The Evolution of Pistol Sights: From Irons to Electronic Red Dot Sights 

The evolution of pistol sights rapidly accelerated over the past 10 years, as an increasing number of shooters have transitioned from traditional iron sights to having an electronic red dot sight (RDS) on at least one of their pistols. If you are one of the laggards who believe that if pistols were meant to have RDS sights, then by God John Browning would have put one on the 1911 then stop right here and go clean your musket. However, you might want to stick around and read some more because today nearly every pistol manufacturer has an offering either equipped from the factory with an RDS or at least an optic cut/plate to facilitate one. We’re beyond pistol RDS’ being a fad, or even a trend. They are now a standard piece of equipment accepted by law enforcement agents and military units worldwide.  

The pistol RDS revolution has transformed pistol shooting and the way shooters train. A pistol with an RDS allows for enhanced accuracy, speed, and a more effective overall shooting experience. In this article, we touch on the history of pistol sights, the rise of electronic red dot sights, and the advantages they offer compared to traditional iron sights and other types of RDS. 

The History of Pistol Sights 

Pistol sights have come a long way from their humble beginnings. Traditional iron sights, composed of a front and rear sight, have been the standard for centuries. These sights, typically crafted from metal, rely on the alignment of the front and rear sight to ensure accuracy. While effective, iron sights require significant practice and skill to master, as they demand precise alignment and a steady hand. 

The enduring advantage of iron sights, or fixed sights of different materials (e.g., polymer), is that they are inherently reliable. They don’t use a battery and work even if they are bumped into obstacles, dropped, or soaked in water.  

Are Red Dot Sights Good for Pistols 

The late 20th century saw the advent of electronic red dot sights, revolutionizing the shooting world. Originally developed for rifles, red dot sights quickly gained popularity among pistol users due to their ease of use and enhanced accuracy. The RDS projects a red dot onto a lens, providing a clear and easily visible aiming point. Unlike iron sights, which require alignment of multiple elements, red dot sights allow shooters to focus solely on the target, making them faster and more intuitive to use. 

Consistent with the notion that “competition improves the breed,” the first adopters of RDS on pistols were competition shooters. Jerry Barnhart is credited with the first person to use a RDS on a handgun in IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) competition in the late 1970s. He found a way to mount an RDS designed for rifle use on his pistol. It looked comical by today’s standards, but back then his speed advantage couldn’t be disputed. As Patrick Sweeney wrote in Guns & Ammo, “He showed up at the 1990 USPSA Nationals with a red dot sight and beat us so badly it was embarrassing.” 

Shortly thereafter, a new arms race began and IPSC competitors rapidly adopted red dot sights to increase their speed, accuracy, and scores.  

Types of Pistol Red Dot Sights 

There are several types of red dot sights available for pistols, each with unique features and benefits. The main types include tube-style red dot sights, open or reflex red dot sights, and holographic sights. 

Tube-Style Red Dot Sights 

Tube-style red dot sights resemble traditional scopes and are enclosed within a tube. These sights offer excellent protection for the internal components and are often more durable than other types. They also provide a clearer sight picture in bright light conditions, as the tube helps reduce glare. However, tube-style red dot sights tend to be bulkier and may obstruct peripheral vision. The tube-style RDS is generally considered more suitable for long guns than pistols, especially in light of other options.  

Open or Reflex Red Dot Sights 

Open or “reflex” red dot sights are more compact and lightweight than tube-style sights. They feature an exposed lens on which the red dot is projected (i.e., open emitters). This design offers a wider field of view and allows for quicker target acquisition. Reflex sights are popular among competitive shooters and concealed carry users due to their minimalistic design and ease of use. The market today is saturated with open emitter RDS options at multiple price points.  

Holographic Sights 

Holographic sights, while less common on pistols, provide a unique aiming experience. These sights use a laser to project a holographic reticle onto the lens, offering an even clearer and more precise aiming point. Holographic sight reticles provide the shooter with more information and the reticle appears to float in the air. Holographic sights are known for their ability to retain zero even if the lens is partially obstructed or damaged. However, they are typically more expensive and consume more battery power than other red dot sights.  

Closed Emitter or “Mailbox” Red Dot Sights 

One of the disadvantages of the open emitter and even the holographic RDS design is the dot and/or reticle can become difficult or impossible to discern when the lens or emitter gets wet. Rain, heavy fog, condensation, and snow can all introduce water onto the sight lens or emitter, making the reticle bloom into a starburst of red (or green) light. The author has experienced this first-hand in competitions, and when it happens it is a major distraction. An open emitter design also allows mud, dirt, and snow to accumulate in the open space behind the lens. It is more difficult to clear out debris from this semi-enclosed area than it would be to simply wipe the top of the side with your hand or glove.  

