Pistol Optics

Ganderite

Ganderite

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I was at a steel shoot practice and was the only guy shooting iron sights.

Given that I was the oldest guy there (old eyes), I should have been the first one to convert to an optic.

I have a M&P9 with a Burris Fast Fire, 3 MOA on it, and I like it.

My Canik TP9SFX has a removable cover on the slide for an easy optic install. I should put an opic on it.

The RMS looked good on the range. Mounts low and has a rear sight notch, and at $440 CDN, looks affordable.

But the Burris FastFire 2 can be had for only $180.

Anyone have any helpful info to share?
 
I mentioned dot size because some people prefer larger when shooting outside, esp in bright sun. Small dots can wash out. If you're indoor, or under cover for steel, etc, then you may never notice that problem.
 
I installed a FF2 on a 9mm pistol to see how I liked using an optic. Electrical failure - broken connection - during the first magazine.
Was replaced free of charge. Loaned it to a friend, has been working well. Off/on switch. Leupolds automatically switch on, turn off. Motion activated.
 
jimbo14 said:
I mentioned dot size because some people prefer larger when shooting outside, esp in bright sun. Small dots can wash out. If you're indoor, or under cover for steel, etc, then you may never notice that problem.
Click to expand...

I am familiar with that problem. I had a cheap red dot on a rifle and in a winter match (bright day + snow) could not see the dot.

My Burris FF3 has a 4 position switch. Automatic - Bright - medium - Night Automatic is enough to see in bright light.


The Burris is quite cheap. Under $200USD on ebay. The RMS is a smaller unit, no switch, but costs $440 Cdn +tax
 
I've got the Sig Romeo 1 (came as a pkg on a Sig 226RX) I like the sight. It sits quite low, has multiple brightness levels for the 3 moa dot and has auto on and off (motion sensitive)
 
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I've never been one for optics on handguns but I fully understand your "Old Eyes" situation. I have the Girsan MC28 and just heard about the new optics ready slide and barrel that is now available up here. I'm tempted to give it a whirl seeing as it comes with 4 different mounting plates for different optics. Years ago I put a Leupold on one of my SRHs and that didn't last long. Easy to sight the target but the recoil loosened the darned thing with every shot!
 
I am an older shooter with post-cataract surgery eyes and as a result am a huge proponent of Miniature Red Dot Sights (MRDS) on handguns. I currently have no less than 7x Trijicon RMR Type 1 and 2 sights, a Vortex Razor MRDS, and (not pictured) a Holosun Solar/battery pistol unit. Replacing 2 out of 3 points of reference from the sighting plane just makes good sense. The ability to project a single aiming dot onto a selected Point of Aim keeping both eyes open enables faster target engagements and assists in maintaining peripheral situational awareness. It is a win-win combination.


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I have never been into lights on handguns, but I have two with Vortex, Venom and Viper
One is on a The Canik TP9SFx, I like it , the screws that come with the gun are a bit undersized for the Vortex sight, but it works.
I don't shoot this very good yet as a single action shooter, I can't really get on to the stricker fire yet, only shoot about 1-2 boxes 9mm yet.
The other one is on a sight base mount on the slide of a custom 1911 45, and I shoot that good, but eyes are not working on open sights very good.
With the red dot, if I don't screw up the trigger pull, it will shoot the X ring out, and I haven't done that in 30yrs, unless I am shooting off a bag.
The sights are 6 mil, I like the Viper better as you have way more adjustment, big bright dot for steel out side or small dot for bullseye, which is what I usually shoot.
Ganderite, you have the gun to mount a sight on, use it, that is the only reason I bought that gun, Not that I ever seen to have a reason to buy another one ( For stock you know)
I had a cheap NS sight on a frame mount on a 1911 9mm , 30.oo sight, it seemed to take the recoil, but the cheap mount was too lite, on a 22 should be alright.
 
Have a look at the Leupold Delta Point Pro. I also have a Trijicon RMR and have I tried a Vortex.
I prefer the Leupold for the larger window and better overall geometry. Also very reliable, easy to change battery and adjust brightness.
Worth the extra money I think.
 
I have a 6MOA Vortex Viper and just put a 2.5 MOA Deltapoint Pro on my Walther Q5, wish I had started my venture into optics with the Deltapoint Pro it is much nicer than the Vortex! But if budget is part of the equation the Deltapoint Pro isn't going to be a great choice for you.
 
After the experiment with the Burris FF2, I bought a Leupold DeltaPoint - just before they replaced the model with the DeltaPoint Pro. The adjustments, particularly when mounted on a M&P Pro Core, leave a lot to be desired. A tiny Torx wrench of a size unknown to mankind must be used, and there is a lot of slack/backlash in the adjustments. Once zeroed and locked, it held zero. Brightness is automatic. Sight must be dismounted to change the battery. Irons can be seen through the lens.
Replaced it with a DeltaPoint Pro. Manual brightness control, battery can be changed from the top. Higher, irons can no longer be seen. Adjustments are made easily with 1 minute per click screws.
I much prefer shooting with an optic than with irons. To use irons, I have prescription shooting glasses, which are less than satisfactory unless actually shooting.
There is a bit of a learning curve, getting used to an optic.
There is the great advantage of sight alignment no longer being required. Target and dot are on the same focal plane, really easy to shoot with both eyes open. I can now shoot wearing my progressive everyday glasses.
My eyes are nowhere near as old as Ganderite's, I'm only 72.
At last Saturday's practice, I think Ganderite was the only shooter using irons.
Incidentally, it rained some of the time on Saturday. Droplets on the lens are not an issue.
 
Tiriaq, I have not tried the Leupold stuff, just playing a round, I don't shoot formal computation, this is the first year I have ever shoot steel.
the Vortex are way up from N.star ( that is a joke guys / girls) The burris red dot scope is nice on a rifle, but dot too small and not bright enough out side on steel, great for bullseye.
Regarding small torks, I have Kershaw knives with little bitty torks, and other day when I was wondering around Canadian Tire tool section , I see a package of 3 sets, tork, allan m. and Imp, which I have way too many of , but these are small fold up sets and the tork start at #6 which is the smallest made ,I think. Fits the small screws on my knives. about 1/16"?
Glass, I use to have progressives, but went back to the regular ones, simpler.
my problem is building over head as I am doing right now, I need a upside down pair . Old age is fun, but what the hell we are still shooting, and after having my eyes done a few years ago, I only see one bulls eye now, If I could just hit the thing.
 
I put a Vortex Venom on my 2 glock 17s. My open gun has a C-more RTS2. Thing I like about Vortex is the lifetime warranty. The 3 moa dots are nice, tho I did a 6 moa for the open gun for competition.
 
I went with the Viper with the 6MOA. In bright sunlight the dot is quite small even at 6MOA I can't imagine running a 3MOA in Acton Shooting but they make them and people use and like them. Happy with the Vortex. Aside from the warranty the sight works well which is surely the test you want any Optic to meet. They do take time to getting used to and they are not for everyone. I think I am just now getting reasonably comfortable with the sight but must admit I am still faster with the irons but less so with each practice session behind me.

Just about to order a Sprinco spring kit for the PPQ to get the trigger pull down to around 3.5lbs. That will then be the end to my excuses for my speed deficiency. LOL

Take Care

Bob
 
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