'Red' dots (I prefer green myself) certainly improved my pistol-shooting accuracy once I made the switch a few years ago. Along with the accuracy my sense of enjoyment from the activity increased markedly also, so a plus on two counts.
With longer barrels... I used to shoot Palma long range, which is a carefully regulated sport requiring the use of < 156 grain bullets in .308 WIN or 7.62 NATO cartridges. No optics are permitted, so it's strictly 'match' sights; that's two circles, one on the action, the other at the muzzle end. 15 rounds for score, each at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. Closest I ever came was a 446 one day after I dropped four points with two '8's' in the 1,000 yard stage.
A good friend (now deceased, sadly) was a Distinguished Marksman in three different shooting disciplines who espoused the benefits of the venerable 30.06 round. I instead, taking inspiration from a cartridge developed by Robert Chombart ( also deceased now) for which I had built a rifle then developed an accurate load, shot a 20-round 'perfect' score of 200 at 1,000 yards one morning that tied the then existing National Record using match sights. The particular discipline allowed 'any' sights yet I managed it with those two apertures.
So yes, proficiency rests on familiarity, which comes from practice, not bluster.
I like a 6 inch revolver barrel with big black post on the tip that stands up between the eye and the target - in bright light - and a red, builtin, squeeze activated in laser for dim light. Assuming Defense is always up close immediate. The little red dot sweeps to the target and a hole appears in that spot.
It's quite satisfying to see from the comments that shooters still recognize the three best ways to become proficient: "Practice, practice, practice!"
There Is no replacement for practice, practice, practice.
'Red' dots (I prefer green myself) certainly improved my pistol-shooting accuracy once I made the switch a few years ago. Along with the accuracy my sense of enjoyment from the activity increased markedly also, so a plus on two counts.
With longer barrels... I used to shoot Palma long range, which is a carefully regulated sport requiring the use of < 156 grain bullets in .308 WIN or 7.62 NATO cartridges. No optics are permitted, so it's strictly 'match' sights; that's two circles, one on the action, the other at the muzzle end. 15 rounds for score, each at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. Closest I ever came was a 446 one day after I dropped four points with two '8's' in the 1,000 yard stage.
A good friend (now deceased, sadly) was a Distinguished Marksman in three different shooting disciplines who espoused the benefits of the venerable 30.06 round. I instead, taking inspiration from a cartridge developed by Robert Chombart ( also deceased now) for which I had built a rifle then developed an accurate load, shot a 20-round 'perfect' score of 200 at 1,000 yards one morning that tied the then existing National Record using match sights. The particular discipline allowed 'any' sights yet I managed it with those two apertures.
So yes, proficiency rests on familiarity, which comes from practice, not bluster.
I like a 6 inch revolver barrel with big black post on the tip that stands up between the eye and the target - in bright light - and a red, builtin, squeeze activated in laser for dim light. Assuming Defense is always up close immediate. The little red dot sweeps to the target and a hole appears in that spot.
At least that’s the idea. Comments?
Personal choice is a red ramp sight or the 3 dots, 357 revolver or a 1911 45 my favorites