Many first time red dot users bemoan the fact that they lose their red dot sight when they draw. What might seem like a drawback to an otherwise efficient single-focal-plane aiming system can be corrected by proper drawing technique and repetition.
Scott Jedlinski, founder of the Modern Samurai Project, teaches a class specifically on pistol red dots and how to use them in a practical self-defense scenario. His principle is defined by what he calls “the four P’s: Present, Prep, Pinky, and Press.”
That is, present the pistol at the compressed ready position tilted slightly upwards (near your chest – at hand clapping distance, not touching your chest), prep the trigger by placing your finger on your trigger safety as you extend your hand forward to aim, then once the pistol is in position, guide the pistol downward with the pinky finger of your support hand to find the red dot, and finally press on your trigger.
These four P’s should be accomplished in a single swift motion, which should take less than five seconds. To further help with your aim, it’s a good thing to remember to manipulate the gun around your body and not your body around the gun. If you draw your weapon and move your head, for example, then your grip will have to readjust for your new head location, wasting precious seconds. Instead, move your weapon to where your head actually is.
Now, the Mini Shot M Spec Solar M3 from Sightmark has an advantage to “red dot tracking” that many other sights on the market do not. The long hood which houses the sight’s solar panels and protects the unit from weather damage have a few advantages over the reflex sights used by other brands.
The Solar M3’s hood prevents glare and thus offers a clearer reticle with a more precise dot. Mistakes in alignment are also easier to correct thanks to the tube’s design, and the dot can be found simply by eliminating any minute traces of “scope shadow” which may appear.
At the same time, the Mini Spec M3 Solar’s variable reticle is dictated by the brightness of whatever environment one is shooting in, with the reticle growing to a large 3 MOA dot for extreme brightness and shrinking to a 1 MOA dot for encounters at night.
Armed with the adaptability and ease of use of the M3 Solar as well as proper red dot shooting techniques, there should be no reason why you’d be unwilling to put a red dot on your everyday carry.