Should You Co-witness Your Handgun RDS to Iron Sights?
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- So you've got a red dot optic on your handgun, and some back up iron sights, do they work together? Should I slave the dot to the sights? What about co-witness this or that? Well this topic comes up a lot and we've got you covered. In this video we talk about what the dot does, and what the iron sights do and how you should be using the dot when shooting. Hopefully this answers a lot of the questions out there, but if not, please leave a comment so we can help out. Or better yet send a question to theqa@gunsandtactics.com
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00:00 - Intro
00:31 - A Little Humor
02:00 - My Background on the Subject
02:56 - The Basic Info - Red Dot and Back up Sights
03:27 - What is Co-Witness
04:40 - Why no co-witness on handgun
05:02 - Handgun Red Dot Setup
05:48 - What it looks like
06:06 - When would I use backup sights?
06:49 - Advantage of red dot sight not slaving to iron sights
07:44 - What about when zeroing?
08:47 - Here is what it should look like
10:50 - But I can’t find the dot without the sights?
11:29 - Get good red dot training
12:13 - Wrapping up
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- Note for RUclips: The portions of this video featuring the firing of a firearm were conducted at a specified range facility in a controlled, safe environment under the direction of instructors or range safety officers.
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#handgunrds
#handgunreddot
#rdshandgun
This is the number 1 video for explaining how the two sight systems work independently. Thank you for live visual representation too that helps soooo much. No other video I’ve looked up is this in depth
Thanks, trying to spread good info
@@GunsandTactics and the way you do it is very crystal clear I appreciate that
\m/ X_x \m/ Very well done indeed !
@@GunsandTacticsPlease just keep Arnold out of your vids. Hes
's all about tyranny and control this last few yrs.
But it’s one of the few impressions I can do well :-)
Your bit from 10:04 - 10:38 is 💰💰💰. Everyone needs to see this. You’re a master class instructor! Thank you for devoting your time to training good people to keep their families, themselves and the world around them safe. Selfless people like you give me hope for this country. From a veteran to a warrior of the people THANK YOU!
I am glad I found this. Just got my first optic and I am trying to learn the best way to use it. Thanks!
Thank you for the concise information and clarifying the misconception of co-witnessing with the iron sights. Everything you said and presented was very informative!
Thank you for answering this question! I’m in the middle of a pistol build and was wrestling with this very subject. I’m going to pass this information on to my team.
The best explanation on handgun red dot setup that I have seen. Wow...thank you!
By far the best video on this subject I've seen. I've had several friends ask me questions about adding a RDS and Co-witnessing suppressor height sights to their pistols. I've done it to several of my pistols. I will definitely show them this very informative video before letting them shoot mine. I especially like how you correctly show the front sight slightly higher than the rear sight when shooting with the red dot in the center of the glass. That is something many other videos fail to show correctly and it adds to the confusion for new red dot shooters.
THANK YOU! I've been shooting with iron sights for over 20 years. I just got a red dot and my friend and I took it to the range today. We both kept shooting low. I was looking up how to adjust my optic and luckily I found this video. (We were aligning the dot with the front sight.)
This was a very helpful video. It answered my questions about using optics while preserving iron sights.
This was a fantastic video. I have had all my questions regarding iron sight alignment, why my dot is so much higher than my front sight, etc. Excellent video.
Very good presentation. I have been thinking this all along. Glad someone else think the same way.
I came here looking for a video I could send to someone else for their understanding, ended up learning things myself too. Great video!
Thanks for the great instructions… I asked in your zeroing video if the dot shout be co witness to the front sight. You answered it here. Thanks.
Excellent presentation. The visual edits really helped me understand how the irons and optics are separate sighting systems.
I've been looking for just such a video for weeks without any luck. Thank you so very much! Absolutely spot on! Great video!
Best video out there, it really paints a clear picture on how pistol red dots work. Thank you.
Looking to get my 1st optic as I'm just beginning with handgun competition and this cleared things up A LOT. Thanks for the good info.
