Pistol Reality Check: Fundamentals Hit at Distance, not Red Dots.

In this informative video, Reid Henrichs of Valor Ridge discusses distance shooting with a pistol. He then goes to the range to see if that's true. #firearmtraining #secondamendment #firearmsinstructor #firearmstraining #military #
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DISCLAIMER: The materials available through this channel, Reid Henrichs, or Valor Ridge(including any show, episode, guest appearance, etc. appearing within) are for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The opinions expressed through this video are the opinions of the individual author.
FAIR USE: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
IMPORTANT: All shooting is done on state-approved firing ranges by trained professionals. Our videos are produced in a safe environment by highly trained professionals with decades of experience. These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. Do not attempt to replicate the actions featured in our videos without the proper training, licensing, and medical professionals present.
We are not attempting to sell you the items featured in this video. We are not instructing our viewers on how to modify firearms, accessories, or otherwise change their basic legal function. All firearms and accessories are legal products commonly available in stores all across the United States. Our videos are for entertainment purposes only. We are not a gun shop and DO NOT sell or deal in Firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms.

[@Max_Da_G]

As my friend once said: "red dot sights simply help you shoot faster. But if you aren't a good shooter, then all you'll do faster is miss".

[@martymonaco1255]

I like that!!

[@evangelion243]

Honestly, I can't afford Red Dots so I just practice with whatever standard sights the gun comes with.

[@tacticalnewbe5745]

Depending on how much extra 💰 you have, check out cylee red dots, cost a little over 100 ish, depending on sales and footprint you use, I was the same everyone running holosuns.

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

good on you!!! you are probably a better shot than most.

[@evangelion243]

@notlisted-cl5ls I'm okay. I mostly run revolvers and can get pretty consistent shots between 20-30 yards. I always have to be low and to the right, it seems though.

[@tacticalnewbe5745]

@@evangelion243 revolvers is where it's at bro, I just suck a$$ with them lol.

[@tylerwill5250]

Same. Im spending the money i would on an optic on brass and powder for said tool.

[@stevenkennedy4130]

Most gun owners can't shoot. It's a thing. Dry fire, is life.

[@twiggybones7040]

I’ve seen many first timers pick up a gun and make hits. It’s really not difficult. It’s the weapon manipulations, the movement, the difference between cover and concealment. Any fool can pick up a drill and drill holes. Apply some thought.

[@peterdarlington4117]

Wow you know most gun owners! You’re a popular guy! Good for you! I find it’s the guys running their mouth online quoting ASP that can’t shoot! But I can’t help but wonder why the top pistol shooters in the world all have dots on their guns? It’s almost like when you need to shoot multiple targets fast theirs an advantage to it!😂😂😂😂

[@markkravig7410]

I never dry fired. But I started on .22LR bolt action and shot thousands of rounds with it before moving up to larger centerfire rifles and handguns. Plinking with a bolt action .22 and iron sights is what helped me grow as a shooter and eventually qualify “Expert” on every rifle and pistol I ever shot in the military. Repetitive sight picture, proper trigger squeeze, and breathing control are the keys to shooting well.

[@markkravig7410]

@@peterdarlington4117And the top competitive shooters aren’t betting their lives on a functioning red-dot. For police and military, they try not to be in a fight without backup. With a squad of troops or a few officers searching a building, you have other partners or squad members to cover you in the event of a malfunction. For a single defensive shooter, iron sights may not have quite as fast of a target acquisition, but they rarely malfunction or quit working.

[@stevenkennedy4130]

@@twiggybones7040 Yeah. Sounds like you're one of those gun owners that can't shoot. That's what I'd bet on. Too funny!

[@Quality_Guru]

Wearing glasses and being nearsighted the red dot is a game changer for me. Can I shoot with irons? Yes, up to a point. While it’s still good it’s not better. Good is the enemy of better. That is why you have to continually work at getting better.

[@tedmroyer]

Yeah that is me. At 67 my eyes just can't do it anymore.

[@frenchroast1355]

Right with you brother. Just ordered some fiber optic sights because the irons are just too fuzzy anymore. Was fooling myself in that I was just out of practice...no buddy, you're getting old.

[@markhatfield5621]

Got so if not outdoors in perfect light that I could not see the sights well enough. An outdoor class in the drizzle and an indoor class in not so great lighting pushed me to a dot. At what might be 'typical' personal defense distances the dot isn't needed, but if I need a more precise shot or longer distances, then it's critical for me.

[@dofler]

The reason i switched to red dot, my deteriorating eye sight…it was a need, not a tacticool

[@Excalibur01]

@@dofler Tacticool are people who are posers. Tactical is the use of tactics to your advantage.

[@commonsenseproductions5893]

Thank you reid for always focusing on fundamentals and simplicity

[@RealDeanWinchester]

People aren't interested in the truth Reid, that's why we are where we are today.

