Handgun Red Dot Sight Zero, How to Zero Handgun Red Dot
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- This topic loves to come up and the arguments carry on about which zero is best. In this video Dave demonstrates how to zero your handgun red dot at 10 yards plus a fun drill to run after. We likely will have an upcoming video discussing the various zero distances as well. What do you think, what distance do you prefer? Have any questions, post those too!
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I've watched over 50 videos of "how to zero a red dot on a pistol" and none of them actually show the part where they are making the adjustment on the red dot. I like that you actually take the time out to show how you are making the adjustment instead of just saying "I went 8 clicks up and 6 clicks right" like the rest of the "how to" videos. I know that the adjustment up/down, right/left is pretty straight forward, but taking the time to show how you are making the adjustment can really help others out who has no idea on how-to make the adjustment.
I’ve watched about 20 videos on zeroing a rds and this is the only one that was easy for me to comprehend great instructions
This is the best video out there
Important thing for people to remember, when zeroing, the directions on the rds are for which direction your shot/point of impact needs to move not your dot.
I picked up a "step back" drill from Jerry the "Burner" back in the day. It would be greatfor watching POI shift.
Also great for making an aggressive draw regardless of difficulty of the shot.
Use an inverted T as a clear, perfect aim point for both windage and elevation.
Start at a simple 3 yards, react to a beep, and no time limit... 3.... perfect.... rounds.
step back 3 more yards; Aggressive draw at the beep, 3... perfect shots.
Step back
step back
step back.
I used to go from 3 out to 40+ if the range allowed.
It'll show you if you're pushing things, and gets you making a crisp draw at any target.
When you end up with a nice, round, centered group, it's a great confidence builder.
Man I was lollipoping my Rds to my front sight on my c2 and I hated it because I was always trying to get the front iron lined up exactly with the rear but the way you explained how the Rds should look and trying to keep the dot in the center of the Rds changed my whole perspective literally. I feel alot more confident when presenting and finding the dot, it’s just there. You really limit yourself and curse the rds when you try to slave to your irons. Something so simple but so hard to understand unless someone shows you, with a zeroed optic how the sight picture should look. Thank you
Did you check out my cowitness video man?
Very informative video. I just got into the red dot world and was curious about slaving the red dot to the iron sites. Now I know not to, but instead keep the red dot in the center of the glass. Thanks for posting. I will follow your channel. 👍🏻
I have to say, I just watched your video on not slaving your red dot to the iron sights. And I really liked your logic on it. Great videos great instructions, right to the point. This has to be the best way to explain how to zero a red dot. I’ll be using your method from here on out. Thank you…
Would really appreciate that video of poi! At the different yards 10 vs 15 vs 25. Thanks 👍
CZcams has a search function
Just got my P dilevered and first time red dot shooter. I got the intro package so the holosun comp was installed and zeroed (supposedly) it looks a little off to me, but I’m new to the dot thing. Can’t wait to shoot tomorrow. Thank you for the videos. Really like your style. Come teach classes in Austin
Thanks for producing the video. Curious why you selected 10 yards over 25 yards for the zero. Typically in USPSA you're blazing through the 3, 5, 7 yard targets. Slowing down just a bit for 10-15 yards and being the most precise at 25 yards. Knowing your holdovers at closer ranges is important, but under stress, having the dot dead on for the longer shots seems more appropriate. Like to get your thoughts. Thanks.
I sighted my red dot at 10 yards also... and my reason is because for home defense, I will probably be at around 10 yards range from me and the intruder.
With a 10 yard zero with a 9mm pistol, you’ll be .5 inches low at 5 yards, dead on at 10 yards, never more than .5-.6 inches high from 10-50 yards and dead on again at 50 yards. A half inch is not going to affect your accuracy with a pistol, it will be your trigger pull to affect accuracy much more than bullet trajectory with a 10 yard zero.
With a 10 yard zero and 115 grain DPX ammo this is what it should be for bullet drop per JBM Ballistic Calculator.
Range Drop
(yd) (in)
0...... - 0.7
5...... - 0.3
10.... 0.0
15..... 0.3
20..... 0.4
25..... 0.6
30..... 0.6
35..... 0.6
40..... 0.5
45..... 0.4
50..... 0.1
55..... -0.2
60..... -0.5
65 .....-1.0
70..... -1.5
75..... -2.1
80..... -2.8
85..... -3.6
90..... -4.4
95..... -5.3
100... -6.3
So...out to 100 yards you are within 6" point of aim vs point of impact and with less drop at 100 yards, than other zero distances
Finally a video that explains the proper adjustment! Thank you so much to a new shooter this is very helpful.
Glad you liked it
Awesome video. Thank you so much! Most helpful video I’ve watched on zeroing. Thank you!!
