See Target, Engage: Reducing Cognitive Load

June 15, 2021
When it comes to responding to threats, cognitive load is increased by addition of tasks, which include threat recognition, threat identification and threat response.

I got a chance to mount a Holosun 509 Red Dot Sight on my Glock 17 with a custom AlphaWolf slide from Lone Wolf. I am certainly not an expert on RDS products, but using the 509 quickly made me an expert at putting the bullet where I wanted it; quicker than my own gun with my own sights. This is a product that should be sworn in immediately.

The Holosun 509 is a lightweight, titanium housed, RDS with a choice of a 2MOA dot or a 32MOA circle, with the 2MOA dot inside. Throughout this test, I used the latter because I found it was faster, even when making a longer shot.

Cognitive load

The concept of cognitive load is similar to that which we apply when talking about RAM in a computer. It refers to the amount of brain (memory) resources that a brain can use at one time. The more things a person tries to do at the same time, the greater the cognitive load.

When it comes to accurate shooting using non optic sights, there are two different steps to engaging a target: sight alignment and sight picture. Sight alignment is putting the front and rear sights together in a manner that guides the bullet. Sight picture combines the target with the sight alignment.

In order to learn to shoot with iron sights, the brain has to be trained to produce a sight picture repeatedly. Don’t misunderstand this process. Increased practice decreases the cognitive load for this and similar tasks.

When it comes to responding to threats, cognitive load is increased by addition of tasks, which include threat recognition, threat identification and threat response. Threat recognition is a huge variable, which is mitigated by training and adjusted by context. For example, suspects quickly drawing a cell phone from the waistband in the same context as a firearm can produced disastrous results. However, the higher the level of training of the person behind the gun, the better the outcome.

Shooting with optics does not require the brain to align two separate components, but users may hunt for the floating dot elusive initially. Shooters can concentrate on threat identification and recognition, rather than steering the sights. One can place the dot or sighting image on the target, and squeeze the trigger.

One thing I could not tell you is the measurable impact of one task, aligning the sights, over the other, aiming the sights. Most measurements of cognitive load, except ones that can actually gauge brain activity, are considered subjective. That is, we know that cognitive load is a thing, we just don’t know how big of a thing.

We can, however, measure the speed by which a person uses optics as opposed to iron sights. This can be measured by a shot timer. When I compare my shooting, I am faster with the Holosun 509 than anything else I shoot, when all other factors are equal.

How to make it faster

For the most part, shooting with an RDS is more instinctive, but there are a few learning curves one must overcome. First, because the focus is entirely on the target, close in vision is unnecessary. There’s no focusing on a front sight.

The training goal is to keep a level gun, allowing the image to steadily float in the visual plane. This goes back to establishing a solid, consistent shooting platform.

There is a huge difference in drawing an iron sighted gun, versus an optic gun. The iron sighted gun draw relies on efficiency. One strives for the most efficient route to go from holster to fully extended stance. The route from muzzle clearing the holster to fully extended traces a diagonal line. After all, the line is the shortest distance between two points.

The goal of drawing the optic sighted gun is to get the dot into the visual plane as quickly as possible. When drawing, the level gun goes up, before punching it straight out. The shooter is accomplishing target recognition and target focus while the body mechanics are establishing the platform. The path traced from holster to full extension is nearly an inverted right angle. The optic stays in the visual plane the whole time, giving the shooter as much time as possible to pick up the dot.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, RDS systems are designed for non-occluded binocular vision, taking advantage of the full human capabilities of a wide field of view.

When I asked my firearms instructor friend Erick Gelhaus, who regularly teaches RDS shooting at Gunsite, how high the drawn gun should rise before it begins the journey to full extension, he answered, “Moustache level.” Makes sense.

This is what I’ve found. First, if an officer starts out with using a RDS, and trains to bring the gun high into the visual plane with every gun they use, it can’t hurt. Giving the eye time to put the optic on the target isn’t that far from giving time to find the front sight. It’s ok to train this way for every gun.

The second consideration is that there is a wide variety of dot sizes and intensity adjustments. Dots can range from 2 to 16MOA. The larger the dot, the easier it is to pick up. As dots get larger, more of the target is obscured. I like 3.5-8 MOA, but discovered I liked the Holosun 509’s 2 MOA dot inside of a 32MOA circle best.

What to look for

There are several features that are deal breakers in the RDS industry. Foremost is the ability to change batteries while the sight is still mounted. Once put in place, moving the RDS is a no-no. No one should have to readjust anything once these things are installed.

