Independence Firearms & Training

Fundamentals of Using a Red Dot

Have you joined the wave of shooters transitioning to using a red dot or considered learning to use one? Red dot optics are no longer just for the competition shooters. Technology has come a long way in being accurate and dependable for many red dot brands. While they may have a bit of a learning curve, most shooters find their accuracy and speed improves considerably after just a little time shooting with a red dot. In this class, we help you decide the best type of red dot to purchase, how to mount the optic correctly and using your red dot. What is the best distance to sight in your dot, what is height over bore, how do I find it when aiming your gun and what does it mean to shoot target-focused? We answer all these questions and more in our Fundamentals of Using a Red Dot class.

Even if you don’t have a red dot, we have rental guns for you to test and see for yourself why so many shooters are making the switch to a red dot. Many concealed carriers feel it’s harder to conceal a red dot. We talk about those options and considerations when purchasing a gun that you may add a red dot to in the future. While our classes stress there’s no gear substitute for the proper shooting fundamentals and techniques to improve your shooting results, a red dot allows many shooters to experience improvements faster over using iron sights.

The Fundamentals of Using a Red Dot class is part of our Pistol Skills Fundamentals class series. While fundamentals may seem basic and boring when reading the title, these are the essential shooting skills to master. What separates average shooters from great shooters is their proficiency with the skills taught in our five Pistol fundamentals class series. Our fundamental classes are structured so new shooters can quickly learn the basic skills but designed in a way that seasoned shooters are challenged, allowing them to master the most essential pistol shooting skills.

Prerequisites:

• None

Equipment:

• Semi-auto handgun with Red Dot
• 100-150 Rounds of ammunition – standard class live fire
• *Optional low round count option with only 75 Rounds of ammunition
• We stock pistol ammo for purchase if you need ammo.
• At least 2 magazines but 3+ are preferred
• Holster and mag pouches are suggested but not required
• Eye and ear protection
• Snacks and Drinks

**If you need to rent a hand gun for this class request this in advance as we have a limited number of rental pistols with a red dot.

Course Topics:

Classroom:

• Choosing a Red Dot
• Correctly Mounting the Optic
• Sighting in the Dot
• Height Over Bore
• Acquire the Dot
• Target Focused vs Front Sight Focused Shooting
• The Differences of Shooting a Red Dot vs Iron Sights

Range:

• Dot Sight In
• Shot Placement at Different Ranges
• Red Dot Shooting Drills

Weather and the Class:

We will have the class regardless of the weather on class day. We are inside for the classroom portion and are on the range for 1.5 hours. Dress appropriately for the weather (hot or cold), but there is a covered area to shoot from on the range if it’s rainy.

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations received more than 24 hours before the Session start time will receive a free full Session cost transfer credit that can be used towards any Session we offer within 1 year.
• Cancellations received with less than 24 hours, but before the Session start time receives 50% of the Session cost as transfer credit towards any Session we offer within 1 year.
• Any ‘No Call-No Shows’ at the start time of the Session are not eligible for a refund or Session credit.
• Independence Firearms and Training holds Session regardless of the weather unless it is unsafe but reserves the right to cancel or reschedule Sessions at anytime. Students will be offered a rescheduled Session date or a full refund for the Session payment if a Session is canceled or rescheduled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.