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Red Dots, Lights & Lasers: CCW Necessities, or Total Hype?

HansGruber said:
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.
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I just bought an OR slide and plate with XS Tritium suppressor height sights for my VP9. It will get a 507C.
 
I haven't got a red dot for my carry weapon- yet. But I firmly believe it will happen. Why? I've only used a red dot on an M16, but I quickly realized it's a game changer. Before cataract surgery my vision was 20/400. It was all I could do to pass NBC qualification wearing the promask. With the red dot I passed with flying colors, even passed the night portion.
Red dots may be better for long distances, but on a dedicated carry gun, it makes sense to me to zero the red dot for the anticipated closer distance.
 
I've said this before but I worked as a security guard for 15 years, eight of that was nights.

I've also already said that I was forbidden throughout that entire time to have a WML light on my (employer's) pistol. Maybe if I had one I would have a different opinion but I can't think of a single time where I ever thought to myself "Damn I wish I had a WML."

So on that one I'm going to say no.

I've never used a laser I've never used a red dot sight so I really can't comment on those.

I will say I have no intention of getting either one of those.
 
My WML use on long arms is limited to low-lumen nav lights, and high-intensity lights for final target ID.

I have WMLs for my primary home-defense handguns for final target ID.

I would not advertise my location, like seen on TV shows, before final target ID with either a WML or a laser.
 
Talyn said:
My WML use on long arms is limited to low-lumen nav lights, and high-intensity lights for final target ID.

I have WMLs for my primary home-defense handguns for final target ID.

I would not advertise my location, like seen on TV shows, before final target ID with either a WML or a laser.
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Totally agree 100%, my one gun with light laser is for farm stuff. Can't miss a possum from any angle! Chicken murderin bastards. A laser is a designator, on both ends.
 
Mike H. said:
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/.

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Great article, Mike! And extra kudos for the fit and tactical young lady who led us here. ;)

I checked my opinions at the door before I read the article (and I'm going to uncheck them here). My wife and I started our firearm journey about 5-6 years ago. Our first pistol was a Ruger 9E. We still have it and my wife still shoots it better than the myriad (okay, handful of) pistols we have acquired (some of which have been discarded) in the meantime. I suspect it's because the 9E is heavier, has a longer bore axis, fits her hands, is well broken in, and (finally) is now equipped with high visibility night sights.

So, what have we jettisoned? A Smith & Wesson Shield 2.0 and a Hellcat - both of which felt like holding a small porcupine that wanted nothing more than for us not to be holding it. What have we kept? The Ruger 9E, my EDC, a Springfield XD Mod.2 subcompact in 9mm ("too heavy" for my wife to carry), our Springfield XDM Elite Tactical OSP, our Springfield Ronin commander-sized 1911, and our Ruger AR556 - nicely accoutered.

My wife also had - and liked - a Glock 43X, but recently loaned it to our son who lives in TX. We may yet get it back... we'll see.

What have we learned?

The Shield taught us lasers are crap (for us). I know some folks like them, but to me they are the firearm equivalent of a cat toy.

The Hellcat taught us no matter how much you want to like a firearm, if it's not for you, get rid of it (no safe queens allowed; these darn things are too expensive to sit around collecting dust).

The 9E taught us, just because a firearm doesn't cost an arm and a leg doesn't mean it can't run reliably and be a solid shooter.

The XD Mod.2 taught us (me) how to carry concealed. It also taught me everything I'd read about having a holster drawer was true - at least until you find the one.

The XDM (blah blah blah all those other terms in the full name) taught me how much fun shooting can be. It also taught me how to shoot a red dot... after more than 4,000 dry fire trigger pulls with my Mantis X10 (so many, they're sending me a replacement unit), hundreds (if not a couple thousand) of rounds, and a couple of training classes, I really like a red dot... but I do at least a half-dozen holster draw/presents with my XD Mod.2 every day so I don't lose the ability to front-sight focus. In my opinion, a properly zeroed red dot is a very useful piece of gear, without the "cat toyness" of a laser.

In general, we've learned that there are thousands of manufacturers, resellers, so-called experts and influencers who want to separate us from our hard-earned cash. My gosh - I ALMOST bought a plate carrier for goodness' sake - until a good friend who is a much better and more experienced shooter than I asked a question: What exactly are you going to need that for? If money were no object, I'd probably have all the stuff, but he said, "If it gets to the point where you actually need a plate carrier, we have bigger problems that it will solve."

Instead, he said, buy some ammo, go to the range, take a training course. In the long run, that will help you much more than a plate carrier that hangs in the closet 99% of the time.

Since then, I haven't bought any new firearms (but I really, really want too!! I'm looking at you, Echelon... and Walther PDP, and...). I've spent money on ammo and training. And you know what? I think my friend was right.
 
Well, I honestly can’t recall how I got on this newsletter list, but I absolutely love it. The articles are fantastic. The opinions shared are very informative and the comments on the Forum are appreciated. Thank goodness for discoveries of firearms enthusiasts communities. I’m all about educating myself on firearm safety, personal defense, training and staying informed on manufacturing developments, as well as regulations that may impact when and how I can carry. Thank you!

O.W.
 
Original Willie said:
Well, I honestly can’t recall how I got on this newsletter list, but I absolutely love it. The articles are fantastic. The opinions shared are very informative and the comments on the Forum are appreciated. Thank goodness for discoveries of firearms enthusiasts communities. I’m all about educating myself on firearm safety, personal defense, training and staying informed on manufacturing developments, as well as regulations that may impact when and how I can carry. Thank you!

O.W.
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Welcome to the forum Willie.
 
No matter whether you use RDS, laser, WML, or irons only, professional training and frequent practice will guide you to what works best for your efficiency and safety. Regardless of what's on my firearms, One necessity I now always carry is a small tactical flashlight for searching, taught in several trainings, as premature activation of a WML or laser can make an easy target for an attacker. Just my opinion, based on professional trainings.
 
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