Using an RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) sight on a pistol provides clarity! Quicker sight acquisition of your target is possible with an RMR.
With the faster sight acquisition comes speed to engage and speed for faster target transitioning, especially with both eyes open.
You have versatility with an RMR system. On any duty related pistol, you should absolutely require a back-up iron sight system. Most systems that work (suppressor height sights) work as a co-witness and provide a just-in-case for optic failure. If your job responsibilities include the use of a shield or any other unique duties, an RMR should be basic issued equipment.
Increased accuracy with an RMR. If you have a terrible trigger press, you will still have a terrible trigger press! An RMR isn’t a magical pill for better shooting. I do think that once you understand the optic and practice with it, you’ll be more accurate – faster, than without it. I saw an increase in accuracy at both long and short-range shooting. You still have to have a good trigger press!
Patrol use of the Trijicon RMR on duty pistols (Glock 35 used for this case):
Trijicon RMR Mounting Kit for Glock MOS System, $14.50
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Reflex Sight 6.5 MOA, $499.50
Safariland 6392RDS ALS Optic Holster, $124.95
Trijicon – Suppressor Tritium Night Sights for Glock, $115.99
Custom Milling of slide on non-MOS (Modular Optic System) model Glock (approximate), $120-150.00
Glock currently offers 6 MOS models that are ready for installation of the RMR; G17, G19, G34, G35, G41, G40 that retail for around $675.00.
What is the process of adding an optic to your pistol?
The Glock MOS allows the shooter to mount the sight of their choice, easily and quickly using only a few tools. The versatility of the system makes changing optics easy. Switching from one sight to another is as simple as removing the old sight, removing and reinstalling the correct adapter plate, then mounting the new sight.
If you don’t have an MOS pistol, you’ll need to find a trustworthy, reputable gunsmith to perform the duty of milling your slide. I used Jeremy Laier of Laier Custom’s in Grays Harbor County, WA. His work is top-notch, fast, and accurate. While Jeremy will do this work for you, he specializes in long range rifles, competitive PRS type rifles and hunting guns; watch for an upcoming article about Jeremy and his specialty 1,000+ yard bolt rifles.
What’s the biggest difference between reflex optics and standard iron sights?
The biggest difference between the reflex optics and the standard iron sights is where you focus when shooting!
Standard sights require the shooter to have proper sight alignment and sight picture when pressing the trigger – focusing on the front sight.
When you use a reflex optic you look through the reticle and focus on the target and alignment of the dot while pressing the trigger.
How do you choose a dot size?
Large dots are more quickly picked up in bright light and at close range while a smaller dot is better for low light and longer distance targets.  What distance do you primarily believe you’ll be using your pistol?  3 MOA covers 3 inches at 100 yards and 7 MOA covers 7 inches at 100 yards. Coverage of each dot size would be ½ at 50 yards.
What’s the real expense?
Not counting the purchase of the firearm, you’re looking at a healthy investment of about $756.00 to properly set yourself up for use of the reflex optic on a duty handgun. Deciding if the investment is worth it is going to have to be up to everyone individually, I think it’s worth it and don’t regret transitioning our police department to them. On a side note, we should start considering the role of RMR’s to accommodate officers as they age or have diminished eye sight. Transitioning your sight from a threat at a distance to a front sight post while wearing bifocal or trifocal lenses can be a challenge. You eliminate the need for that challenge when you maintain your sight on the threat with an RMR.
Now, I know some of you are reading this and wondering why I didn’t talk about the many other RMR’s out on the market. Maybe that’s for another story… maybe it’s because I can’t afford to be buying a bunch of different ones to talk about! I like the Trijicon RMR and have the time in on it to trust it’s durability and accuracy.
Once you make the commitment to switch to a MOS pistol with an RMR make sure you train, train, and train with it. Pushing the pistol out instinctively is going to be different from that of traditional iron sights and you NEED the repetitions in with the new system. It took about 200 draws and presses of the trigger before I started finding the red dot without effort and could start building on the new skill of shooting with it. If you’re the agency representative that’s going to be tasked with implementing the program, be sure to not reinvent the wheel and find an agency that has successfully implemented the program for training curriculum and policy. A few years from now and we are going to be looking back at RMR’s like we now look at optics on the patrol rifle…. why didn’t we do this sooner?
