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Optics on CCW

Do you carry with an optic?


  • Total voters
    98
G19.3 with Holosun 507c and G26.3 with irons only. Apparently in Union City you can't do slide cuts. Only OEM OR slides. Unfortunately Glock only does Gen 3 OR slides for the 17 and 19.

I can't qualify with my P-01 since I got it cut for an EPS Carry. Can't even buy a slide from CZ since they don't manufacture them by themselves. I'd basically I have to PPT another P-01 or just buy an OEM slide off someone. Wild stuff with my IA...
 
I've been back and forth on it i carried for years and I just recently put an EPS carry on my 365XL. Honestky it makes no difference carry Appendix. Im used to shooting dots for competition so it was a natural choice to just throw one on.
 
I have a Holosun optic on my P365. I carry between 3 and 4:00 IWB.
I’m 76 so my eyesight is not as good as before. Optics makes a big difference. I just need to keep practicing to be consistent in acquiring that dot quickly.

The other thing is to co-witness your dot to your irons in the lower 1/3 of the optic window, that way you have both available at all times, best of both worlds (my irons and optic are both zero'd at 25yds).

The optic is faster once you learn it as you don't need perfect sight alignment, and you remain target focused rather than front sight focused, plus it's easier for people who are far sighted or who wear transitions.
 
G19.3 with Holosun 507c and G26.3 with irons only. Apparently in Union City you can't do slide cuts. Only OEM OR slides. Unfortunately Glock only does Gen 3 OR slides for the 17 and 19.

I can't qualify with my P-01 since I got it cut for an EPS Carry. Can't even buy a slide from CZ since they don't manufacture them by themselves. I'd basically I have to PPT another P-01 or just buy an OEM slide off someone. Wild stuff with my IA...
Here too in Long Beach
 

Anyone use this? I know it's slightly off topic but it's related I think.
 
Throw an optic on or take it off, if your gun ever ends up in an evidence locker that optic will be right there with it.... it will also be scrutinized by people that dont necessarily understand what theyre looking at and may think it looks "scary" with the optic attached :rolleyes:
 
Those carrying on 3 - 4 o'clock (or strong side 9 for left handed carry), what holster do you use? I'm looking at TXC with the wedge and minimal bulk to possibly switch to if I start carrying with optics.
I carry 3o’clock using a T.Rex Arms Ironside hybrid. Works well with an optic and light and there’s minimal printing if any.
 

Anyone use this? I know it's slightly off topic but it's related I think.
Tried the Vedder wedge and it made my hips look uneven (that's what she said), like I had a fat right hip. I give up. Irons it is.
 
You've had a front sight fly off several pistols and a cheap optic that went out... and the lesson is? :unsure:
Do you take everything out of context? That was a direct response to the comment about reliability of irons over optics, with my survey sample of one being a humorous anecdote showing irons can fail more frequently than optics. 🤣
 
Tried the Vedder wedge and it made my hips look uneven (that's what she said), like I had a fat right hip. I give up. Irons it is.

I'm not sure you've mentioned what kind of holster you have, but have you tried moving it to somewhere in between appendix and 3 o'clock? The 1:30-2:00 position fixed everything for me when I added an optic. My holster did allow height and cant adjustment though. For me, in this position the optic gets turned a bit to the side and the grip follows along the curve of my waist.
 

Anyone use this? I know it's slightly off topic but it's related I think.
Yes I use the Mastermind pillow on my holsters and like it. Helps push the gun a bit further into you to avoid printing, and adds a bit of extra comfort for those long carry days. They sell one which you can customize the fill size to however big or small you want it. Then just buy adhesive hook and loop and attach to the holster.

To answer OP. I use a rmr on my G19/26, and irons only on a Shield Plus. Wanted to keep the size to a minimal on the Shield Plus, but I do shoot better with a red dot. Still scored a 96% on my qual with the Shield Plus and ours goes out to 15/25 yards, so not too worried.
 
Yes I use the Mastermind pillow on my holsters and like it. Helps push the gun a bit further into you to avoid printing, and adds a bit of extra comfort for those long carry days. They sell one which you can customize the fill size to however big or small you want it. Then just buy adhesive hook and loop and attach to the holster.

