Red dots or steel sights

[Elk34]

Is it a generational thing? I remember back in my military days all we had pretty much were steel sights. We would go to the range and shoot thousands of rds per day and learned steel sights out to 800 yards. Now adays everybody is using red dots and only if any use their steel. How many of you still use steel on anything? I know red dots are nice at night and during low light.

 

[Tim McBride]

I have guns with irons, most have RDS, a few have both. I greatly prefer the red dot over anything else.

 

[Elk34]

But do you train with just the irons sights just in case your red dot goes down?

 

[Joelgas1]

My opinion is that some guns are just meant to use iron sights. I prefer iron on my AKs, FAL, and long rifles, but love red dots on my AR platforms. Just a preference thing I guess

 

[Dace]

Its not generational unless you mean older generations dont like change. Modern red dots and LPVO scopes are superior in every way to iron sights.

Once you train and use your sights regularly you quickly realize the massive limitations of irons.

The only place irons might still have a place is on a defensive pistol where its more about point shooting and muscle memory at close distances. But even these are starting to get replaced.

 

[Elk34]

I know the target acquisition is faster with red dots but there is something to say about iron. No batteries, less weight, you can drop your rifle pick it up and it's still zeroed. Less to get hung up on gear. No optics glint in the sun. I have red dots with ruby red lens coatings. I don't hate either one. I just think that the newer generation relys on the red dot to much and they don't trust the irons or train with them as much.

 

[Jack Dupp]

It's not like those of us that prefer red dots and low power variable optics wouldn't be able to rock a target with irons if the non-iron sights went down. I don't think too many serious shooters would suddenly become retarded. It's not that hard to shoot a rifle or handgun with irons so I don't really see the NEED to train with them. Heck, I can hit a man sized target with a rifle at 300 yards within 3 shots with NO sights whatsoever. And the same target at 100 yards with a handgun with no sights. And I'm no David Tubb or Rob Leatham.

 

[Elk34]

No but I think you may train more than most.

 

[Elk34]

No but I think you may train more than most. You may be able to but I don't think you talk for the majority. That would be a bad assumption.

 

[cool arrow]

I have both, and love cool optics, but prefer steel sights.

You can bounce an AR around alot and never lose zero with iron sights, but can alter zero on optics/scopes.

 

[Tim McBride]

But do you train with just the irons sights just in case your red dot goes down?

Nah man they are just there to look cool on the gram man.

:roll:

Yes, I still can and do practice shooting with irons.

 

[Tim McBride]

I have both, and love cool optics, but prefer steel sights.

You can bounce an AR around alot and never lose zero with iron sights, but can alter zero on optics/scopes.

I beat the shit out of my Aimpoint on my 2Gun setup and it hasn't lost zero yet.

Cheap mounts and shitty optics lose zero. Buy quality.

 

[cool arrow]

^^^ this

I was thinking mostly scopes, but you are right about the Aimpoint, mine has never failed me either, BUT I can do better for distance with steel sights, the Aimpoint is great for CQB but I still like my plain old iron sights when shooting over 50yds out. Just my "crazy old man preference."

 

[TacMedic]

But do you train with just the irons sights just in case your red dot goes down?

Of course. The red dot makes for faster acquisition, but you should always train with a back up plan. One is none, two is one...etc.

PACE
Primary
Alternate
Contingency
Emergency

 

[Jack Dupp]

No but I think you may train more than most. You may be able to but I don't think you talk for the majority. That would be a bad assumption.

Fair enough

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I would say it depends on what I am shooting.
I have guns with red dot , scopes and iron sights.
I shoot them with whatever is on them.
I don't go out and take off a scope or red dot just to use iron sights.
I was using iron sights long before red dots were invented and don't think I will forget how to use them any time soon.

 

[Jack Dupp]

What BT said ^

 

[Maestro]

I beat the s*** out of my Aimpoint on my 2Gun setup and it hasn't lost zero yet.

Cheap mounts and shitty optics lose zero. Buy quality.

Exactly. I beat the snot out of my EOTech and never had an issue. I know I'm the minority, but I love the EOTechs VS the Aimpoints. Plus, I got my first EOTech from a member of this site .

 

[tlieberman240]

Both.

I run a T2 now with back up irons. Every now and then I use the irons with the red dot off just to keep the proficiency level there to some degree.

 

[tlieberman240]

Exactly. I beat the snot out of my EOTech and never had an issue. I know I'm the minority, but I love the EOTechs VS the Aimpoints. Plus, I got my first EOTech from a member of this site .

You aren't alone. I actually prefer the EOTech over the Aimpoint. Larger window is nice to have. If they could just cut the weight down a couple ounces and improve the battery life a bit more, it would be that much better.

I like the Aimpoint simply for how light it is and the battery life. 5 years is pretty damn good (I change annually anyways).