Closed emitter red dot sights, sometimes called “mailbox” sights because of their boxy profile, were designed to eliminate the problems associated with open emitter and holographic sights. As the name would suggest, a closed emitter RDS covers the area above the space where the emitter sits, preventing material from accumulating. A closed emitter RDS like the Sig Sauer Romeo2™ allows for both open and closed emitter options. If the front or back lens of a closed emitter sight gets wet or dirty, just wipe it off and you’re good to go. Their boxy profile, however, does make them less concealable than open emitter designs as they print on clothing easier.  

Advantages of Red Dot Sights over Iron Sights 

Red dot sights offer pistol shooters several significant advantages over traditional iron sights. These benefits include: 

• Faster Target Acquisition: Red dot sights allow shooters to acquire targets more quickly, as they do not require alignment of multiple sight elements. The red dot provides a single point of focus, enabling faster and more intuitive aiming. In close quarters situations, you don’t need to use the dot or reticle, the “hoop” or outline of the lens is accurate enough at close range.  

• Improved Accuracy: The clear and precise aiming point of a red dot sight enhances accuracy, especially at longer distances. Shooters can maintain a consistent sight picture without worrying about aligning front and rear sights. 

• Better Low-Light Performance: Red dot sights are highly visible in low-light conditions, making them ideal for nighttime or indoor shooting. Some models even offer adjustable brightness settings to match varying light conditions. 

• Reduced Eye Strain: With traditional iron sights, shooters must shift focus between the front sight, rear sight, and target. Red dot sights eliminate this need, allowing shooters to maintain focus on the target and reduce eye strain. 

• Enhanced Situational Awareness: The wider field of view offered by reflex and holographic sights allows shooters to maintain better situational awareness. This is particularly important in self-defense and tactical scenarios. 

• Alternative Slide Manipulation: The RDS itself provides a flat surface that can be used to rack a pistol slide easily with one hand. If one hand or arm is disabled and out of the fight, an RDS will allow you to manipulate the slide backwards with one hand on a table, table leg, belt, door jamb, staircase spindle, seat, or other surface.  

Advantages of Different Types of Red Dot Sights 

While all red dot sights offer significant advantages over iron sights, each type of RDS has its own unique benefits: 

• Tube-Style Red Dot Sights: These sights provide excellent durability and protection for the internal components. They are ideal for rugged environments and bright light conditions, as the enclosed design reduces glare. In general, most people do not use tube red dot sights on pistols, because of their size and weight relative to others.  

• Open or Reflex Red Dot Sights: Reflex sights are lightweight and compact, making them perfect for competitive shooting and concealed carry. Their wide field of view allows for quick target acquisition and better situational awareness. These are perhaps the most popular.  

• Holographic Sights: Holographic sights serve up an actual reticle that provides the shooter with multiple sight pictures and information. Additionally, they usually offer more clarity and minimize dot flaring from astigmatisms. Their ability to retain zero even with a damaged lens makes them a reliable choice for tactical and high-stress situations. 

• Closed Emitter or “Mailbox” Red Dot Sights: Closed emitter red dot sights provide the benefits of both open and holographic sights, depending on the options on the RDS you are comparing, and the extra security and peace of mind of an enclosed emitter. Mailbox RDS’ are favored in military and law enforcement applications because they can be used outside in every weather condition reliably.  

Making the Transition 

Just like a whole generation of drivers who don’t know how to operate a manual transmission (stick shift), a new generation of shooters is growing up not knowing how to use iron sights. We’re not making a value judgment but suffice to say pistol RDS’ are now standard fare. 

A significant barrier to transitioning to an RDS for those who first learned pistol shooting using iron sights is retraining your brain. For us iron sight learners, it was drilled into our heads to “focus on the front sight” all the time and then find your point of aim on the target. With a red dot sight your focus is on the target, not the dot. A consistent grip is needed to see the dot every time you aim your pistol, to avoid “fishing” around for the dot by moving the pistol up, down, and sideways.  

Becoming consistent with a pistol RDS takes time for training in new habits. But hey, if the author can do it, so can you! Ultimately, the significant benefits of a pistol RDS make the training well worth it.  

The Importance of Self Defense Legal Protection

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Conclusion

The evolution of pistol sights from iron sights to electronic red dot sights represents a significant advancement in shooting technology and shooter effectiveness. Pistol red dot sights offer numerous benefits, including faster target acquisition, improved accuracy, and better low-light performance. Among the various types of red dot sights, each has its own unique advantages, catering to different shooting needs and preferences. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that red dot sights will become even more prevalent and accessible, further enhancing the shooting experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike. 

Second Call Defense is not insurance and does not sell or promote insurance products.  Second Call Defense is a membership organization that provides its members access to the “Second Amendment Support Foundation, Inc.,” which provides the means necessary to protect Second Call Defense members from the legal aftermath of exercising their right to self-defense. For an overview of the differences between Second Call Defense Member Benefits and traditional insurance, click here.