[@simonsundy518]

Red dots don't buy fundamentals. That being said, I carry a dot on duty for one reason. Target focused shooting. Being target focused instead of front sight focused is the primary benefit of a red dot.

[@rickrobinson8417]

I would imagine a red dot would help especially on moving targets. I've never shot a red dot pistol so I can't confirm nor deny.

[@terrarecon]

Optics of any kind do not buy fundamentals. I was a weapons instructor in the Marine Corps before we went to ACOGs. There something being lost by people training less and less with fixed (or flip up) sights versus LPVOs, MPVOs, red dots and holographic sights, or prisms on hand guns and rifles.

[@karimmanassa9634]

We can run irons and still be target focused. In fact, we should almost always be target focused regardless of sighting system. Dots and irons are equally EFFECTIVE, but dots are more EFFICIENT because the shooter only has to manage 2 focal plans instead of 3. Nevertheless, the target should be our focused focal plane.

[@LawlessNate]

You can shoot target focused with iron sights.

[@hiramhaji7813]

Please keep your focus, there are innocent lives around you and your target

[@mjolnirdynamics8789]

The issue with hitting 100y targets with pistol irons is that the front sight completely obscures the target. Especially since you need to aim a bit high. The red dot on my pistol allows me to actually see the target and where I'm aiming. I can consistently hit at 100y with or without a red dot on my pistol. The red dot DOES make it easier because I can see my POA.

[@stephenpepper1790]

I think you may be proving his point

[@KurtOnoIR]

Depends on the pistol I guess. My desert eagle, I think all desert eagles if I'm not mistaken are 100 yrd zero. My p210 is point of aim at 100. Ruger Blackhawk same. Same for my Beretta but I'm not sure it hasn't been modified. My Glock I have to hold high almost obscure the target. My p229 has such huge sights that I've never even bothered to try. I know it would cover the target for sure because it nearly covers at 50 and it shoots low as is. Now if I had a red dot on the 229 I bet it would be useable at 100 or more. Red dots have their place just people think it's more helpful than it is.

[@mjolnirdynamics8789]

@@KurtOnoIR valid points and comparisons. I only own Glocks.

[@vincenta.1677]

No doubt my old eyes would enjoy an optic. That being said, a 12" high hold at 100 brings 8" group,5" 1911,ball ammo 😊

[@jackglockstar]

That guitar analogy is junk. It doesn't take a year or more to learn to shoot pistol well. To get paid to play a guitar aint happening in a year. Of course a well trained shooter can hit with irons.

[@IdahoSnek]

Reid you are a true man of integrity and knowledge.

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Eli Dickens is a big reason I practice at unreasonable distances

[@gator7082]

I've never found anything that shows how many hits he got, enough of course, but I've always been curious. I've also read the shots that actually hit the shooter happened when he closed the distance. Once again, I can't seem to find anything official, just news reports.

[@jeffhuntley2921]

@@gator7082 yea. I heard more about the Dickens drills. They set some up at my local range. I think we had to hit 7 out of 10 to pass so that’d be my guess

[@Excalibur01]

The Dickens's range should be a standard now but really anything beyond is questionable even on the best of days, especially in a real situation where we got innocents running around and the target is potentially shooting back at you while moving around.

[@sombra6153]

I understand that Dickens hit eight out of ten shots. Purportedly missed twice at the approximate 40-yard range but at least one of the ones that connected hit vitals. Then again, it may be hard to tell. I think the real Dickens drill should start at 40 using cover and support with four rounds, rapidly move thru clutter to the 25 and fire four, then to the 10 and fire two. Do this is 15 seconds. FWIW, I ran the scenario with my former band of old broke down retirees trying to work as investigators. Accuracy, which wasn’t anything to write home about to begin with and dismissed further as times got faster.

[@everettsnyder1763]

He also did it with those “crappy” stock Glock factory sights that everyone says has to get replaced so when everyone tries to emulate it with their Red Dots try it with stock sights and make it a real comparison!

[@PaulyP_13]

It’s not that you need a red dot to do it. It just makes it easier because you can actually see your target

[@TheSuburban15]

It's more than that. Red dot sights make shooting precisely easier, and shooting small targets at speed much easier. They also require more training to get off a well-aimed shot from the holster at 3 to 7 yards, which is probably more important to most people who need a pistol for defense. Most people don't train with any regularity.

[@channeellll7623]

Ben Stoeger literally makes it so simple… shooting is shooting. Fudds are fudds

[@JulietBravo90]

Red dot is not required to shoot very accurately as was impressively shown, but it is objectively easier to see target, especially with eye issues. A point for fundamentals I've noticed is a red dot shows you visually how much your sight picture moves if you are not focused on grip and trigger control. with irons these movements are much harder to notice, where as with a red dot its like the sensitivity is turned up 100 percent

[@cdebo822]

Forsure, red dots are better training tools for new shooters than irons and is easier to explain things when teaching. Especially because half the population grew up with video games imo.

