How to Zero a Pistol Mounted Red Dot Sight
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- Sawyer & Aaron walk us through some simple steps to help zero your red dot sight and make sure it stays zeroed and securely attached to the slide.
We typically like to set our pistol's "zero" at 7-10 yards, but its all personal preference as to where you zero yours. Go try out some of these methods and distances and let us know in the comments how you like to do it!
I find using a 9mm laser bore sight works fantastic! Last 3 guns I've zeroed using this method and it's nearly perfect every single time without the need to waste ammo. Just pop in laser, match your red dot to laser and boom done! Go to range, confirm zero and you'll be surprised how spot on it is.
Just got one, can't wait to try it out at 10 yards tomorrow.
I agree. Just did the same a couple weeks ago.
Can you please drop a link to the one you used? Thanks
Yes, what laser bore sight did you use?
I just started doing this!! Didn’t even have to adjust my RMR
I just subbed. I can't tell you how refreshing your modesty is when comparing to other firearm content channels. This adds a certain aspect of honesty and "the human element" that is lacking elsewhere. Thank you much for being authentic. Keep up the strong work
We really appreciate that!
Tier 1 crew has the best and most genuine gents in the game! Nothing like a video answering my question in the last video. 🇺🇸🤘🏼
Thanks so much, man, we appreciate you
This was VERY good instruction. It helps to know not only the goal but also acceptable variations. Thanks!
Thanks for the concise tutorial my guys! I have a buddy new to red dots and I didn’t have time to go with him to zero it and he was having a hard time by himself so I referred him to this video. He was able to understand your explanation very quickly and dial in his dot within a matter of mins. Keep up the great work fellas!
Glad to help!
I like watching instructional videos, especially regarding pistol dot sights since they’re somewhat new to me. Very good, informative video. Since you all make some of the mostly highly regarded holsters I was expecting quite a bit more arrogance out of you. It was very refreshing to see how humble you both seemed, thank you!
thanks so much, man, we appreciate you!!
I have all my guns zeroed with a laser bore sight with multiple fittings for all calibers. So nice so easy and so zeroed right on the dot. Love it. Actually set up a target in my basement and zeroed my optics with no problem. It's the way to go ! Just a few clicks on optic and you're zeroed !!
Which one do you have ?
@@davidj2raw Give me a few minutes will look it up !
@@davidj2raw I got the Angeebin Universal Laser Boresighter / $27.19.
Comes with 12pcs adapters. I like it works well ! If you do buy , the adapter#5 is for 9MM & adapter #2 for 22cal.
Good luck 👍
@@davidj2raw Forgot to mention that I got that one on Amazon.
You guys are a quickly becoming my go to/favorite firearms channel. Thanks for the simple and straightforward info!
Thanks so much!!
I am a fairly new subscriber. I am a Veteran so any time I am looking for information I navigate to a source that is informative, relatable and honest. I appreciate the way you deliver your information and talking to us like one of the guys. No bs and just tells us like it is. You don’t promise to have a singular answer while offering great information and questions to ask ourselves in what may work better for us individually. This video is perfect timing providing the information I needed to zero my red dot.
I am about to start my new EDC set up. I have my parts on order for my new Hand gun. I have never had anything other than my stock full size for home defense (that’s changing as well, lol). I already placed my order for your Axis Elite for it! I appreciate everything you all do! Thanks!
Awesome, man, thanks so much! We appreciate the support!
Aaron says “I’m not a very good shooter” and I think to myself…”well then how awful am I?” while crying on the inside. 😢
I’ve watched a fair number of videos on this topic… this video will be the *last* one I’ll need to. 😉 Thank you gents! Perfectly communicated and very well produced. Cheers. 👊
Thanks so much, we appreciate it!
75 ft with that little gun and still hitting close to the target is impressive. Really appreciate seeing honest shooting.
Thank you!
Excellent video. Not being able to shoot the difference between zero distances is a super important point for us humans.
