For defensive purposes perhaps Red Dot sights are pointless?

[WrongHanded]

It really only works if you have binocular vision. Not everyone does. When I shoot with the front cover closed I'm not conscious of seeing the Aimpoint. I know that I am, but what my mind sees is the dot on the target

Ah. Perhaps that explains it. I am very strongly left eye dominant. My right works just fine, but my left is doing the heavy lifting. So if the view with my left eye is obscured, I have to consciously switch to using my right so that I can "see" again. That's probably quiet detrimental in some way, and I just haven't realized.

 

[ClicheBro]

They're also the best thing to use on a pistol while wearing night vision.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I have a Leupold Delta point pro on a 617. It has a 2 min dot if I remember correctly. I have shot some impressive groups for me with it, much better than I can with irons. However I have a hard time picking up the dot quickly plus I have to change the intensity of the dot according to the ambient light. I have to assume there are better choices of sights to use on a defensive weapon? For me personally even with old eyes I’d have to stick with iron sights at this point. I’m still open minded and intriguied though and have enjoyed this thread.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'm sticking with an internal guide-rod laser.
The gun still fits in my pocket holster.
My work dress code won't allow me to wear a regular holster.
Also, if the laser fails to work then there's nothing in the way of my sights... .

 

[The_Quartermaster]

I will say that a red dot equipped handgun could make even the crappiest brand of ammo look good...until better ammunition is being used, of course.

 

[Tilos]

Ah. Perhaps that explains it. I am very strongly left eye dominant. My right works just fine, but my left is doing the heavy lifting. So if the view with my left eye is obscured, I have to consciously switch to using my right so that I can "see" again. That's probably quiet detrimental in some way, and I just haven't realized.

You can turn your head slightly, so your nose blocks the view of the sight/red dot for your non-sighting eye.
That way, you can leave it open, and with practice, this can become second nature for shooting handguns.
try it, what's to lose?
jmo,
.

 

[12Bravo20]

It seems that there is a lot of hate for red dots on pistols with all of the threads started about them lately.

If you don't want to use a RDS, that is your choice and there is nothing wrong with that. But I see quite a bit of misunderstanding and misconceptions when it comes to using a RDS on a pistol too. Yes there is a battery to change out, but most will last quite some time.

Is a RDS the best option for everyone? No it isn't. But they are proving themselves to be reliable, robust, and accurate. On thing to practice with a RDS is is using it like a big ghost ring sight at bad breath distances. It works when needed.

As mentioned, one big benefit of using a RDS is when your eye sight gets worse (with age), ti allows you to keep shooting accurately. And it has also been proven that they can just as fast if not faster on multiple targets.

And it doesn't matter if you use iron sights, lasers, or red dots, you still need to practice with your choice of sights.

PS; the last thread on this subject went 8 pages before getting locked due to people arguing about what sights are best.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/red-dots-who-wears-them-on-their-edc-pistols.911043/

 

[herrwalther]

But what about dust on the near face of the lens? Could that make the dot difficult to see in certain lighting?

Dust on the emitter is a complaint Ken Hackathorn in the video posted. With the popularity rise of fully enclosed red dots (Aimpoint ACRO P-2 and the like) the point has less merit than dust building on a specific area. I have gone ATV trail riding with my exposed emitter and I either didn't get dirty enough or dust didn't build up enough to where I couldn't still use the dot at the end of the trail.

 

[Old Dog]

Are Red Dot Sights really necessary or even appropriate for a concealed carry handgun?

This was the OP's question. Then came:

They're also the best thing to use on a pistol while wearing night vision.

Aside from the fact that not all RDS are compatible with NVDs/NODs, most of us probably don't do our errands or socializing after dark toting around NODs mounted on ballistic helmets, although they'd be fashionable accessories to our concealed carry handgun.

As mentioned, one big benefit of using a RDS is when your eye sight gets worse (with age), ti allows you to keep shooting accurately.

Absolutely agree with this.

But -- I've started to look at this from a needs vs. wants perspective. Although, like most here, I've carried a firearm and planned for the worst possible situation in which I could need to deploy one, when conducting my personal risk management assessment, I conclude it's not unlikely that I would have to use my firearm defensively. What does appear unlikely though, given my retired status, lifestyle and environment, is that'd I'd need to be shooting my handgun at any distance beyond probably twenty feet or so. Thus, given the likelihood that any DGU for me is considerably more likely to be a short-range affair, and that I've trained (and even competed a little) almost exclusively with iron sighted pistols, I choose to stick with the irons (I subscribe to the Toby Keith school of thought: I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was).

Not to say that I don't enjoy shooting handguns and rifles with all the cool optics (I think the Deltapoints, RMRs and Romeos are all great, I even own a couple), but I've not yet felt the need for an RDS on a concealed carry pistol. Of course, I retired just before my department went to issued optics on pistols, so shucks, I'd probably be totally on the bandwagon now. In another year I'll surely be posting how people that don't have 'em on their pistols aren't keeping up, but for now...

 

[12Bravo20]

Using a micro red sot sight is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. Use them if you want, or stick with iron sights if you want. Both have their pros and cons.

I personally like having a RDS on my pistols, they work for me just fine. I also will turn them complete off and practice using them as a ghost ring sight at close distances. Plus with my aging eyes, they definitely help.

 

[ClicheBro]

This was the OP's question. Then came:
Aside from the fact that not all RDS are compatible with NVDs/NODs, most of us probably don't do our errands or socializing

Some people use their concealed carry gun as their home defense gun.

 

[Old Dog]

Some people use their concealed carry gun as their home defense gun.

Well, all-righty then. Begs the question: What NODs do you have on your nightstand? (New thread coming) I've got some old PVS-14s, but I'd rather have 15s or 31s, heck, would love to have some GPNVG-18s for when I feel froggy...Anyway, to play the devil's advocate, I'd suggest a good hand-held light or WML and motion-sensor lighting around and in the house would be far more effective (easier and faster to deploy) as well as saving you at least 12 grand or more...