[@davidmekelburg9460]

I bet cowboys thought the combustion engine was just a fad too lmao.

[@Excalibur01]

Or computers in the 90s

[@sinisterstitchescustomupho1817]

The combustion engine has not took the place of Cowboys on horses. I hate to tell you. ranch work is still done horseback

[@Excalibur01]

@@sinisterstitchescustomupho1817 But the pony express, horse drawn carriages and wagons don't exist in common use anymore. The point he's trying to make is technology will advance and for future, we need to advance and adapt with it. Red dots were invented almost a century ago with holographic sights on planes during WWII. The moment the US military discovered advanced optics, they slapped them on everything when afforded. Turn of the 21st century led to widespread adoption of optics on frontline infantry rifles by today there is barely any until that DOESN'T have an issued rifle with an optic of some type. Marines only recently slapped optics on all rifles only because they've been the poorest most broke branch since its infancy so there's a difference with "making due with trash" and getting "the best that taxpayers' money can buy" Which is also pushed by the civilian market. Because the US has a robust free market in pretty much anything, civilian advancements in weapons tech will bleed over to military adoption.

[@zachz699]

@@sinisterstitchescustomupho1817 A dual sport motorcycle sure made my life alot easier and faster on the ranch I worked on as a teenager, when checking on livestock getting far back into the property and killing coyotes or running a message to the guys where they had no service. Not to mention we haul horses and livestock and fix fence and irrigation and do all kinds of work with pickup trucks and ATV's not horses and wagons lol. Herding is only one part of that type of work. The vast majority of modern ranching and farming is done with engines

[@sinisterstitchescustomupho1817]

@@zachz699 i’m guessing you’re out west or possibly on some more open country. Well, I agree with what you’re saying we haul our horses in a trailer out to the pastures here in South Georgia a lot of times you need to get the animals out ofwoods pastures or Swamps that requires dogs and horses. What I’m saying is horses have not been replaced by automobiles, automobiles are just used alongside them and some places

[@jellyfrosh9102]

The same guys I see that say irons obscure the target will run a dot on the max brightness to "see it faster" and it just turns the target into a red blob.

[@cl13991399]

Who’s saying “just put something on your gun and you’ll be a good shot”? I’ve never seen anyone say that. I’m 56 and been shooting all my life. I shoot over 10k rounds a year. I grew up, as everyone else, on irons but dots are definitely easier for me. I have no idea why you wouldn’t use the easiest most effective method for you. Maybe we should all be using revolvers, it works for Jerry Miculek.

[@rillo806]

About 7 years ago i was at the range runnin my AK with open irons and the guy next to me had an AR15 with every bell and whistle. His AR was either brand new or he didnt shoot it a lot. He tried giving me a hard time for some reason and we shot at 100yrds. I out shot him. Moved back to 200 yrds. I out shot him. And again at 300 yrds. Afterwards he said "what did you do to that AK?" I said "I practiced. Ive been shooting this same gun for 20 years. I know what its gonna do." And he just couldnt believe it. I told him "spend time with your rifle, get to know it and know it well. You cant substitute practice." And he seemed like he genuinely took that into consideration. I hope he did.

[@FirearmsAndFitness]

Now let me start by saying that yes, you need a solid foundation in order to make any hits with any weapon, gear won’t magically make you an action hero, you need a solid foundation to do anything. I do want to point out that this does have the same energy as people stating that “revolvers are just as good and if you can’t get it done in 6 then you can’t get it done at all” when autos made their way onto the scene and had, without a doubt a profound advantage over a revolver. Red Dots, yes even on pistols, have a profound advantage over irons, for the same reason the red dot on rifles over took the irons. Again I can’t state this enough, just because you buy something, doesn’t make you better, you need to put in the work, but this video seems to miss the forest through the tree. Much respect to you, I hope you continue helping the community overall become better and more capable.

[@Matteo_]

Over the years you’ve put out a lot of great information. Thank you.

[@Pje3ski]

NPOA for the 50yd headshot. Impressive shooting. You know that pistol!

[@joshuafreeman4459]

Red dots scientifically and physiologically makes sense for shooters. This is the same shit people said when we started putting dots on carbines. It for sure can be done with irons. But it might be a clue that the best professional pistol shooters in human history - delta/CAG. Have been using dots on their handguns since the 90s 🤯. Or the the top shooters in the competition realm. Also we need to consider how important pistol shooting inside of 200 yards can be. Look at the distances inside the average Walmart or the distances in a parking lot. Silly shit

[@musicman1eanda]

There's a reason USPSA/IPSC competitions have optic guns and iron sight guns in separate divisions. The scores are better across the board for the optic divisions.

[@joelatkinson2080]

God bless you Reid for all you do!!!

[@williamzanetti7844]

Thank you for reading the comments and making videos for the community that we ask for.

