My opinion is most people (the average gun person and below), will be much better served with irons on a self defense scenario. The dot starts to be of high benefit to higher level shooters that put in time with it.Agree in critical use, iron > red dot
Red dots: Isn't the key starting the muzzle low, then bringing it up until the red dot is in the window?
That's the fastest way I can find it. I have two red dots, and it's still a challenge.
Red Dot can be faster and more accurate than irons, but not with any significant superiority in 99% of self defense encounters. As a contrast, it can then also work against you in a highly stressful situation.
When bad things happen, I believe simplicity is KEY.
I guess it would depend on where you are drawing from. I draw from AIWB. I “pluck”out upwards, midline towards my sternum while simultaneously entering the support hand to lock the pistol in. As I do this, I also press out, while prepping trigger and with the front sight a tiny wee bee high so that when I extend and try to acquire the red dot, the front sight kinda lowers down through the window and dissects the glass, my dot follows / lowers down into plane.
*** I am still working on my technique, as its fresh. ***
It seems to work for me… my rate is about 90+% of times i present, the dot is there on the window on target… once moving around or in a dynamic situation, failure rate for dot upon presentation, increases exponentially (which is why I do not carry with it).
I‘d say the real key, is having rock solid / consistent presentation…. So much so, that even without sights you can make solid hits on target..
Here is an example… 25 yrd shot group with a glock on stock glock sights and a 25 yrd shot group with a glock with a red dot:
Irons (glock plastics). All 5 on target and about 6” spread:
Red dot. All 5 on target and about 3” spread.
group is better with the dot, but not with any significance in 99% of self defense scenarios… the irons will never fail you. The dot (or dot and irons) just might….
***** Edit 11/23/22, to correct error - I was watching the range video this am, of the above target (3” group with red dot) and realized that it was not at 25 yrds as I had previously stated. Target was at 15 yrds. My bad!
The drawn in target with the 6” group and irons, was in fact at 25 yrds. But the smaller 3” group with red dot and the skick on target was at 15.
I guess I will have to re do that (25yrd with red dot) to see the difference. There might not even be that much of a difference vs the irons after all (for me). *****
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