I definitely appreciate the honesty and reasoning behind your different zeroing distances and protocols (benched/standing). Me personally, I always zero with my defensive ammo. As you said, different weights and different recoil compared to range ammo. Reason being, if that time ever comes where I do have to use my firearm, it will be loaded with my defensive ammo. That being said, I also train with my defensive ammo once or twice a month. Yes, that can be expensive, but well worth the knowledge and experience of knowing the tendencies of whatever you choose to carry.
Yep, definitely a good decision to know your zero as well as recoil impulse an everything with your defensive ammo!
@@Tier1Concealed dumb ?
Why do some shooters face the red dot forward and other reverse it where the window is in front of the site
@@2aisabsoluteTim if you're referring to the position of the iron sights either in front of or behind the irons the reason is irons in front of the optic is usually less obscuring but offers a shorter sight radius so less accuracy in theroy. Irons behind the optic is easier and usually cheaper to have milled into the slide and is usually what is supported by manufacturers.
Go with whatever you prefer there is no wrong answer. I'd prefer irons in front of sight but I actually don't run irons at all. Irons are a backup just in case and not something to make a big deal about regardless of configuration.
HST cost $36 for 50 and my range ammo costs $15ish a box. For the price of roughly 2 boxes I get far more training value. I usually do this once a month and use that opportunity to cycle out my defensive ammo.
Good tip for paint pen on the fasteners. I recently noticed my dot moved in relation to the iron sights. Upon further inspection it turned out the fasteners had backed out without me noticing.
Thanks! yeah it can be hard to notice without witness marks
Honesty & transparency was great. Good information & perspective given. I appreciate this video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The screw markers is a good advice. I had one screw slowly backing its way out even with lock-tight. I wouldn't have known if I didn't mark the screws.
Very detail oriented and informative instructions which in my opinion is beneficial to both beginner and experienced shooters. Great job..
thank you!
Said this before if Tier1 starts training classes im definitely gonna take some!! Great content and great honest information
Awesome! Thank you!
Excellent point regarding 7 yard zéro. Thank you!
You're welcome!
Great video guys, I would like to see both guns zeroed at 25 yards then see how they did at 7 and 10 yards. I bet it would have done better than your 25 yard shots while zeroed at 7 and 10 yards.
A couple of items;
You did not mention anything about sight over bore in this video. I know you have in previous videos. I just thought it important when discussing zero. I zero at 10yds but I do see benefits at zeroing at 7yds. A 7yd zero would take the sight over bore more out of the equation when shooting 3-12 yds. At 10yds I have to aim above the numbers on a Dot Torture drill at 3yds.
I have seen a video where a guy lined up 2 targets. One at 5yds and the other at 25yds behind the 1st. The idea was to show how tight of a group one must shoot at 5yds to have an acceptable group at 25yds. I think this would be a great thing to verify zero.
I always bench rest when zeroing a red dot. I want to take me out of the equation. By doing this, any missing is on me and not my gun. I can work on me.
I love the videos you guys put out. You show drills I've never seen before and you all show me how much work I still need to do. Lol
Thank you guys for putting this video together. And I couldnt agree more Sawyer that I believe (atleast I personally experience it) when using a rest of to zero my reticle, I notice a POI shift when I stand free handed and shoot. I'm gripping the gun differently, Im pulling the trigger differently, because Im focused on more than just a straight to the rear trigger pull. The tension in the hands and arms are different, etc. And Aaron I agree also that dimming down the reticle when zeroing helps with reticle flare. One of the things that I struggle with is I am my own worst enemy when zeroing a dot. I do wear glasses when on a computer or playing any sort of consoles games. Other than that I dont use my glasses anywhere, so I dont train with them since I wont have them on, or nearby. At 44 I expect to have some vision issues. I have the rarest of the 3 types of astigmatisms in both eyes. No matter how much I try to look through the dot, I have reticle distortion. Its just something I have to deal with, but it makes it MUCH more difficult when shooting at small areas on a target. I also have to constantly remind myself of the shot placement on a A zone/Thoracic vital zone area when beating myself up because I pulled a shot. You BOTH are excellent shooters and I've always appreciated all the knowledge you both pass on. One day, I dont know when, but I WILL come out west to shoot with you guys. Especially with the range almost complete, who knows. Perhaps sooner than later.
thanks so much, man! We appreciate it!