[@dan2198]

Good points, brother. But I'd like to make sure people don't twist the context of this message. Reid is not saying red dot suck, stick with irons *boomer noises*. He's saying that you need to have fundamentals to hit anything. Expert use of a gun is not point shoot and hope your bullets hit your intended target in the general direction of your aim. You apply the same fundamentals to red dots as you would with iron sights. Red dots on a pistol work different from irons and need to reapply your fundamentals slightly differently to work but it's still the same thing.

[@powdermonkey5183]

Right before you break them shots on steel you can see the camera frame change slightly i.e. your body move ever so slightly making me think it took multiple shots to make an impact but was edited so it looks like you did them one after the other. Ive been watching you for years and appreciate your talent and work but please be honest with your viewers. If Im wrong please explain the jump a split second before each shot. I see this all the time on youtube videos. photo editing is good but there is a glitch.

[@miked7666]

Your insane

[@elijahanderson6736]

I don't think you know Reid or ever seen him shoot in person.

[@powdermonkey5183]

@@elijahanderson6736 No I don't, but its just my observation. Look closely. If Im wrong and Im known to be then I am sorry. I do love his videos and skills.

[@CRDefense]

100yds with a G19 using iron sights is definitely doable on a torso sized target. There's no problem with using optics as long as you have backup irons. Unfortunately this time of year the humidity fogs em out so it's a good opportunity to remove the aimpoint from my rifle and stick with irons on my handgun.

[@col.cottonhill6655]

God does humidity suck. I love the southwest

[@Lowspeedoperator]

Thank you Reid! Over the years between your excellent content, excellent pistol and rifle books and the 3 classes I've taken since 2017, pistol 1 and 2, and rifle 1, you given me the tools to suck less! 👍

[@unmalo2768]

Reid, I respect your skills, your knowledge, and your ability to get information out. But, that being said. Sometimes, you need to step back and take into account that your audience is not made up of 100% "30-somethings" with bodies that have no issues due to military service (Airborne Infantry here). I have had an eye surgery, 3 knee surgeries and awaiting a knee replacement, I have a degenerative disc in my lower back, arthritis in my right hip, and have had both shoulders reconstructed. I used to tease folks for using optics (I never used optics in the Army back in the 80's). So, when I got into my mid 50's, my eyes started to go, and so did my mobility. I am legally disabled, and I am lucky if I can get in and out of my car without pain. But I want to keep shooting. So "I HAD TO GO WITH OPTICS"!!! I use both red dots and LPVO's. So I do not agree that for "everyone", iron sights are just as good. And my using optics is not "A FAD". It is a necessity in order for me to shoot responsibly. You can't "hard work" your eyesight... One day you will understand...

[@dangerousfarmer]

I have great eyesight and no issues and still prefer optics. I’m proficient with both but will always choose a pistol dot, or an LPVO on a rifle over nothing.

[@themighty9mm]

Irons work, yes. Dots are better. Target focused, low light, and nearly all dot equipped pistols have back up irons. Not much down side to them. People made the same arguments about dots on rifles. 30 plus years later, dots are still on long guns. They provide everything irons do, but allow the user to be target focused, allow less than ideal positions easier, better in low light.

[@ReidHenrichs]

If you would like to support this work further, join my Patreon HERE: www.patreon.com/reidhenrichs

[@MrToad-actual]

Thank you, Reid.

[@tibzig1]

In this day and age, especially for us urban dwellers, finding a gun range that will allow you to train properly is next to impossible. The indoor pistol ranges have a plethora of very restrictive rules. rules. No rapid fire, no drawing and fire, and many more. In one place here in Houston, they refused to let me pick up my spent brass, stating that it was their "policy." I guess they sell it. Anything to make a buck. This is after I spent $200.00 on a yearly membership fee ($15.00 an hour after that for each session). I did not say anything and since I have paid up, I will use the range for the next 8 months but will not renew. The outdoor range that does allow you to train (pistol and rifle) is exactly 53 miles from my place. This is an impossible situation. Sadly, most of these ranges are just businesses and could care less for the 2nd Amendment or gun ownership. They would go into another business if they could make more money. I have not shot my AR in years because of this. If anything will affect gun ownership and training, it is time and economics. Here in Houston all the criminals are now armed with extended mag Glocks, ARs and AK-47s. Gone are the Raven Arms, Jimenez Arms, and other cheap firearms with these folks. Some a felons but a lot are first timers with no criminal history so they get their guns legally. Do not get into a road rage incident. There is no training needed to shoot the person in a car next to you or a few feet away. And since the system does not punish them, it goes on. There is a lot of unspoken tension here.

[@Ddelsasso]

Very good video. One of the best. Thank you

[@charleslamont2963]

Good stuff. A strong foundation will go a long, long way. Proper stance, grip and sight alignment. Thank you for teaching.

