Electronificated dot sights on handguns... - The Firearms Forum

B27 · 11-04-2012, 07:38 PM

I was born with screwed up eyes.
Extremely nearsighted and have worn glasses since I was six.

The development of electronic sights for pistols is a blessing to me.

Any other fans?

firefighter1635 · 11-04-2012, 10:10 PM

While they do have their uses, they have no use for me. I carry pistols for self defense only. You have some nice looking pistols there

.

Rogeritall · 11-05-2012, 06:17 AM

I like them when they are working right, but when they don't work it makes for a bad time. For target shooting like steel plate, and so on they're great. But, I don't like them for precision target shooting, or hunting. I had a buddy miss a very nice Deer because his battery went dead at just the wrong time.

So it's iron sites for personal protection for me, and hunting. Unless it's a really big bore revolver that can reach out there, and then it's a good 4x handgun scope with plenty of eye relief. Just my ten cents worth. If you like them more power to you.

LDBennett · 11-05-2012, 07:43 AM

Batteries are not forever. Who would go hunting without replacing the used battery in their red dot before they left? Or not double check the on-off switch to be sure the battery does not wear down in the gun case.

Cheapy red dots fail. Good ones like the UltraDot's don't. My favorite is the bottom of the line UltraDot one inch tube type with the single dot. It is not cheap. I have several, none of which has ever failed.

I use them for target shooting and plinking in the field (no can is safe around my red dotted guns!). I dial up the red dot so it flares to a size that just covers the black ring. If I keep the dot inside the ring the accuracy of the my shooting is increased remarkably over iron sights. Red dots are the go-to sights for Bullseye competition because they enhance the shooter's accuracy. They give the same increased sighting accuracy effect as a long barreled iron sighted gun with a very long sight radius. They are not to be shunned for target shooting. But we all have our preferences based on what works best for us. Old eyes love red dots.

LDBennett

B27 · 11-05-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

....Cheapy red dots fail. Good ones like the UltraDot's don't. My favorite is the bottom of the line UltraDot one inch tube type with the single dot. It is not cheap. I have several, none of which has ever failed.... Old eyes love red dots.

LDBennett

I LOVE the 30mm UltraDot.

I have them on one pistol and three rifles.

Rogeritall · 11-05-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Batteries are not forever. Who would go hunting without replacing the used battery in their red dot before they left? Or not double check the on-off switch to be sure the battery does not wear down in the gun case.

LDBennett

As I recall the story, he didn't think the battery was all that old. He had been hunting quite a bit that week, and (as I can remember) he said there was no dimming to warn him it was going to quit. It was there nice and bright, then it wasn't. He replaced the battery and it came back on, but too late for the shot he had... But, I got all this information second hand, and it's been more then ten years ago.

If I was to change the battery every time I went out during a firearms season, I would easily go through 10 batteries a season. If it doesn't come on first time every time, most Deer won't stick around while I fumble around changing out a battery on my gun.

As for me using a "Dot" sight while hunting... I just find them too bright even on the lowest settings (maybe I've never had the right one). When hunting in the Midwest in the woods there are too many shadows and low light situations to pick up the vital area of a Deer with a bright dot. Could just be me? Like I said, if someone likes them more power to them, but I'm not a big fan.

I prefer good ole iron sights myself, just what I've learned to use I guess.

LDBennett · 11-05-2012, 02:52 PM

The UltraDots can be dimmed until the dot disappears.

LDBennett

al45lc · 11-05-2012, 03:00 PM

Single plane focus with both eyes open for handgun hunting is a serious advantage over any other system.
My Blackhawk Hunter is equipped with a scope(2-6x) and a reflex sight as well as Williams firesights.
The Ruger dovetail returns to zero every time with the right mounts, I've switched them off and on and it works great.
I ain't given' up nothin' when it comes to my hunting!

Rugermanws · 11-05-2012, 04:35 PM

Heck ya as years go by I'm needing those little red dots more and more at 25 yards. Bifocals are a pain when shooting targets at that distance and the red dot elimates that problem for me.

Grapevinebill · 11-07-2012, 03:58 PM

I just ordered my first optical site. I'm waiting on a Burris fastfire III. I am going to add it to one of my range guns for plinking. Ill let you know what I think when I try it out.

11-09-2012, 03:39 PM

I have one (a Fastfire III) only on my Buckmark, which I soemtimes use to recalibrate trigger control after more than a few days of not shooting. I think it's pretty neat, but a novelty. For a couple of much older shooters whose eyesight prevented them from accurately and enjoyably shooting their iron-sighted 22s, use of my red-dotted Buckmark was a revelation. They both have red-dots on all their guns now and are enjoying shooting more than they have in years.

hardluk1 · 11-09-2012, 04:36 PM

I have used red dot type sights since 1978 and one lasted me 20 full years on a 357 hunting revolver. Killed many a hog with it too. I now have a good burris 135 speed dot on a 44mag for the last couple years. Like others, I went to them when quick shots were needed that can't be done with open sights and not so great eyes.

