What Dot You Got
Shit aint cheap, and if you listen to the internet experts you should plop down another pistol worth of cash on that little box of glass. They’ll ask how can you trust your life to anything cheaper, as if iron sights never existed. That being said, there are differences between a top of the line optic and the bargain bin dot intended only for airsoft. Also, you might be surprised to learn that you have to learn how to use/see the dot. It’s not too hard, and there are a few basic details you have to get figure out first (ie - making sure a particular optic has the correct footprint to fit on your pistol. With a little research (article linked below) you’ll have plenty of options throughout various price points. If you’re like the most of us, you’ll end up buying more than one before it’s all over and you’re satisfied. Just be aware, using the right screws/torque specs matter more than you think to keeping the darn thing from flying off and it’s ability to hold zero. Me personally, I definitely had no idea what the hell I was doing, read an article on red dots, bought one for my non optic ready carry gun at the time based on very limited information, fought to get it on a dovetail sight based mount, and then ended up abandoning it for the iron sights shortly thereafter. Don’t be like me.
I have a stigmatism, this causes a lot of red dots to seem fuzzy to my uncorrected eye. With glasses on, a lot of the flared out blurry dot problems disappear, but it varies by optic. I actually purchased my favorite optic, a Cheap SIG Romeo Zero Elite - Circle Dot, because it was on sale at Optics Planet, fit the footprint of the gun I wanted it for, and never expected it to become my favorite. To my eyes, it’s crystal clear, a first for me. Oh yeah, it has held perfect zero for 1000+ rounds and the gentle nature of being carried daily. Not once has it ever given me an issue. I have other optics, almost all more expensive, and I like a lot of them too, but this one just works for me, and I’m happy with it.
After you find a dot you like, there’s actually a bit of a learning curve on learning to use/see it. Yes, you have to learn how to find the dot, but I hate that phrase as it doesn’t really describe the process - at least for me.
I prefer to say you don’t look to see the dot, rather look to bring the dot up in the way of your sight on your target. Looking through the dot to your target. Basically, same thing if you covered the dot up and just had to deal with it being in the way, so that you are looking through it, not at it. For me this - methodology is what finally got me to place the dot on target without issues - after struggling to find it in the beginning.
Big dots, are easier to see but are less precise than smaller dots that can be hard to find. Me, I like circle dots, espeically if you can cycle/choose which combo to run (circle, dot, circle dot). I also prefer green to red as I think I see them better. If you are installing yourself always torque to manufacturer recommended amounts, and blue loctite NOT RED! Use good torx heads to help prevent stripping, and probably worthwhile to pick u a set of specialized stripped screw pliers (they can grab the head of the screw for removal).
I came across an article recently that I wish I had seen much sooner on the various footprints and what/how they fit on various pistols including adapter plates. It’s better than anything I could explain in technical fashion, so with their permsission I’m sharing it below, check it out, find what fits, and go from there. There’s a lot, so share what dot you got and why.
