28 May 13

At this year’s NTI in Harrisburg, PA, (just concluded), a number of my friends and colleagues were carrying (concealed) Glocks, M&Ps, XD, et al, equipped with RMRs. The RMR is a zero-magnification red-dot optical sight that is small enough to go on the slides of many carry pistols. The optic is typically “melted” in the slide in order to mitigate excess bulk and can be set-up to provide co-witnessing with conventional iron sights, but to accommodate co-witnessing, iron sights usually must be raised slightly.

Of all the “micro-red-dots,” the RMR is the most rugged and thus most suitable for serious use.

Brightness of the red-dot is self-adjusting.

For those of us in the “bi-focal stage of life,” red-dot optics can represent a significant advantage over conventional iron sights, even on pistols.

However, to be truly useful, the Operator must have a consistent presentation and body index , lest he waste time “fishing around” for the dot during the draw. From unconventional/awkward shooting positions, such fishing-around may be unavoidable. This still represents a troublesome issue with me.

There are three ways to set-up the system:

1) Optic all the way to the rear of the slide, with the conventional rear sight mounted just forward of the optic. This shortens the (conventional) sight-radius, but gets the optic’s front screen well to the rear of the ejection port.

2) Optic just behind the ejection port, with the conventional rear sight in its usual place. This retains the pistol’s normal (conventional) sight-radius, but the front lens on the optic typically gets spattered with lubricant and soot from the ejection port.

3) Optic all the way to the rear, with no conventional rear right, just a centered, white “index mark” on the rear of the slide.

The third option is the one to which most of my colleagues who use optics on pistols have gravitated. Any number of gunsmiths now offer the installation service.

I personally have red-dots (Aimpoint T1s and a couple of EOTechs) on most of my serious rifles, but not on any of my serious pistols. However, I may yet go in that direction.

As history moves forward, while avoiding shallow and trendy gimmicks, we have to be adaptable and open to new technology that offers genuine advantage!

/John