[@smiffersmaffer]

i’ve been practicing for years shooting between two telephone poles, roughly 120 feet apart typically. Practicing my normal drawl stroke from holster, I can get every shot in the center of a standard paper plate.. I believe being able to make shots at distance can be extremely beneficial in certain situations. and not only that in certain situations whether it be an active shooter or something other ,if somebody has a rifle, you don’t want to get within handgun range typically

[@cdebo822]

Red dots are king. Very good training tool as you can see which way you pull, how hard, and anticipations you may have that you didnt notice. Red dot technology has made leaps and bounds and is now the better standard for pistols than irons. Just like rifles, yeah irons are good for backups and to know how to do, but red dots, scopes, and magnifiers have had great quality now compared to even 10 years ago. Now I agree on the roles of piatols and rifles, but extending the capability of both is paramount.

[@bryanshaw4434]

This was a fantastic video Reid

[@tonyhernanandez8285]

Keep the posts / videos rolling

[@steemerxaxon1643]

Great INFORMATIVE video

[@bobm2916]

Spot on video.....great job Reid

[@ZMikluscak]

RDS is the superior sighting system. The pro’s of the RDS completely outweigh the negatives that go along with them. Like RDS on rifles, RDS on pistols are here to stay.

[@dippah1]

Great message!

[@appalachian2a886]

Legend in my eyes to the 2A Community thank you for all you do man I'd love to get out there and train

[@regularguy192]

Awesome Marksmanship Reid!. I agree and that's why I roll with irons on my pistols. Semper Fi bro!

[@GWDLABS]

I’m happy to see you doing more videos. Please do some American history videos on federalism and the how there are two jurisdictions accupying the same land. District of Columbia. You’re a great history teacher!

[@joshmayfield702]

Great vid Reid.

[@ryanrawlins]

I’ve been thinking about this dynamic shooting lately. I’ve decided that I need to do competitive shooting. Not because I think I can compete, but it’s shooting in a dynamic setting. Great stuff to think about.

[@roycekillz2404]

Do it! It’s the best decision I have ever made. After a while you will realize that the self defense world wants to keep you in a bubble and not push your limitations.

[@gator7082]

Great stuff as always, I'm really on the fence. I love red dots, but I train with irons regularly also and at 50 yards and in, which are the only distances I train at with pistols, I just don't see a big difference, and quite frankly I'm staying target focused with the irons just like I do with the red dot.

[@georgeragan9287]

Great video!!!

[@elijahanderson6736]

Man, lots of people are missing the point of the video. Fundamentals and simplicity in equipment is king. Biggest issue I see with mass adoption of red dots on pistols is Maintaining the optic. How many regular people or even LEO are checking their brightness levels throughout the day, witness marking the screws, loctiting and torquing the screw down, etc. There is a higher level of learning to the dots on handguns especially for EDC and LEO types who are not into the gun stuff heavily.

[@sombra6153]

Accurate 50-yard shots demonstrate disciplined application of the fundamentals. I’m not opposed to red dots, but irons do not suffer as much from user neglect. Accuracy, however, suffers from user neglect regardless of distance. If I was still a LE instructor for an entity that issued red dots on pistols, I would likely have shooters coming up and asking for batteries at the range - and the thing had been dead a week after the last quarterly training session. I saw a fair amount of that with red dots and WMLs on carbines. Reed is giving advice worth heeding.

[@RFPews]

I like dots and use them. But, they absolutely DO NOT replace fundamentals. See loads of people who are mediocre and think a dot will fix them.

[@ddprepper5227]

Excellent job 👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@ericlindholm7510]

Yup, you said it sir. Basics & practice practice practice. Thank u for 5he video 👍

[@KevinFrancis556]

Liquidating my box of shame thats filled with all the "force multipliers" that lacked a foundation to stand on. Going to put that money into more ammo and training. Glad I found ya! Switching from consumer to producer. I've done the same thing with guitars and Pedals. Great analogy, Jeff Cooper!

[@alanniederlitz8630]

YES, a old acquaintance of mine who is a USMC vet and competed on their pistol teams. 1911, he said he didnt really AIM the pistol as mush as point it. AFTER so much practice, competition muscle memory takes over... but this is a great video... thanks Mr Henrichs... much truth here. every bullet has a attorney attached.

[@jason-oh6qr]

Great video. Thank you

[@gleamtarrest6310]

Reid, thnx Man! My bud & i put in some work today... pistol fundamentals! Iron sights. Can't wait to go again.

[@houseoflamarr3674]

Yeah, I think the future is now I’m not saying irons are useless, but there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging advantages when they become event available and using them

[@mrRoverkane]

Most of america has astigmatisms and can’t even see the actual dot lol

[@sheepdog916]

@@mrRoverkane degenerative eyesight is a diet and lifestyle issue, which can be ameliorated; nonetheless is not problematic enough to avoid a red dot. Even starbursts are more precise than 10-20moa front sights.

[@jellyfrosh9102]

@@sheepdog916 my astigmatism eyes would highly disagree with that.