Just found your site. Lots of sites out there. I am very particular of where I get my info. Very nicely done! I don’t fallow to many sites, I am following yours now. Please keep up the good work. Thank you for your service.
This is the best video I've explaining the red dot and iron sights together. Thank you! Getting ready to buy my 1st red dot.
This is very helpful. I just got an FN 502 (22 LR), put a Vortex Venom on it and plan on zeroing it in at ten yards this weekend.
Thank you ! Thank you ! I was so confused about what optics to buy and pros and cons on co-witness. Also I wanted to mount different particular optics but was worry about co-witness with iron sights. You have made my day, with all this co-witness misleading info online that was just confusing me !
Thank you so much for doing this informative video !!!!! My mind is clear now and can use plates now without worrying about co-witnessing.
New sub alert...best explanation I've heard so far. I'm not really an optic on a handgun guy , but wanted to try it on my Ruger 57. My amateur thinking was co witness in case the optic fails...this helped me understand much better...thanks
I wish I had discovered your channel a long time ago. I watched your mounting video on the Staccato P and I did it all wrong. Going to start over and do it right this time. I was also very confused about the co-witness concept and this video was invaluable. Thanks.
Excellent video. Answered questions I've found nowhere else on You Tube. Liked and subscribed.
Best video/explanation I have seen on this topic. Thanks,
Spot on dude! Great presentation as well, easy to understand for people who may not quite get it. I have been running slide mounted red dots on pistols since 2010 have been in numerous instructor schools and have trained with most of the named people and compete with the dot. The conclusions I have come to are pretty much what you talk about here in this video. Also would like to thank you for your zero target, came across that a little while ago and like using it to warm up.
Thank you so much for the kind words and comment, glad you like the targets!
Also important to note if you slave it (with lager windows more noticeable) you reduce paralax and alter your grip angle and the wrist/ forearms as structure.
Very well done and the only video I could find that answered my questions about co witnessing. The examples, explanations and illustrations all reinforced the theories which also helped my understanding. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the compliment. It is really appreciated
This is great! Wish I had found this hundreds of dollars ago LOL! I have been "trial and erroring" it and have gotten to the point where my "trend" is decent with my red dots. I'm going to mess with this at the range though because I still doubt myself since I'm a new shooter. It's nice having this explained though because I'll have more confidence figuring out who sucks more, me or the red dot LOL! I was getting frustrated though because I'm not too bad with iron sights alone on guns without red dots. Reading the comments and your replies was almost as helpful as the videos itself. Thanks again!
This was the best block of instruction I am yet to find on the web. You just showed me what I am doing wrong & how to correct it. Thank you.
superb video! I was talking about this with a buddy earlier today. Just going to send him this! Amazing explanation. I'm new to micro-optics on a pistol so all this is extremely useful information. Thank you! Subbed!
Thanks and welcome!
This was extremely informative and concise, kept me engaged to the end. Preciate your time.
This is way better than any other red dot explanation video I’ve seen yet
You have the most informative red dot videos on you tube. Not to mention the most humorous and entertaining on RUclips. I really have learned a lot from you and enjoy your channel. I had never heard anyone explain co-witness before. It not being important and a waste makes sense after listening to your video. Great channel.👍
Thank you, I really appreciate the comment, glad I can help. Please share so we can keep growing and do more videos
Yes very very helpful. In my first green dot purchase soon. Saved me some time and money buying into suppresser sights and learning it all wrong.
Thank you, this video answered my question, as I just got a Green Dot and was wondering if I should co-witness or not. I did use a bore sight and it got very close, so I just left it at that. I also printed your target, which I'll use at my next range day to confirm where my Dot is at.
Wow this totally changed the way i was utilizing the red dot. This makes absolute senses thank you sir
Out of all the content creators in this field, Dave’s videos have been the most helpful to me. Whether I’m shopping parts, learning how to torque a mount, or finding the best practices for using an optic, Dave’s content is trustworthy. Concise and mindful of time, yet still covers basics and fundamentals, which is crucial for the less experienced amongst us. Dude has a real talent for instruction and his editing/video team is just as excellent. Beyond that, I appreciate that I don’t have to listen to a bunch of political nonsense every time I want to learn about products or skill development. Thank you and keep it up.
