One of the advantages of being an instructor at Gunsite Academy is seeing possibly emerging trends. Coupled with my regular contact with current Law Enforcement I get to see where things may be headed. Results vary for sure with lots of good things happening in training an equipment, but occasionally a trend arises that is concerning. Most cross worlds like the use of optics on pistols but some are particular to police work or general defense. One of those has been an increasing dependence on the RDS as the only sighting system on both pistols and rifles. When asked why, the response is often “why, my dot has never failed.” In. my opinion these fall into that dangerous category of “famous last words!”
Everything Fails
Anyone who thinks their dot will never fail is simply living in a social media fantasy land, or sales propaganda. Having tested them since their introduction to rifles let alone pistols, they all fail. Competition pistol or fun time at the range sure, if someone’s life is at stake, pure stupidity.
We were teaching and practicing methods to aim as needed when your iron sights failed in the early 1980’s, why, because they failed on occasion. We are talking mostly revolvers back then, about as robust as it gets but they could get damaged or even fall off. When semi-autos arrived it got worse with both falling off with some regularity. Early plastic sights got knocked off getting out of the squad car or just flew off during training.
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When “dots” were added to iron sights they fell out all the time. As Tritium became a thing they would go dark or just fall off, generally when you needed them. Is it better now, sure after decades of improvement. So, the idea that your battery operated electronic device will never fail is just pure fantasy.
Backup Sights, Yes They Are Necessary
This first came to my attention working with an LE client who came to me with an AR with an RDS and no other sighting system. When asked where the irons were, he stated, “Our agency no longer requires them, issues them on their rifles, or trains us how to use them.” So, what if it fails? Well, “It has not so far, and we just transition to our pistol.”
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Bottom line, in this instance the “back up” was another gun. I have also seen two instances were “duty pistols” had an RDS and no irons. Sadly when asked what to do if the dot fails the “shrugged,” it has not yet. Besides, shooting iron sights is “hard” and time consuming especially for new officers. Sad commentary for sure, unfortunately not uncommon.
Every duty or carry rifle or pistol should have at least two immediately available sighting systems, in most case an Optic / RDS and iron sights that co-witness if an RDS Is used. LPVO can use sights mounted at 11:00 or 1:00 o’clock. Using a second electronic sight mounted to the side is also an option, but not my favorite.
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In the case of those with NVG’s you may see three, an Infrared Lazer, then the optic, and irons. Something needs to be there, counting on the ability to “transition” if your dot fails is ridiculous, especially on a rifle. With encounters often at longer ranges moving from a perfectly good rifle to a pistol because you are too damned lazy to train or practice with irons is just plain stupid to me. Working guns should be setup to do the job in any condition, leave the gadgetry to the talking heads and celebrities.
Practice Alternatives
Make sure to practice methods for sighting when your optics or irons fail. On a pistol the top of the RDS is a great way to get on target at even longer ranges, just practice it on the range to see what your point of impact is. With a little practice getting hits even at 25 yards is no issue, is it a precision instrument, nope, but it works.
Same with a long gun, although simply moving to or flipping up your irons is a ton better. Some of us were able to get hits with irons out to 600 meters, so it is anything but inaccurate. You can also use a defined line on a rifle if everything is blocked. For RDS users be certain to practice a way to “clear” an optic that is occluded by rain, snow, mud, or even blood from your wounded hand, yep, it happens.
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Wrapping It Up
Technology is great, always has been, and I am a huge fan and adopter of RDS use on both a pistol and a rifle. Depriving yourself of any advantage is equally as dumb to me. Remember it’s a fight, not a contest, losers tend to go home in a box, take advantage of everything you can. Just don’t abandon proven simplistic technology in the same breath. All my carry or defense guns use an RDS, Optic, and iron sights. As in most things in this world, it is fat better to have it and not use it then need it and not have it!