Irons or Optics – Still a Relevant Question?
For decades, pistols came one way: with iron sights. If you bought a Glock, Smith & Wesson, Sig, or anything else, you learned on irons. But in the past 10–15 years, the industry has shifted hard. Today, most pistols come optics-ready right from the factory, and more and more shooters are hopping on the carry optics train.
So the question remains: are irons still relevant?
Learning on Irons
As I’ve shared before, my first pistol was a Glock 17 Gen 3. Stock. Nothing fancy. And like many shooters, I learned the fundamentals on irons. Even now, years later, I still see the grounding value in starting this way.
Why? Because once you learn to shoot well with irons, moving to a pistol optic is like unlocking a cheat code.
Iron sights force you to build proper mechanics. Sight picture on irons is all about equal height, equal light. You want the top of the front sight post even with the top of the rear notch, with equal light visible on either side of that post.
Some sights hit point of impact at the very top of the front post, others dead center of the front dot. Add in the options—fiber optics, tritium night sights, U-notch vs. square notch—and you can quickly disappear down the rabbit hole. Each has its place.
When I train new shooters, I almost always start them on irons. Because later, when they add an optic, everything feels easier.
The Rise of Pistol Optics
Pistol optics aren’t new, but they weren’t mainstream until fairly recently. Red dots on competition pistols showed up in the 1980s and 1990s, but they were bulky, fragile, and not practical for carry. Fast forward, and the technology has improved dramatically—smaller footprints, tougher housings, better battery life.
By the mid-2010s, companies like Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith & Wesson started releasing factory optics-ready pistols. Today, it’s more unusual to find a new handgun without the option to mount an optic.
Why Optics Feel Like a Cheat Code
Here’s the advantage of optics: you zero it once, and from then on, you literally place the dot on the target and pull the trigger. No worrying about equal height or equal light. No aligning three planes of focus.
Optics also let you keep both eyes open, maintaining target focus rather than front sight focus. That makes a huge difference in speed and accuracy. My own experience mirrors this: I was a decent shooter with irons, but once I moved to optics, my draw times and accuracy improved significantly.
But optics aren’t foolproof. If you mount them wrong, if you don’t zero properly, or if your optic doesn’t hold zero, your results will frustrate you. Done right—either on your own or by a professional—they are invaluable.
Fundamentals Still Matter
Here’s the truth: no sighting system will make up for poor fundamentals. If your draw is sloppy, your grip inconsistent, your trigger pull jerky—you’ll miss with irons or optics.
That’s why I say optics are like a cheat code, but only once you’ve earned the right to use them. If you never train with them, if you never practice your draw and follow-up shots, it will show.
I can usually tell how much time someone has spent with their firearm just by the way they handle it. The overly cautious or the overly casual—both usually reveal inexperience. The shooters who treat their weapon like a trusted tool, who handle it naturally and responsibly—those are the ones who’ve put in the work.
The same way you can spot a skilled handyman by the way his tools are maintained and used, you can spot a skilled shooter by the way they handle their firearm.
My Recommendation
So is the irons vs. optics debate still relevant? In many ways, no. The industry has moved forward, and most shooters will eventually land on optics. But I still see value in learning irons first. Build the fundamentals, then step into the advantages of optics.
As for brands, I recommend Holosun without hesitation. They’ve proven themselves with law enforcement and military around the world, and they don’t cost as much as the gun they’re riding on. Trijicon fans will always swear by the RMR, and for good reason, but it’s not in everyone’s budget. For those looking to save while still getting reliability, Cyelee is a great budget-friendly option that’s been rising in popularity.
Final Thoughts
Irons taught me discipline. Optics gave me speed. Both have value. But whether you run irons or optics, the results you get will always match the effort you put in.
So—what’s your go-to? Irons? Holosun? Trijicon? Drop it in the comments.
🛡 Prepared in Spirit. Ready in Strength.