Just put my first red dot on one of my pistols and I now know I can go zero it with confidence. Thanks!!
Nice, let us know how it goes
@@GunsandTactics glad you asked. I started yesterday making adjustments then had a user headspace and timing issue…lol. My corrections were in the wrong directions. Once I realized that I made the proper corrections to my red dot and was able to hit my target where the dot landed. Now that I think about it I still need to go back and do the 10/10/10 exercise. Thanks again!
Love this channel. I'm always learning something new. Thank you.
Love your channel as well
I here to re-zero my dot. just tried Aaron Cowin's recoil diagnostic all my shots were to the right.
My biggest issue now is trigger control. My dot is zeroed pretty close, not perfect but I’m satisfied. I noticed the gun shifts down a bit, causing me to shot low at times. Doesn’t happen with every shot just sometimes. Its just really a challenge to repeat that same trigger pull.
My usual range has 10 and 20. Typically the 10 for me. I've been using a RMR on my 320 and the first time I didn't shoot very well. I didn't locktite my sight and I noticed it was pretty loose when I got back home. Tightened it down and next time I went out, I was still a little left, but I was practically drilling the same hole.
Excellent. Thanks.
Great video. I zeroed at 15 yards (45 feet) because that’s the longest distance for California CCW
Very concise overview on zeroing your optic. Thanks for this.
You’re welcome thanks for watching
Awesome tutorial, especially for beginners using red dots. Liked and subbed for more content! Thank you!
Thank you for this video one of the best for zeroing in. Im a newbie to firearms, I just picked up a red dot. Any pointers on for newbies?
You are good at what you are doing here. Thank you for the clarity and sharing your knowledge.
thank you. I learned a lot. You have great knowledge.
The suggestion to use the zeroing target shown in this video was great. Got some on the way for future reference. Really made the micro adjustments on the RDS look simple and a little more educated as far as how many clicks to adjust by. Love it. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the video. Just got my first optics ready pistol and everywhere I read was pushing for a 25 yard zero and I dont have a rest and am still a beginner and was questioning how I would achieve that. 10yds much more doable and with good results.
Very informative video, and great idea to offer the downloadable target. I’m retired infantry 🇨🇦 and have fired pistols for decades but in my older years I’ve developed an astigmatism so I’m about to enter the world of red dot sights. I bought a Walther PDP full size 4.5” because it was recommended as accommodating to electronics (not sure which brand to buy yet) compared to my existing pistols. Liked & subscribed. 👍
Astigmatism is going to make red dots an issue
Just subscribed and ordered 25 targets! These targets will save me money in the long run. With my aging eyes and ammo going up yet again, I have joined the RDS community.
Thanks for the sub! Glad to have tou
Thank you so much for this video. That's exactly what I was looking for.
I agree with the 10 yard zero and that’s what I use as well another great video.
WOW!!! I was trying to zero my red dot off the rear sight 😱
Will try your method as soon as I can get to the range!
Thanks!
Well, I have a Taurus G2C with a red dot; shooting much better ignoring the front sight!
Picked up a Glock 43x and added a CTS red dot -- love it…no more leaning my head back to see through bifocal lenses 😅
Short, solid, and sweet.
Cool. Thanks for the video. I like your attitude. Very friendly and encouraging demeanor.
Thank you for the comment. Glad to have you here. Feel free to send us an email with any questions or video suggestions
Great video. Simple and to the point. Seems a lot of videos have to explain Quantum Physics before they get to telling you about what you need to do. Thank You!!
Loved this video!
Good stuff!! I agree that people get wrapped around the axle about what yardage to zero to. At the end of the day fundamentals are what matter!!
They sure do!
Great video lots of knowledge and tips.
Great vid brother
Thank u you show how too adjust the sight
Great video thank you!
Great video
Thanks man
Thank you, Dave, for a well done video. I'll be trying out the target this week.
Thanks for the comment and glad you found it helpful.
Excellent video ! very good explanations in layman's language. Thank You
Glad it was helpful!
Great video!! And Information!! I’m thinking of a reflex for my smith shield9 mm ez.. any suggestions???
Fantastic instruction. Thank you!
Very good instructional.
Excellent video. Just what I needed. Thank you
Great tutorial. Thank you
Great video, thanks Dave!
Awesome tips very helpful Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, very clear presentation.
I hope I'm going to make some sense. Very new shooter here. In our video about "co witness" you talk about getting the iron sights out of the way with the red dot above in the center of the optic. Assuming the iron sights are on target and the optic is correct it would seem that the dot would be nearly co-witnessed in the optic's view. At that point, it would seem to me that to get the dot in the middle of the optic is a function of presentation. I suspect I'm mixing something up but maybe you can pull together the thesis of these 2 videos.
