The Firearms Forum banner

red dot sights for home defense pistol

2K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  pkcgbifaid 
#1 ·
I'm taking a hard look at two pistols, the FNX-45 and the FNX-45 tactical for general range shooting and home defense. Yesterday I was handling one at the local gun shop and ALMOST made an impulse buy but decided to think about several factors. From what I can tell there are two main differences between the "standard" FNX-45 and the tactical version which are the threaded barrel and the top slide milling to accept a simple bolt on red dot sight such as the Trijicon Ruggedized Miniature Reflex.

Two things I would like to have on a pistol are a suppressor for shooting indoors when things go bump in the night at 2 AM and a red dot sight. The tactical pistol would be the clear choice if I wanted both of these options but I have questions and would appreciate anyone jumping in with their opinions hopefully based on actual experiences.

1. This would be a nice sight to use at the range in daylight but would the sight mentioned above ( http://www.amazon.com/Ruggedized-Mi...1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423250499&sr=8-1&keywords=rm01 ) be a wise choice to use at night in a dimly light house?

2. I see a lot of these sights in photos but wouldn't this sight interfere with racking the slide? Some folks selling them actually say it aids in getting a good grip on the slide but they are on the selling side of the issue.

3. Supposedly the sights can simply be taken out of the box and screwed onto the slide. I'm wondering if I got the FNX-45 (for about $300 less) and took it to a gunsmith, couldn't he mill the slide to accept the same sight?

4. Shooting the 45 indoors would indeed be loud, possibly damaging to ones hearing or would it? I hear a lot about the detrimental effects of shooting inside a house but the discussions are generally from those making the suppressors. What do those of you do who keep firearms at the bedside?
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Shooting a 45 in your house could damage your hearing for good. I have never done this but I have been in the indoor range when someone fires before I put on my hearing protection. One time I was almost deaf for over 1 hour.

I have a red dot sight but don't really care for it. I had it on my 10-22 and could hit better with the iron sights.
 
#5 ·
I have a red dot sight but don't really care for it. I had it on my 10-22 and could hit better with the iron sights.
Red dots are QFNIAH sights, quick fast n in a hurry. While not "precise" they are accurate. With a red dot you can make 6" hits out to 50 yards easily moving quickly from target to target. Will you be able to shoot MOA with one........not likely as the dot will cover 3" to 6" @ 100 yards. Add low light to the equation they really have advantage. Precise target sight not the best choice. Making tin cans dance with quick shots yup. Close range self defense solid choice.
 
#4 ·
I can personally vogue for the fnx45 since I just bought one. I have been carrying it as of late. I have always kept a 45 on the nightstand. I cant tell you which one to buy, thats your choice. If you arent going to carry it, the tactical would probably be your best choice.
 
#6 ·
I have read of a lot of guys who prefer to go with this sight from Trijicon.

http://www.amazon.com/Trijicon-Tria..._4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423847471&sr=8-4&keywords=rmr

It uses a tritium insert or fiber optics to illuminate the triangle dot. No batteries to change. HOWEVER, eventually that tritium is going to dim enough that it will be useless unless you send it in to have the tritium replaced (who knows how long it lasts or how much replacement will cost). SO I would probably go with the battery and just count on replacing it once a year.

You could also look at similar sights by Leupold: http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-deltapoint-reflex-sight-matte-7-5-moa-dot.html

JP Enterprises: http://www.opticsplanet.com/jp-rifles-jpoint-4-moa-dot-sight.html

CMore: http://www.opticsplanet.com/c-more-...-moa-red-dot-sights-cmstsb-35-cmstsdt-35.html

I have read mixed reviews on the Burris: http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-fastfire-w-picatinny-mount-4-moa-dot-mat-fastfire-sight.html

I recently bought the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P C.O.R.E. which also has the cutout on the slide for mounting a red dot. So I have been looking into options myself!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top