Are Red Dot Optics the Future?

[SoCal P320]

http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/13/gun-test-sig-sauers-optics-equipped-p226-rx/

[Scratch705]

i dunno.

i'm slightly conflicted cause red dots makes shooting much easier than iron sights. not having to worry about getting the perfect sight alignment takes some of the edge off when starting out.

and the speed benefits (especially obvious in competition shooting) is major compared to iron sights.

but then also, it is a case of learning basics of using iron sights should be the foundation of which all shooters should have before moving to optics.

kinda like i feel that learning how to drive manual in a car should be mandatory before allowing auto transmission or the clutchless paddle shifter transmissions.

[ef9boy88]

I love my red dot sights, however I also practice with irons just because I think it important to be proficient with both.

[wpage]

Green dots seem brighter. However, either way you need either iron or optics to complete the picture for aim...

[IVC]

and the speed benefits (especially obvious in competition shooting) is major compared to iron sights.

The speed benefit comes primarily from compensators and ported barrels that allow gun to move much less during recoil.

Here is the best way to compare. Pick a well-known classifier on Classifier Calculator, e.g., El Presidente (99-11), and see what score the same hit factor gets in different divisions.

At (modest) hit factor of 6.0 (shooting it in 10 seconds, all As), here is the breakdown by divisions:

50.50% - Open
55.55% - Limited
58.47% - Production
55.83% - Carry Optics

Carry Optics (DA, minor only, red dot) is actually below Limited (SA, major/minor, iron sights) and is much closer to Production than to Open.

[SterlingArcher]

learning basics of using iron sights should be the foundation of which all shooters should have.

Couldn't agree more

[mlevans66]

The fact that the military is already using optics in basic is the show that red dots will be coming. I remember the fight for Iron Sights and the forces that backed it. They lost and they lost bad. Its only a matter of time before red dots are on issued Glocks and iron sights are just there for show.

[TKM]

Red Dots are the present.