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Posted: 5/11/2026 11:21:25 AM EDT
[Last Edit: dmk0210][Edited]
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Obviously should do both eventually, but which to do first? I have two guns (particular model doesn't matter), both used for concealed carry IWB/AIWB. One is a subcompact (G26, P10S, P30SK, etc). The other gun is a full size (G45, P10C, G30, etc). Neither gun is optic ready and will have to be milled for an optic cut. Both guns use the same mags so capacity is not an issue. I'm thinking the subcompact could gain a significant advantage with the red dot. OTOH it would also gain much more bulk as a percentage of its size. The larger gun could probably take better advantage of the RDS advantages due to it's size and weight. Can shoot it faster, better recoil control and it potentially has a somewhat longer effective range. But I probably wouldn't carry this gun as much. Which gun would you choose to add the RDS to? |
ARFCOM’s CHO
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ARFCOM’s CHO
Joined:
Aug 2022
Posts:
4865
EE: 100% (1)
FL, USA
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: Actually, I think whichever one I put the optic on will be the one I'll want to carry the most.  What do you typically carry now? I though moving from a P365xl to a g17 would be an easy transition, but I went back to the smaller gun after a few months |
"I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."
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Originally Posted By NvrBrdWes: What do you typically carry now? I though moving from a P365xl to a g17 would be an easy transition, but I went back to the smaller gun after a few months I want to move to something more controllable though and I'm going back to AIWB again to accommodate a larger gun and red dot. Interestingly, the poll unanimously says everyone would put the RDS on the full size gun. Yet the comments unanimously say put it on the gun that would get carried more (a good suggestion I think). Realistically, the subcompact probably would on average get carried more. |
| I’ll buck the trend a bit here, partially because in my situation I have a full sized G17 and a G43X that are both cut for optics. I didn’t have any experience with red dots on handguns so I started with the G17 and carry the G43X while I’m getting used to the RMR. I’ll move it to the 43X after a month or two getting used to it and put a larger window SRO or RMR HD on the 17. |
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Put it on the full size and carry/shoot it a lot. Then transition to a red dot on the smaller/lighter/more compact gun, if you think it will benefit to do so. Gives you more options than putting the dot on the compact first. Full size can take a larger optic than a micro on a true compact and be easier to use. Also, may not be able to pocket carry the compact with a dot, if the need arises. |
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It would depend on how the subcompact is carried. If you ever carry in a pocket or on the ankle, then probably would not recommend an optic. It would depend on what percentage you carry each size gun and if you use them for anything else like competition. Since I have pocket carried a G26 in the past but with most likely carry a G17 at least 95% of the time, the G17 is what I would go with. |
Froot Loops are all the same flavor. They just taste like froot. Whatever the heck that is.
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I put my first RDS on a full size 22 for cheep training. Dots are cheep enough. Set one gun up for training and the other for carry. You can go cheep on the trainer. If you fry a Olight or Temu dot on a trainer, who cares? Learning curve will be less steep with the full size. There will be fewer variables; grip, recoil, mounting, to deal with. In theory the subcompact would benefit the most from a RDS. Subcompacts have shorter a sight radius. A RDS negates any issues of sight radius. Whatever you choose, be prepared to dry fire for a while to retrain yourself. Watch a few videos on occluded. Then try that. Shooting occluded is like training with voodoo magic. |
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