grip were not as refined as I thought they were. I noticed the dot would ever-so-slightly dip or slide to the left during my trigger press, ultimately resulting in some 9-ring hits instead of 10- or X-ring impacts on an NRA B8 bull’s-eye at 25 yards. Feedback from the sight allowed me to focus on these shortcomings and make adjustments to my technique.
Dry-fire is the best way to shorten the learning curve, all in the comfort of your home. With the sight turned off (and the pistol empty, of course), practice framing your target within the window of your red-dot sight. On press-out, level the pistol as soon as possible, pick up the target through the glass, and ride it out to extension. Next, try this from the low-ready position, and then from the holster. Once this feels comfortable, activate the sight, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you pick up the dot upon presentation. Speed and efficiency will come with practice.
I guess it’s like anything else – practice. But first, must get guns that have mount for optic. This means new guns in most instances.
And money.
On April 15, 2020 at 8:52 am, Jack said:
“ On press-out, level the pistol as soon as possible”
This is key!
Dot’s arent eotechs(halographic)
Having a 17mos with a trijicon rmr, i can say… can height sights help indexing.
I have learned doing installs, These things are like AR10’s.
There is no standard!! and minimal “Full” install instructions.
You’d think it would be straight forward,yeah, NO.
Talk to the Manufacturers.
Use Vibratite VC-3, blue locktite isnt enough and red it to much.
Trust me on this.
Good luck and enjoy
On April 15, 2020 at 9:49 am, Thomas said:
You might be able to just purchase a milled slide, or have a slide you already have milled instead of getting a whole other gun. I’m trying to get into the red dot game too, but it is expensive.
On April 15, 2020 at 10:57 am, George 1 said:
I am sure the RDS on pistols is the future. I have been considering setting up a slide for one of my pistols with an RMR. I am an old guy and my eyes are not as good as they used to be. A RDS might make it easier, if I can adapt.
On April 15, 2020 at 3:52 pm, Sanders said:
One of the things I’ve noticed with the red dot sights is the tendency to chase the dot, for lack of a better description, compared to “front sight, press”.
Like anything, I figure it just takes some practice to master.
On April 15, 2020 at 5:48 pm, Red Forman said:
I switched to a RDS about a year ago. My son let me borrow his Glock with a RMR sight. I quickly found that Glocks are the odd-man-out for straight pointing due to the rediculous grip angle. Never liked Glocks and only shot it because it had the red dot. My eyes won’t focus near or far, so open sights are a thing of the past for me. I recommend the Holosun 507c as it has an Eotech-type reticle. Very easy to pick up and if any part of the ring is on the target, it is a hit.
It does take some getting used to though. Draw and presentation on a daily basis just as you would for open sights will shorten the learning curve considerably. As far a cost, I upgraded in stages. First, I got my slide milled and then bought the optic. I am ecstatic on how much faster I am from draw to hits on the target. I highly recommend an optic. Once you get used to it, you’ll never go back to open sights.
Also, it you want slide milling done, go with Jagerwerks, They are simply as good as it gets and customer service is absolutely stellar.
Oh, and did I mention that Glocks are the Honda Civic of pistols? :-)
On April 15, 2020 at 6:06 pm, jack said:
I highly recommend Mark and Lisa Mohr of NC Engravers http://ncengravers.com/. They milled my VP9SK slide for a Trijicon RMR. Excellent machine work and I had him follow-up with Gunkote. Mark even figured out the correct supressor-height sights.
I’m still learning to pickup the dot so thanks for the pointers.