Mastering The Red Dot Pistol

Welcome to another episode of War HOGG Words of Wisdom. Today, we're diving into Mastering the Red Dot Pistol. I've been hearing some strange things out there, so let’s set the record straight. Here’s my take on mastering the red dot pistol.

Click the image to listen to the podcast

RED DOT OPTICS

It's been a while since we've had an Apple review. Your support helps us combat tech censorship and boost our channel. Thank you for giving me your most precious commodity—your time.

I appreciate all your support. Don't forget, The Firearms Training Notebook is essential for your dry fire and live fire training. It will help you achieve your shooting goals. Now, let’s jump into red dot sights.

Mastering the red dot pistol starts with the Aimpoint ACRO. In my opinion, it sets the standard for red dot pistol optics. Don’t forget, you can use code WARHOGG25 to save on Aimpoint products.

Here’s the thing: I’ve heard some crazy advice. First, using a toilet paper tube to help with your red dot? I disagree. I’ll share better tools to help you master your red dot pistol.

Co-witnessing your red dot pistol sights? Don’t do it. Some people still argue about whether to put red dots on pistols. We had this debate in the 90s about red dots on carbines. If you own a carbine, I bet you have a red dot optic on it. This argument doesn’t hold water. The red dot optic is one of the most beneficial tools for diagnosing your shooting if you know what to look for.

Let’s explore that concept. Some say using a red dot will slow you down.

Mastering The Red Dot Pistol

Initially, I might agree. But depending on your platform, you could face issues. If you’re using a Glock with a red dot, Mr. Glock’s grip angle forces you to roll your wrist to bring the dot down to target.

When people first get a red dot, it’s all about processing information. We’re used to aligning iron sights for accuracy. With a red dot pistol, here’s the key: don’t co-witness.

We had a student trying to co-witness their red dot and faced issues. This is often a carryover from carbines with fixed front sight posts. I personally don’t believe in co-witnessing. The dot is a stand-alone aiming point. You don’t need to co-witness with anything.

This is crucial. At War HOGG Tactical, we teach students that as long as the red dot is in the window and on the target, send the round. People hesitate, thinking the housing affects the aim solution. It doesn’t.

Some argue that the Aimpoint ACRO has a small window. They want a bigger window. You might need that bigger window because you haven’t mastered the red dot pistol presentation. Once you do, you’ll be in control.

Initially, people try to center the dot perfectly. But as long as the red dot is in the acceptable target area, you’re good. At War HOGG Tactical, we start with three-inch dots. Why? They push marksmanship and help you understand what’s happening.

With a three-inch dot, you don’t have much latitude. It quickly reveals grip issues. If shots go low left, it’s often due to a poor grip. You’re squeezing everything, causing the pistol to dip.

So, it’s not just a marksmanship issue; it’s a grip issue. The key is to manipulate the trigger without affecting the gun while keeping your sights on target. It’s that simple.

The red dot can feel overwhelming at first. But once you realize that as soon as the dot touches the target area, you can send the round, you’ll start to get it.

IRON SIGHTS

This is why I disagree with those who say you must co-witness. I don’t want the irons to interfere. But why have irons at all? They serve a couple of purposes.

First, I have XS Sights on my pistol. The big orange dot helps with presentation. The irons allow students to focus on the target while seeing the red dot in their periphery. If the red dot isn’t visible, look at the irons for guidance.

Many shooters present and start fishing for the red dot. I instruct them to present and, if the dot isn’t there, check the irons. This gives valuable information.

For me, if my red dot isn’t visible, my front sight post will be to the left. This means I’m pushing the muzzle left. Instead of fishing, drive the pistol out. If the dot isn’t there, pause, check the irons, and adjust your grip.

SEND THE ROUND

As you build your red dot skills, your presentation will improve. You’ll pick up speed and master the efficiency of the red dot. You don’t need the dot to settle; just get it in the acceptable target area and send the round.

My students hear me say this all the time: send the round. Stop overthinking it. The red dot is a life-saving tool.

Think of it this way: if you were to jump out of a plane, would you choose a $29.95 parachute or a $3,000 one? Sometimes, you need to invest in quality instead of repeatedly buying cheap optics.

Understand the difference between open and enclosed emitters. An open emitter means the LED is exposed to the elements. That’s a potential fail point. Why have a life-saving tool with a built-in failure?

The Aimpoint ACRO is an enclosed red dot. The LED is protected inside the housing. This ensures the dot is reliable. If mud gets on the emitter of an open design, you’re out of luck. But with an enclosed emitter, a quick thumb rub can clear it.

Aimpoint doesn’t have a solar panel. Solar panels can crack and allow debris inside, negating the benefits of an enclosed emitter.

Shake awakes? Another fail point. If you’re carrying the gun, it’s moving. You don’t think it’s shaking awake? What if it doesn’t wake up? Panic mode sets in.

How well do you know your irons? How much energy do you have to expend? These are all potential fail points in a life-saving tool.

There might be times when lighting conditions change. The beauty of the Aimpoint is that you can easily adjust brightness without losing grip.

I mentioned the toilet paper tube earlier. Your irons are your fix. If the red dot isn’t visible, check the irons. You don’t need to co-witness. That just slows you down.

When discussing your red dot, think of the tip of a sharpie as the red dot and your palm as the acceptable target area. As long as it’s in the window, boom, send it.

If your eyes are tuned in, the dot is a fantastic diagnostic tool. It takes time to get your eyes dialed in. There’s no focal shift; stay target-focused. When the dot touches, notice how much it lifts off the target.

Is the red dot optic lifting and returning to the same spot? If it’s lifting too much, you might need a better grip.

The red dot gives you valuable information. During dry fire, if your trigger press is off, you’ll see movement in the dot.

This tool provides a wealth of information. But don’t expect to pick up a red dot pistol and master it immediately. You need to invest time.

I keep notes in my Firearms Training Notebook. Did a technique change my performance? I’ve found that if I bring my finger across the trigger guard, I get a cleaner press.

How much grip pressure? You’ll need to find the right balance. Too much pressure causes shaking; too little leads to unwanted movement.

CALL YOUR SHOT WITH A RED DOT OPTIC

The red dot is a fantastic tool, but you must invest time and accept that perfection isn’t the goal. Just get it in the window and send the round.

When doing multiple shots, the dot may create a line due to recoil. As long as that line stays in the acceptable target area, send the round.

If your grip fundamentals are weak, the dot may rise too high. This can lead to unpredictable shot placement.

One final piece of advice: you can call your shots. At War HOGG Tactical, we have students bring old t-shirts to shoot. You don’t need to look at the target for impacts. The dot shows you where your rounds are going.

Aim your red dot at the high thoracic area of your target. Did you get good shots? Yes, because you saw the dot check off and return.

You must be able to call your shot. You won’t see holes depending on the shirt color. Focus on where the dot checks off; it simplifies everything.

That’s a quick rundown on mastering the red dot pistol. Join a War HOGG class for more personalized instruction. I’ve heard some strange things floating around, and I wanted to share my perspective—what’s worked for me and my students.

Check out our new Project Officer Survival law enforcement red dot pistol course on Panteao Productions at Make Ready TV.

Train hard, stay safe, and we’ll see you On The Range. Rick and Duco out.