Do You Need a Red Dot on Your Pistol?

If you’ve handled or purchased a new handgun recently, chances are it’s optics-ready – or has a slide capable of accepting a red dot.

Over the last few years, pistol dot sights have rapidly grown in popularity, creating an explosion in both optics and handguns to mount them to. As a result, red dots are being used by more shooters in more disciplines, from military and law enforcement to competition and concealed carry. But do you really need a red dot on your pistol?

The short answer is, no. While that might seem counterintuitive or disingenuous as an optics manufacturer, the reality is your handgun doesn’t need a red dot, just like it doesn’t need weapon-mounted light, compensator, or any other aftermarket accessory. However, the real question is: why would you want a red dot, or not want a red dot?

We break down the reality of red dots with three advantages and disadvantages of pistol optics.

ADVANTAGES OF RED DOTS

Simplicity and Ease of Use

While some optic specs and terminology may seem intimidating, the reality is red dots are simple tools and incredibly easy to use – even for first time shooters. Once zeroed, all shooters need to do is present the pistol on target so the illuminated reticle is visible and pull the trigger. The reticle acts as your point of aim and matches where your pistol’s iron sights would align.

Enhanced Target Focus

With iron sights, shooters are told to focus their eyes so only the front sight is in focus. However, this can prevent your eyes from focusing on your target or threat. Knowing the optic reticle matches our point of aim, red dot shooters are free to focus on the target in front of them. Red dots allow you to bring the optic to your eye, rather than your eye to your iron sights.

Fast Target Acquisition

Because they’re simple, easy to use, and provide enhanced target focus, red dots allow shooters to acquire their target faster than traditional iron sights. Not only does this mean you can present your pistol on target faster, but you can also transition between static targets and follow moving targets quicker. The larger the red dot window, the faster the target acquisition.

DISADVANTAGES OF RED DOTS

Unnecessary Technology

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. In the history of firearms, red dots are a relatively new technology compared to iron sights, which have reliably topped handguns and long guns for hundreds of years. If you don’t see the need, don’t know any different, or simply prefer them, there’s nothing wrong using the tried and true iron sights that come standard on your pistol.

Opportunity for Failure

While optic technology has come a long way in the last decade, red dots remain susceptible to failure. If internal electronics short or the battery dies, there’s no illumination to project a reticle. And if you bump or drop your pistol in such a way that impacts the optic, the red dot could loosen on your slide, lose zero, or outright break. And if the optic fails, it’s of no use to you.

Can Amplify Astigmatism

If you’ve ever looked at a red dot and seen a starburst, smeared, or clustered reticle, you unfortunately have some form of astigmatism – or distorted vision. The reticle itself isn’t blurry, but your eyes (and brain) see it otherwise. Green illumination and larger size reticles can decrease the effect of astigmatism, but dot sights can be more blurry than iron sights for some shooters.

SO, DO YOU NEED A RED DOT?

That's a question only you can answer.

Red dots offer a lot of shooting advantages over traditional iron sights, but you may simply prefer to stick with what you know. If you're a new shooter or new to handguns, it's still important to learn how to shoot with iron sights to establish the basics or in case of optic failure. It's also worth noting that many shooters will use iron sights in conjunction with a red dot, aligning their reticle with matching height front and rear sights – or what's referred to as cowitnessing.

If you're in the market for a new pistol and are even remotely interested or curious about mounting up a red dot, know it's cheaper to buy an optics-ready handgun model than a standard model. Aftermarket optic-ready slides and slide milling often cost $200-300, on top of the price of the optic. You may pay slightly more up front, but you'll save money in the long run.

And before you purchase your first red dot from Swampfox or another brand, ask yourself these nine questions to ensure you get the perfect optic for you.

Speaking of the perfect optic for you, Swampfox offers a variety of pistol red dots to accommodate nearly every handgun model.

For subcompact and micro-compact concealed carry pistols, our second-generation Sentinel II features an RMSc footprint and 20mm window with integrated Rear Sight Guide that act as rear irons for pistols that lose theirs when mounting an optic. For wider frame pistols, our RMR-footprint Liberty II and Justice II dots provide large windows with optional 4-in-1 multi-reticles. And for ultimate durability, our enclosed Kraken dot sight mounts easily to RMR or Glock MOS footprint handguns.

Whichever red dot model you choose, know your purchase is protected by our 30-Day Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee. If you’re unhappy with your optic within 30 days of delivery, simply exchange it for a different model or a full refund.

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