Red Dot vs Iron Sights

[GetSquirrel]

I'm considering a new squirrel gun; SigSauer P322
Shots ranging from 5 - 25 yards, maybe longer when possible.

Would you want Iron Sights or a Red Dot?
Which system is better for BOTH shots at 5 yards and shots at 25 yards?

I'm currently using a 10/22 and 17HMR and will continue to do so. What works best for that up close and personal touch? Consider they are attacking my home infrastructure so shotguns are not ideal.

Thank you

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[VinnieBoomBah]

25 or 30 years ago it would have been irons all day, these days I'm solidly team red dot

 

[GetSquirrel]

25 or 30 years ago it would have been irons all day, these days I'm solidly team red dot

Thanks, Vinnie.

 

[Tlock]

25 or 30 years ago it would have been irons all day, these days I'm solidly team red dot

Did they have red dots back 30 years ago? Reliable ones? (Old man) I remember shooting my first one on a 22 pistol around 1999 or so

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Did they have red dots back 30 years ago?

They did, but more importantly I had 30 year younger eyes

 

[GetSquirrel]

Did they have red dots back 30 years ago? Reliable ones? (Old man) I remember shooting my first one on a 22 pistol around 1999 or so

It also increases the price of admission from $400 to over $600. For squirrels.. ? Hard to justify unless I'll be shooting the lights out.

 

[GetSquirrel]

They did, but more importantly I had 30 year younger eyes

I'm no spring chicken

 

[Tlock]

They did, but more importantly I had 30 year younger eyes

I have to give you a hard time.....thats coming from a guy who cant tie a fishing knot without glasses

 

[Tlock]

I'm no spring chicken

Im a 1983 vintage and my eye sight has noticeable changed

 

[Herkemer]

I've dranken the red dot cool aid and its delicious

I have a Holosun SCS MRS on a G45 MOS and a Holosun EPS Carry MRS on a G43x MOS. Using the circle/dot I am able to acquire the sights instantly. The SCS mounts directly to the slide and the EPS mounts directly after the rear two knobs were removed making the iron sights 1/3 co-witness on both pistols. Having the RDS has insta improved my accuracy with both pistols. I have been shooting both out to 20 yards with zero issues and great accuracy. In the very near future I am going to put one on a Ruger MKIV Target barrel for pretty much the same reason you are.

Circle dot rocks

 

[Joe13]

I would possibly consider a very low power scope.

I have a 1-4x on my pellet gun and it's about perfect for rodents at the far end of a big yard. Not so enlarged it's hard to follow them but makes them heads big enough to hit without my shooting glasses on.


I find red dots to be an acquired taste (which I still haven't found) but like everyone else has stated - my eyes are only so good without my glasses so shots that far on a small target are iffy without them.

 

[Tlock]

I would possibly consider a very low power scope.

I have a 1-4x on my pellet gun and it's about perfect for rodents at the far end of a big yard. Not so enlarged it's hard to follow them but makes them heads big enough to hit without my shooting glasses on.


I find red dots to be an acquired taste (which I still haven't found) but like everyone else has stated - my eyes are only so good without my glasses so shots that far on a small target are iffy without them.

My 25cal fx i used for work had a lower power scope and a dot. Worked nice for up close chickens

 

[Char77]

Was going to semi-joke that you should have both then zero the irons for 5 yards and the dot for 25 yards but I forgot that putting a dot on the 322 replaces the rear iron sight. If you pick a dot with a built-in rear sight at the right height (and if windage also happens to be correct) maybe something like that might still be possible.

 

[gmerkt]

LPC (later named Surefire) claims to have come up with the first commercial laser sight on the market beginning in 1979. But I remember a co-worker of mine being the first to talk about such sights in my experience. He was talking up Aimpoint laser sights, which were first sold in 1974.

I recently bought a new Colt Gov't Model with the optics ready feature. I'm not yet sure if I will exercise that option.

 

[Steel Head]

25 or 30 years ago it would have been irons all day, these days I'm solidly team red dot

Same.

 

[Stomper]

Im a 1983 vintage and my eye sight has noticeable changed

As in, born in '83?



Damned kids... Keep the noise down!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Peep sight with a large aperture rear sight.

Barrel mounted rear sight with a large V or U notch...similar to the fixed rear sights on an express rifle.

Or as @Joe13 suggested a low powered scope.

Any of the above with lots of practice will do.

Speaking only for myself...
I do not like Red Dot sighting systems...I find that I don't focus on where I want to hit target ...but instead search and focus on the red dot.
I have found that for me at least....
I shoot best if I am focused on where I want to hit the target...and nothing else.
Andy

 

[Tlock]

As in, born in '83?



Damned kids... Keep the noise down!

Yes 1983....ill stay off your lawn and have the music down by 9pm, grandpa

 

[Stomper]

Yes 1983....ill stay off your lawn and have the music down by 9pm, grandpa

Good, you know the drill...

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'm considering a new squirrel gun; SigSauer P322
Shots ranging from 5 - 25 yards, maybe longer when possible.

Would you want Iron Sights or a Red Dot?
Which system is better for BOTH shots at 5 yards and shots at 25 yards?

I'm currently using a 10/22 and 17HMR and will continue to do so. What works best for that up close and personal touch? Consider they are attacking my home infrastructure so shotguns are not ideal.

Thank you

For me a threaded barrel on a 22 is an absolute must have. Optic ready is very nice to have.

Optic plus shoulder stabilization means more shots on target. Assuming you aren't open to subguns (if you were I woudl get the Stribog 22 cuz nothing else will compare for accuraccy and speed for its size) you can add a universal brace to most any pistol. Brace is $89 and does not attach to gun it's held on by your grip so gun can be in holster. Some guns you may want to check out:

tx-22 optic ready threaded barrel with 5 mags is $273.

Buckmark hunter threaded barrel cowitness red dot and iron sights.

Grand power k-22 pistol for the best trigger.

IMG_6705.jpeg

• ilikegunspdx
• Sep 18, 2025

Stribog 22 would be my first choice:
But like I say sounds like it may be too big for what you're after:

IMG_9975.jpeg

• ilikegunspdx
• May 14, 2025