Why You Should Have a Red Dot Sight on Your Handgun

Why You Should Have a Red Dot Sight on Your Handgun

I see this question A LOT on social media lately, "Should I put a red dot sight on my pistol?"  I hope this will give you some real info and insight to help you answer that question.

Short Answer:  You will shoot more accurately than iron sights - and just as fast -because it works with the way your eyes and brain work instead of working against you.  This allows you to end a threat faster and more effectively than with iron sights - which is why you carry a gun in the first place.

Do you need a red dot on a pistol?  No, you don't... but I think it makes sense.  Wyatt Earp didn't need (or have) a sem-auto handgun and he did just fine.  You put a red dot on your handgun for the same reason you most of us are using semi-auto handguns... it just makes you more effective.

Should you use a red dot on a pistol?  Depends on if you're willing to learn how to use it and put in the time.  I believe you should put a red dot on your pistol. I believe a red dot makes sense on any gun you plan on using for self defense.

Many people who argue against red dots on handguns simply don't understand the advantages. The same arguments used against red dots on handguns today were used against red dots on AR15s 20 years ago… and today obviously no one questions optics on an AR.  Same will be true of handguns in the near future.

Why Should You Use a Red Dot on Your Self-Defense Pistol?  Because it works with you instead of against you. 

 

  • Our eyes can only focus on one thing at a time.
  • It's human physiology to focus on a deadly threat such as someone attacking you… yet to shoot a handgun accurately, it requires you to focus on the front sight.   It's just not human nature to do this in a real life or death situation.
  • True - most self defense situations are at very close ranges, but yet in real gun fights - even with trained shooters - the hit ratio is very low.  Many shots miss and many shots of the shots that do hit are not in preferred target areas.  This is just reality.
  • A red dot sight is designed to work with your eyes and brain as it allows you to focus on the target - and see the red dot at the same time.  In fact - if you're focusing on the red dot, you're doing it wrong.  Focus on the target, put the target on the dot and pull the trigger.
  • I will be making another video showing an easy way to train yourself to use the dot properly. 

 

And not all self-defense shootings happen inside of 7 yards.  A red dot significantly increases the effective range of your handgun. 

My police department issued Holosun red dots on all of our duty guns.  Every officer improved after receiving specific red dot training.  Even officers who struggle to pass the qualification began scoring over 90% on the qual they had barely passed or failed without a red dot.  Prior to the red dots, a 25 yard shot with our Glocks was considered a long shot… now many of us are hitting targets at 50 yards or beyond.

A red dot makes sense on any gun you use for self-defense.  Like any tool, you need to understand how it works and become skilled in using it.

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1 comment

Just reading your blog on why you should have red dots on handguns. I see you mentioned posting a video showing a way to learn to use the red dot easily. Did you post this?

Nick Shumway

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