I'm new to pistols. I have read that it's easier for a new shooter to get used to a red dot than someone who trained extensively with irons. Red dots are cool so I put one on my new Glock 19. Also found Modern Samurai's videos and thought since the draw stroke was a but different for a red dot, it might be better to just learn on that. But the part of me that is a traditionalist thinks maybe I shouldn't skip ahead. If there is an apocalypse and batteries aren't available, can't I practice dry-firing with irons at that time? If you think I should train with Irons, please make logical arguments as to why. I went straight to AR-15 without training on a Civil War era muzzle loader. Thanks

Red dots are great and you've already identified their greatest downside (batteries). I suggest using iron sights as a foundational tool that you can rely on if you ever find yourself without batteries. With the exception of a few pistol optics, you also have to manipulate some form of on/off button to activate many of the optics on the market. In a self-defense situation, are you sure that you will have enough time to turn on your optic? If you prefer to make red/green dot optics your primary form of aiming, then I would suggest getting one with solar, shake awake technology, and one that co-witnesses with your iron sights if the optic should ever fail. At the end of the day, there are upsides and downsides to both. The most important aspect will be to train and prepare for worst-case situation if your tool should ever fail or not be sufficient for the task at hand.

AFAIK an LE agency tried to find out whether to start with red dots or with Iron Sights.
They split a group of new trainees into one group only using red dots and the other only using iron sights and later compared the results.
Not only was the performance of the red dot group better, afterwards they could actually shoot better with iron sights than the other group.
So, I'd say go with a Red Dot BUT you do have to understand howto best use it..
Easy fix: Get the book "Red Dot Mastery" and read about the really important aspects.
Otherwise: Mount the red dot as low as possible (Best co-witness with normal sights) and really work on your presentation.
You can also cheat by using a red dot with a really big circle (Vulcan ACSS) that will show you where the dot is if you can't see it), but don't use the circle for training!

Agree with Frank S., and Aaron Cowan's White Paper back this up, from Sage Dynamics (on his website and free). Additional resource is Red Dot Mastery, by Gelhaus, Ox and Custer. I've taught a lot of LE how to transition to RDS, and once they "get it" they never go back. Modern, duty ready RDS can be left on and just change batteries every year (can probably go two years, but why not every year). Some have "shake awake," meaning they shut down when inactive awhile, but any touch/motion turns them on.

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I would always recommend learning iron sights first. On everyone of my guns that has a red dot it has back up irons that co witness with the irons. Know both and you cover all the bases. you don't want to have to learn iron sights under real world stress.