Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Red Dots, Lights & Lasers: CCW Necessities, or Total Hype?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/red-dots-lights-lasers-ccw-necessities-or-total-hype/.
Red Dots, Lights & Lasers: CCW Necessities, or Total Hype?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Cookie1969
Operator
I personally have not put an optic on any of my carry pistols, but I do have lights. While it is a personal choice on whether or not to use optics, training is a must.
HansGruber
Ronin
This.
Are the necessary? No.
But: will they make it easier to get good, fast hits under not unlikely defensive circumstances?
Absolutely, they will.
But you gotta train with them.
HansGruber
Ronin
That new VP9w/Holosun I picked up has gotten a Surefire X300, a 20rd mag with 147gr HST, and bumped my USP from house auto status.
It’s that F’ing good.
500rds of ball downrange, 200rds of JHP, not a hiccup. I think it’s gonna get a threaded barrel and a comp.
My X9 is going back to Wilson for an optics cut.
Mike thank you for the great articles. I am somewhat of a newbie to pistols, I have tried everything but not enough to the point of having a strong preference in anything. I am also a minimalist by nature so I believe strongly in becoming proficient with nothing but iron sights.
That being said I would appreciate your opinion on the following... in addition to irons, if you had to choose either a red dot or a zeroed in laser for a 9mm pistol such as a Glock 19, which would it be and why?
That being said I would appreciate your opinion on the following... in addition to irons, if you had to choose either a red dot or a zeroed in laser for a 9mm pistol such as a Glock 19, which would it be and why?
SimonRL
Hellcat
My VP9 has become my go to. I’ve bought three of them this year.
HansGruber
Ronin
What do you see as a more likely defensive scenario for you?
Being in an unconventional shooting position where you can’t see your sights?
Or having to make a precise shot at a longer distance?
HansGruber
Ronin
SimonRL
Hellcat
The VP9 straight out of the box with the medium grips fits my hand better than anything else - except my HK45. I love the VP9L with the 20 rd mags.
I see a defensive scenario as a worst case scenario where the lives of my loved ones are threatened, under the worst conditions where I do not have time or light or anything in my favor except for my proficiency with a reliable weapon.
A situation that I do not want to ever find myself in but would still like to be prepared.
MrMichaelActual
Master Class
I will forever be an optics guy now... I am going back one at a time and changing all my weapons to have optics, and I will probably never buy another automatic handgun that is not optics ready. A lot of folks are hard core about Iron sights and that's cool, but if one really really drills enough, if their presentation is routine and correct, then making the change from sight focused shooting to target focused shooting is a game changer period. No more find a target, find the front sight, shoot, repeat, now (after you train this way consistently) you aquire your target and your focus remains on your target and your well practiced presentation puts the optics where they need to be. It's almost like that old cowboy tale of shooting like you point; when you point your finger at someone you don't align your finger, you look at your target... Drilling for proper consistent presentation is the way to shoot and changing to target focus vs sight focus training is the way I think we can be better shooters (me anyway). I am loving optics. Just my opinion...
So for Lights / Lasers. I only use a light/laser or any combo thereof, for my home defense evening/nighttime weapon. My opinion only, I do not see the need for all that mostly unnecessary bulk on a CCW, plus I am not a huge guy, so smaller is better to a degree. I do have one full size (1911 frame) weapon on which I have both optics and a Light / Laser, this would be a fannypack carry were I to be out somewhere doing something when it could get dark.
So for Lights / Lasers. I only use a light/laser or any combo thereof, for my home defense evening/nighttime weapon. My opinion only, I do not see the need for all that mostly unnecessary bulk on a CCW, plus I am not a huge guy, so smaller is better to a degree. I do have one full size (1911 frame) weapon on which I have both optics and a Light / Laser, this would be a fannypack carry were I to be out somewhere doing something when it could get dark.
HansGruber
Ronin
Then…you want both/all of the above (light/laser, & red dot).
Lasers work best in unconventional shooting positions—from the hip, laying on your back, anytime you aren’t able to index your sights.
Dots are great when you can index your sights. Personally, I’m slower with dots than irons, but…I’m getting faster with practice. They definitely are superior when it comes to longer, precise shots.
Lights? It’s always good to positively ID your target.
But, like I said—you gotta train HARD with them.
X
XD94045
Guest
I outfitted my EDC with a Streamlight TLR-4 and a Vortex Viper, and I am going to outfit everything in my safe with them.
Is a MRDS a necessity, only the individual can answer that. For me and my diminished near sighted vision, absolutely. Otherwise I would not be able to definitively identify my sights on the target.
WML, not a necessity for me. Handheld only at this point.
Laser, no thanks.
WML, not a necessity for me. Handheld only at this point.
Laser, no thanks.
Talyn
SAINT
+100
That's my only intended use for a laser when I have one mounted on an item, especially in situation when one can't use the sights.