11-04-2012, 07:38 PM	#1
B27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 415	Electronificated dot sights on handguns... I was born with screwed up eyes. Extremely nearsighted and have worn glasses since I was six. The development of electronic sights for pistols is a blessing to me. Any other fans? __________________ "Do not stand beside the road and argue with a fool...lest others in passing take you also for a fool." -->

11-04-2012, 10:10 PM	#2
firefighter1635 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US of A Contributor Posts: 1,838	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... While they do have their uses, they have no use for me. I carry pistols for self defense only. You have some nice looking pistols there .

11-05-2012, 06:17 AM	#3
Rogeritall V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 177	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... I like them when they are working right, but when they don't work it makes for a bad time. For target shooting like steel plate, and so on they're great. But, I don't like them for precision target shooting, or hunting. I had a buddy miss a very nice Deer because his battery went dead at just the wrong time. So it's iron sites for personal protection for me, and hunting. Unless it's a really big bore revolver that can reach out there, and then it's a good 4x handgun scope with plenty of eye relief. Just my ten cents worth. If you like them more power to you. __________________ "Taking my gun away because I might shoot someone is like cutting my tongue out because I might yell `Fire!' in a crowded theater." -- Peter Venetoklis

11-05-2012, 07:43 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,754	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... Batteries are not forever. Who would go hunting without replacing the used battery in their red dot before they left? Or not double check the on-off switch to be sure the battery does not wear down in the gun case. Cheapy red dots fail. Good ones like the UltraDot's don't. My favorite is the bottom of the line UltraDot one inch tube type with the single dot. It is not cheap. I have several, none of which has ever failed. I use them for target shooting and plinking in the field (no can is safe around my red dotted guns!). I dial up the red dot so it flares to a size that just covers the black ring. If I keep the dot inside the ring the accuracy of the my shooting is increased remarkably over iron sights. Red dots are the go-to sights for Bullseye competition because they enhance the shooter's accuracy. They give the same increased sighting accuracy effect as a long barreled iron sighted gun with a very long sight radius. They are not to be shunned for target shooting. But we all have our preferences based on what works best for us. Old eyes love red dots. LDBennett

11-05-2012, 02:52 PM	#7
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,754	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... The UltraDots can be dimmed until the dot disappears. LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 11-05-2012 at 03:15 PM..

11-05-2012, 03:00 PM	#8
al45lc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: colorful colorado Posts: 1,022	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... Single plane focus with both eyes open for handgun hunting is a serious advantage over any other system. My Blackhawk Hunter is equipped with a scope(2-6x) and a reflex sight as well as Williams firesights. The Ruger dovetail returns to zero every time with the right mounts, I've switched them off and on and it works great. I ain't given' up nothin' when it comes to my hunting! __________________ You are what you do, when it counts.

11-05-2012, 04:35 PM	#9
Rugermanws V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: White Oak Pa Posts: 227	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... Heck ya as years go by I'm needing those little red dots more and more at 25 yards. Bifocals are a pain when shooting targets at that distance and the red dot elimates that problem for me.

11-07-2012, 03:58 PM	#10
Grapevinebill V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dallas - Fort Worth Posts: 109	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... I just ordered my first optical site. I'm waiting on a Burris fastfire III. I am going to add it to one of my range guns for plinking. Ill let you know what I think when I try it out. __________________ I have spent a lot of money on guns, bullets and holsters in my life... The rest I have just squandered.

11-09-2012, 03:39 PM	#11
nosreme Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... I have one (a Fastfire III) only on my Buckmark, which I soemtimes use to recalibrate trigger control after more than a few days of not shooting. I think it's pretty neat, but a novelty. For a couple of much older shooters whose eyesight prevented them from accurately and enjoyably shooting their iron-sighted 22s, use of my red-dotted Buckmark was a revelation. They both have red-dots on all their guns now and are enjoying shooting more than they have in years. Last edited by nosreme; 11-10-2012 at 07:39 AM..

11-09-2012, 04:36 PM	#12
hardluk1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nc mountains Posts: 294	Re: Electronificated dot sights on handguns... I have used red dot type sights since 1978 and one lasted me 20 full years on a 357 hunting revolver. Killed many a hog with it too. I now have a good burris 135 speed dot on a 44mag for the last couple years. Like others, I went to them when quick shots were needed that can't be done with open sights and not so great eyes.