Red Dot optics on a Handgun

[senorlinc]

i have seen the mini red dot sights ( like the doctor) gaining popularity in place of a rear sight on full sized pistols. other than competition, what are other practical uses for this set up. i have CTC grips on my compact carry pistol and was exploring the possibility of a red dot optic on my full size. what advantages/disadvantages does one have over the other

[rob_s]

Just my opinion, but I don't think they're ready for primetime yet in terms of defensive use. First off there's the obvious carry issues with trying to conceal a pistol with an RDS mounted to it.

I saw two pistols at SHOT with Aimpoint T-1s mounted on them, one at the Aimpoint booth and one at the Nighthawk booth. I found the dot hard to find, believe it or not. Maybe it was just me, but the way the pistol pointed didn't seem natural and with the instability of the pistol gripped at the end of your reach I found that the dot disappeared easily as well. It may be a training/use issue but that was my initial impression.

I'd like to give one a try a bit more. The Nighthawk was a 10mm with a 6" barrel and I'd love to chase a hog around the 'glades with that setup.

[senorlinc]

thanks Rob. was thing more along the lines of this set up

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=27243

[Steve]

Actually there are no carry issues Rob , i have been running a Mp compact with the mini redot from trijicon for alsmot a year now IWB in a Raven Holster. with no issues at all.

[rob_s]

Actually there are no carry issues Rob , i have been running a Mp compact with the mini redot from trijicon for alsmot a year now IWB in a Raven Holster. with no issues at all.

And you're a hell of a lot bigger fella than me, in a climate that allows for a hell of a lot more clothes.

Down here, and for us skinny guys, concealment is always a concern, and the area where an RDS is mounted on these guns is a particularly obtrusive part of the gun.

[Steve]

LOL you can Eat more and Move.

[ToddG]

I don't think of the front sight area as being particularly critical for concealment. This is especially true if carrying in a canted holster.

I'm definitely interested to wring one of these MRD sights out.

[FJB]

GySgt Zinns has won Camp Perry two years in a row with a 1911 and Micro T-1 combo. He has had a piece of M1913 Picatinny Rail installed the length of his slide and mounts the Micro forward of the ejection port. It is very easy to find the dot with the Micro forward mounted.

Ichiro has been using a Micro T-1 on an IPSC cage mount on his SigSauer pistol for IPSC matches. It is not conducive to real world fighting.

Aimpoint has a new mount for the Micro sight for Glock pistols. You remove the rear sight on a Glock and slide the Micro w/Glock mount in the rear sight notch. It works very well. This set up might prove viable for a fighting gun.

S/F

[rob_s]

I don't think of the front sight area as being particularly critical for concealment.

I assume you mean rear sight?

The mounting position I have seen and was referring to was the rar sight location.

this is the Nighthawk I was referring to.

[ToddG]

I assume you mean rear sight?

Pfft! Semantics.

Yeah, I meant rear sight. Can't speak to the T-1 concept, its major failing as a "Rear Sight Replacement" is its shape more than its size. The Trijicon from the OPs post appears to be much more concealable.