Thank you so much for this comment, I really do appreciate reading things like this. Truly humbled and I genuinely try to make every video helpful and informative, maybe even adding a little bit of entertainment here and there for an occasional laugh. Also since going full-time I have tried to up the production quality not just in the image but also editing, organization and presentation. Happy that you noticed the effort
Solid advice. Thank you for your efforts in making this video.
Thanks for the info. Tried sighting one in today and didn’t know this but did so as said because it felt most natural.
Great video and explanation. I have always shot iron sights and just put my first RMR on. I couldn't figure out why the dot wasn't "cowitnessing" my irons sights. Glad I found this video
Excellent content! I’ve been in LE for 36 years and was a firearms instructor for our agency when I was a Sgt. Never liked dot optics! I’ve owned several STI pistols, just got a staccato P, i broke down and got a red dot on it! Love this gun! 1911 platform has been my favorite platform, your content is simple and straight to the point! Well done, seems like every nut that has a weapon post crap, it refreshing to have good reliable information from a professional.
Thanks,
Thank you Victor, this comment really means a lot to me.
One of the best explanations on this topic that I've seen...Thanks!!...👍
Thanks!
and here i was looking for info on if i need suppressor iron sights with my red dot. answer is depends on the hight of the optic clearance but keep it minimal as it should be to the bottom and used as a backup. got it. thanks for the lesson
Great video!
Just purchased my first RedDot…
A Sig Sauer…
Had nothing but trouble zeroing it!!!
Lol
Now it makes perfect sense!
Keep up all your good works!
This has been very helpful to me, especially the graphics. Thank you!
I have spent more hours than I am willing to admit researching red dot optics and co-witnessing. Your video is by far the best! The graphics and clear explanation is perfect! You have a fan! Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words and glad I was able to help! Please sub and give me a like, share too so we can grow the channel.
the very first video that answered my questions about dot vs iron co witness extremely well. You have my 67 yr old attention. Will definitely check your other videos and follow. Thank you. Using Springfield XDM Elite 19mm with Trijicon SRO and Hellcat Pro with Holosun 407K
Thank you so much I needed this info I am fairly new to dots and was struggling while slaving the dot to the sight
Best Red Dot video I’ve seen so far . Thank you !
Thank you for this video... This really was helpful. I still need to learn the presentation to find the dot...
I love your sense of humor and creativity. Thanks for stopping these myths.
I always try
You just made another subscriber, I’m old school and iron sights but my eyes are growing older also. I can see best further and need cheaters up close. I’ve been experiencing this same scenario as of late, co-witness or not and my thinking is co-witness is too much too think about in a self defense situation. You have explained my question perfectly. Red dot remains independent. 😎👍
Thank you for the knowledge and the excellent work.
Loved the intro. Had to rewatch. Also love the dualing staccato p’s. I also run the staccato p duo. Get it. But I do. Great gun.
Thanks man, glad you lied it!
Thanks for clarifying this topic.
Thank you for going into detail and explaining this. It all makes sense now.
Thank you! I was trying to cowitness and it was a nightmare. Changing my mindset and thinking of the red dot as a completely different (and separate) system really helped.
Really great to read this, happy I could help. This is why I do what I do
THANK YOU SIR. the ONLY video that explains this well.
Awesome vid. I had my red dot slaved to iron sight. Going to range to adjust it correctly. Thanks so much keep up the good work.
Im new to guns looking to get a po1. I have shot before as I am in the military and a few times here or there outside of a military shooting range. I definitely found it hard to focus on the front sight instead of the actual target so red dot make sense to me. Thank you for explaining so well.
