Is a red dot site cheating?

[Bug Splat]

I have a red dot on my Buckmark and its great for speed, below average for accuracy. I built it for plate matches and man could I run the plates like a pro with time to spare. I have not competed in years but I still bring it to the range for fun and to let noobs shoot with it. They like how easy it is to aim with. Its really surprising how many people don't understand how to use iron sights. I just hand them the buckmark and tell them to put the red dot on the target and pull. They have much more fun not having to try and align irons.

[CrippledPidgeon]

I suggest mastering your fundamentals before cutting corners with the dot. But that's just me.

[44fred]

I can imagine this question coming up 150 or so years ago when the world was introduced to the first optics.
Come to think of it, when was the first scope introduced? Should I start another post? Yes.
The older my eyes get, the more I'm looking at "cheating". :-)

[HighLander51]

it is skill or is it cheating?

If you ever decide to run Steel Challenge, you will be in Open Division. That means shooting a competition match under the clock which is scored. But that's still not cheating. The real definition of cheating in competition is knowing the rules better than anyone else.

[HighLander51]

I think 9mm Major is cheating.

Yes, that is cheating because 9mm major should be allowed in Limited....

[CifaldiPrecision]

Not cheating. Acquiring sight picture is only one, relatively small part of accuracy. You still have to work the trigger, which includes holding the gun properly, breathing properly, following through, etc.

Nail on the head. Trigger control is detrimental. If you have sights on target whether its a laser, red dot, irons, riflescope and you can't do a proper trigger draw and reset you won't be hitting where you intend.


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[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

As has already been said, if there ain't rules against it, it ain't cheating. Your Buckmark being a range toy, the whole "bet your life" thing doesn't factor in. Try it, have fun with it, but don't neglect the use of iron sights if you have other pistols, have one for HD or carry.

[TempleKnight]

One final thought... We're talking pistols. If you don't plan to ever carry, no issue. If you do plan to carry and get used to using a red dot, you may have an issue, since I cannot imagine anyone actually carrying a red dot concealed.

Aside from that... Go at it.


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I've had an Optima RDS on my S&W 59 for over 20 years. It doesn't make it any less concealable. I do prefer my HK USPc for carry purposes, though.

For competition, a C-More isn't cheating on an open gun; it's almost required. I would disagree about RDS being less accurate than irons. It depends a lot on the size of the dot. Open shooters have a huge advantage over ltd/prod shooters at 25/30 yards.

[USMC 82-86]

I seldom use my sights out to 10 yards. I focus on a spot and press the gun forward and fire. I have become very good with this method out to 10 yards. I guess I have shot a longbow for so long and focus on a spot on the target or deer and let the arrow fly. I believe the red dot is a very good way to pick up a target very quickly and engage multiple targets. It would also work well for defensive shooting and in that case there is no cheating.

I have only used the red dot a few times but it was cool when I did and it did seem to help me out around 20-25 yards but my eyes are not what they used to be at that distance either. Regardless of the sighting system used trigger control is key for precision type shooting. I just hitting the target quick is a priority then that red dot will be a great help. Either way they are fun to use, so enjoy.

[Can't buy anything here]

It's only cheating if you pull it on someone while playing cards.

[huckberry668]

I've brought many new shooters into the sport. Young, old, men and women. Red dot sights and scopes make it easy for them all to learn and have fun. Changes the perceptions of firearms for the better for most of them.

The different classes in competition are to level the playing field and physically challenges. Optics class allows new shooters and vision challenged shooters to compete and that's a great thing for the sport.

Shooting is supposed to 'safe' first then 'fun'.. lots of fun for a long time hopefully. Make it challenging is up to the individual.

[cannon]

Cheating? Wait until your old, half deaf and need glasses for reading and different glasses for seeing.

Cheating? Hell son they are mandatory.

[myk]

Cheating? Cheating is such a "negative" word, and it depends on the context of the situation. I consider red dots/sighting tools as aids to further increase your chances of hitting your target. I guess if another shooter and I were to square off in a competition at the range and I run irons while he/she runs a red dot it could be considered cheating. Other than that, red dots are just sighting tools...

[bubbapug1]

It's only cheating if you pull it on someone while playing cards.

The new American ethos.....It's only cheating if you get caught AND convicted.

[bombadillo]

I know I personally shoot much better with the same gun and irons than I do with a red dot sight. I had 3 different sights that were all quality sights and I kept going back to the original adjustable gun sights. The only thing I really liked to do was shoot at 100/200 yards with a red dot and practice off hand shooting.