Very well explained because you covered the "why's"...Thank You!
Glad it was helpful!
Great 101 video to learn about the nuances of red dot. A lot of newbies appreciate this basic introduction and learning points. Thanks! p.s. especially in the last round of shots, the target is moving quite a lot, from the wind.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm constantly trying different stuff out just for fun (I do have a dedicated setup but I enjoy experimentation) and I've found after zeroing pistols a lot that I'm WAY more accurate and consistent just shooting offhand, even when zeroing at 25 yards
This is a very good video. I just purchased my first potentially accurate pistol and put a good sight on it. I have never used a Reflex sight
Sig X5 Legion and Sig Romeo 1 Pro sight. Potential far exceeds my capabilities. Just want to hit some steel on the range.
Thank you guys for the lesson. Always appreciate T1C vids.
Our pleasure!
that clip dude red dot flew off had me crying
Great video, just getting my first red dot (Holoson 407c) installed on my Glock 19 Gen 4. Hope to have it back in about 4 weeks. Your video will definitely help when I zero it in. By the way, like those 2 4Runners in the background. Just recently bought my wife a 2019 SR5 I found with only 3682 miles on it. She's loving it and me as well.
thanks! great vehicles!
Love your products, I just got my wedge pack in and I went with the XL wide and it made a HUGE difference. I’m a big boy trying to convert to appendix carry and I was just about to give up on it.
Awesome tutorial guys. I run both of your OWB and appendix holsters. Great product, thanks.
Right on, thank you!
Is co witnessing really necessary? Seems like it's only important if your red dots batteries run out
Yeah, it's basically just a backup sighting system. Some people don't think its necessary, some do
I think the rest made a huge difference between the two zero confirmations. I get the “zero it like you shoot it”, but when you can shoot groups like Aaron’s (with the rest), you KNOW the gun is sighted in. If your offhand shooting doesn’t measure up, you know it’s YOUR FAULT.
Nice information! Well done will be trying what you said. Thanks again
Thank you!
@@Tier1Concealed I did try this and it worked. I still need to practice a lot more. Roman wasn't built in a day LOL. I am new with the shooting world and have only been doing this since Jan. Thanks for your content. New sub
I agree with Sawyer with not resting the gun
Aaron and Sawyer repping the "business in the front party in the back".
haha they're out of control
Great video guys, very informative and straightforward. i have just found you and subscribed. i can get almost all 50 shots on a 8 inch circle at 28 yards with my Glock 19 and Glock 30 iron sights. But have just bought a pistol conversion kit (Kidon) and have put a red dot sight on it so that's what bought me to your video,
Great info I zeroed mine at 10 and did a simulated qualifying test and it did fine. Also great info about the screws I actually lost a screw,though wasn't my fault comes to find out screws were like 3mm shorter than needed since new ones in torqued no issues.
The only info I will add I got it from someone smarter than me but since an injury red illuminated dots seemed fuzzy and it was suggested to try a green one and honestly it's not fuzzy anymore. If you have certain eyesight issue certain colors work differently. I run Swampfox Optics and do think they have a video explaining the science stuff behind it..
Yeah that's a good point we failed to mention! Green dots work great for some people!
@@Tier1Concealed for the amount of content, shit you cover, than other bs no worries. Personally I can blame having a TBI but we all forget stuff ha. Though mine is zero'd and have run doys mainly on duty weapons for a while, always like watching videos like this because not only educational but everyone has different ideas and skools of thought & who knows what tip, trick, idea you can pick. End of the end stay safe or be professionally violent
AWWwwWWWWW!!!! You guys made a naptime video Lol Wait, why's it say red dot zero then? OOoooo, I get it!!! The first half is the "Put you to sleep" half and the last half is zeroing a red dot. DuH!!! Haha Looked right over it until I watched for the 3rd time, kept falling to sleep!! Thought that was the goal!!! Silly me 🥴Lol
We knew you needed some rest
Either of those 25yd groups would have been inside the "head" of the target. The duty rounds at 7 were more affected by target movement than shooter error. Nice demonstration T1C.
Some very good information. Greatly appreciated! Cheers 🍻
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for keep in it real
Always!
I zero at 10 yards freehand into a 1” paster. I want 4/5 to at least be breaking the paster lines. Once that’s good I go to 25 and shoot a 10 round slow fire B8. I would like everything to be in the black and majority inside the 9 ring. Once that happens I consider it gtg.
looks to me your golden as long as you walk around with a tripod :) thanks gentlemen.
Haha anytime! Hopefully you only need to zero your sights once
Need to ask ? Where are you co-witnessing in the optic . . . .full or 1/3 or none ???
Depends on the optic, optic cut, and height of the irons. Typically lower 1/3 at the highest, you don't want to obstruct more of the window than needed.
Is this an comedy skit? , luv it!! 😂
I agree with Scott Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project his thought process of zeroing a pistol at 10 yards.
Great video. One point - the P365XL is optimized for 115gr ammo, so I am wondering why you are using 124gr ammo for carry?
It shoots well and is a good defensive round so why not. We've ran 45gr ammo all the way up to 147gr ammo through it with no issues. All seems to shoot about the same.
This post is solid as Cialis.
hahaha thank you
Where is the red dot placement in relation with the window of the red dot? Is it right in the middle of the window?
Ideally, yes, but it shouldn't matter too much on most red dots
Beautiful video but I’m new to pistol shooting I would like to know where do you place the red dot in conjunction with the iron sights thank you in advance
If the iron sights are tall enough to be seen through the window of the red dot, I would simply line the dot up with the irons. If they're not tall enough to be seen through the window then you'll just have to do your best to guess and try it out at the range. But if you're referring to the actual sight placement, that's just personal preference. A lot of people like the red dot in front of the rear sight, but some like the rear sight in front of the red dot. Typically if a gun comes optic ready it will have the rear sight behind the actual red dot sight.
May you guys do a video on different red dots you guys recommend. I am trying to find one for my G19.5. Also, would be nice to see different price ranges
Potentially! Honestly though, most of us use the Trijicon SRO. Its definitely the collective favorite
Don’t know who’s f150 that is but GO VOLS! Solid video as well
Great video! Minor criticism is that the background music is distracting, but the content was very informative.
Sorry about that
I do a 10 yd zero on a rest and then confirm @ 15 standing offhand - I’ll adjust the windage a bit if my standing shots vary left or right from the resting shots
Really need a video on comfortably position and setup an appendix holster like the MSP.
Good idea! I will tell you this, it varies from person to person, some like it perfectly centerline with their body, some like it off to the side slightly.
NEED TO COVER HEIGHT OVER BORE... IF someone has a non milled slide and running a rear sight RD adapter plate with optic or maybe a Meprolight they may be .5 "-1" or more above bore higher than normal milled slide red dot height of .7 or so... so with higher bore height you may need to zero at 11 or 15 yrds to get same numbers or better as a 10 yd zero with normal RDS like you run ....( you need to use ballistic calc with your ammo and zero distance) .Its same with rifles 36 yrd zero with 1.5 hob or 2.7 HOB is way off if you have a 1.93 or higher HOB set up ....anyway you should cover HOB in your recommendation's mho. you have great information and videos ...enjoy your channel.
I agree with the 10 yd zero. I zero a 9mm at 10 yds and I can "ring steel" at 100 yds no problem.
The bottom line is at the vast majority of shooters don't even have the marksmanship required for a 25-yard zero with a pistol.....
I zero at 15 personally. I pretty much just aim dead on at everything and a little high for 50
Combat effective hits all around. Works for me especially within 25yds
its true, a lot of people are going to be "chasing their zero" at 25 yards even with good ammo and a rest
Nice explanation
When you go from 7 fit zeroed to 25,do you have to adjust your point of aim?
Thanks for making and sharing this video!
you bet!
Excellent tutorial. Hard pressed to add a thing.
On a dedicated "carry" gun, I dial in with factory "carry ammo". "Range guns" are dialed in with range ammo (I reload).
Nice work! 10yd zero is kinda my sweet spot too. I have astigmatism so I get a red J instead of a dot, but I make it work
It’s the worst man. I actually sent a dot back before To trijicon before I realized my eyes were ass.
@@adamsryan414 hahaha. Ya...shitty eyes suck! I took dot to my eye appointment. I use my glasses for shooting and driving at night. My favorite sight is a 1 moa sro....with crappy eyes..it's a 2.5. 👍👍
Could you guys possibly do how to zero a rifle red dot too?
Is that considered a wedge grip? Just curious.
Great video good info
Glad it was helpful!
Which tri pod are you guys using and what sandbag? I like that idea of standing but supported vs using bags seated at a bench.
We use a few different kinds, I think in this particular video its a Two Vets Tripod and War Horse Development sand bag
Why wouldn’t you want to zero with a rest? Wouldn’t that make it way more accurate in general over free hand?
Yeah, potentially for most people. Most people aren't shooting that great of distances and using a zero that's at the most 15-25 yards. Just personal preference too
When you sight in from a stationary position, you remove all the variables. Always #ChaseTheZero
Super good content 😁🤙🏼
Thank you 🙌
2:12 got me rolling 🤣🤣🤣
hahaha
Is there a reason why you chose to not zero with your defensive ammo or at least the same weight? Does it make a difference?
We compared the zero at the end and turns out with our range ammo and the stuff Aaron carries, even though they're a different weight, the deviation was maybe 1/4" at 7-10 yards. It could be different with other ammo and variables but it probably won't be very much at those distances.
Question: So I have a brand new, never been fired, H&K VP9 OR that I have put a Trijicon RMR onto and replaced the stock iron sights with elevated. Technically neither sight has been zeroed. If it’s important for them both to be zeroed, which is the best order? Sighting in the red dot first and then, say, visually matching the iron sights to the red dot roughly? Or is it apples and oranges? If it’s not obvious-full disclosure-I’m considering myself a new shooter despite earning expert marksman with a .38 police revolver in the military.
Right now the bore sight suggestions look pretty good, but in the absence…
I would probably make sure the new irons are zeroed and then you can cowitness with them when you put the red dot on. The iron should be extremely close at least anyways.
very helpful..thank you
You're welcome!
Haven't been to the range in a bit, but my last confirmed zero is 7 yards on both my G43x MOS and G45 MOS. I need to get my rifle zeroed next time im out. I run a 1-8 LPVO and an offset red dot. What do you recommend for both LPVO and red dot? Mostly a HD purpose for most, but still want the LPVO to reach out.
Following
50 or 100 for rifle pick one they both work well
@@colbyc.6698 50 for pcc, 100 for all else.
imho.
I use a 36 yard zero for everything when it comes to my m4s.
Dead holds out to 300 yards and you're hitting in the boiler room.
Couple inches off Hold over at cqb
I’m gonna probably end up with 50-100 yard zero on the LPVO and go with a 36 on the red dot offset.
I’m using a mounting plate with a mp shield, no slide cut. Can I still use this method with a laser bore ? Or would mounting plate create issues while trying to zero ?
no that should still work
What is the bad scenario to put your red dot on your properly aligned suppressor height sights?
if it came with a red dot on it , i pull it off and zero the irons first. Don't count on the irons to be zeroed from the factory. once the irons are zeroed, i install the red dot and adjust it to co witness with the iron. then i head to the range final adjust the zero . i always do this from a rest . after this, your gun should be mechanically zeroed. any shots off are probably a user issue
2:12 lmfao was that black Rambo? 😂
hahaha maybe
Ok, who copied Sawyer with getting a white 4Runner??😂😂 As always great video
Aaron had his before i did. But I’ve been driving white Toyotas for almost a decade lol
I like to buy ammo in bigger lot numbers in hopes that my zero will last a couple range days , lol. Couple thousand rounds from the same number helps.... I zero at 7-10 too , so im doing something right
I have an issue with my dot. I have a 509t on a glock 19 with a slide cut. My problem is my reticle is way to high and even the elevation turned all the way down does not lower it enough. Does it sound like a defective optic or am i doing something wrong
could be either a bad optic, bad slide cut or user error of some kind
Is there a gap under the front of the dot? Since these doors usually on fasten with 2 screws near the rear, you sometimes get one that will not be fully seated in the front. At the range yesterday, my buddy bought a dpp for his staccato. His shots were off, mine were off. Then I noticed light between slide and dot. Also...he was pinching pennies and DUD NOT buy the damn fat wrench...so they weren't torqued correctly. That's imperative to trouble shoot dot issues
Yes it’s defective. Request a repair and send it back to Holosun. I had the same problem with a 507K that wouldn’t adjust down. They sent me a return authorization for shipping. After 2 weeks they sent me a new replacement for free. My Holosun was over a year old when it failed. They have good customer service and a good warranty.
