Gun Nerd
12-09-2023, 06:48 PM
After some frustrating experiences trying to see my iron sights on an indoor range that's less well lit than I'm used to, I decided I was ready to open my mind to the red dot. A friend offered to lend me some gear (more on that in a moment).
The first part of the experiment was setting aside my PX4CC and going back to my Glock 19 (Gen 4). I dry fired it almost daily over the course of a week, using my Mantis X. My trigger pull scores were a little higher than with the DA trigger on the Beretta, so there's that. I also noted that the Ameriglo FBI sights on the Glock are a better height and width for me than the Ameriglo CAPs on the Beretta.
My plan for the first range outing was to establish a baseline with the G19 and iron sights, then replace the slide assembly with my friend's - a PSA Dagger slide assembly with a Holosun 407C. To be sure I could detect whether I was having a good or bad day, I decided to shoot some drills that I've shot enough to have an idea of where I usually stand. Here are the results:
G19, iron sights:
Wizard Drill - FAIL (2M/1OT)
5 Yard Roundup - 93
The Test - 92 (although I grossly rushed it in under 7 seconds)
FAST - 7.98, 2M on the circle so 9.98 (I think - forgot to write it down from the timer. Definitely under 8 seconds raw.
G19, 407C:
Wizard Drill - FAIL (2M/3 OT) - my first experience of the challenge in picking up the dot.
5 Yard Roundup - 94 -10 for an OT shot (couldn't find the dot on the draw)
The Test - 96 (possibly a personal best)
FAST - 9.19 clean (albeit with a 3.37 draw to first shot)
To try out some reticle choices, my friend also brought his Steyr S9 with a 507K. We set it to the circle-only setting and I shot The Test. I scored 92 points with an unfamiliar gun with a slippery grip. The circle seems to have a lot of merit for helping a beginner pick up the reticle.
Back to the Glock, we decided to close with a pure accuracy drill:
Vickers 300 (G19 w/ 407C) - 290 (I believe this is a PR)
Vickers 300 (G19 w/ iron sights) - 269 (at some point I started holding too low, but there was also a distinct accuracy difference)
I need to do a lot more work with the optic until my presentation equals or exceeds my iron sight performance. But I'm sold on the concept.
The first part of the experiment was setting aside my PX4CC and going back to my Glock 19 (Gen 4). I dry fired it almost daily over the course of a week, using my Mantis X. My trigger pull scores were a little higher than with the DA trigger on the Beretta, so there's that. I also noted that the Ameriglo FBI sights on the Glock are a better height and width for me than the Ameriglo CAPs on the Beretta.
My plan for the first range outing was to establish a baseline with the G19 and iron sights, then replace the slide assembly with my friend's - a PSA Dagger slide assembly with a Holosun 407C. To be sure I could detect whether I was having a good or bad day, I decided to shoot some drills that I've shot enough to have an idea of where I usually stand. Here are the results:
G19, iron sights:
Wizard Drill - FAIL (2M/1OT)
5 Yard Roundup - 93
The Test - 92 (although I grossly rushed it in under 7 seconds)
FAST - 7.98, 2M on the circle so 9.98 (I think - forgot to write it down from the timer. Definitely under 8 seconds raw.
G19, 407C:
Wizard Drill - FAIL (2M/3 OT) - my first experience of the challenge in picking up the dot.
5 Yard Roundup - 94 -10 for an OT shot (couldn't find the dot on the draw)
The Test - 96 (possibly a personal best)
FAST - 9.19 clean (albeit with a 3.37 draw to first shot)
To try out some reticle choices, my friend also brought his Steyr S9 with a 507K. We set it to the circle-only setting and I shot The Test. I scored 92 points with an unfamiliar gun with a slippery grip. The circle seems to have a lot of merit for helping a beginner pick up the reticle.
Back to the Glock, we decided to close with a pure accuracy drill:
Vickers 300 (G19 w/ 407C) - 290 (I believe this is a PR)
Vickers 300 (G19 w/ iron sights) - 269 (at some point I started holding too low, but there was also a distinct accuracy difference)
I need to do a lot more work with the optic until my presentation equals or exceeds my iron sight performance. But I'm sold on the concept.