[@sheepdog916]

@@jellyfrosh9102 No they wouldn’t. Every dot looks like a snail trail; astigmatism or not. You don’t have any experience on a dot (self evidently).

[@mrRoverkane]

@@sheepdog916 your username is Sheepdog. Enough said. Keep being super super tacticool brah

[@callsignblaze4388]

I spent the last 10 years mastering iron sights. I switched to a dot about a year ago and I am really happy I did. It's been easier on my eyes and being able to be target focused and not have to worry about sight alignment really at all has been wonderful. That said, it's not a necessity but it is a nice improvement.

[@patriotiiitinman7227]

Nice job.... I can't wait to hear your opinion on pistol red dots. I have never even considered them.

[@MtnBadger]

I've been a watcher/subscriber for years and the black bell is lit. I'm a US Airforce vet., munitions systems specialist and small arms expert who grew up hunting for food with my dad since I was old enough to keep up (maybe 6) and it was he, a US Navy, WWII vet, Aleutian Islands theater against the Japanese (and was lost at sea for 3 mos. &pronounced dead) who tought me to shoot and i scored expert in basic training. I'm no kid (we'll say "over 50") and have much real world, first hand experience in the handling of weapons in peacetime and action. I say all this so that you understand the meaning behind my expressions of gratitude for what you do, the message that you put out and the valid, down to earth, no bs and obviously experience based information you give on all of the topics you broach. Thanks very much from an old war horse, maybe I can work my way from Atlanta up to your facility. It's not *that* far. 😊 That said, i remember the first time i stood on a stage and got paid to play instruments that id practiced for years and that's a great analogy. You buy the instrument, you learn the basics of the instrument and practice til your fingers bleed and build calluses. Then you become proficient enough to play with someone else, then to learn new things within that group/discipline and finally, you're ready to play a paying gig. Same with proficiency with firearms and, especially pistols. And I'm pretty good with both. 😉 (Red dots on pistols...) Red dots can make life easier but like anything and especially if you haven't mastered the tool/instrument before you start "adding things," it rapidly becomes a crutch and one that's really hard to shed. Learn the weapon and how to use it to its full potential *before* you start taking shortcuts. Theres always exceptions, such as someone with vision issues but, for the average shooter, learn the tool/instrument/weapon... Then start adding capos, "whammy bars" and red dots. 😊 "Bullets go where you point them, *learn to point!"* 😊

[@davetaylor8350]

Got 'The American Rifleman', 'Pistolcraft', And 'The Well Regulated'. Plan on digesting them slowly and applying them to real practice. Also picked up 'C.S.A.T.' by Paul Howe. Found out about Paul because of you Mr. Henrichs. I am a greenhorn if you will to shooting/firearms. But I wasted time and money before on a lot of 'Tacticool Snake oil'. Mr. Henrichs thank you so much for what you do. I believe you and Paul Howe are the firearms/shooting defense training voices of wisdom and knowledge in these times.

[@jasonlord5141]

Thank you for the reality check. Some people need to be reminded of these things. I honestly prefer my iron sights for anything in realistic defensive ranges, It also slims the profile of my g19.

[@Op4Grunt0311]

How are you overcoming the front sight cover up the whole target at 150. Is your front sight a fiber optic?

[@open_minded_1]

Very impressive.

[@nocomply_yt]

Love it!

[@marshallbass7842]

Excellent 👍🏽

[@jarodchronister3522]

I’m with you on iron sights. I’m 51, joined the Marine Corp in 1991 and got out in 1999. Barring catastrophic failure, iron sights are more reliable. I have a different opinion on distance shooting though. Semper Fi Reid

[@anangryranger]

You made an excellent statement with "Don't be a buyer. Be a producer.". That's sound wisdom! 👍 I've been shooting for over 65 years. Cataract surgery in both eyes a couple of years ago gave me fantastic vision at a distance, but 2 ft in front of me is a blur. I couldn't use dot sights or scopes even if I wanted to. Every weapon I own has iron sights. And when my neighbors and I get together to shoot, I consistently outshoot them all. Even those with scopes and dots. Where they're depending upon technology in hopes of achieving something they lack, I'm using the skills I've developed from years of solid experience using the fundamentals. Yes, they're trying to buy their skills, whereas I'm producing mine.

[@wesleysmith1141]

When I was going through the Oklahoma Bridge program several officers had brand new Glocks with optics that kept having failures. My M&P never skipped a beat. The folds with Glocks and Sigs without optics pretty much Ean flawless.

[@fanman8102]

“It’s like being a guitar player who wants to get paid for his work.” That’s an excellent analogy! It’s my opinion that if you can’t hit a man size target at 50 yards on the range there’s no reason to put one on your kit.

[@64samsky]

Amen Brother!

