Looks like it's 100% in favor of red dots!
Red dots for me.

 

I enjoy owning pistols with irons for keep sakes but I have not shot a pistol other than test fire for builds or repairs for friends in 4 years. It just doesn’t interest me any more. I am more accurate now with irons though when I do shoot them.

 

More accurate with irons than RDS?
Or more accurate with irons than you used to be?

 

I will no longer purchase a pistol I intend to keep that cannot be mounted with an optic.

Similarly, I will no longer purchase a pistol I intend to keep that cannot also be run with irons.

It's too bad that Wilson, Alchemy, Cabot, Brown, etc. stubbornly cling to their primitive mounting systems.

I love that Nighthawk will fit IOS to other manufacturers as well, but the added expense is high and the process precludes anything with a specialty finish.

I've long lusted for an Alchemy hard chrome, but I don't get the impression that Rob is open to designing a hybrid mount. Damn bull-headed savant...

 

I will no longer purchase a pistol I intend to keep that cannot be mounted with an optic.

Similarly, I will no longer purchase a pistol I intend to keep that cannot also be run with irons.

It's too bad that Wilson, Alchemy, Cabot, Brown, etc. stubbornly cling to their primitive mounting systems.

I love that Nighthawk will fit IOS to other manufacturers as well, but the added expense is high and the process precludes anything with a specialty finish.

I've long lusted for an Alchemy hard chrome, but I don't get the impression that Rob is open to designing a hybrid mount. Damn bull-headed savant...

What do you mean by specialty finish? I have a blued Alchemy on order that I'm considering sending to Nighthawk, but I'm concerned about how "mint" it will look when I have the iron sight plate attached. How good is Nighthawk at replicating other manufacturers' looks and finishes?

 

No dots on 1911 based guns other than a SA Omega that I had a dot mounted about 20 years ago.

I do have dots on plastic guns and 22 target guns.

If the 1911 platform manufacturers did more to facilitate dots I would look at it. I think most 1911 dot mounts look like engineering kluges and afterthoughts.

Jim

 

Should I have added "If you run irons only..... post your age?" 😬

 

I'm so old school that I wouldn't consider a scope on a lever action, that plus a bad astigmatism is why there won't be any illuminated dots on my handguns. Tried a laser on one of my brothers many guns with a laser, completely changed my mechanics of shooting. Instead of looking down the top of the slide with irons I was looking over the plane I'm used to, looking about an inch over the top of the slide for the dot. I like my mechanics and will stay with what I know works. Also Old school again, I won't be relying on electronics for a day weapon is against my religion. I'll be 62 in May

 

All of my 1911s are iron sights only. All of my revolvers are iron sights only. All of my shotguns are iron sights only. My rifles are a mix of iron sights, red dots, prism sights, and scopes. My AR pistols have green dots. A couple of my plastic handguns have a red dot or green dot.

 

For the 2011 platform which is a modern take on the 1911 having a red dot is mandatory to me. Personally I've concluded the red dot is superior, if you personally prefer irons its a free country!

My 1911 doesn't have a red dot and wont.

 

I have red dots on every pistol I have except my Sig P210T and DW ECP. With the 210T you can't cut the slide and the adapter plates really don't work well for an optic. Looking at having the slide cut on my ECP for one reason only. I am 67 and can see the target much better with a red dot than with iron sights, especially over 10 yards. At 25 yards, it's red dot only. If I was 10 years younger, iron sights would be plenty good for me, but that is not the case now.

 

I only own a sig with a dot on it; but I'm a believer. Myold office staff is transitioning now. but to me the catch is I can't put one on every pistol I enjoy carrying and the day of there can be only one gun on my belt are gone.
So...... until then, I'm moving slowly. i'm going to put a dot on a Beretta after getting a cut for optic compact. It will need a mounting plate. I figure this will be a test of if the plates, in general, pushi things too tall or do I need guns native setup for the optics. My sig is native with a Holosun - I like the low profile top.

 

Red dots are superior in almost every way (irons not requiring a battery is the one of the only ways I can think of where irons are superior). Being target focused allows you to be more accurate and faster - this is an undeniable fact.

All my pistols have red dots, the only way a pistol I intend to own not having a red dot is if I acquire a classic pistol/heirloom and want to maintain its original design.

 

At my age(66+) I much prefer the red dot. Irons are just getting too hard to use.

 

Irons only on my handguns...Tried red dot could not get used to it...
Don't like the look of my handguns with scopes or dots...Matter of fact I took all the scopes off my handguns..
As an add-onI am almost 85...

 

Im all in on the red dot w cowitnessed irons just in case.

 

It really seems nice to me that there are so many offerings that are optics ready that allow for the use of either red dot or iron sights. I wish there was an option for the poll that was both.

 

I prefer a red dot, but my wallet prefers irons.

I have one pistol red dot and hope to get more this year.

I can do well with the XS Big Dot sights up to about 15 yards. Anything past 15 yards really needs a red dot for me. I'm 51.

 

I shot irons my entire time in the military and just started shooting red dots about 2 years ago and I have to say I dont want to shoot without red dots now. I prefer the SRO but holosuns come in a close second for me

 

Red Dot. As someone in his early 30s the only people shooting Irons are older guys. All the younger guys I know are using dots.

 

Only irons I got are my SP01 fiber optic ones, they're nice irons definitely prefer the fiber optic over traditional or tritium sights. All my other pistols either have a holosun or trijicon.

 

I refuse to shoot a gun without a red dot. I have one friend who will not convert, I won't even touch his guns, disgusting.

 

I bought two guns with dots but those will be my only ones. Should have tried them before I bought. My astigmatism is not compatible.

I’ll stick with irons.

 

Just a couple of suggestions, as I have mild astigmatism, too...

1. Smaller dot is better for reducing "blooming." I prefer a dot in the 2.5-3.25 MOA range.
2. I've read from other's experiences that green dots do not "bloom" nearly as bad as red for those of us with astigmatism. I have both red and green, and will say that I like green better, though I can't state with 100% confidence that they bloom any less... but certainly not more.

 

I have a couple of 1911’s that has irons and my staccato C2 and P has red dots. I shoot them both great but I much prefer red dots for faster focus engagement on my targets.

 

I am 54.

I shoot both irons and red dots.


I carry both irons and red dots.

 

I've tried dots. I'm fighting a lifetime of practice, training, and muscle memory trying to find the dot in the window.

Maybe when my eyesight takes a dump, I'll give them another shot.

 

The Holosun with ACSS reticle from Primary Arms is a great dot trainer. It has a large outer ring that helps you find the chevron reticle.

Holosun HS507C-X2 Pistol Red Dot Sight - ACSS® Vulcan® Reticle

 

I have one 1911 and one 2011 with a dot, I have no plan for adding more. I like my pistols and revolvers with open sights, black front and rear. I find a dot a bit faster and a little more accurate at distance, but I enjoy shooting open sights more. I do like a dot on a 22 rimfire rifle, more so than a scope.