Optima 2000 dot sights and the academy?

[Samurai004]

Okay here is the deal, I am about to start the academy here in Dayton, OH.

I need new sights for my 1911 and I plan on getting the Optima 2000 for my duty pistol when I start working after the academy. I would hate to spend too much money on new night sights just for the academy and then go out and buy an Optima 2000 when I complete the academy.

Does anyone know if most academies will allow aftermarket sights that are quite different from factory sights?

Has anyone tried the Optima 2000 sights, if so what was your impression?

If you had to choose between the Optima 2000 and a LaserMax which would you choose, or would both be a good option?

Stay cocked and locked,
James

[nclawdawg2001]

I had Trijicon night sights added to my H&K and wouldn't trade them for the world, belive me when shooting at night and not having them (shotgun) you realize what can go wrong and where your shot placement is if you can't see your sights and your hunting for them in the dark.

[Samurai004]

That was the other option I was thinking about too, I have heard nothing but good things about all the sights above. I am just wondering which ones the academy will allow and which ones they won't.

Take care,
James

[Lupey]

Samurai004 you may want to post this question over on the LE board at www.1911forum.com Wouldn't surprise me one bit of your answer could be found there.

[Samurai004]

They are temporarily closed to move the forum to a new address, I guess they will be up and running Dec. 7. Thanks for the link, I have never seen that forum before!

James

[Lupey]

Ty this one. It should be up and running.

http://www.1911forum.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

[nclawdawg2001]

Originally posted by Samurai004
That was the other option I was thinking about too, I have heard nothing but good things about all the sights above. I am just wondering which ones the academy will allow and which ones they won't.

Take care,
James

They shouldn't care as long as they are installed on your pistol, at least ours didn't. If you plan on getting the sights go with Trijicon you won't be disappointed!

[dmclark]

I posted earlier this year on these sights. They are fantastic, yet I don't know how the Academy will "accept" them. They tend to go outside the basic "sight alignment and trigger squeeze" they teach at basic schools. Granted they're great, but I know that they wouldn't allow them at DEA, even after you're out of school.

Hopefully, you can at least add them to your duty weapon after the Academy.

[Samurai004]

Thanks for the responses, I think I will get the night sights for the academy, see how I like them and then consider adding the Optima 2000 after I get hired depending on the department.

Additionally, my academy will allow me to use my 1911 even though the commander's first question after I asked him if I could use it was, "What is the caliber?" (Obviously he is not too familiar with pistols.) I told him it was .45 and he said, "Yes, if it is a .45 we allow it." Since he doesn't know too much about the 1911 do you think I will be able to do the firearms training "cocked and locked" or will they think that is too "scary" and "aggressive". I mean if I have to rack the slide everytime I draw that will really suck and I can kiss the Top Gun honor goodbye.

I hate to bother him again and ask him something that might make me sound like I am talking down to him about the proper carry condition of the 1911, but I don't know if he realizes it should be "cocked and locked".

Thanks again you all,
James

[Lupey]

Seems like when you get to the lower states and the mid west on out, the 1911 has become more "popular" or more prevelant (SP?) in LE use. Once you get up into the NorthEast part of the country it is far and few between that you will find a LEO carrying on. I know alot of the officers carry them off duty where I work, but they can't carry them on duty and they dislike that. Don't really know the reason why LE shy away from the 1911's up here. Maybe just it is the fact that it is my personal favorite sidearm.

[dmclark]

If your Commander does not have firearms knowledge, I would ask him specifically are you authorized to train with and carry a single action pistol like the 1911. I know some PDs still allow it, while others have succumbed to the lawyers and liability ghouls.

That's the reason everyone dislikes the 1911. It's not the troops, it's the suits.

[Samurai004]

I asked him specifically about the 1911. He approved it, but it he isn't in a position to authorize me to carry it on duty, since it is the decision of the department that I go to work for. Oh, well I will use my 1911 in the academy and then use whatever the department that hires me wants me to use. Thanks for the suggestions!:)

Stay safe,
James