Pistol Mounted Optic. Yes or NO?

: 28.09.2024; Hits: 1776

In this article, I present the Pros and Cons of Pistol Mounted Optioc (Red Dot) and explain why I resigned from it and returned to iron sights. Over the past few years, red dot sights have gained massive popularity among pistol shooters, CCW carriers, and Law Enforcement worldwide. As these sights became more popular, many pistol manufacturers started to offer optic-ready models, making it easy to mount a red dot yourself without needing a gunsmith. Is it worth investing in one? Let's see the prons and cons of Red Dot mounted on a semi-automatic pistol.

Why I Don’t Use a Red Dot Sight on My Pistol Anymore

I was a dedicated red dot user for over four years, but I eventually decided to remove mine and return to iron sights. In this article, I’ll share the pros and cons of using a red dot on a pistol and explain why I ultimately chose to go back to the more traditional method.

### The Pros of Red Dot Sights on Pistols

In my experience, there are several significant benefits to using a red dot on your pistol:

**Clear Sight Picture on the Target**

Instead of having to align iron sights with a front sight focus (where your target appears blurry and partly obstructed by the sights and slide), a red dot allows for target-focused shooting. You get a clear and unobstructed view, by simply placing the dot on the target and pulling the trigger.

**Excellent Tool for Self-Analysis**

A red dot can help you track your recoil management and trigger pull more effectively. While it’s tough to track iron sights during firing, a red dot’s movement is easy to follow. If your dot bounces too much due to poor grip, you’ll know immediately and can adjust your grip for better control.

**Improved Accuracy**

Red dots are especially useful when you need to make precise shots. When properly zeroed, they allow for accurate shooting at longer distances without sacrificing a full view of the target.

**Promotes Consistent Grip and Presentation**

Red dots encourage consistent pistol presentation. If your grip or presentation is off, you won’t see the dot on the screen, forcing you to refine these key skills.

**Helpful for Shooters with Eye Issues**

Shooters with conditions like astigmatism may struggle to focus on the front sight with iron sights. A red dot offers a much clearer sight picture, even if the dot itself isn't perfectly crisp.

### The Cons of Red Dot Sights on Pistols

However, red dot sights are not without their drawbacks:

**Cost**

High-quality red dots are expensive. You can expect to spend between 300-500 EUR for a reliable model.

**Reliability Issues**

Being electronic devices, red dots can fail. The battery might die unexpectedly, the sight could lose zero, or the unit may malfunction. For this reason, it's critical to have backup iron sights if you rely on a red dot for self-defense.

**Weather Sensitivity**

Red dots can be problematic in adverse weather conditions. For example, using a red dot in the rain can distort your view, turning your sight picture into a blurry mess of stars and dots.

**Steep Learning Curve for Beginners**

Red dots require practice and consistency. For new shooters, finding the dot during the draw and presentation can be challenging, especially if the pistol is not properly aligned with the target.

### Why I Gave Up on My Red Dot

Now, let me explain why I decided to abandon my red dot and go back to iron sights. These are my personal reasons, and they might not apply to everyone, but they gave me enough cause for concern.

First, while I enjoyed the accuracy and fast target acquisition when my red dot worked properly, I started experiencing reliability issues. Before one of my firearms courses, I checked my dot, and it was working fine. However, when I arrived at the range, the battery had died. On another occasion, at the Protect Home and Family Competition, my red dot failed after a few hours of travel. Fortunately, I had a spare battery, but it made me question the reliability of using a red dot for self-defense.

As someone who carries concealed for personal protection, I couldn’t afford to rely on something that might fail when I need it most. My setup, a SIG P320 X Carry with a ROMEO 1 Red Dot, didn’t allow for backup iron sights, so if the dot malfunctioned, I was out of options.

Additionally, the red dot would occasionally shut off during courses, which was frustrating. One time, it started raining during a pistol course, and the water droplets on the optic screen rendered it unusable. The entire screen became cluttered with stars and dots, making it impossible to see the target clearly.

The final straw was when my ROMEO 1 red dot began losing its zero on the vertical axis. During live demos, I found that my shots were consistently shifting up or down the target. After dealing with these issues repeatedly—particularly during critical moments—I made the decision to remove the red dot.

### My Conclusion

In summary, while I recognize the advantages of red dot sights, my personal experience led me to switch back to iron sights for the sake of reliability. My red dot’s malfunctions during courses and competitions were frustrating, but what truly concerned me was the potential for failure in a self-defense situation. Perhaps I was unlucky with my particular optic, or maybe I overused it, but after countless rounds through my pistol, I decided that iron sights were a safer choice for me.

That said, I strongly encourage every shooter to try a red dot at some point in their training. It’s a valuable tool, and for many shooters, it might be the perfect fit. Just make sure to consider both the pros and cons before making your final decision.

Give it a try and see if it’s something you want to stick with—or not!

See you on the courses. Stay Safe.

