Thinking Man's Corner

Article By: Leo H

Part One…

Throughout this article, I will refer to pistol-mounted-optics as red-dot-sights (RDS) simply as a means of identification. As we all know, the “dot” in these optics is now available in several different colors and shapes… each of which are said to function “best” given specific operational environments. Who knows? I am certainly no expert regarding design nor implementation.

As you may recall, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) instructors presented an excellent lecture and range demonstration on pistol-mounted-optics at the GALEFI 2023 Annual Training Conference. They made a positive endorsement for the optic and stated their program had met, or exceeded, their expectations when introducing the sight enhancement at the entry level. Their data also seemed to support acceptance at the field and administrative levels as they begin to issue red-dot-sights (RDS) to current personnel throughout their agency.

On the other hand, it was interesting to hear not everyone seemed to agree that RDS was a valid piece of duty gear. In fact, during the Question-and-Answer period of the lecture, one of the conference attendees stated a local academy would not permit participants in the Basic Law Enforcement Course to utilize RDS during the firearm portion of the program. This restriction taking place even where the equipment in question was issued by the department. Why would an implement which had such positive impact at the entry level for Homeland Security be restricted at other academies? Are there potential “cons” that cancel the obvious “pros” observed by the HSI instructors?

A past blog post shared at this site and entitled, “Pistol Mounted Optics” covered the topics of:

• RDS relevancy in a combat setting
• Suggested proficiency drills
• A brief discussion of backup sights
• Proper mounting and maintenance
• Training for environmental issues
• Discussion regarding emitters, dot size, shape, and color
• Provided his opinion regarding duty grade optics

I found the article to be well written and will make no attempt to cover the same territory here. Instead, I will make note of what my research and personal experience has found. Of course, I have opinions to share which you may, or may not, find relevant.

As you are all no doubt aware, there seem to be very few items of defensive gear developed from the ground up exclusively for law enforcement. Most of our gear began its life as a tool or implement for the military, hunting, or competitive market. As a result, most of the testing and evaluation (T&E) takes place in those same environments and then, over time, finds its way into the hands of law enforcement. Sometimes the T&E process is extensive and relevant. Oftentimes, the tools you carry have been selected by individuals far from the field based upon cost or personal preference. The advent of the RDS into the realm of law enforcement field use seems to follow this trend.

Reflector, or reflex, type sights have been around for quite some time. They were invented in 1900 and widely used by the military for artillery and air warfare since that time. They found their way into battle on the ground in the form of Occluded-Eye-Gunsights (OEG) by Special Forces personnel in Vietnam. Following successful use on various battle rifles in Desert Storm; in 2000, the US Military introduced red-dot-optics into field use. Primarily, these types of optics have been utilized on shoulder weapons by various military units since that time. In fact, when I asked a student in a patrol rifle class why he was having so much difficulty shooting our iron sight task-oriented-qualifiers (as he was from a branch of the military that prides itself for its rifle capabilities) he stated, “We used ACOGs… we never shot with iron sights.” True, or not, it is very telling of RDS capability on the battlefield.

In 1975, Aimpoint AB marketed the first “electronic” sight with the intent of bridging the gap between military and civilian use. Why limit yourself to one market when there is an entire planet you can sell to. A recent “Bing” search showed the 2021 RDS global market to be at $57.80 million with a 4.9% annual increase expected well into the immediate future. Today, you will find the optic on all manner of hunting bows, rifles, shotguns, handguns, and anything else that shoots. Hunters and civilian shooting enthusiasts seem impressed with the tool as the market continues to expand.

It did not take long for the competitive market to begin experimenting with “electronic” optics; each shooter in the hope of obtaining an edge over other match participants. Most of the online forums I researched voiced the opinion the RDS provided the advantage of quicker shots especially when transitioning between targets and at distances. When competitors all possess the same relative marksmanship ability, firing quicker shots provides a better overall score leading to the number one slot in the win column. In 1990, Jerry Barnhart showed up at the USPSA Nationals with a pistol fitted with a Tasco dot and finished first at speeds found unbelievable at the time. When Doug Koenig then won the World Shoot with a dot mounted gun later that year, they became the norm for all of the top-level competitors. In 2009, USPSA created a production division, so shooters did not have to own a dot to have a chance at winning.

As with most things law enforcement, advancement into the world of technology moves slowly. As weapon-mounted-optics found their way from military use, to competition, and on to the civilian world of hunting and sport shooting; they have eventually gained popularity in the law enforcement community, as well. In 2012, Smith and Wesson began offering optics-ready pistols. They were followed by Glock in 2015. Sig-Sauer entered the market in 2016; in addition to manufacturing optics- ready pistols, they introduced their own line of optics in an industry first. Law Enforcement specialty units had been using shoulder weapon “dot” optics for quite some time and most agencies firearms instructional support staff generally tend to come from either a competitive or tactical background. The writing was finally on the wall… Red-Dot-Sights are the way of the future.

First, we saw agencies who were willing to either recognize the advantage or whose administration was willing to bend to the pressure of employee wants and “expert” recommendation. Policy was written permitting personal purchase of approved optics following authorized instruction. Holster options were few as most officers were satisfied with iron sights when they found “electronic” aiming gizmos to be rather expensive thus limiting their purchase and use. The issuance of most equipment (especially where significant cost is involved) requires a long line of argument, T&E, ego massaging, more argument, threats, compromise, and eventual purchase. While a “good idea,” issued optics were still somewhere in the future.

Finally, there is movement. Around 2013, HSI began looking into RDS ultimately becoming the first Federal agency to issue and train their personnel at the entry level in 2021. In 2020, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office began to issue optics to deputies at the academy level. In 2018, the Houston Police Department approved RDS for personal use and, in 2020, they graduated their first all RDS basic recruit class. The Georgia State Patrol and the Clayton County Police Department began transitioning to RDS in 2023. The Savannah Police Department will begin issuance of new handguns, to include RDS, in early 2024. There are many other agencies within the State that have either begun a process of evaluation regarding the use or issuance of RDS, have begun to issue RDS to their personnel, or have amended policy to permit personal RDS carry to properly trained personnel.

Now, most of the major holster manufacturers offer several choices for the various pistols supporting mounted optics. Many of the complaints of power issues, weight, and design frailty have been resolved through a steady stream of continued research and development. Today, there is a wide variety of available product suitable to almost any “bean counter.”

Thus far, my research has found no evidence of safety issues related to pistol-mounted-optics (so long as the sight is properly mounted) which would preclude their use at the entry level. Perhaps the ability to hit what you are shooting at is considered an unfair advantage? After all, we know everyone should be shooting the same gun… Right?

Slowly, the wheel turns.

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucious

Semper Optimum!