Red dot site - hit or miss?

[wheelguy]

Simple question for those who have it - does the red dot noticeably help you to hit the target at greater distances? I can see how it could theoretically help, but did you find that to be true when actually comparing your shooting before and after?

Also, what are the down sides of the red dot over the normal fixed or adjustable sites? For example, I read one thread that said you can't see the dot when using a flashlight in the dark. Other possible problems may or may not include : greater difficulty drawing from concealment, holster incompatabilities, dot going out of alignment etc.

Thanks again!

[old fool]

I don't have one on my 5.7 but I have them on three of my other pistols and on some rifles. How much it helps you is dependent on your eye sight if you are like me and getting older and your eye sight is going they help a lot. I will help you even with good eyes just more with bad eyes. The only down side I see are dead batteries,I change mine once a year but they have the cover on them most of the time (this puts them in sleep mode to save battery power). As for a holster you need one made for it. I carry mine counseled all the time when not at home. I mount a surefire on mine and can see the dot fine with it on hight or strobe. The only time it washes out is when I point it directly at a 100 watt bulb so it might possibly washout if someone was pointing a powerful flashlight at you in a tactical situation.

[Ivegotscars]

Chime in.
Have Streamlight TLR-2S on my 5.7
First of all, The light is extremly bright and built very well. Yes you can see the red dot clearly with the light on. As far as home defense weapon, it's the way to go.
Red dot at distance (20yds).....Took some newbee's out to the range just last wknd. Never shot a gun. Gave pointers, do's and don'ts, let them shoot. (no red dot)25 rnds each. Did ok, not good not bad.Turned on the red dot, no bull. 75% improvment. Even my girlfriend, LE shoots all the time (Glock) she shot 50% better at distance. Highly recommend, worth every penny. ($270) Don't waste your money on the over priced Surefire. Good investment. One more thing I might add. Not that the 5.7 has much muzzle rise but it did seem to calm the muzzle on rapid fire follow up shots. That is also a plus

[wheelguy]

Sorry, but it sounds like you are talking about a red laser site, not a red dot site in the above post. The great thing about the laser site is that it puts a bulls-eye right on the target. That makes it very effective for stationary targets that have sufficient contrast.

But, very few people seem to have a holographic red dot site. That is a type that replaces the rear site. And, I've never seen a before/after comparison for accuracy on one. Although it sounds like a good idea, I'm wondering if it actually helps.

[norris]

I have a burris FFII on my 5-7 and have shot about 1000. rounds with it. Once adjusted, it has not needed further adjustment. Score this as a perfect result with Truehuntersupply.

[Ivegotscars]

Wheelguy,
After much research, save your money and invest in the Streamlight w/ lazer because the red dot sight is almost worthless at night. That is the biggest drawback of red dot sights. The laser is a very quick and accurate devise for moving targets as well.

[sib1948]

Have not found a way to easily attach a red dot on my FiveseveN, but find they greatly improve my accuracy up to 25 yards on my other pistols and rifles. Being almost 64, eyesight is a problem which these sights resolve, but my 35 year old son also much more accurate with faster target acquisition at distance. Use EoTech with or without magnifier and Trigicon RMR. Battery life not too much of a problem, since the newer EoTech and RMR sights can be manually turned off. My FNP 45 Tactical arriving in 2 days and already have have RMR sight with 3.25 reticle. The gun is specifically designed for this type of sight, which says something about their functionality. Hopefully, other manufactures will follow suite and I think red dot sights on pistols will be much more common place. Embracing this new technology will certainly improve the average shooters accuracy!!!