Reflex sights on a pistol?

Does anyone use a reflex sight on an automatic pistol? I've got a XD45 Tactical that I'm thinking about going that route with, although I already bought a set of TFO sights and installed the front on the slide, so I'm still considering.

Also considering a combo light/laser on the rail since it's a HD gun and could be needed in that capacity for shooting inside of 10 yards without much time to aim.

Any opinions or experience would be appreciated.

 

I got a Streamlight TLR-2 on one of mine. I give it a solid 2 thumbs up. I went with red laser (vs green). The red does washout in the bright sun. However it is my primary HD unit and it is not intended for outdoor use. When I was buying, green was all the rage but too new and a bit expensive. You have a 10 yard shot in your house? I do a fair amount of target shooting at 10 feet.

 

It'd cut across a couple rooms, but 30 feet could happen. There's even a spot where I could have a 50 foot range, but it'd be a window then neighbors as a background and I'd have to be sitting in an odd spot to be on that line.

Mostly at the range I practice at 6-8 meters with the pistols. Figure it's easier to hit closer in although there's no good way to practice for adrenaline in a real situation in my area.

 

Have a Romeo 1 on a p320, and a Rmr on a glock 19.

I highly recommend a reflex sight on a pistol. It's like cheating.

 

Do they have any issues holding zero with all the shock and movement with being on the slide?

What caliber is the P320 chambered for? I'm thinking of putting it on a 45 Auto with a 5 inch barrel; the felt recoil isn't a lot more than my Glock 17, but the 45 has a much stiffer spring and heavier slide, so there's a good amount more energy involved.

 

my hero

 

Both are in 9mm , I doubt it would throw an RMR off zero

 

Do you know much about any less expensive models? Looks like with the mounting base, the RMR will end up costing more than the pistol did, and I don't think I can justify spending that much for 99% range shooting.

Any experience with something like the Burris fastfire?

 

I've posted this on another thread but you can get an RMR for less then $300 shipped.


Cabelas has the rmr for $350 shipped, using a code on the site for free shipping.

Make an account on activejunky.com to get an additional 10% off.

Also buy gift cards off raise.com to get an additional discount.

The rmr is arguably the best reflex sight out there. At this price point, it's too good to pass up.

 

Interesting. I'm still not sure I'm ready to spend that much for this kind of thing, considering what I actually use the pistol for. If I knew I was going into combat of some kind in the foreseeable future or somehow making income from shooting that'd be one thing, but for making holes in paper at the range a couple times a month, the TFO sights I have may have to suffice for now. It does make the price point of the TLR-4 easier to swallow if I choose to go that route instead; it's not a matter of the hardware being worth the price for me, more of whether I need that capability enough to not put that money to some other use right now and reflex sights on a range gun is hard to put in the "necessity" column.

 

I run a Viper on my G34 and just irons on my G19. I find it easier to shoot with the red dot but faster to shoot with irons.

 

Just shot some 3-4" groups at 10m last night with the XD on stock rear sights and the front post swapped out for the TFO. Not to shabby for me, especially with a gun I've owned for less than a week and haven't put a full 200 rounds through yet (got to the range late, and they closed before I could finish out my 100 for the session). The G17 was spreading about 7" at that range, and shooting a bit high, but that's probably on account of the 101gr +P ammo I was using (vs the 124-147gr I usually like), and my not adjusting for the difference.

 

You can get very solid built reflex sights for $37 shipped Im not a dealer either...hit me up on the side I can show you exactly what Im talking about

Got one mounted on my Ruger 10/22 Takedown..used a 22lr laser boresight to sight in. The boresight was $13 and definitely worth the $13.

 

I was looking at a vortex rmr for my G17 just because of the hellacious military discount they offer. Haven't followed through with it yet but I may one day

 

I run the Burris on a shotgun for turkey hunting, and a Viper on a Sig P226. Spend the extra coin on a Vortex or RMR. You'll be much happier.

 

I've seen the cheap ones on Amazon, and even have one on my moss 590, although that model is too bulky for a pistol IMO. I'm not sure I feel confident with a cheap reflex handling the shock of riding on the slide of a 45 auto (might try one on my G17), which I'm assuming shakes more than a 22 rifle.

The XD shoots well enough with the iron sights that I might just settle for a rail mount laser for quick acquisition when I need it, a good one is half the price of a burris and would get the job done for my use.

 

Will the p320 only accept the Romeo1 or can you put a trijicon on it too?

 

only the romeo 1...

 

ah, thats kind of what I was expecting. I really like the 320 X-carry, and all the reviews kept saying add a Romeo 1. Good way to sell 2 products

 

Are you thinking of having your slide milled to accept a mounting plate or just replacing the rear sight with a mount? The XD slide isn't very receptive to top milling, so you may want to look into that some more before having anyone do it. Even if they say they can. There's a reason you don't see many/any milled out XD slides.

As far as lasers go, they can be useful, but if I could offer some unsolicited advice, I'd say work some drills for a few months and become proficient with a handgun before making any modifications. Improve that press, get those group sizes down, learn your ballistics and get good at shooting from the draw and improvised positions with weapon light manipulation drills. Don't take this as a knock on you or anyone else, but gun modifications don't make someone a more proficient or effective shooter. The press is everything. Once it's good, you might find that you never needed a lot of the modifications a lot of people make. A lot of practice can save you a ton of money.

This is from 25 yards on an 8" plate in pitch darkness: