Red Dot Sights on Handguns
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to be going over red dot sights on handguns today. These types of sights are incredibly popular and plentiful these days, with many pistols in common use featuring red dot sights of all types. Our goal with this blog post is to go over what a red dot sight is while also delving into reasons why they are good for pistol use. Without further ado, let’s talk red dot sights on handguns.
What is a Red Dot Sight?
The term red dot sight refers to a popular style of electronic weapon sights which are utilized on firearms of all types. These types of
optics are typically powered by batteries and rely on LED technology to project onto a coated lens. While the color “red” is in the name, these types of sights can also be acquired with different colored reticles such as green.
Red dot sights are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. These sights can be as large as an Aimpoint PRO or as small as a Shield Sights RMSc. There are a variety of red dot sights which are purpose built for use on handguns. They will be smaller in size and can typically be mounted directly to the slide of a pistol.
Battery Concerns and Integration with Existing Sights
Red dot sights, both of the pistol style and larger varieties, inevitably rely on something like a battery to run. If this battery dies, one will either need to rely on their existing iron sights or replace the battery to resume shooting. Most pistol mounted red dot sights will work well with suppressor height, or heightened iron sights. These types of iron sights will allow an end user to still achieve a functional iron sight picture when lined up through a red dot sight. These sights may or may not be present on
optics ready handguns.
Some will claim that with red dots being as reliable and dependable as they are, the need for backup iron sights is now invalid. With proven sights like the Trijicon RMR and Aimpoint ACRO, it is easy to see why some shooters will draw this conclusion. With incredible durability and battery lifespans which can reach up to five years of constant on-time (depending on brightness setting), one can certainly depend on those two sights.
Others will cite Murphy’s law and state that backup sights still have a place due. These backup sights are there when things go wrong and will not require any additional action to deploy on handguns. One must simply line them up through the sight and shoot like they normally would. Proponents of iron sights like to remind everyone that they do not require batteries and are a safety net which will very rarely fail you.
At the end of the day, it is up to the individual shooter to determine what their concerns and needs are and rectify them with their practical use cases. Red dot sights and iron sights can certainly coexist on a handgun. It is ultimately up to the end user to determine if they would like to utilize both sighting systems on their pistol.
Purchase Optics
Fast Target Acquisition
Rather than dealing with two-piece iron sight sets, red dot sights simplify the aiming process by only presenting a single aiming point. Simply put, one only has to worry about placing the red dot on target rather than having to line up a set of iron sights. This is particularly appreciable in competition and defensive use cases.
Fast Follow Up Shots
Red dot sights will also aid in helping a shooter make fast follow up shots. As mentioned above, one will be working with a single reticle as opposed to two pieces of a sighting system. This means that once the red dot is back on target, a shooter can break another shot. Competition shooters and those employing a firearm in duty or defensive roles will appreciate this as they can stay on target and easily transition to new ones as they are presented.
Both Eyes Open Shooting
Red dot sights are much more conducive to shooting with both eyes open. This practice can certainly be done with iron sights, but red dot sights make it much easier to accomplish. By shooting with both eyes open, one is granted a wider field of vision and complete view of their target and surroundings. This also allows a shooter to superimpose the reticle of their sight on the target in their vision and maintain a high degree of situational awareness.
Holster Options
A variety of holsters are available on the market which accommodate red dot sighted pistols. These holsters can be found in both lightbearing and non-lightbearing form. Holster can also be found in forms suited to either open carry or concealed carry. Companies such as
Safariland manufacture holsters of this type for a variety of handguns and compatible red dot sights. Custom holsters are also available from a number of companies that deal with kydex. At the end of the day, holster support is certainly there for red dot equipped handguns, making them viable for carry and duty use.
Visible in Many Lighting Conditions
Due to the ability to adjust the brightness of a red dot sight’s reticle, they are viable in many situations with various levels of lighting. These sights can typically be adjusted to very dim levels or extremely bright levels. The brighter a reticle gets, the more likely it is to bloom and effectively increase in size. This is particularly noticeable with the highest brightness levels on a handgun.
Being able to adjust the brightness of one’s reticle means that they will be able to ensure they have a viable sight picture in bright or dark environments. Some sights will even feature an auto-adjust feature when it comes to their brightness and will adapt accordingly to the level of light in a given area. Granted, sometimes it is just better to manually set a brightness level and run that as opposed to depending on an auto-adjust setting.
Who Makes Red Dot Sights for Handgun Use?
Red dot sights for handgun use are manufactured and offered by a variety of companies. Companies such as Trijicon, Aimpoint, Steiner, Leupold,
Lead and Steel, and
Holosun are among some of the producers of micro red dot sights. These companies are just a drop in the bucket as far as manufacturers of red dot sights meant for pistol use go.
These types of sights are also available in a variety of price points, meaning that shooters of all types can find a red dot sight that fits their budget. These types of
optics are hardly a luxury item, many affordable and high value offerings exist and are widely used. Some handguns will even include a micro red dot sight mounted right from the factory. At the end of the day, these types of sights are incredibly accessible and are certainly worth considering.
Purchase Optics
How Do You Mount Red Dot Sights on Handguns?
Many modern handguns these days are offered with factory
optic mounting options. These are typically available in the form of a plate system which allows the rear sight of the pistol to remain present. Pistols which lack a slide compatible with
optics can be made to accept red dot sights by a gunsmith or machinist. Options in the past included implements such as the ALG 6 Second Mount which attaches to a Glock pistol and provides a picatinny rail section above the slide.
Simply put, there are many ways to mount a red dot sight on a handgun. These sights are already very common on handguns and are becoming more and more popular as time goes on. With pistol manufacturers offering factory support for mounting or even including red dot sights becoming commonplace, it is safe to say these sights aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Conclusion
All in all, red dot sights on handguns are incredibly viable and worth having. Shooters of all types can utilize these sights effectively. Everyone from concealed carriers, competition shooters, and casual plinkers can enjoy these types of sights. A decade ago, the presence of these sights on handguns was still considered odd and niche. Nowadays, you will have a hard time going to a range and not seeing a pistol equipped with a red dot sight. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a modest range of red dot sights in addition to the
ammunition we offer for sale. Whether you are looking for one of our red dot offerings or some
ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
View more posts about gear:
