Iron Sights vs Green Dot vs Laser - Pro's Con's & Considerations??
I have used iron sights, reflex sights, and lasers on separate occasions, but have I ever used them in combination and in a comparison?? Not exactly, but today's video changes that. In this video we take a look at the pro's, con's and limitations of these sighting systems in a practical demonstration and discussion to try to illustrate which work better at various distances and in various conditions.
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Пікірлер: 71
Fuck all the negative comments you did a phenomenal job addressing (likely) the MOST pressing variables : 1.Light vs Dark 2. Short vs Long distance 3. Beginner vs Experienced shooter Thank you sir.
@OuterLimitless2
Ай бұрын
@@u-uz1lw thank you for watching and for your support!
Those of us who wear bifocals know that iron sights can be a blurred mess. Red dots - when they can be found - can help, provided you have 1) 5-10 seconds to acquire the dot (not shtf friendly) or 2) you have 2 hours a day over the next 2-3 months to perfect the mechanics of drawing THAT PARTICULAR pistol and subsequent dot acquisition (right on, Curtisbottoms!). Laser, on the other hand, is incredible once 1) the OFFSET distance (bore axis-to laser distance) is determined and factored into the shot (1.25 inches to 1.75 inches on all my handguns, since I use a laser closest to bore axis, i.e. ArmaLaser; if using a light laser-light combo, I use a device with laser on top of light), and 2) the laser is bore sighted based on this offset distance; take your time to get this right. If I forget what the offset distance is for that particular pistol I'm shooting and happen to choose the wrong offset, the 0.5 inch difference makes little if any difference in accuracy. Besides, 1/2 inch off ideal impact area is not within my shooting capability! Green dot lasers have made all the difference in the world in my shooting accuracy.
@rabbitdaze2243
8 ай бұрын
If it's that difficult to pickup a dot you have some shitty shooting habits
Lasers allow you to be target focused without worrying about sight alignment. They also are your best option when shooting from an unconventional position such as around a baracade.
Really the exact tests and conversation I was looking for. Well done. Thank you.
If you drank way too much coffee, don't go shooting.😂😂
Not trying to be rude or negative but your friend needs to hold the gun with a straight left arm and hold the gun more with the palm of his left hand with th thumbs higher on the pistol
@mkyfinn73
3 күн бұрын
Come on pal, this looks like his first time with a gun, and maybe he drank three pots of coffee that morning.
Both shooters lack basic pistol shooting skills. They need to develop their fundamental skills before trying lasers and red dots.
@ipenguin3918
8 ай бұрын
I agree. What I find painful is that neither the red dot, or laser were zeroed.
@joer8386
7 ай бұрын
And the second thing is to zero their sights. How are they going to do a video about comparisons if they are going to be all over the place.
@RocksNRuts4
Ай бұрын
friend looked terrified of the gun
Homeboy is jumpy...
I think when something goes "bump" in the night, it's a good idea for that mounted light...👍
@michaelphipps4835
Ай бұрын
Absolutely!!….. that super bright light that you spent a decent amount of money on would definitely not give away your position and you would definitely be avoiding getting your sh!t knocked back because that little bump in the night you was speaking about would not see you 1st….. great idea👍👍
@lordmaul9440
Ай бұрын
@@michaelphipps4835 So you've assumed that myself or others haven't had training and cannot exercise "light control" when positively identifying a target? Maybe, just maybe, you should check your ignorance at the door...😑👎
@michaelphipps4835
Ай бұрын
@@lordmaul9440 don’t get sensitive on me soldier …… did you read my comment? I’m on your side … you should definitely buy the firearm lights!!… get the BRIGHTEST ONES that you can find👍👍….
One benefit of a laser for wearers of glasses is that it’ll give you a general idea and you can see it without glasses. Very nice for acquiring the target if I forgot my high-powered glasses and only see a blur past 15-20 yards.
Sir, doing paper work and kind of listening. Loved the you pointed out the fiber optic doesn't work/ work well in limited light. I was shooting indoors at a range that wasn't well lit. I felt that fiber optic sights didn't do anything for me,. I found with my eye sight or lack of the sig night sights didn't make a huge impression. I'm on my "gun journey " and learn something every time I go to the range. Ie: put the Wison Combat grips on an 365xl. Huge improvement! Recently I used Cabella points to purchase a 365 Macro and a Icarus grip. I haven't shot it yet but I now notice the WC grip doesn't put my hand up to the beaver tail.( this might just be my limited experience). However the Icarus with it's "hump" drives my xl size hands high ant tight. The con, the gas pedal on the right side interferes with my trigger finger. As I said, it is a journey , somewhat expensive at times but fun never less. Thank you for your video.
2:00 in the morning and hopefully my dog barking and waking me up when someone is coming through my window. I know In the dark Iron sights aren’t going to help me and my red dot will be hard to find as I won’t be in perfect shooting position scrambling out of bed. This is where a laser light combo will save your ass. But you still need that dog to start that process. Mans best friend for sure
@michaelhamby8469
2 ай бұрын
Totally agree. Got a combo for the G45. More importantly, 2 loyal K9s to wake the neighborhood!
Here is the CON I encounter when talking about using a laser+light combo. You will or you might have a harder time trying to find a correct holster for your piece when you set up your laser+light combo. In my house from the living room down to the hallway(bedrooms)or from the hallway up to the living room is about 11 yards. Now from the living room to the kitchen or from the kitchen all the way to the living room it is also about 11 yards. I'm using a Glock 19 Gen 3 and attach Streamlight TLR6(Red laser). In my case at 11 yards I have my laser light dot sit just above my front sight because for me this is to give me an general idea where the muzzle pointing.
@myopinionpal8880
6 ай бұрын
Most Belly band holsters will work and they're comfortable too.
I go with light and laser for home defense. At night the light is a must. The laser helps in odd positions for close combat. I use iron sights for longer outside distances. (Glock 19) If it is a long shot, I switch to my AR-15. I carry a Kimber 38+P for ultra close range. I also have an 870 pump shotgun for backup at home. I don't have different guns for every day of the year. Nice presentation.
What a great and honest review of the various means to aim! Love the video. Thanks!
A few good points in the video. 1. All my guns that have a red dot, I make it a point to turn off and shoot with my irons. You never know if/when it will fail. 2. Just how important to not only practice but to check the zero on your equipment. As you mentioned in the video how being off on your zero magnifies the placement with distance. I just found a laser hiding away in my drawer and put it on one of my guns. Need to zero it in then take it to the range. I think ill set it up for 5 - 10 yards.
@robertfoote3255
3 ай бұрын
Set it parallel to the bore.... Mine is under the barrel centered in the white light body. Point of impact is a bit above the lazer.... no need to judge any distance in no or low light. It's consistent and predictable and plenty adequate for saving your life or your family. Over thinking the need for precision shots in such a situation is very bad.
Some people will adjust so that all systems are zeroed at 7 or 10 yards. I disagree with this. I prefer to have all sighting systems borestghted at long distance. If you can have all sighting systems hit at the same place at distance, closer shots will be within the kill zone. Granted, you won't get match grade precision at any particular distance, shot placement between sighting systems will differ by thier distance from the bore. They will, as mentioned before, be in the kill zone.
Just an observation why didn’t you teach your friend how properly grip a gun? Put two thumbs forward like you were shooting. He’s struggling managing recoil, and flinching, you could see he was anticipating the recoil before pulling the trigger and closing his eyes at times. He’s scared of the bang, because his grip is bad. His support hand is doing absolutely nothing, that’s why laser is jumping around all over the place. He’s shaking and not relaxed, the laser highlights a shooters deficiencies with aim. But also gives you data to make corrections by watching the laser. That weird thing he’s doing with his support hand thumb clamping over his dominant hand thumb is not ideal. You need to teach him to hold the pistol the way you do. He will become more accurate with practice. Also you need to zero the laser at your max distance, with a bore sighter before you started the comparison to be fair. About 10 yards is good. I don’t think it’s necessary to go beyond that, the law of diminishing returns. Same distance for a red dot on a pistol, 10 to 15 yards. Defensive ranges. As taking it out of the box the manufacturer says it’s zeroed at 5 to 7 yards but l doubt it. You have to adjust it to your needs then your shots will go exactly where you want them to go up to that range. Bore sighter or pistol laser is key. Line up both dots till they merge then you’re good.
@sharabi21
6 ай бұрын
First thing I noticed ...he needs a lot of practice
What a great video. Very informative very well videoed Great job brother. I learned a lot
Grip and recoil management are essential.While it's true that the laser improves target acquisition speed,if you can't control the "dance " of the laser point, you will not be able to shoot quick double taps. Distance of zero is critical with a laser,and marksman adjustments need to be made for greater distances
I use lasers in conjunction with a light for HD, sited for 15yds, I don'r get enough training to be comfortable enough to rely solely on what I have under my belt especially in the dark
Lasers are fine as long as they're used for the right purposes. They'll never be good for precise shooting, especially ones using underbarrel pic mounts (in my experience these are the ones that shift the most easily.) Ones that are screwed directly to grips or trigger guards are a little more stable, but again, still not for precision. You're most likely not going to hold an exact zero with a laser. What they're good for is getting a general idea where the bullet is going in a tight situation where using your sights (which is always preferable) isn't a possibility. Emphasis on GENERAL idea. Ballpark. They also make good dry fire training tools. Makes it very easy to see exactly how much movement you are getting at the point of impact in grip, on pull, and on fire. Can also use them to practice point shooting. Know the limits and purposes of all your accessories.
@OuterLimitless2
10 ай бұрын
I like the idea of a dry fire training tool... I'll need to experiment!
@galvinstanley3235
5 ай бұрын
Lasers are best used on a rifle.
Red dot and laser combo are great for defense. Offense the red dot is best but you need to train for 6-12 months or thousands of draws and press outs before a person is proficient.
@yomtube-494
8 ай бұрын
is it nice way to use red dot and laser together? should it be different color to distinguish?
@John.0079
5 күн бұрын
@@yomtube-494that what I do, green laser and red dot
@yomtube-494
5 күн бұрын
@@John.0079 nice combination ,i will follow, does that make practical aim and useful? i also think its better than laser and dot going same color
@John.0079
5 күн бұрын
@yomtube-494 switching to a red dot was very difficult for me, it's of course, a training issue, but I found myself looking for the red dot instead of aiming properly. The green laser helped me to find the red dot much faster. If I had to choose between the 2 for a home defense or ccw pistol I would choose the green laser every time.
@curtisbottoms3316
5 күн бұрын
The 2 different colors help.
Just got my first gun (haven’t shot it) I got a light laser and I put laser on line with the front sight. I’ll need to change it when I go shooting
@OuterLimitless2
8 ай бұрын
Congrats... What did you get?
@lawrencewilliams6923
7 ай бұрын
hey same here, i just got a hellcat RDP (also haven't shot it yet) with the compensator and i just added a TLR-8g sub light/laser and plan to add ad shield SMSC soon.
Your buddy shot lights out with the laser.
If you are shooting for self defense beyond 7 yards, you are tempting a jail sentence. Close in no problem but if you can retreat from trouble and still choose to shoot, might get you in trouble.
@sharabi21
6 ай бұрын
Well said--and so true
I've seen a lot of "instructor types" shit on the laser for... "encouraging poor shooting fundamentals". While that is certainly a possibility, I think most shooters are intelligent enough train with alternative sighting systems most of the time. For instance, the one built into their gun (iron sights), for situations (broad daylight) that do not lend themselves well to a laser. That said... your observation regarding the complete CF that you could find yourself in that may not lend itself to a proper shooting stance, grip, etc. SIGNIFICANTLY OUTWEIGHS any potential for training bias. Additionally, in a low light situation, which is the most likely home defense scenario, a laser allows you to remain "target focused" in a very stressful and potentially chaotic situation... somehow, I don't see that as being a bad idea. Add in the fact that many lasers are part of a combo lighting system as well... and I don't personally understand how this isn't a no-brainer. Some will then point to a weapon mounted lighting system... critical of a purely fictional data point - the idea that you must point your gun directly at something to illuminate it - and therefore potentially a friendly. Apparently they have an old incandescent bulb flashlight from the 1980s strapped to their gun... because I can walk into a room with my 800lm olight Baldr S POINTED AT THE FLOOR in a low-ready.... and the whole room is pretty well illuminated. Chalk one up for the laser. ;-)
@ShastaBean
2 ай бұрын
Some of the points I see against a laser, sound so absurd....the "what if?" or "what about?"....ok, sure...it might not give the perfect solution to EVERY scenario possible. But the chance it could save your life, in enough situations - seems to make it what you said, a no-brainer. The whole "it would give away your position" is maybe the funniest. I have a laser on every single weapon that could ever possibly be needed in any defense encounter. If I have a group of 11 javelinas circling & charging me...do I want to have to line up down a barrel to find a dot or iron sights? No. Laser, please & "from-the-hip" with precision sounds like a winner. I'm not highly trained or skilled...so maybe somewhere down the road I'll find it to be either not enough positive, or even a negative...but right now, don't really see that as possible. It seems it could only help, and A LOT!
I had a couple of lights with a laser, did not like it all. The laser jumps all over the place and I couldn’t keep it zeroed. But I love my reflex sights, red dots. I started out on irons but soon found red dots and haven’t looked back.
@OuterLimitless2
10 ай бұрын
Do you think the higher quality red dots are necessary or budget options provide equal performance for the average user? I've been dealing mostly with mid-tier models
The poor guy looks scared to death.
I find arguments against mounting a laser to be ridiculous. If someone could provide worthwhile points against using them, I'd consider removing them from every weapon I have that might ever be needed for defense.
@OuterLimitless2
2 ай бұрын
I think for self defense and especially in the home it makes a lot of sense.
Flashlight with irons and laser for only intimidation is my way, red dot for me sucks any1 want a brand new Viridian micro green dot 😂 My accuracy is great with irons, I like dots for airsoft though and is probably great on a shotgun, or laser on a shotgun for intimidating and for non intimidating. Time to finish making my home made buffalo wing sauce now 😋
@ShastaBean
2 ай бұрын
pointing a weapon at someone, to scare them, is a way to find yourself charged with aggravated assault.
This video is a bust. You cannot make a fair video about comparisons if the sights are not zeroed. You are comparing the bullets that are off target when the sights were never zeroed.
@OuterLimitless2
7 ай бұрын
And then the correction was made for my given distance and the world was happy again
@joer8386
7 ай бұрын
@@OuterLimitless2 All I'm saying is that if you want a video that stands out from the rest were people recommend it to get a good understanding of the differences, you might want to have all of the IMPORTANT variables set (like zeroing). I would never recommend this video to a friend that is interested in a good understanding of the differences when all things considered, does not have the important basics resolved.
@OuterLimitless2
7 ай бұрын
@@joer8386 ok, I get your point. But MY point and part of the demonstration clearly illustrates that zeroing of optics and lasers are only as good as the distance you zero for. So your situation will require a level of compensation. In the real world you will very unlikely actually be forced to use your firearm at the distance you zero... So understanding that and learning how to compensate is one of the considerations for these optics. I actually believe that enhanced the discussion and brought an entire additional talking point to consider rather than having everything perfectly dialed in for our shooting distance, which would not be realistic in the real world. So I choose to show those subtle details instead of pretending they don't exist
@OuterLimitless2
7 ай бұрын
And I even called out that the laser being off was a bust... Made the correction and moved forward. I dunno man say what you want to say but this perfectly illustrates the point. Go out and do this for yourself. Let me know how it goes for you and then tell me I didn't put across a genuine, authentic, and clearly demonstrative video. You're entitled to your opinion but I can't agree with you that I should have had everything perfect in a magic world of fake KZread. It is more helpful being authentic and no hiding the flaws.
I say anything
you must try red laser, it will be better in long distance
First off let me say this you start at 7 yards, so dude in the blue shirt you ought to have one ragged hole. Guy in the orange shirt needs to work on his grip/stance, but you can clearly tell he doesn't shoot that often. But you are trying to do a footage on usage video, and don't have the skillset to do so Blue Shirt guy. Now your commentary is good, but you don't see to understand you own topic. You aren't considering HOB. So some shot are low, but now way you should have a 6-7 inch group with that RDS. The laser round seems to be what should be expected. But lasers are more effective at odd angle shots (under an auto). Again I give Tyler credit for getting out, even though he doesn't shoot much, but bruh you didn't do any accuracy shooting Blue shirt guy. You should have been able again to stack rounds. Also, note that 50 feet is only 16.6 yards, so still not a far distance. You mentioned that you are a NOVICE. I think you need to fall back on acting like you are an expert. BIG LESSON?: ZERO yo stuff before you make a video!!!!! But this is very misleading footage.
The technique of the second shooter makes me cringe. Bent arms, lean back. It’s reminiscent of grandma looking through the middle of the steering wheel except she would be leaning forward in that scenario.
Not a fan of lasers since most I have tried are crap. Iron sites were always best for me but once you site in a red dot properly you'll never want to use anything else.
@OuterLimitless2
10 ай бұрын
The red dot has definitely become a game changer... I find i do prefer green but either way I've had good luck so far!
@BugsyNY
10 ай бұрын
@@OuterLimitless2 I actually use both red and green for different lighting conditions and both are fine.
@myopinionpal8880
6 ай бұрын
One thing that's good about having a laser is that if for some reason you fall and can't get your sights up to where you can see them because you're in an awkward position with a laser that's zeroed all you have to do is put the laser dot on the target and shoot. I use a Crimson Trace laser with the green dot for day and night use and it hasn't let me down yet.