THESE MISTAKES MAKE YOUR PISTOL RED DOT SIGHT DEADWEIGHT

[Talyn]

Although a pistol red dot sight (RDS) does not provide magnification, it similarly will amplify your mistakes.

THESE MISTAKES MAKE YOUR PISTOL RED DOT SIGHT DEADWEIGHT

 

[Bassbob]

Good article. Although I haven’t yet gotten into RDS on a carry gun I am trained not to be a “ Turtle” and efficiency of movement. The guy who trains me is a retired marine corps instructor and now a retired LEO instructor as well. He has an RDS on his Sig that he carries but he never differentiated his training for us with iron sights. The plan is to bring the gun up to your eyes with the sights already aligned. Hence why we practice the draw over and over and over and over and then practice it some more.

 

[David N.]

Good article. Thanks, Talyn.

If you are interested in seeing a fighting stance, then visit the guys at GBRS. These guys are former Navy SEALS and use MRDS on their SIGs.

 

[Jim Diamantoni]

Good read

 

[Mr.W.]

Good read

Ditto.

 

[Talyn]

Note: The guy in the Lethal Force article/pic isn't using the technique described in this RDS article.

Just shows that one must alter the way to sight the pistol whether you use fixed or and RDS sight.

 

[SimonRL]

I really think that the whole RDS thing is overcomplicated, more often than not. Not that I don’t think that this article or others are wrong, but I do think that a lot of the information given to new red dot users is really confusing and often contradictory. I think that if you train enough with a red dot that you will work out a lot of the issues yourself, pretty much like everything else shooting related.

I’ll do my part to add to the noise though. I quite like Scott Jeslinski and The Modern Samurai Project. I find his red dot training really effective and pretty common sense.

 

[Hammer67]

I really think that the whole RDS thing is overcomplicated, more often than not. Not that I don’t think that this article or others are wrong, but I do think that a lot of the information given to new red dot users is really confusing and often contradictory. I think that if you train enough with a red dot that you will work out a lot of the issues yourself, pretty much like everything else shooting related.

I’ll do my part to add to the noise though. I quite like Scott Jeslinski and The Modern Samurai Project. I find his red dot training really effective and pretty common sense.

Agreed. Most of the advice for using a dot is no different than it is for learning how to properly use iron sights (in fact, it's easier), but you don't hear many people talk about how "complicated" iron sights are. As with many things shooting related, lots and lots of reps and dry practice can help a lot.

 

[Bassbob]

Agreed. Most of the advice for using a dot is no different than it is for learning how to properly use iron sights (in fact, it's easier), but you don't hear many people talk about how "complicated" iron sights are. As with many things shooting related, lots and lots of reps and dry practice can help a lot.

I shot the G19/RMR of a doctor I train with and had no problems quickly putting hits on target from draw.

 

[David N.]

I really think that the whole RDS thing is overcomplicated, more often than not. Not that I don’t think that this article or others are wrong, but I do think that a lot of the information given to new red dot users is really confusing and often contradictory. I think that if you train enough with a red dot that you will work out a lot of the issues yourself, pretty much like everything else shooting related.

I’ll do my part to add to the noise though. I quite like Scott Jeslinski and The Modern Samurai Project. I find his red dot training really effective and pretty common sense.

Yes, good article too. Scott adds some science to the discussion with his argument that (paraphrasing here) as humans we are single focal planed beings not two or three.

 

[Hammer67]

One technique that has helped me a lot in transitioning to a red dot is to draw the pistol, bring the dot up to eye level with arms still bent and fairly close on the draw, and then "drive" or push out straight toward the target while aligning the dot. So essentially when I reach my normal arm extension for shooting and am ready to pull the trigger, the dot is already on target and I'm starting to press the trigger. Rather than raising the gun with arms already mostly extended in front of me and then having to "fish around" for the dot, as a lot of people seem to struggle with.

This was first taught to me for shooting DA/SA pistols with iron sights, to decrease time on that first DA pull. Same technique works well for both irons and red dots in my experience, and is no slower, with practice.

I suppose it's similar to what the article says about, "you must bring your RDS to your eyes, not your eyes to your RDS." I stay target-focused the entire time, and the dot just moves into my field of view, and is fine-tuned if necessary as I'm driving the pistol to the target.

 

[Bassbob]

One technique that has helped me a lot in transitioning to a red dot is to draw the pistol, bring the dot up to eye level with arms still bent and fairly close on the draw, and then "drive" or push out straight toward the target while aligning the dot. So essentially when I reach my normal arm extension for shooting and am ready to pull the trigger, the dot is already on target and I'm starting to press the trigger. Rather than raising the gun with arms already mostly extended in front of me and then having to "fish around" for the dot, as a lot of people seem to struggle with.

This was first taught to me for shooting DA/SA pistols with iron sights, to decrease time on that first DA pull. Same technique works well for both irons and red dots in my experience, and is no slower, with practice.

I suppose it's similar to what the article says about, "you must bring your RDS to your eyes, not your eyes to your RDS." I stay target-focused the entire time, and the dot just moves into my field of view, and is fine-tuned if necessary as I'm driving the pistol to the target.

Pretty much I use the same draw I was trained with. Rotate as soon as I clear the holster, strong hand meets support hand at my chest, grip and push out from there. Irons are always lined up. When I do it with a dot it’s the same.

 

[XD94045]

I really think that the whole RDS thing is overcomplicated, more often than not. Not that I don’t think that this article or others are wrong, but I do think that a lot of the information given to new red dot users is really confusing and often contradictory. I think that if you train enough with a red dot that you will work out a lot of the issues yourself, pretty much like everything else shooting related.

I’ll do my part to add to the noise though. I quite like Scott Jeslinski and The Modern Samurai Project. I find his red dot training really effective and pretty common sense.

I’m with Simon on this. I had to slightly adjust my pre-RDS techniques and I have had tremendous results with my RDS.