Sidearms & Scatterguns Aimpoint on a shotgun?

[bm11]

Need some opinions from experienced shotgunners on here. I just bought a Benelli M4, first shotgun I've had in a while. Had a great time with it, and experimented with an Aimpoint T1 on it a bit (used the Aimpoint from my SCAR but swapped the tall Larue mount for a short that I just bought.)

From my observations over the course of 200 or so rounds, the T1 seems a bit faster for me when aiming, as in shooting slugs at a stationary target, but a bit slower for me when pointing, as in shooting skeet. I found the irons worked great for shooting skeet as long as I focused on the clays and not In the irons. I also found that the irons worked well for aiming, just not as fast as the t1.

Finally, the t1 was far superior in low light and in the dark. The factory glow in the dark sights only worked for a little bit after being "charged."

My question comes down to this- from your experience, is the T1 an advantage or disadvantage on a shotgun? I don't mind the price, just don't have a use for it if I don't end up shooting better with it. Perhaps it is a training issue and I can become good at movers with the T1 as well?

Thanks for the time,

-Bob

 

[Tucsondave]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

I got one on my Serbu Super Shorty.

 

[Inline6]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

I run an H1 on my Benelli M4. Like it a lot, also run T1s on my ARs. I find that sight to be very fast for movers (never tried skeet with that set up though). The sight is made for speed.

When you say focus are both eyes open?

 

[SPDSNYPR]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

A guy at work mounted an aimpoint on his issued 870. He loves it. I shot it a bit. I loved it. Thought it was great. Only reason I don't do something similar is the shotgun won't fit in our racks once you mount the aimpoint.

 

[bm11]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Inline 6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

When you say focus are both eyes open?
</div></div>Yes, I shoot everything with both eyes open. The difference is when shooting skeet, I focus on the target and only have vague awareness of the sights. When focusing on shooting a precise shot, I focus on the sights or the Aimpoint.

Perhaps on the movers it is a matter of refining my technique and practicing a bit more. I didn't give it too much of a try before moving to irons and noticing a drastic difference in hit percentage.

 

[a_bishop]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

i have an eotech on my 870 and love it

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

 

[bm11]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

Nice Joe! Work gun or personal?

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

mine

 

[elephantrider]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

My suggestion is to use both as Big Joe his his set up. Mount the Aimpoint directly to a rail and co-witness it with the ghost ring irons. I also suggest you replace the rail that comes with the M4. It is not to picatinny spec and often damages the recoil lug of whatever you mount to it. It would suck to damage a T1 that way.

 

[Kingof battle]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elephantrider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My suggestion is to use both as Big Joe his his set up. Mount the Aimpoint directly to a rail and co-witness it with the ghost ring irons. I also suggest you replace the rail that comes with the M4. It is not to picatinny spec and often damages the recoil lug of whatever you mount to it. It would suck to damage a T1 that way. </div></div>

I disagree with the cowitness. Getting that low on the shotgun to cowitness takes precious time. A higher red do would permit faster 'reflex' shots.

 

[bm11]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

The Aimpoint, while low, isn't low enough to co-witness on the Benelli M4. The M4's ghost ring is actually so low that a slot is cut in the pic rail to allow a sight picture with the front post.

 

[Jim_D303]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

Red dots are awesome on any gun, especially when they don't cycle with the action like they do when slide mounted on a pistol.

 

[tomahawk84]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

Aimpoint on a shotgun = Win

I have one on my 870

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

Nice toes.

 

[Boomholzer]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">T1 seems a bit faster for me when aiming, as in shooting slugs at a stationary target, but a bit slower for me when pointing, as in shooting skeet. I found the irons worked great for shooting skeet as long as I focused on the clays and not In the irons</div></div>

I think you answered your own questions and named various different applications. It's animal, time, target, and applied shell or slug. If your going to make a shotgun do rifle work, have at it.
In quick, shorter-range shot applications with full LOP, consider getting off the top sight-axis of the shotgun all together.

 

[elephantrider]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Aimpoint, while low, isn't low enough to co-witness on the Benelli M4. The M4's ghost ring is actually so low that a slot is cut in the pic rail to allow a sight picture with the front post. </div></div>

You are absolutely right. Can't beleive I haven't noticed that until now. Always just assumed it would work.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

I like the ghost ring idea but that's pretty sweet on that 870!!

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

Interesting you bring this up.
IIRC, that's where Aimpoint got their start with red-dot sights - on shotguns.
I saw one at McBride's in Austin 1967 or '68.

Kevin

 

[k9ghost]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

I have a Insight Tech. with hood mounted on a American Defense mount on my M4 and don't think I would change a thing. I really like the small red dots on my SGs.

k9g

 

[gunsmithcat]

Re: Aimpoint on a shotgun?

I tend to keep my shotguns plain, but tahts nice.