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Concealed Coalition National Training Director Austin Davis is a big fan of the red dot on a defensive pistol. Here’s his answer to the question, “Are red dots good for concealed carry?”
Traditional Iron Sight Limitations
If you think about traditional iron sights, your target needs to be aligned with the front side of the gun, rear side of the gun, and your eye – all in one line. Then you need to focus back and forth to get the proper orientation to make an accurate shot.
The Red Dot Advantage
With the red dot, all you need to do is focus on your target, put the dot on it, then press and get the desired result. It does this by putting the point of focus onto the same plane with the target.
When it comes to a red dot on a gun, it’s not just buy and go. It will take some specialized training. There are undeniable advantages to a red dot, however. So while it may take slight changes to your training or holstering, “once you go dot, you can’t go back,” says Austin.
Mounting a Red Dot on Your Pistol
When it comes time to put a red dot in your pistol, you have two choices.
First, you can buy an MOS. That’s basically where the manufacturer has a universal cutout in the slide for your new red dot. If you want to go with the manufactured universal mount, know that they’re designed to be universal. As a result, it may not be an absolute tight fit. The mounting plate may not allow for the screws to go far enough down to get enough screw contact.
Make sure the attachment on here is ready for all those g-forces going both ways so your dot is reliable and it doesn’t fly off in the process of shooting your handgun.
Alternatively, you can have a custom milled slide modification so that this drops in where it fits it absolutely perfectly. Austin recommends this option but acknowledges a couple of things to remember if you go this route:
- It limits what footprints you can put on this.
- You have to have the slide refinished, which can be costly.
Which Red Dots Are Good for Concealed Carry?
MCG Red Dot
The MCG Red Dot is compatible with many different types of firearms, works in broad daylight and low light conditions, and acquires targets incredibly fast, even from the hip. It has four unique reticle shapes (star, cross, bullseye, and dot), and it offers both red and green color selection options.
You can mount this model on your gun in less than three minutes, and every order comes with an accessory kit for mounting the dot, a battery and instructions. You can’t go wrong with this 100% risk free 60-day guarantee.
Predator Red Laser Sight
The Predator Red Laser Sight fits all weapons with a Picatinny, Weaver or MIL STD 1913 rail. It boasts two times the speed, two times the accuracy, and two times the tactical superiority as competitor products.
With your order comes the laser sight, remote pressure switch, two sets of batteries, and wrench for mounting and a wrench for elevation/windage adjustments. And currently there’s a special offer of $19.95 plus free shipping and handling.
Order your Predator Red Laser Sight here.
Evatac Laser Sight
The Evatac Laser Sight attaches in less than 10 seconds to any gun with a Picatinny or Weaver rail. It also works on paintball, airsoft, and BB guns. Recommended by both beginner and advanced shooters, the Evatac Laser Sight ships quickly in two days from Denver, Colorado, and is currently on sale at a 45% discount.
A Final Word About Red Dots
Regardless of which way you get your red dot on your pistol or which red dot you choose, red dots are good for concealed carry as long as you put in the training and understand the limitations.
Want to connect with National Training Director Austin Davis on a personal basis to talk all things firearms, training and safety? He’s just a text message away! Text “RED DOT” to (713) 528-8411 to be added to his contacts and to easily add him to yours.
