Pistol Red Dots

[schambers]

I've been wanting to run a red dot on a pistol for a while but I'm not completely sold on the long term durability of slide-mounted optics.

I don't really feel comfortable buying an RMR now, with a good possibility of having to replace it in a few years. Hopefully in a few years there will be a pistol that's specifically designed to run an optic, and an optic that will be durable enough to mount on a handgun slide. But until that time, I figured I would get used to a pistol/red dot combo with the ALG six second mount.

I finished stippling and modifying a new G17 frame today, and the mount came in a few hours ago. Just waiting on a new trigger set up to come in, and everything will be installed and tested!


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/acyAlA01SU9laxNWC5MokKEjJzGheYsBGvcCh0kG-Ww=w833-h877-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TC4EJPGZaGt7VWEOu83uKw4Vw9LYDQkXqlYuCgKTIms=w1280-h872-no


ps. I was just really excited about getting the mount in and thought I would share/rant


pps. I have no idea where the dings in the second image came from. The mount is new and I'm kinda bummed that it arrived that way.

[velocity2006]

I have read good things about that mount. I like that it does not reciprocate with the slide, but I have yet to run one yet. Looks like it may have been dropped or dinged on something before coating/anodizing, bummer but should function fine.

[WHSmithIV]

My problem with running a red dot on a pistol is simple. Not only would I need practice using it, but I'd have to design a special holster to carry it. Perhaps someday I'll try it just for the heck of it, but, I certainly don't envision putting one on my 1911 .45 which is my preferred pistol.

[alamo5000]

I've thought a lot about building race guns of sorts, bot AR and Pistol. It would be totally awesome to have but I also think even if you have the best of the best stuff practice is what makes all the difference. That said the idea to have a pistol with a slide mounted red dot where I can dream of double tapping 3 separate targets in just a couple of seconds ala Jerry Miculek...

Then I kind of realized there is a whole lot more to it than just having the stuff.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1XC8k-tZc

As for the dings on the mount is there any way to return it and get one that isn't nicked up like that?

[schambers]

practice is what makes all the difference.

So true. That's another reason I went with the ALG v. a slide mounted RMR. Its not a permanent modification so if it turns out I REALLY don't like using a handgun with a dot, or if it starts to effect my ability to use pistol sights, I can just take it off and use the T-1 on something else.


As for the dings on the mount is there any way to return it and get one that isn't nicked up like that?

I can probably get it exchanged but the mount is going to get dinged up anyways, so stuff like that isn't a big deal.

[UWone77]

I'm going with an RMR (my first) on my M&P CORE

[SINNER]

I have tried just about every brand and multiple reticles and none seem to work well on a pistol. The long eye relief leaves me hunting for the dot much longer than it takes to aim and fire with standard sights. The reflections off the glass on sunny days is no fun either. They look neat on a pistol but function poorly IMO.

[alamo5000]

schambers and Uwone.... once you guys get your pistols set up with these RMR's or whatever you intend to use will you write up a short review of your experiences? It doesn't have to be anything huge...

I am just curious as to more opinions of people with real world ownership...what are the pros, what are the cons....

[SINNER]

I tried the 7 MOA amber dot and the 12.9 MOA green triangle RMR's and just never felt like it was any improvement over the fantastic Trijicon irons that come on the FN. I ran the 2 MOA Docter a good bit but ultimately took that off too. Of those 3 the Docter was my favorite.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q638/DonaldFink1/a456f50c-a182-4b1c-9e9e-260480a4e54d_zpsjp9oomqf.jpg

[tact]

People are quick to ditch the red dot. Of course it will be slower at first. It takes practice like anything else. Additionally one needs to make small adjustments to presentation in the draw stroke. The more you use the dot the more you see some of the little quirks already present in your stroke and trigger press as the dot gives instant feedback. Amber dots wash out, and I don't really see the justification for anything above 6 MOA dot. Using a T1 and that god awful mount just seems ridiculous. Different strokes for different folks I guess. I only run RMRs and have used the adjustable 6.5 for a G20, but my g19 carry is a 3.5 MOA that is always on. Sure it isn't for everyone, but it takes patience and some work......one can't expect it to be instant.

[schambers]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qTy00INLX74/VXNmhzC3DuI/AAAAAAAABsk/awZWXUNBTU0/w1110-h728-no/DSC02422.JPG

Installed the six second mount and put in a zev trigger group and other small fiddly bits.

You can see a video of the install and some initial impressions here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cpJfKhMNpP8

[GOST]

The video wont play for me.

[schambers]

The video wont play for me.

try it now

[voodoo_man]

sort of want alg rail but...mehhhhhh

[toolboxluis00200]

nice vid

[Thompson]

I'm not intimately familiar with how their product works, but have you looked at Agency Arms (https://agencyarms.us/slide-styles/) at all?

They do slide work specifically for an RMR. How permanent it is, I'm not sure. I do know that if you don't want to mount an RMR right away, a plate cover is placed to fill the void where the RMR would sit.

That would definitely help cut down on the bulk/size, compared to the ALG 6-second mount.

Only downside is that their work is only for Glocks (at least at this present time).

[schambers]

Fortunately I favor the Glock grip profile to other plastic guns.

I considdered the plate mounting system that aftermarket companies do, but I don't know how stable those platforms are. They might be perfectly fine, but I've never really seen or heary anything positive or negative about those options.

[UWone77]

So schambers, any more thoughts on the 6 second mount?

Considering trying one out for a range toy as I don't like the idea of paying for a milled slide for an RMR.

[tact]

Whether you are a fan of the ALG mount or the milled slide variation there is some good info in this vid from Sage Dynamics. I can't say that I agree with the whole placement of the BUIS, but the rest of it I learned the hard way before I saw this video.

http://youtu.be/zrrlxEwUaRM

[schambers]

So schambers, any more thoughts on the 6 second mount?

Considering trying one out for a range toy as I don't like the idea of paying for a milled slide for an RMR.

I'm still a little faster with iron-sights when drawing from a holster. When I say that, I mean very slightly faster, probably somewhere between .5 to 1 second of difference on average.

I would say that its significantly easier to move and keep a the pistol on target with the ALG mount (and I assume this applies to all pistol red dot configurations), compared to irons... especially inside shoot houses and my home.

When you have a loaded magazine in the Glock, the weight balance is Ok. Not ideal but it won't induce fatigue either. A G17 set up with a T-1, Surefire and a full magazine is noticeably beefy though.

I got the opportunity to try an M&P CORE with an RMR and for me, it was easier to come back on target with my ALG setup. I think Its because the optic doesn't reciprocate. The weight balance on the M&P was a bit nicer to hold, but the front-heavy nature of the ALG helps with muzzle flip.

As I don't have any major plans for the G17, I'm going to keep the ALG on it, and keep practicing. My wife likes it as well so it will be the primary home defense gun for now. As a side note, I like being able to keep the T-1 in the "on" position all the time, and not having to be overly concerned with battery drain.

I'm still not sure if I'm completely sold on the overall idea of having a optic permanently mounted on a pistol. I'm definitely not going to go out and get my carry gun, or get the G17 milled out for an RMR. I think I might have said this in an earlier post, but the RMR/pistol combinations are still a little to unproven for me to feel comfortable carrying.

I would say that if you have an aimpoint lying around, then you might want to give it a shot. But if you feel like you are already going to commit to getting a slide dedicated to a red dot, it would probably be cheaper in the long run to go all-in and do a more permanent modification.

*edit* I would be curious to see if someone comes out with an ALG-style mount for the G19, that mounts an RMR