[@dweberlvnworth]

With all due respect, when I hear "you don't need..." it reminds me of Mr. Hackathorn's recent FUDD remarks. That said, due to my age, and vision, I do utilize red dots/optics on pistols and rifles. I have quick disconnect mounting hardware on all of my rifles in the event of an optic failure. I also have many EDC pistols with only iron sights. I was VERY reluctant to transition to red dots on my HK VP9 and Sig P 365 X Macro, but with LOTS of practice, I have achieved overall better results, particularly beyond 25 yards with handguns. Mr. Heinrichs has convinced me to increase dry fire exercises, and depend less on tacti-cool gadgets, and more on repetition and hard work.

[@williamwalker1277]

Reid, Great video and great job! I'm one of the ones that don't like red dots. I've had several of them and I always go back to my irons. I can shoot ten times better with iron sights. I've always wanted to come to one of your classes, but I'm too old and I don't think I could keep up with all the running and getting on the ground and stuff like that. Anyway good job.....

[@sgtjrr9771]

25 year LEO. FI (retired 01/23. To date, I’ve not yet shot a dot on a pistol. Yes, they intrigue me, but still haven’t shot one! I’ll continue to believe that if a person truly masters the basics (of any skill/discipline/art) they will be unstoppable! Great vid Sir! As always, Stay Safe & God Bless! 💥💪🙏 🇺🇸

[@mongo5564]

Shot years and years without a RDS on my pistol. Taught tons of students with irons over the years as an instructor. Competed in USPSA for years in limited division with iron sights. That being said, after being mandated to switch to a RDS on the Glock, I feel in love. As good as I am with iron sights, I’m better with a red dot. I think you should definitely learn the fundamentals on irons first but I believe RDS on handguns are the future. I believe this is especially true when it comes to threat focused combat shooting. Yes you can shoot irons both eyes open, but it’s much easier with two focal planes with a RDS as opposed to three with irons. Either way great video and interesting conversation. Also great shooting!

[@larryjohnson7591]

I agree with everything you said. It is also important to remember, when someone is shooting back, you will get tunnel vision and you will be shaking. You need to learn how to stay calm so you can make shots with a pistol, and I don't care what kind of sights you have.

[@burrco3086]

2 years ago I tried red dots on pistols. Trained with them for a long time. Took my g19 shot it with both. A lot faster with iron sights. Great vids,,

[@denizenofthedecline9918]

Tried it two years ago. Trained a long time. That math don't math.

[@Optimus__Maximus]

People who are dropping hundreds of dollars on red dots don't like to hear they are buying into a trend. I bought a $500 Trijicon only to send it back; I wasn't impressed. But like you said, training is hard work and requires a lot of time, and that's more than a little frightening for people. You are always asking yourself: Am I doing enough, will I be ready. And if a salesman comes along selling you a little bit of comfort and confidence with some new equipment then it's easy to buy into it. Obviously red dots work but they don't work any better, new shooters do learn the very basic concept easier: no need for sight alignment and all that, but that's where the advantage ends. One of the problems with that however, is that you gain none of the benefits of dry firing and practice that iron sights force you to acquire at first. I'm also a believer that if you train then you should be training for the worst and you can't always guarantee that you will have a red dot or optic, I'd rather be a master of iron sights and be forced to use a red dot then the other way around.

[@rocc05rx8]

You still have to dry fire with a dot. It's still a learning curve compared to irons. Both require practice and both work just as well as the other if you practice it. You are saying they sell you confidence and comfort yet if you've ever shot a red dot, most fort time shooters (woth dots) can't even find the damn dot. It's just like anything else. You need to practice. You still have to dry fire. Just because there is no sight alignment doesn't mean your fundamentals are mastered. Its the same as with irons you just have a dot rather than lining up the sights.

[@AaronWilbers]

Trend? That is an interesting take. With rock solid fundamentals, which you need no matter the sighting system, there are advantages to dots over irons. Are dots going away on rifles as well?

[@jamesfischer4813]

The key you said good sire, carrying for a decade or so. Dots are faster. Fundamentals are still Fundamentals, however, if you can make the training curve faster than why not.

[@mikec5259]

Impressive work. What sights are you running and where are you holding at?

[@kypparmstrong2775]

For the longest time I had two pistols, a Ruger Mk2 with heavy taper, target sighted barrel, and a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 magnum with 10" barrel. The .22 taught me sight picture and trigger control and the Blackhawk added flinch control. Now I can shoot most pistols well.

[@Vonarsie]

Awesome Awesome video!! 💯 truth.

[@adamskull6268]

Thanks for the info. I've been a firearm owner for around 8 yrs. I admit I suck as a pistol shooter. This has been a learn as I go. My pistol is on my person along with my wallet, phone and car and house keys. Carry to spare mags, knife and flashlight. I don't put in enough training. I want to put shots with the factory pistol sights. Having red dots gets expensive. Call me old school but I need to rely on the old methods of shooting, which have proven good. Appreciate the content of your videos.