To answer OP. I use a rmr on my G19/26, and irons only on a Shield Plus. Wanted to keep the size to a minimal on the Shield Plus, but I do shoot better with a red dot. Still scored a 96% on my qual with the Shield Plus and ours goes out to 15/25 yards, so not too worried.
Shield is a fine shooting little pistol
 
I'm not sure you've mentioned what kind of holster you have, but have you tried moving it to somewhere in between appendix and 3 o'clock? The 1:30-2:00 position fixed everything for me when I added an optic. My holster did allow height and cant adjustment though. For me, in this position the optic gets turned a bit to the side and the grip follows along the curve of my waist.
I use a Desantis holster, comfortable as hell with my current set up, very simple, just no optic. If I try to put the holster anywhere where my leg bends, it just doesn't work for me.
 
P365 with HS407k. I used to do iron sights only, but my eyes are starting to go bad. Red dots are a Godsend. The existing irons still work if the red dot fails. There's quite a learning curve to the red dots but once you figure it out, it's hard to miss your shot. I carry 3-o'clock IWB using a Desantis Gun Hide Mean Streak holster. Works for me on multiple situations - driving, hiking, going about my day, etc. I can wear a thin shirt over it and my wife approves - i.e. barely prints at all. When wearing a polo shirt with an undershirt I use a Perry Type suspender and it makes it super comfortable. I can loosen the belt all I want and the holster is still solid.
 
P365 with HS407k. I used to do iron sights only, but my eyes are starting to go bad. Red dots are a Godsend. The existing irons still work if the red dot fails. There's quite a learning curve to the red dots but once you figure it out, it's hard to miss your shot. I carry 3-o'clock IWB using a Desantis Gun Hide Mean Streak holster. Works for me on multiple situations - driving, hiking, going about my day, etc. I can wear a thin shirt over it and my wife approves - i.e. barely prints at all. When wearing a polo shirt with an undershirt I use a Perry Type suspender and it makes it super comfortable. I can loosen the belt all I want and the holster is still solid.
I do have to wonder sometimes, am I just being extra with my paranoia about printing? No optic and the P365 disappears even with a white t shirt. Optic on, and I can see it poking through the shirt. I use a Desantis slim tuk. Very comfortable, thin, and works well on my p365 if no optic, I have to try to make it to print.
 
I initially qualified with a red dot on my main carry, but before I started to actually carry, I decided to take it off and go irons to reduce bulk. I'm debating about putting my red dot back on my P365 but it conceals so well as is.

Do you carry with a red dot? What position? What other reasons for your decision?
If you can shoot your P365 with irons accurately at the self-defense distance, why do you need the red dot? Indeed, the stock P365 has an amazing concealment.
 
I do have to wonder sometimes, am I just being extra with my paranoia about printing? No optic and the P365 disappears even with a white t shirt. Optic on, and I can see it poking through the shirt. I use a Desantis slim tuk. Very comfortable, thin, and works well on my p365 if no optic, I have to try to make it to print.
I still do sometimes feel a bit paranoid about printing. But I ask my wife… do you see it?… never got a yes. If you look around other people, you see all kinds of bulges around belt lines. I ccw the thing around the house. My grown up kids never notice. Thing is I need the optic, so I had to make it work.
 
I still do sometimes feel a bit paranoid about printing. But I ask my wife… do you see it?… never got a yes. If you look around other people, you see all kinds of bulges around belt lines. I ccw the thing around the house. My grown up kids never notice. Thing is I need the optic, so I had to make it work.
Well, I'm not at the point yet where I need it. My eyes are bad no matter what so I'm wearing glasses or contacts all the time, and shoot with it, with and without irons.

I'm in my 40s, and I've had a lifetime of horrible eye sight.
 
If you can shoot your P365 with irons accurately at the self-defense distance, why do you need the red dot? Indeed, the stock P365 has an amazing concealment.
Because I want to be cool like everyone else. But no seriously, I'll try to take any advantage I can with me. But truly, at the moment, it's causing more annoyances than anything else. I'm happy to just be able to carry finally. Been carrying for 8 months. Irons only.
 
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