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Posted: 7/2/2006 4:32:42 PM EDT
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Intro: Using Optics/Laser has a significant tactical advantage over irons in that target aquisition is more rapid and produces less eye strain b/c you can shoot w/ both eyes and your mind and your eyes focused on the same thing, the target. Learning to shoot while focusing on the font sight is certainly doable, but the fact that optics are preferred by the operators w/ long guns and high speed hand gun competitors speaks for itself. Note On Lasers: A laser is really no different than a holosight/red dot in the way the eye is used to target. W/ non magnified optics, the eyes look through the optic at the target, not at the dot. It is the same thing w/ lasers except that there is nothing to look through. The laser doesn't even require the bore to be close to the aimer's eyes, but it is not visible in brightness or at longer ranges. Another advantave of lasers w/ handguns is that there are types that can be mounted in the grip or a dust cover that don't preclude carrying in a normal type holster. Draw Backs of Training w/ Optics/Lasers: The problem w/ training w/ optics/lasers is that it may require a different type of posture, and it always requires a different type of eye focus and if one finds himself in a tactical situation where his optics/laser breaks or us useless, he may not be able to shoot so well. On CoWitness: Co witnessing is a little over rated, at least when it is touted as offering the benefits of an optic w/o compromising an operators skills w/ irons. Even if you use a 100% co-witness w/ both sights up, you are still training yourself to focus on the target rather than the front sight since you look through the optic at your target. So even though you are using the same shooting posture on your rifle, you are using your eyes differently. A Note on Shooting w/ Handgun Lasers: shooting w/ a laser on a hand gun can only be accomplished w/ change in posture from the way you do when focusing on the front sight b/c the font sight will cover up the laser in the shooter's field of view. To shoot w/ a laser you just have to position thegun directly infront of your nose and you look around either side of the slide w/ your eyes focused on the target. In this fashion, w/ the pistol not actually in your either your L or your R line of sight, you can focus both of yours eyes on the target and see the laser while you have ghost images of the pistol to the L and R of the target. To shoot w/ an optic you just have to drop the pistol a little bit and look through. In either case, a minimal change in posture, but a significant change in eye focus. Drawbacks of training w/ optics/laser on hand gun: Another difference is that w/ a rifle you can reasobably assume that you will virtually always be able to use your Optic, while w/ a hand gun, a optic or laser is probably not going to be sitting on the gun when you go to use it. This is because if you are planning on gettin on a gun fight, you had better grab a long arm. Usually you only grab your hand gun in a defensive reactive postion or if your long gun breaks. Even if it your laser is a holster compatable laser grip or other laser, you may not be able to see it in the light. Therefore, since most of the time the laser will not be there fore you to use in an emergencey situation on a hand gun, is it counter-tactical to train w/ a laser/optic The pivotal question is: Can most people be expected to be able to effectively transition between optics and irons, or is it better to just stick to one type of shooting discipline for the hand gun and one for the rifle? |
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All sighting systems can fail, even iron sights. Try a range session in heavy rain or blowing snow… To set up a training program, chart out all possible engagement scenarios then assign a probability factor to each one. For example in law enforcement what is the probability of a sniper ever engaging at 1,000 yards? A pistol shooter engaging a 100 yard target? Both are possible but very, very low. After you decide what scenario you are going to invest most of your time on evaluate the probability of sight failures. Can you come up with something that will simulate optics failure that an instructor can toggle? As to those really low probability scenarios… Throw one in from time to time as a challenge to keep up the interest. |
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I train 50/50 with laser and irons for pistol because its light half the time and its dark half the time. The laser failing is the least of my concerns and shifting from laser to irons is about 1/1000th as hard as you describe. In daylight I am not looking for my laser anyway. For long guns I train 90% with optics as the chance of the optic failing is extremely remote. |
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