As Jason said from the above post, make sure the red dot is sitting flush on the slide, especially If you’re using any kind of mounting plate. Any gap near the front will throw off your adjustment tolerances
Question is there a lot difference in weight between 115gr and 124gr. Someone told me if a zero my optic with the same grain weight as my carry ammo there will be less difference
Thats probably true! But either way, at 7-10 yards there's not going to be much shift in the zero
Zero with your carry ammo!
Great video!
Thanks!
How do you slave the dot to your iron sight? I just mounted a 507k to my Glock 43X non MOS so it sits on a 1/8th in plate. Right now when i see the dot i don't see the iron sight at all.
its possible your iron sights aren't tall enough. Are you using the stock Glock sights?
@@Tier1Concealed The dovetail rear sight was removed to mount the plate but the front sight is original Glock yes.
@@esteban1487 Look for “suppressor” height sights.
...... You can't use your irons at all bro lol You're using a plate in Lou of a rear site lol
If you want to be able to co-witness irons, you're going to have to get a milled slide. Simple as that
@@mrdark9916 I didn't say i could use my irons you dumfug. The question was about cowitnessing.
Sawyer spent a lot of time explaining his zero and the reason behind it when he could've just said "I like a 10 yards zero because it's a good MPBR zero out to 25yds." Then a short explanation of MPBR "it allows me to hold my sights on the same poa on the target and get good hits with minimal poi shift".
I do agree with "minute of man" for EDC. Would it be awesome to shoot butthole sized groups at every range? Yes, but that's the difference between target shooting and defensive/combat shooting
what I like in this video: the guys take time and trouble to explain the gun 'jargon'. I read your message: MPBR, POA, POI, EDC???...
What is iron sights are you using with your SRO?
I believe they are Ameriglo BUIS, blacked out rear, tritium front.
My 357 mag, does 25 yrds nicely with a scope
were do u hold the red dot in the sight
center of window
Weird question but my dot is zeroed at 10 but the dot sits off to the left of my irons zero if I cowitness. I’ve properly torqued it, tried zeroing again and it’s still off a little to the left. Any ideas?
Your iron sights could be slightly off too, we've seen that happen a few times
Definitely check your rear irons, they’re off. I had the same problem
😂😂😂 nice stab at that black Rambo fool 😂😂😂
Hahaha oops
Are there still coins left?
For the Three Sevens Drill? No, all 100 coins have been claimed but we now have challenge patches available
It is easier to get a laser bore bullet and shoot indoors, you save a ton of ammo and it is dead on outside.
Yep that's another good way! None us here had a laser bore sight so we couldn't show that.
Where should your red dot be in relation to your front sight???
Depends on how you're lining it up in relation to the rear sight.
What’s going on with your website? It’s is down and not allowing access. Would like to order a new holster
Everything seems to be working. Not sure if there was a quick glitch or something. But it's working great now
Great video. Appreciate the information. 10 yard zero is the way!
It sure is!
What do you guys find your POA/POI shift is at 10y if you zero with say 124+P HST and then switch to 115gr target ammo?
It would probably be negligible, I'm guess 1/4". But I guess it all depends on all the variables
Basically wjat hes sayin is it doesnt matter just trainnn
I don’t understand not wanting to bench rest the pistol- I want to zero the GUN, not “zero” my inefficiencies
agreed, to ZERO your red dot, you remove all variables as possible.
I get what he's saying, but he's conflating shooting at the range with the actual zeroing of the red dot (done only once)