Correct it’s about presentation. Focus on the target and ignore the iron sights when using the red dot.
@@GunsandTactics So...just to recap...assuming the iron sights are accurate and I'm aiming with them I would find the red dot "co-witnessed" or nearly so. In practical use I would develop a presentation that puts the dot in the middle of the optic and be happy to reproduce that presentation consistently.
Excellent video ... what can I say thanks!
This was wonderful. Thank you
Thank you for teaching us.
My pleasure
Thank you for the target’s!
Awesome instructions! You got a new subscriber.
Thanks for the sub!
Thank you for this great instruction. Question please, where do set the dot on your front sight on it, above it? Thanks.
nice groups.
Thanks for Target!
Great video; so is your red dot in the center of your donut/window or does one simply go through this process and accept wherever the dot appears in the window?
Present the gun, center the dot in the window and aim. You can then zero and still present the gun and align the dot in the center of the window.
@@GunsandTactics thank you. I’m going to re-zero each of my optic pistol using your technique.
Nice video! Very instructional and well presented.
Thanks for the video
That is sweet rig you got there buddy!!!
Thank you! We’ve got some cool stuff coming this year
Staccato says on their site the Blackhawk holster isn't compatible with the SRO. Did you tweak the holster to make it work?
I did. A little bit of material removed where the SRO hood sits. Pretty easy mod
Perfect timing, going to zero my Sentinel on my P365 XL
I’ll post a pic of it on our Facebook and Instagram for you
Good video! 👌🏻
Thanks!
Great video !!
I have a question. Once I zero my RDS, should my RDS and iron sights both “line up” when I shoot my target? Im not saying the RDS dot site on top of my iron sights, but rather Im hitting my target regardless of whether I use my RDS or my iron sights?
Would love to see more staccato content from you.
Awesome. Any suggestions on topics or questions? Feel free to email the qa as well
That was a great video man
I appreciate it
AWESOME love the videos
Glad you like them!
Sad state of affairs when a church has to have armed security to be able to worship. I do that security at my church, any recommadation what distance is best for zeroing?
I’m having trouble with both eyes open on a pistol red dot should I use both eyes or one eye?
Both eyes open focused on the target.
Do you keep your thumb on the rail where your light is for downward pressure?
Kinda, inward pressure. I want to do a series of videos or an online class on handgun shooting
Great video 👍👍
Thank you 👍
Great video!.I used to shoot iron sights in idpa shooting,but my eyes have gotten really bad.I bought th sro 5 moa and planning on shooting uspsa with it.I am new to the whole optic thing.If I shoot a certain load and leave it where it's at,can I shoot a different bullet weight and load without having to rezero?.Let's say between a 115grn and a 124grn round.
Hope to see a test to the debate for the best zero distance for handgun rds.
The answer is, whatever works for you.
I Personally like a 25 yard zero. As Big Lou said, whatever works for you.
I like using the ballistic calculator and chronograph to create an offset target for a closer shooting distance for a 25 yard zero. Most people are unable to create precise shots at 5 or 10 yards for zeroing. I have to zero their RDS for them, otherwise class will be a circus.
@@johnphillips222, i understand. Ive seen it all. Red dots are not magic. If you don't have a proper grip plus good trigger control, you still don't have the fundamentals to control your shot placement. A 🎪 is what I see often at the range.
@Big Lou I know what you are saying. You have seen it all.
I am now at the point where I want students to give me their RDS handgun and AR, and I will sight the firearms for them a week or two before class. I can make sure that nothing will fall off during the first mag. Instead of wasting 3-4 hours to get everyone sighted in, classes can just start.
It is probably too much to ask a newbie to RDS handguns or an AR to sight them in by themselves ...or even tighten a screw for a MLOK accessory. They haven't done it before, so how can they know?
God bless those front line instructors that help the newbies get their first experiences. They do God's work and are under appreciated.
This was good
Thanks for watching!
Wish i had the eyesight these days to shoot that well.
Was wondering what size MOA Dot you have on your optic? Thank you.
I usually like whatever option is closest to 3 moa. Each brand is a little different but that’s my preference. Pros and cons. That would be a good video topic
I loved your radiused screwdriver idea. That is awesome.
I can post a pic of it on our Instagram or cover it in a video if you’d like
I have made a bunch of custom tools to work on guns. I get many more ideas from others.
If you were looking for ideas for upcoming shows, a tour of gunsmithing tools or the custom tools might be an idea.
I made some tools to rework the 870 shotguns when the tab fix was made, many decades ago. Before the AR bandwagon happened we had to make our own AR tools. SIG was never good with tools, so we made our own tools to work on the West German hammer struts.
