Switching between irons and optic on a pistol

[grimreefer]

I'm currently shooting a Walther Q5 for IPSC style matches and 3 gun. I have no desire to compete in pistol matches in open division, but our 3 gun matches are only Open division. So I am considering running the optic in 3 gun, and irons in pistol matches.

I guess my main question is this...

Is it easy to switch back to irons after practice with a red dot?

It seems like it would be easier to switch back to irons rather than the other way around. I'm thinking if you defaulted back to RDS muscle memory on irons, then you still have a view of both front and rear sights. Whereas the other way around leaves you searching for a dot that's out of view...

Any other input appreciated.

 

[Freedom Ventures]

With the dot, you'll shoot faster. When you switch back, you'll shoot as fast as you did with the dot, using the front sight as a pseudo-dot and forgetting about your rear sight.

So... when you switch back, make sure you get a couple good practice sessions, maybe dry fire a bit to get back in the habit of aligning the sights.

For me, I find using a green fibre in my front sight (instead of most common red) reminds me that Im not shooting a red dot optic and I remember to settle it into the rear notch.

 

[grimreefer]

With the dot, you'll shoot faster. When you switch back, you'll shoot as fast as you did with the dot, using the front sight as a pseudo-dot and forgetting about your rear sight.

So... when you switch back, make sure you get a couple good practice sessions, maybe dry fire a bit to get back in the habit of aligning the sights.

For me, I find using a green fibre in my front sight (instead of most common red) reminds me that Im not shooting a red dot optic and I remember to settle it into the rear notch.

That's good info, thank you. I hadn't thought about the confusion with fiber optic front sight. I think I will probably skip the optic for the sake of consistency.