I will be 67 this year. My eyes were never great. I started wearing glasses for nearsightedness around age 11. Over 35 years ago my eyesight was measured at 20/2000, without glasses. Recently I asked the eye Dr what it is now and they said they don't measure that high. Off the chart. I wanted to preface my remarks with this info because so many people say their eyesight is not what it once was as an excuse. Well, mine never was.
Unlike many older shooters that are either new to red dot sights or do not like them; I have been using them since 1995 on certain handguns. I started using them in bullseye matches (local thru Camp Perry) and a local PPC league. I have them on some handguns but not on all. I do not think it's a good idea to put a red sot on all your guns. I still practice with iron sights. That's the only way to stay proficient with them. In the PPC league, I alternate between irons and a dot to keep in practice with each. I also use both in steel challenge matches.
A few weeks ago in the PPC league (which I run now at Blythe's), we did a Bill Drill. Since we run 6 shooters on the line at once, fastest time is tough to do and takes too long, so I set up par times. Below is the COF. When we did this drill last, I brought a S&W M&P 9mm. This is not a gun I shoot often. I usually shoot a revolver when I shoot CF in the league. I have one slide with iron sights and another with a red dot. I thought it would be good to compare their scores to see which I could shoot beter in those times. Not only were my iron sight scores better, but I went over time often with the red dot. I did not go over time with iron sights. I have no doubt that at farther distances I would do better with the dot but at what is considered normal self defence distances, I see the dot as being slower.
Granted these are my results and YMMV, but I think the red dot will slow you down at close distances. If you want to prove to yourself that I'm right or wrong, try your own test like I did. Use the same frame if you can so there are fewer variables. Either way, the drill shoulld be fun and insightful.
B-29 target, facing backward (from low ready)
Distance Par Time
6 shots 3 yards 4 seconds
6 shots 3 yards 3 seconds
6 shots 3 yards 2 seconds
6 shots 5 yards 4 seconds
6 shots 5 yards 3 seconds
6 shots 7 yards 4 seconds
6 shots 7 yards 3 seconds
42 rounds total
Very impressive drill, and results. Shot group? And no it's not for insult, it's your drill with those speeds, excited to hear how well you did.