Bartosz Zukowski

BZ Academy Training Coordinator

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**Why I Don’t Use a Red Dot Sight on My Pistol Anymore**

I was a dedicated red dot user for over four years, but I eventually decided to remove mine and return to iron sights. In this article, I’ll share the **pros and cons** of using a red dot on a pistol and explain why I ultimately chose to go back to the more traditional method.

### The Pros of Red Dot Sights on Pistols

In my experience, there are several significant benefits to using a red dot on your pistol:

**Clear Sight Picture on the Target**

Instead of having to align iron sights with a front sight focus (where your target appears blurry and partly obstructed by the sights and slide), a red dot allows for **target-focused shooting**. You get a clear and unobstructed view, by simply placing the dot on the target and pulling the trigger.

**Excellent Tool for Self-Analysis**

**Improved Accuracy**

Red dots are especially useful when you need to make precise shots. When properly zeroed, they allow for accurate shooting at longer distances without sacrificing a full view of the target.

**Promotes Consistent Grip and Presentation**

Red dots encourage consistent pistol presentation. If your grip or presentation is off, you won’t see the dot on the screen, forcing you to refine these key skills.

**Helpful for Shooters with Eye Issues**

Shooters with conditions like astigmatism may struggle to focus on the front sight with iron sights. A red dot offers a much clearer sight picture, even if the dot itself isn't perfectly crisp.

### The Cons of Red Dot Sights on Pistols

However, red dot sights are not without their drawbacks:

**Cost**

High-quality red dots are expensive. You can expect to spend between **300-500 EUR** for a reliable model.

**Reliability Issues**

Being electronic devices, red dots can fail. The battery might die unexpectedly, the sight could lose zero, or the unit may malfunction. For this reason, it's critical to have **backup iron sights** if you rely on a red dot for self-defense.

**Weather Sensitivity**

Red dots can be problematic in adverse weather conditions. For example, using a red dot in the rain can distort your view, turning your sight picture into a blurry mess of stars and dots.

**Steep Learning Curve for Beginners**

Red dots require **practice and consistency**. For new shooters, finding the dot during the draw and presentation can be challenging, especially if the pistol is not properly aligned with the target.

### Why I Gave Up on My Red Dot

Now, let me explain why I decided to abandon my red dot and go back to iron sights. These are my personal reasons, and they might not apply to everyone, but they gave me enough cause for concern.

As someone who carries concealed for personal protection, I couldn’t afford to rely on something that might fail when I need it most. My setup, a **SIG P320 X Carry with a ROMEO 1 Red Dot**, didn’t allow for backup iron sights, so if the dot malfunctioned, I was out of options.

### My Conclusion

That said, I **strongly encourage** every shooter to try a red dot at some point in their training. It’s a valuable tool, and for many shooters, it might be the perfect fit. Just make sure to consider both the pros and cons before making your final decision.

Give it a try and see if it’s something you want to stick with—or not!

See you on the courses. Stay Safe.

Bartosz Zukowski

BZ Academy Training Coordinator

GIFT VOUCHER Combined Firearms Courses Level 1 Fundamentals

Flexible Value Gift Voucher

Private Training GIFT VOUCHER

One Man CQB - Pistol

C.A.R System (Center Axis Relock)

Semi Auto Pistol Instructor Course

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Why I Don’t Use a Red Dot Sight on My Pistol Anymore

I was a dedicated red dot user for over four years, but I eventually decided to remove mine and return to iron sights. In this article, I’ll share the pros and cons of using a red dot on a pistol and explain why I ultimately chose to go back to the more traditional method.

Clear Sight Picture on the Target

Instead of having to align iron sights with a front sight focus (where your target appears blurry and partly obstructed by the sights and slide), a red dot allows for target-focused shooting. You get a clear and unobstructed view, by simply placing the dot on the target and pulling the trigger.

Excellent Tool for Self-Analysis

Improved Accuracy

Promotes Consistent Grip and Presentation

Helpful for Shooters with Eye Issues

Cost

High-quality red dots are expensive. You can expect to spend between 300-500 EUR for a reliable model.

Reliability Issues

Being electronic devices, red dots can fail. The battery might die unexpectedly, the sight could lose zero, or the unit may malfunction. For this reason, it's critical to have backup iron sights if you rely on a red dot for self-defense.

Weather Sensitivity

Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

Red dots require practice and consistency. For new shooters, finding the dot during the draw and presentation can be challenging, especially if the pistol is not properly aligned with the target.

As someone who carries concealed for personal protection, I couldn’t afford to rely on something that might fail when I need it most. My setup, a SIG P320 X Carry with a ROMEO 1 Red Dot, didn’t allow for backup iron sights, so if the dot malfunctioned, I was out of options.

That said, I strongly encourage every shooter to try a red dot at some point in their training. It’s a valuable tool, and for many shooters, it might be the perfect fit. Just make sure to consider both the pros and cons before making your final decision.