Perfect. First red dot on my new xten. You touched all of the issues I was having dialing it in. Thank you.... 🍩 🍩 🍩
I usually go to Sage Dynamics for my handgun RDS vids but this came up in my recommendations and I'm glad it did because it answered a few questions I had. Normally my handguns have a much taller RDS and much shorter sights, but I just set up a Canik MC9 with a Holosun EPS Carry (taller sights, shorter RDS) and boy oh boy I was confused because I've never been able to see the irons through the window before. I like that I can still USE the irons through the window if the dot fails, but that white dot on the front sight is gonna be a train-it-out thing. Might just cover it with black tape.
Love the opening!!!!! Awesome
I have to tell you, coming from someone new, just entering the world of RDS I am so grateful for your video. Really cleared up a lot of misunderstanding for me!!
Thank you for a wonderful video I have been slaving the red dot with my iron sights and wasting tons of ammo can’t wait to start over resighting my pistol thank you very much
Very entertaining and informative. Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks! They all probably won’t have impressions though to warn you ha ha
Very well put. It's not good, but rather great information. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words
Great video! I’ve been zeroing my dots to the front sight and also felt I was wasting so much glass real estate. I like this concept much more 👍
That's why those that want full co-witness have suppressor height sights. It changes now since the rds get slimmer and/or are directly mounted without plates. The reasoning behind it is they'd have the same presentation for both each time and are able to ignore the iron sights via their target focus. I see it only as preference what our eyes can deal with. If it works all one has to do is refocus on the front sight but no need to move around to line the sights up.
Very informative I always thought that the red dot should be lined up with the front iron sight thank you
Thanks, very informative. I finally transitioned to a RDS on my handgun about a year ago. I zeroed my optic without using the irons like many say you should. I always wondered why people say not to slave the dot to the irons. After zeroing if I used my irons the dot would naturally fall to the top the the irons. I thought maybe I did something wrong. It worked flawlessly, but it was never properly explained to me. The sight picture with the front sight slightly raised is exactly what I see when shooting normally (dot in center of glass). Now I know without a doubt I didn’t mess something up.
Glad I could help, thanks for watching
Added a sub! This was excellent. As a new handgun owner, trying to work through red dot, green dot, solar panel, straight dot, dot plus circle ,,, the COWITNESS, I was getting overwhelmed. In this vid, I learnt to forget about changing iron sights to be extra tall, etc, or fret about super low optics. All I need to work out now is red vs green, 407 vs 507, 507 vs 508/9/10, or anything more fancy.
Thanks and welcome. I like the 508 and 509.
Dave, TY for this Video. I've battling a newly mounted RMR on my glock 19.... I mounted trijcon suppressor night sights and finding the dot has been a huge challenge, Ive def become slower. I have removed iron sights all together for now. I will be adding normal sights later...going to practice for a bit.
Happy it could help. I’m hoping to make more red dot videos in the future
Thank you for your explanation on this topic!
Very informative. Definitely a must see for people who just have installed optics for the first time.
Helpful and hilarious all at once! 👍
Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful.
This was a fantastic video. You were knowledgeable, provided sound rationale for your opinions and really provided key info for a newb such as myself. Thank you!
It would have taken dozens of hours and videos finding all this information out from other channels, you basically gave all the info you need in one great video.
Thanks man, happy to help
This is explained beautifully, I agree with this.
Awesome content. Nice staccatos as well.
Excellent video for first time red dot user.
Thank you for your assistance. I own plenty of pistols and just purchased a Hellcat Pro with the Hex Wasp to try out my first red dot. Your explanation was so simple and yet informative that the logic was easy for me to visualize even away from the range. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Springfield… you have so many better options and you bought a Springfield
@@Levegetable we all have personal preferences but between Springfield Armory, FN, and H&K I’m well set! 👍🏽
@@Levegetable I also own a few Sig Sauer pistols and that about closes out my pistol collection of 93 if I count revolvers 🇺🇸 I know you’ll probably be a fan of Glock and if you are more power to you. I bought a Glock 30 and a Glock 22 and never cared for the cheap sights, the slide release, or the overall feel. Others do like them and I say if it works for you that’s a good thing. As a semi-professional shooter I buy what works best for me 💯
Great information especially after I Just got me fist red dot (not a expensive one) cause I Just wanna try this red dot thing and sure enought was wrong about this co witnessing concept which had me all confused. I put in a red láser bullet and was wondering why nothing aligned for me but now I understand it way better now and Know that red dot should be aligned for a sudden distance and my gun sight for a different ones.
