Iron vs Red Dot Sights: Which is Best for your GLOCK?

Here at Glockmeister, we get a lot of questions from GLOCK owners about choosing the right sights for their pistol. Two of the most popular options are traditional iron sights or modern red dot sights. Both have their pros and cons when it comes to factors like accuracy, speed, durability, and cost.

Criteria	Iron Sights	Red Dot Sights
Accuracy	Very accurate with practice	More inherently accurate
Speed	Moderate target acquisition speed	Extremely fast target acquisition
Durability	Very durable	Durable from quality manufacturers
Cost	Inexpensive $50-$100	More expensive $200-$600
Low Light Performance	Tritium night sights work well	Excellent with adjustable brightness
Ease of Use	Intuitive sight picture	Very easy focus on dot only

In this guide, we’ll dive into these factors more in depth to help you decide which is the best fit for your needs and budget.

Iron Sights

Iron sights have been the go-to option for handguns for over a century, and for good reason. Iron sights like GLOCK’s standard polymer fixed sights are simple, durable, lightweight, and budget-friendly. The rear notch and front blade design provides an easy sight picture that just needs to be aligned on the target.

With practice, shooters can become very accurate using iron sights. The fixed three-dot style gives the eye reference points for quick targeting. And unlike electronic optics, you never have to worry about batteries or electronics failing with iron sights.

However, there are some downsides. Iron sights can be more difficult to pick up quickly for fast, accurate shooting compared to red dots. And low light shooting is more challenging with the narrow sight picture of standard iron sights.

Red Dot Sights

Red dot sights take handgun shooting to a new level when it comes to speed and accuracy. Quality red dots like the Trijicon RMR mount directly to your GLOCK slide, providing an optical window with an illuminated red dot reticle. This allows for much faster target acquisition and more precise shot placement.

The key advantage of the red dot is you only need to focus on the reticle dot superimposed on your target. There is no need to try to line up rear and front sights. This allows shooters to take more accurate shots from unconventional positions. Red dots also excel at close quarters speed shooting when reaction time is critical.

Red dot sights hold zero exceptionally well once sighted in properly. And the ability to increase brightness means red dots typically perform better than iron sights in low light shooting conditions.

Of course, the tradeoff is increased cost and complexity versus basic iron sights. A high-end RMR sight can cost $400-600 compared to fixed GLOCK irons under $100. Electronic red dots also require occasional battery replacement.

Recommendations for Your GLOCK

So which type of sight is best for your particular GLOCK model? Here are our top recommendations:

For defensive and CCW pistols, red dots excel when speed and accuracy matter most. We recommend the Trijicon RMR or the more economical Holosun 507C.
For home defense, a red dot’s fast targeting works perfectly on a G17/G19 sized pistol. Go with the Trijicon SRO for maximum field of view.
Duty/service size GLOCKs like the G45 are excellent candidates for red dots to take advantage of longer sight radius.
For a practical and economical option, stick with GLOCK’s durable polymer iron sights on all models. Consider tritium night sights for low light use.
For competition or recreational shooting, red dots dominate modern IPSC, IDPA, and steel challenge events. Test your speed and skill with a Holoson or Swampfox red dot mounted high for co-witness capabilities.

Need Help Finding the Right Site?

Have more questions or need hands-on guidance installing sights on your GLOCK pistol? Contact our GLOCK-certified armorers for professional recommendations and installation services. We strive to provide the best solutions personalized to your shooting needs with the outstanding service our customers have relied upon for over 25 years.

Don’t settle for basic when it comes to sighting your GLOCK in. Let the experts at Glockmeister match you with the right iron or red dot sight for your budget and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to mount a red dot on my GLOCK?

To mount an optic like a Trijicon RMR requires a milled slide or mounting plate adapter to provide a secure mounting surface for the red dot sight. Glockmeister certified armorers can professionally mill your GLOCK slide to proper specifications based on the optic you select.

Do I still need backup iron sights with a red dot?

We strongly recommend also installing quality co-witness iron sights even with a red dot. Having lower 1/3 cowitness sights allows you to still aim through the red dot but utilize your irons as a backup in case of electronics failure.

Will a red dot sight affect concealment on a CCW GLOCK?

Compact red dots only add about an inch of height over iron sights, so a pistol like a railed G19 or G48 MOS can still conceal perfectly fine with something like a Holosun 507k mounted. Low profile sights help minimize any concealment issues.

What’s the best red dot sight for my budget?

Holosun offers red dots with similar performance to premium RMR optics at nearly half the cost. For those on a tight budget, go with the Swampfox Sentinel auto adjusting red dot under $200. You’ll be very impressed at its quality and features for the money.

How durable are red dot sights?