[@americafirstlastglimmerofl3067]

Thank you good Sir 👍🏼🤠👍🏼

[@lzxray6781]

I carry the CZ P07 and recently put a set of Night Fision sights on it and vastly improved my accuracy. The front sight for day is yellow and for me it catches my eye quicker. I also dry fire practice every evening. I shoot from 25 yards to 3 yards regularly. At 56 my eyes were struggling with the factory sights.

[@RealEstateSafelyNavigated]

Great vid as always. This said, I don’t use a dot to be more accurate. I was sold on dots after I took a competitive shooting class and literally cut my time in half with my instructor’s Walther with Red Rot vs my Glock 19 Gen 5 with iron sights. Nowadays, I have a Hellcat Pro with Holosun Green Dot on it and initially found dot (not to be confused with target) acquisition to be challenging unless I lined up my front and rear sights anyhow (lol) due to small glass to go with my small firearm so… I dry fire regularly to practice proper grip when unholstering, trigger pull and both dot and target acquisition as well as mag changes.

[@rustyricky6684]

@Reid Not sure if you mentioned or not…. I only heard you say “iron sights” multiple times… are you using XS big dot sights on this particular gun? Or, what iron sights were used in this video? I’ve been using XS big dots since James first mentioned them back in the day, and I have no problems at all making shots like this (my friends are always in shock when we go out shooting!), but I do dry practice at least 5-6 days per week as well

[@JohnDoe-mt8rf]

I shoot fine with out a red dot,just sayin.

[@Isaac_5.56x45]

​@@jessegpresleyI hit 4 inch targets at 100 yards with stock iron sights on a G17 shooting cheap 9mm FMJ. There's a number for you.

[@johnbuntin7188]

Me to brother, no dots on my pistols.

[@jamesfischer4813]

I would like to see you do it without the known distance. As you said a flat range is very different than a gun fight.

[@davidgaines8607]

Dude that's high level shooting , especially with that gun. Most normal people are never gonna be able to do that. Irons or dot. But especially irons.

[@Boomie789]

I bought the P365X. It came with a cheap red dot. I pulled it out to dump the ammo on a sunny day at my range. I experienced every problem with a red dot at once. Sand in projecter, brightness setting too low, scratches on screen. The arguable precision increase is not worth all that hassle. Tbf, it was a cheap red dot.

[@sl5932]

What an incredible marksman.

[@timjohnson8390]

The difference between living and dying in a gun fight is fundamentals period

[@BlueCollarEats]

Technique over stuff is the rule to live by.

[@Cmoth040]

LEO weapons instructor for over 22 years. I've been running a red-dot on my service pistol for about a year. A red-dot on a handgun gives near the same benefit on a pistol as it does on a rifle. Sort of. If your fundamentals are solid, you don't need it really, if your eyes are still good. As others have posted, as my eyes got older and my astigmatism worsened, I found the red-dot really gives a benefit at 20+ yards distant. At 20 to 25 yards, it can give faster sight acquisitions, IF you have put in the huge amount of time to get the presentation of the pistol engrained. I had a lot of work to do to get consistent with it. My argument against red-dots is that I feel it gets in my way a lot. I feel like a put a big sign in front of my vision and I lose some threat perception down range. I haven't seen an uptick in speed, just more precision at about 25 yards. At longer ranges, you shouldn't be shooting quickly anyway, however, it does give you the ability to target focus and still get a precise aiming reference.

[@channeellll7623]

Ben Stoeger is a shooting game changer. Irons or red dot, can shoot faster at 25&50 and maintain acceptable hits when most handgunners cant even shoot at 20 yards slowfire

[@kellywalker8407]

One of my reservations about red dots was long range shooting. I grew up reading Elmer Keith's stuff and I got pretty good at elevating the front sight. But red dots still work at long range, yea just gotta know your gun and loads.

[@commandmastacheef]

Listen. This guy is the last dragon!

[@ben_3256]

I took the Modern Samurai Project's red dot 2-day class a couple months ago and that completely changed shooting handguns for me.

[@wittmer341]

His class has VERY little in common with pistol fighting.

[@ben_3256]

@@wittmer341 how?

[@wittmer341]

Gunfights don’t start with a timer beeping. His class is centered around speed, often at the expense of accuracy, from positions and stances you wouldn’t expect or want to be in in a real deadly force scenario. As an example, he teaches the draw stroke from your hands below the waist. That’s absolutely stupid for someone in a deadly force scenario.

[@ben_3256]

@@wittmer341 Speed is more important than accuracy in the vast majority of self defense encounters with a pistol. Obviously gunfights don't start with a beeper but how are you going to improve your speed if you aren't measuring it? Not once in the class did he teach drawing from hands below the waist.

[@wittmer341]

@@ben_3256 we went to entirely different classes then. As I began my draw from an interview stance he suggested I start with my gun hand at the bottom of my holster. Your tactics make you faster. You need to move sooner, not necessarily faster. These guys working on sub second draws are way off the mark on what’s important.