Training with optics

[THESEUS]

How much range time training do you do with an optic and without an optic for your pistols and ARs?
I'm currently looking into options for my Glock and an AR I'm hoping to purchase soon and I'm wondering if its better to train with factory sights primarily to be able to fall back to them easier if the optic were to fail?
I had a chance to fire an AR with a holographic sight and it was a no brainer, put on target hit target ....but if a battery went or the scope broke would I have problems?
Should I get proficient with factory sights before even purchasing an upgraded sight? I have added a set of Trijcon HD sights to my Glock but that's it so far.

 

[Still alive]

The whole idea of RDS and holo sights is to help you acquire targets faster and to shoot in low light conditions. So it's already a crutch by design. A well designed and well built unit won't fail under normal use ( unless you get a lemon!) Some units have crazy battery life with 10000s of hours.

There is a spectrum of sights ranging from cheap NC Star airsoft types to ones by Trijicon and Aimpoint. Middle ground ones like Bushnell, Vortex, Holosun and Burris are more than adequate for normal range use and 3 Gun, although some units suffer from washout in bright light.

Most handguns with RMRs have suppressor height fixed sights that you can fall back on if the unit does fail. AR style rifles have or can be fitted with flip up or fixed iron sights ( BUIS). Traditionally, you'll have the back up sights co-witnessed with your red dot or 1/3 co-witnessed so if the dot fails, you just pop up the back ups and you're good. Make sure you line up your BUIS and RDS when you get the sights ( full or 1/3 co-witness) or else your back ups are pointless.

Using irons can be a bit slower for instinctive shooting which is where the RDS shines. There is nothing wrong with being proficient with irons first. However there is a different operation with RDS vs. irons. You need to close one eye to use ring or peep sights on rifles but you must open both eyes to use your RDS. So training to use irons may actually hinder your use of a RDS as your habit will be to close one eye.

Handguns are more similar as you can train to shoot with both eyes open with hi vis iron sights. If you get a good FO or tritium/FO combination front sight and a blacked out rear, the effect is quite similar to a RDS esp in bright light.

So to answer your question, your guns will work with or without optics. Optics makes it easier to shoot faster close to target but not necessarily more accurately compared to irons. However there is a different manual of arms ( both eyes open vs. one eye closed) so you need to know and train for this. I use a RDS for my rifle but not for my handgun, although I want to try it soon.