The placing of red dot optic sights on pistols seems to be all the rage right now. So how practical is an optic on a everyday carry pistol? How many use optics on their EDCs?

I don't & won't on a pistol.

I'm in the process of building a Glock 19 with a RMR. I won't carry it until it can prove to be reliable enough. I've been shooting an RMR'd 17 almost exclusively for the past year and it has been reliable...until the red dot crapped out on me recently.

I think they are there from what I'm seeing. So long as you have backup irons. I wasn't going to be an early adopter, but the only thing holding me back now is $.

I've been running RDS on military M4s, followed by my own ARs since the late 90's. I'm totally sold on them as being far superior to irons for a fighting weapon.

I've been carrying an optic on my EDC for quite awhile now. Currently its a G19 with an RMR. I now shoot better with the RMR in almost all conditions (for sure there is a learning curve) and I don't find carrying the gun with the optic causes any special issues. I use a bladetech IWB holster.
Honestly I can't find much, if any, downside and lots of upside.

If you're like me and your eyesight is beginning to deteriorate with age, it's very practical. I'm a much more accurate shooter with the optic, especially in transition and distance. Speed wise, a small learning curve but not much really to obtain the same/faster skill. Lastly form a cc perspective, I don't notice it at all.

If it has suppressor height sites like the p320 rx Compact, I think it would be awesome

For me, changing to a fluorescent front night site has really speeded up my shots and accuracy and doesn't have the drawbacks of an optic on a carry gun.

No thanks. Just night sights please. Next rage will be full illuminated crosshairs optic on top of a pistol. My view is light as possible for ccw.

Not for me. Not at this time, anyway. I wouldn't want the extra bulk. My goal, in EDC, is to carry as little firearm as (I think) I can get away with.

Must be fairly reliable if the military uses them on battle rifles.

Oh, that's such a big "NOPE!"

Not for me, yet. I'll stick with iron sights for serious purposes until pistol optics get a bit more advanced. Though I think we'll get there someday soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Must be fairly reliable if the military uses them on battle rifles.

Apples and oranges.

Rifle optics have been around for many decades. Pistol optics are still in their comparable infancy, and still aren't as rugged or reliable as rifle optics. (Partly a result of the necessities of miniaturization, and partly because they're constantly getting battered around on a rapidly moving slide.)

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Must be fairly reliable if the military uses them on battle rifles.

Apples and oranges.

Rifle optics have been around for many decades. Pistol optics are still in their comparable infancy, and still aren't as rugged, reliable, or effective as rifle optics.

Never mind pistol optics are sitting atop a slide that's cycling back-and-forth with fairly rapid deceleration at each end of the cycle.

More like apples:walnuts.

I was curious and had an extra RMR so I bought a Glock 19 MOS slide. I tried it and wanted to like it, but have since went back to normal sights.

I find this conversation a bit funny. Its pretty much conclusive that using an optic is faster and more accurate.I've tens of thousands of rounds using an RMR so I'm not too concerned about reliability anymore and many others have the same experience. I am lost how anyone who seriously tries a good optic concludes its less functional.

I was hesitant at first. With my aging eyes I tried one on an MOS Glock. I immediately fell in love. Just present the gun the same way you would with irons and the dot appears. Don't go fishing for the dot. If you do it the same way as you always have the dot appears. The thing I really like is that you stay focused on the target and as soon as the dot appears squeeze the trigger. Also a great training aide since you can see the dot move if you jerk the trigger. I now EDC it and will not go back. If I could afford it I would put an RMR on everything. Just make sure that you get the RMR07 with the 6.5 MOA dot. Faster, much faster.

I have transitioned both of my EDC Glock 19s to RMRs in the past 5 months.
There is a reliability concern on my part, i.e. the fading or flashing dot, but the benefits for those who are near sighted cannot be dismissed.
Being near sighted and wearing glasses to clearly see anything beyond 3', I can no longer properly focus between rear sight, front sight and target.
With an RMR, no problem at all. Focus on the target only and the RMR dot is clear.
I suggest using suppressor height sights in conjunction, in case the RMR or similar electronic sight fails.

I am using an RMR on a milled G19 and a Shield RDS on a milled G43. I am considerably more accurate over irons alone. Both also have supressor sights which cowitness with the dot, for a backup. The weight difference is extremely minimal with the milled slide. I had cataract surgery last year and can see the dot very clearly.

I EDC a P320 Compact RX and it's great. As mentioned it's great for quick target acquisition and enhanced accuracy especially for older eyes like mine.