iron sites & red dots: does one help the other?

[gun'sRgood]

Perhaps this is already well done but... About half my pistols have iron sites and the other half have red dots. And for those, like me, who cannot do the math, the rest have scopes. [one being an 8" Python. And yes! I still get grief for doing that!] For some reason, half the time I tell myself that shooting the iron sites makes me a better dot shooter. The other half of the time I tell myself that shooting red dots makes me a better red dot shooter. The rest of the time I sit at home having a beer and wondering why I'm such an idiot. Is there a use to teaching the use of iron if they only have a dot? Or teaching a dot have any help with learning iron?

 

[stanley_white]

Starting new shooters on a dot helps build confidence, which is key in my experience.

Once the dot is sufficiently mastered, then it is time for iron sights.

Once the iron sights are sufficiently mastered, then it is time for scopes.

-Stan

 

[film495]

I like red dot and open sights. Generally speaking I think practice is practice, so - each probably does in a way make the other a bit better. I don't know, but just from my experience with using a red dot a handful of times, can't see how anything could pick up a definitive sight picture faster.

 

[JTHunter]

The only handgun that has anything other than iron sights is my Keltec PMR-30. It has an "under barrel" green laser as I have trouble seeing the red lasers, esp. in daylight.
The rest are a Ruger Single Six (.22LR/Mag), a .32 ACP, a .32-20, a .380 ACP, and a .357.

 

[Iwsbull]

I have decided to start putting Ultradot tube sights and a scope on my 454 for all my hunting and iron sights for range toys ( easier to shoot long range with) and laser sights on home/self defense. Saying that one helps the other can’t say, but I do know that it helps with lessening eye sight and with new shooters as it is easier to put the dot on the target than focus on 3 different points at one time.

 

[AzShooter1]

For years I shot both Red Dot and Iron Sights for USPSA and ICORE matches. I'd shoot my Iron Sight gun first and after a few shooters went through I'd shoot my Open gun.

I practiced equally with both guns but I think shooting Open helped my Irons more the vice versa. The dot makes you concentrate more on the target and when the dot hit the target you pull the trigger. This is the best method for shooting steel

For Irons I use fiber optic front sights. It comes as close to shooting a dot as possible.

I was a Master Class shooter with both Open and Iron. Practicing with both is the best way to learn Dots are easier but more difficult to find for your first shot. Once you learn how to find your dot quickly you will enjoy it more.

 

[JR24]

Grip, stance, trigger press are all fundamental regardless of sighting system. I think good work on one will necessarily help the other since fundamentals are fundamental.

If one is using either option as a crutch to bypass fundamentals, then they can be a hinderance.

I like to practice with both, including turning my dot off and using the back up iron sights from time to time.

 

[beag_nut]

Here's my individual take on the subject: I've been shooting for more than 64 years. Began as a young child. Was taught by an Army vet, and the NRA. When I pick up any handgun with iron sights I automatically (without thinking) align the sights, then acquire the target if there is one. I shot Distinguished Expert with smallbore handguns. Using a scope requires me to concentrate a little more (but all the scopes have been on rifles). Fairly recently I put a red dot on my Single-Ten, which is dedicated to squirrels. When I pick that revolver up I must first look for the red dot, which is usually too high for me, then put the dot on the target. Neither set-up (red dot or irons) has any effect on the other. Maybe if I was younger I could align the red dot more quickly.

 

[.38 Special]

Back when I was teaching on a regular basis, I went through a period where I introduced brand new pistoleros to the game with a red dot. My thinking was that it would simplify things and add a bit of instant gratification. That often worked, but often did not.

I believe the primary issue is "drive by" shooting: staring at the target and slapping at the trigger whenever the sights wander across it. This works a little better with dots than irons, because there is no misalignment issue to worry about, but it still results in lousy shooting. The "Hallelujah" moment comes once the tyro is truly convinced to look at the front sight rather than the target. Of course, that's how the dot should be used as well, but because the dot and the target appear on essentially the same focal plane, it can be a lot tougher for the new shooter to work up the proper discipline.

So I went back to teaching the first few lessons with iron sights, graduating to dots and scopes only after "Stop looking at the target, dammit!" had truly been absorbed.

 

[Varminterror]

The grass is greenest where you water it.

1) Shooting makes you a better shooter. Shooting with any sights is also shooting - you’re also inherently practicing the 4 other fundamentals of firing a pistol.

2) Shooting red dots makes you better at shooting red dots. Shooting irons makes you better at shooting irons.

Both of these are true, such that:

Shooting with either makes you a better shooter, but shooting with ONE is the most optimal strategy for excelling with that ONE.

 

[gun'sRgood]

The grass is greenest where you water it.

1) Shooting makes you a better shooter. Shooting with any sights is also shooting - you’re also inherently practicing the 4 other fundamentals of firing a pistol.

2) Shooting red dots makes you better at shooting red dots. Shooting irons makes you better at shooting irons.

Both of these are true, such that:

Shooting with either makes you a better shooter, but shooting with ONE is the most optimal strategy for excelling with that ONE.

Sounds allegorical to marriage..

 

[PapaG]

Sights.

 

[Palladan44]

Perhaps this is already well done but... About half my pistols have iron sites and the other half have red dots. And for those, like me, who cannot do the math, the rest have scopes. [one being an 8" Python. And yes! I still get grief for doing that!] For some reason, half the time I tell myself that shooting the iron sites makes me a better dot shooter. The other half of the time I tell myself that shooting red dots makes me a better red dot shooter. The rest of the time I sit at home having a beer and wondering why I'm such an idiot. Is there a use to teaching the use of iron if they only have a dot? Or teaching a dot have any help with learning iron?

I don't think anyone here can answer this question for you. If they do, it shouldn't have an impact on you deciding your answers to these questions.
Sight acquisition, sight picturing and the like is a very complex process and is very unique to each individual.
I know that I have quicker sight acquisition, quicker Cadence and tighter groups with a red dot.....then comes the question of carrying one every day...that's where it ends for me. A couple reasons why it's a no. Competition piece- I'll take a red dot every time.
Long guns- I'll take an optic all day every day.