Setting a dot on a 100-yard target and watching the precise impact was special.
I was raised shooting with three-dot handgun sights.
I never felt like I needed to cheat when handgun shooting.
Do you appreciate all the benefits of a red dot optic on a pistol, like this Crimson Trace CTS-1500 on an XD-S Mod.2 OSP 9mm from Springfield Armory?
Isnt the additional cost of ammo, holsters and night sights enough?
So, What Changed?
This all changed as my aging eyes could no longer clearly focus on the three dots.
If you can get a pistol like the Hellcat OSP (shown) or XD-S Mod.2 OSP that allows co-witnessing an optic with iron sights, you get the best of both worlds.
At that point, I began to rethink my red dot philosophy.
I shot my friends pistol with a sighted-in Trijicon RMR and my world was rocked.
I received that same feeling I had when rifle shooting.
Dan had a chance to try out the XD-S Mod.2 OSP (left) and Hellcat OSP in FDE (right) with red dots.
My eyes were literally opened to red dots on handguns.
So what brought me to this epiphany?
Lets take a look at the advantages that red dot optics on handguns offer shooters.
The XD-S 9mm offers a pistol topped off with a red dot optic at a great price for shooters.
Coupled with a larger glass window, the bright red is easier for the eyes to acquire.
Simply point, acquire the dot and shoot.
This explains why so many competitive shooters use red dots.
Dan topped off the FDE Hellcat OSP with a Shield SMSc red dot optic for this piece.
Depending on the handgun angle, the red dot may appear off to the side of the window.
Conventionally, a handguns three-dot sight alignment is essential to accuracy.
It may go against everything we have learned, but it works.
If you have not tried out a red dot on a pistol, Dan recommends you give it a shot — it will likely win you over as well!
Low-Light Conditions
Most red dot optics for handguns are auto-dimming.
The dot intensity is typically brighter in daylight and dimmer in low light.
Acquiring the red dot in low light conditions is even quicker and easier than night sights.
The red dot clearly stands out with a crisp sight picture, allowing the shooter to fire with confidence.
The large glass window and bright red dot is easier to pick up opposed to aligning three dots.
Once again, we are back to the point that one dot is easier than three.
It is wise to plan for mechanical failures with electronics, no matter how unlikely.
The Hellcat and XD-S is like having two sets of sights for the price of one.
I personally got to try out both of these pistols and came away really impressed.
The fact is, I cannot see as well as I once could.
The use of a red dot on a pistol turns my sight deficiencies to a strength.
I now feel more confident with a red dot.
Honestly, the use of a red dot feels like cheating but I will take it.
You may have a change of heart just like I experienced.
Im happy I did!
Go to forum thread
Hellcat3" OSPTM
XD-S Mod.2 OSPTMSeries
Shield SightsSMSc
