Re: Jeep's getting back into the groove - a training journey
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
Give this another listen, especially regarding close in shooting - He's going to be in Cleves, OH twice in 2020, and is a very accomplished red dot shooter.Mr. Glock wrote:It is interesting to me that you are working on the red dot, as I just embarked on that journey. I was holding off, but my 25 yards groups started to turn into patterns (i.e. shotgun patterns) due to aging eyes. I happened to listen to a Primary & Secondary podcast on red dots, so decided to follow their advice for a starter rig....Glock G19 MOS, CHPW base plate and Holosun 407c. The only thing I ever liked about the old Eotech stuff was the dot in donut, so the 507c works in that same fashion (although you can cycle between 3 options). I added a set of Dawson Precision RMR height sights, in plain black as I don't want a lot of confusion with bright colors in the window. Since I'm a Gen 3 fan, I picked up a Gen 4 MOS, but the grip is a little different, adding it's own complexity in my first outing.
I've recently shot 400 rounds in two range sessions, and here are my observations so far: BTW: On purpose, I have yet to do any detailed research about making the switch, I did want to try it out cold first, collect my observations and then do some additional research. Jeep, I'll hit your links above at some point. I zeroed at 10 yards.
Accuracy: Yes, big benefit. My 25 yards groups have never been tighter. My 50 yard groups look like my old 25 non-RD groups now too.
Speed: No problem at longer ranges, even on the clock, where you need to normally take the time to align the sights properly. I'm looking for the dot, not looking at sights and then the dot. With correct presentation, the dot is right there. But, under about 5 yards, I am still slower. I'm used to really moving quickly in that yardage, and, with the distance, accept some presentation slop with irons as I look over them to some extent at the target. That doesn't work so well with the red dot. Of course, under 5 yards, the target tends to fill up the whole window, so straight speed rounds still impact on a torso target, but just not as accurate as irons at the same speed. If I run low-ready 5 rounds x 5 yards x 5 inch circle, and if, for example, I could shoot 2.75 with irons, then red dot is 3.25 for same accuracy. Being higher above the bore, it also seems I have to offset a little more on the target close up, but that could just be me letting the gun move too much. Seems about a half second longer, which is initial alignment and not allowing the gun to move around so much.
Training Tool: I haven't been shooting as much pistol this year, and a bunch of it has been on steel or larger cardboard at closer distances at higher speeds. I've become sloppy with allowing the gun to move around, and riding that movement. The red dot certainly shows why my precision at speed has suffered, which impacts longer distance-faster shots. I found that a great benefit, and my groups have tightened back up with both irons and red dot. Its also helped with one-handed shooting too, but that comes mostly from gripping the gun harder to keep the dot visible.
I need to spend some time learning about close up-faster shooting, for sure. And I need new holsters (OWB to start, those Dawson sights are big/stepped and don't work well with most holsters). As I suspected, I'll be re-equipping to support RD-equipment. But, RDs seem to be helpful and worth the expenditure at this early stage.
Any input- positive or negative - on the above is welcome. I'm sharing to further conversation and learning. I'm obviously in the early stages of this project.
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I've been wearing glasses since the 3rd grade, needed them before, and have astigmatism in both eyes. Prior to around 2010 I could still run aimpoints on rifles at 500 yards with good accuracy, it's not in the cards now. Trijicon, Sig, and the Holosun are usable for me, at least for pistols. A huge highlight beyond accuracy, is forcing you to have your presentation AND recoil management on point to run a dot - this translates to an iron sight gun, as the dot doesn't allow for slop.
JM custom and Dark Star Gear have really changed my standards on holsters in a very, very good way. I'd recommend looking at their offerings, and possibly contacting them about a custom setup if one isn't on the market as an offering straight up.
My foray into it will be a simple rear dovetail mount, as it's an endeavor to do 1911's with rear back up sights. Once my skill level is up and proven, I'll be looking at doing a proper mount setup on my carry.