The Holosun 509 has a battery box on the side of the base, which is secured by a torx wrench. It uses a CR 1632 battery. Most of these sights give several years of use on a battery, even if they were left on all the time. The 509 gives 50000 hours, which is outstanding, and it uses solar and battery power combined. Most officers will replace batteries out of over precaution, rather than because they are drained.

There are “+” and “-” buttons on the side of the case for adjusting the brightness. Windage and elevation are adjusted using the recessed adjustments on the side and base of the case respectively. None of these adjustments can be changed by accidental bumps or pushing the optic up against something.

The 509 has a “Shake Awake” feature. It goes to sleep after a certain time of sitting still. It switches on instantaneously. This makes a 509 mounted gun ideal for both a duty gun and a nightstand gun. Wearing it on the duty belt while listening to your Sarge tell another “war story” is enough to make you sleep, but not your Holosun.

Your optic should have a firm mounting system and be shock resistant. I have to tell you, I tested the 509 by doing one handed ops. No, not one handed shooting, one handed reloading, where one uses the heel of one’s boot to cycle the slide on, you guessed it, the protruding case of the optic. I banged it a bit.

RDS rely heavily on good coatings. They cannot afford bad internal reflections and must have outstanding light transmission. The lenses are always recessed a bit into the housings. In this regard, the Holoson 509 excels. It has reinforced corners, and the titanium frame fully encases the recessed glass. It comes with a mounting plate in which the sight slides after the plate is secured by screws to the slide.

The optic should have easy to access and easy to understand adjustments. The first thing you should know is the fact that the Holosun 509 comes factory adjusted. When I mounted the sight, I checked it with my LaserLyte Bore Sight. When it looked like the factory setting was all right, I started out with a few headshots at 10 yards. It was spot on. I never adjusted it further.

I already had suppressor height sights on my Glock. They were too short to co-witness with the Holosun 509. Co-witnessing is when one can use the iron sights as a backup, usually in the bottom third of the mounted optic. This is because most of the important parts of the 509 are in the base, and the base is too tall. I have mixed emotions about this. Reputably, Holosun products are the most reliable in the business. However, I am a backup to my backup kind of guy. Not being able to access my iron sights is almost a deal breaker.

The Solar Failsafe feature allows the 509 to stay lit, even when the batteries fail. It adds additional margin for error, just in case the user missed the blinking red dot when the battery is running low.

Would I carry the Holosun 509 as my duty optic? Yes. In fact, I think it is a product that increases the overall safety of the general public, simply because it reallocates more function to force decision making.

Shooting the 509

My out-of-the-holster shooting, and target reacquisition times after mag changes were actually better with the 509 than with my iron sights. The housing is light, and using it did not change the feel of my gun. I picked the ideal days for testing because it went from sunny to completely overcast several days in a row.

One day on the range I had gusts up to 30MPH. Since the range floor at River Oaks Range of Safety First Shooting Association is fine sand, I got to see how bright and clear the optic looked in a dust storm. The 509 prevailed although I was exhausted by the end of the day.

One thing I found was the Circle/Dot reticle could help compensate for shooting on the non-dominant side. My left hand shooting went from dismal to survivable. I also found that the heavy duty housing helped when clearing malfunctions. I’m not sure if I would train this way, but that large, heavy duty housing can help overcome a stuck case.

Pinned officer drill

Using the Holosun 509, I did one of my variations on the Pinned Officer Drill. Basically, the drill trains an officer to be able to shoot using the patrol car as cover while keeping the engine block and tire between the officer and the threat. Picture a much larger tire with 8 points around this wheel. One shoots seated, with the feet against the tires, kneeling from the front of the car, hunched over the top, and standing, off to one side. This completes half the exercise. The officer moves around the imaginary circle, switching hands. He shoots down its other side from standing, hunched over, kneeling, then seated, feet against the tires.

I like to vary the targets and distance for this drill, but generally use an Alco (AlcoTarget.com) IPSC/USPSA cardboard target at 7-10 yards.

The Pinned Officer Drill, done properly, should get the heart pumping after a few times around the circle.

I found that my ability to shoot with the support hand improved using the Holosun 509. In fact, it improved several aspects of my shooting.  

About the Author

Officer Lindsey Bertomen (ret.), Contributing Editor

Lindsey Bertomen is a retired police officer and retired military small arms trainer. He teaches criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, California, where serves as a POST administrator and firearms instructor. He also teaches civilian firearms classes, enjoys fly fishing, martial arts, and mountain biking. His articles have appeared in print and online for over two decades. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!