Thanks for the Arnold short. Brought a smile to my face.
Glad I could help :-)
I appreciate this video so much I moved from England to Georgia and I got into shooting and I heard a bunch of confusing terminology and people saying stuff that makes no sense 🤣 .. this actually makes perfect sense
Wow! Just, wow! Exactly what i have been looking for all this time to clarify not to co-witness when my zero on the red dot “coincides” with the dot planted on the iron sights when viewed from the irons. But when i’m using the dot, it is centered on the glass - with the front sight raised! Thanks!!!
Awesome to hear you liked the video. Thanks!
Excellent instruction. Thank you.
Thank you, I just found the video and it makes perfect sense, especially after getting suppressor height sights and sight pusher. I'll probably go back and put my original sights back on. I need to look at your library, I'm curious about the use of a laser as a sighting tool as well. You got your self another subscriber.
Thank you .... Great info. You answered my questions and now I know I was doing it wrong!!!! Thank you
very helpful video. most of my training and practice is with .357 revolver(yup, i'm old) i am now a hobby shooter that has been really enjoying integrating old training with a co witness tall sight with sig romeo 1. co witness works for me and where i'm at. i am astounded by the battery life compared to older stuff. i am gradually gaining trust in the red dot. the red dot has for sure helped with my weakening eyesight. my big question is quickly clearing mud or snow, etc from an optic
Thanks for making it understandable for a new Red dot user. no wonder I was shooting low..
Thanx for the info man!!! I am new to the whole red&green dot world.Talk about confusing to say the least.The guy that works at my local gun store goes by slaving the red or green dot to the iron sights,and others like you say no.I see more no then yes.This video explained it very well why not to.I appreciate it.
“Co-witnessing” is only being able to see your irons in the window of the optic in case the optic fails. People have preferences for ‘lower 1/3rd’ or ‘full co-witness’ with the irons in the middle of the optic. Lower 1/3rd is typically preferred because there’s less going on in the small handgun rds lense.
The red dot is a separate sighting system from the irons completely and should be sighted-in /used as such. You don’t want them slaved to your irons as there’s different distances for each system.
Very well stated sir there’s a lot of BS on the internet and just as many new shooters that need the right info. Also, Aaron Cowan has a few excellent videos of this exact topic and how to set them up for each.
Aaron who ? :-). JK of course. I just would rather have you watch more of my videos.
@@GunsandTactics haha yeah I thought of that once i hit enter, but definitely watch all of your videos too!!
Took the words right out of my mouth Si Vis, “co-witnessing” is solely for the purpose of being able to view both sight systems within the field of view, regardless of the preferred height of the irons (usually lower 1/3rd). The irons are only meant to be backup sights in case of a downed optic situation, like G&T was saying optics can go down with moisture, blooming, lighting, battery issues, and endless other reasons. It’s good to have low tech piece of mind as backup, but I agree slaving rds optics to irons is not a good idea.
@@soulstaken1185 yessir, agreed!
Unless you listen to Gabe Suarez
Great video, it really helped me. I appreciate your time and effort.
Great video, a lot of practical information. Sounds like you know what you're talking about. Got a subscriber out of me.
Thanks for the clarification.
Damn 6 years with red dot, your dept was ahead of the curve! We just switched to G45 with trijicons 2 years ago, I couldn’t be happier with the set up!
It helps when your range master is also a gun guy :-)
excellent impression
as someone that is relatively new to shooting, and especially red dots, this video was incredibly helpful. Thank you
Thanks so much, glad it was helpful!