The gun shop tools has been on the to do list, break it up in segments etc. good winter series.
Can you recommend a good aftermarket optic cut slide and red dot for my glock 19 gen 3?
Question, where did you get that target from? I like it.
I designed it. Link in description for more info
2yrs later still helpin us out! 🫡
Is what people are calling not slaving your red dot to your iron sights mean, not co witnessing ?
I have a separate video on that
Have you had any issues with ejected rounds hitting the SRO?
I'm still a bit confused. My thought was use my iron sight for my group and then put the red dot over my front sight. Shoot again, this time using the red dot to confirm???
Just ignore the irons and shoot the dot. So much easier
Do you consider the use of a handgun rest a good idea for red dot zeroing to get best of best accuracy, or is that considered cheating?
I know that most indoor ranges do not allow the use of a handgun rest for safety reasons, so not using a handgun rest may have been a smart conscious decision. I have seen too much equipment damage and injuries at the local ranges when people used a handgun rest. I am well known at the range, so I ask if I can use a handgun rest. At the same time I reiterate the rules to use a handgun rest before the RSO even has a chance to say something. The general public isn't able to use a handgun rest. Writing "Do not shoot above this line." and "Minimum target distance = XX Yard" makes the RSO feel better. I have also never damaged equipment, so that reputation helps at the range.
Great question, I’ll talk more about this on this months QA as I think it deserves more than a quick comment. Short version of a rest helps do it, I prefer off hand as 1 that’s how I’ll be shooting and 2 the property I often practice at doesn’t have a bench. I’m also then not depending on a bench when I go to a class etc to confirm zero
The reasoning for the answer is even more informative than the answer.
I’ve seen Timms use a small pile of peanut butter cliff bars as a bag/rest before. And those are a part of his every day carry so he always has them around and can confirm zero at any time
YES a rest is a must do.
How is the testing with the 509T and use in RDS classes going? You were one of the first with that technology.
It’s awesome, in fact I’ll be getting a couple of more and putting one likely on this gun. It’s currently on my carry 19 and closed emitter shines IWB carry. Reality is they’ve held up great at classes and the closed system also rocks in rain snow etc. Thank you for the reminder I need to do a wrap up video on that.
Thanks. I followed your initial review and made the purchase based on your advice. I got burned by bad ACRO advice from others. Follow the money. Two ACROs broke, and the battery life is zero.
It would be nice to hear your thoughts as an expert on the blue tint. I like it to easier pick up the dot, especially where red is a dominant color in the background.
I trust you.
I noticed that when zeroing you weren't sitting down using an pistol rest for stability , I always assumed that sitting at a bench using a pistol rest was an requirement because standing and aiming didn't have the stability as sitting and resting your gun on an stable platform however you were quite successful standing up, would you recommend standing over sitting?
I tell people if you want or need to use a bench/bag then go ahead. For me, when I travel I don't or can't always have a bench or bag so I need something that works all the time wherever I am. My goal is to hit the 1" target at 10 yards to make my zero. I can generally do that offhand so I do what works for me.
@@GunsandTactics thanks for such an prompt reply, before seeing your video I thought the only way to zero a red dot was by being seated and using expensive equipment (wish I saw your video months earlier! ) to hold pistols steady , however after seeing your video I decided to try your method standing up with a M and P 2.0 and new holosun 507c and to my surprise not only did your methods work but was actually with better than expected results, I take it that standing up and using your body a an stable platform is your preferred method?
What holster?
What holster are you using that's fits the P with SRO?
All of them need to be modified for the SRO
Did you have to make adjustments for the SRO to fit??
Holsters were modified for the SRO
@@GunsandTactics can you tell me what you did? Want to modify one for my SRO
Had to remove material for the front hood.
Do you make any adjustments to the dot prior to live fire? The dot on my RDS is way out of the window with my natural point of aim and I'm wondering if I should adjust it before going to the range.
You can shoot it on a large paper and see where it hits. You’ll be on paper for sure and can make a large adjustment then fine tune with the zero target.
You are looking healthy
I appreciate it but need to lose some pandemic pounds 😃
Whatever you are doing is working. You look a lot healthier.
What do you have for steel target set up
I would have to check. So many various steel stuff in the pile
You always use shades to help you see your dot better or it's your choice
What do you mean like sunglasses or shoot in the shade? Not sure what you meant
Can you provide a link to print targets? Thank you.
Link to targets are in our website article. Thank you for watching www.gunsandtactics.com/handgun-red-dot-sight-zero-2021
Am I just dumb or am I supposed to know where the dot goes on the glass?
Center. I’ll be making a video about this soon. Don’t worry you’re not the only one
Good example of zero red dot for first timers
Trying to spread good info!