Updated Mar. 2024: Removed products – Burris Fastfire III, Vortex Venom, Shield RMSc, Swampfox Sentinel, Crimson Trace CT-1550. Added products – Holosun EPS Carry, Holosun HS507Comp, Aimpoint ACRO P-2, Steiner MPS.
Want faster target acquisition, easier 100-yard shots, and the upper hand in low-light situations?
You need a red dot for your pistol.
We hands-on review a few of the most popular and rugged red dots available.
We’ve mounted them on several pistols and rifles through thousands of rounds…and even shot them at night through night vision.
We cover full-size “mini” pistol red dots, as well as the smaller footprint “micro” red dots popular with concealed carry handguns.
By the end, you’ll know if pistol red dots are for you…and which one to get.
Let’s get started!
THE QUICK LIST
-
Gold Standard
-
Editor's Pick
-
Best Affordable Option
-
Best for Competiton
-
Best Enclosed Emitter Micro Dot
-
Best Overall Micro Dot
-
Most Affordable Micro
Table of Contents
Loading...
Best Open Emitter Mini Red Dots
Let’s get started with standard open emitter pistol red dots for full-size and compact handguns.
1. Trijicon RMR Type 2
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely durable design
- Excellent battery life
- Night vision compatible
- Most common footprint
Cons
- Smaller viewing window
- Noticeable blue tint
- Battery replacement requires removal of the optic from the gun
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.2 oz
- Battery Life: 4 Years at Brightness Level 4
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: 6.5 MOA
- Waterproof: 66 feet for 1 hour with plate
- Footprint: RMR
- Price: $469
The RMR Type 2 is the gold standard of pistol-mounted mini red dots. It is pricey, but it has the most robust housing of all the pistol dots out there and is battle-proven.
Battery life clocks in at four years of continuous on at the very usable level 4 brightness level. However, if you’re using this on duty or using it at higher settings, I’d change the batteries every year.
One con of the battery is that it is on the bottom of the sight, meaning you have to unmount and re-zero each time you change it.
Also, depending on your slide, you might need a sealing plate to make sure water does not get in. I got one just in case for my Glock Grey Ghost Precision slide (full review) since the sides were a little exposed.
Control-wise, the buttons are easy to use and tactile. No complaints here.
Glass is the most blue-tinted due to its special reflective coating that enhances battery life. The RMR also has a smaller viewing window than many competitors, but it’s not that big of a deal when if you shoot with both eyes open.
Another huge plus for the RMR series…there’s the biggest selection of custom slides already milled for them.
The RMR also works well with night vision. On the lowest brightness setting, the dot becomes like a laser on target, making NVG shooting a breeze compared to night sights.
We recommend the Type 2 over the Type 1 due to the upgraded electronics that combat the fairly common flickering problem seen in Type 1’s.
I recommend either the 3.25 or 6.5 MOA dot models, however they offer other models with different-sized dots, mounts, and even tritium dual illumination.
Lastly, the Type 2 allows you to manually adjust the brightness, so you can pick the best for your environment. I have never found auto-adjusting dots to work very well.
2. Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- 20,000-hour battery life
- Outer ring is helpful for beginner shooters
- Night vision capable
- Solar failsafe
- Shake-awake
Cons
- Less battery life than the standard 507C
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.5 oz
- Battery Life: 20,000 hours + Solar Backup
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: ACSS Vulcan
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMR
- Price: $309
The regular Holosun 507C is already a major contender that punches way above its price point. This is thanks to its massive battery life, RMR footprint, durability, and reasonable pricing.
Enter the collaboration with Primary Arms’ reticle smiths to make the HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan.
We really like it…like a lot.
For our use, nothing has slowed it down. It is robust and has stood up to the abuse we’ve thrown at it, including things like using the optic as a contact point to charge our Glock off of a belt or table.
The glass has also been completely scratch-free thus far. Buttons are easy to access and manipulate on the left side.
At over 20,000 of battery life, the Holosun 507C ACSS is an optic that you will likely never replace the battery on from use…just remember to change it every one to two years to keep it fresh.
There’s also a solar panel on top that gives another source of power for when the optic is in sunlight. However, the solar panel does not recharge the battery in any way.
The 507C also features “Shake-Awake,” meaning it will automatically turn on as soon as it senses movement and will turn off after a period of no movement. This is very handy for setting and forgetting and for saving battery life.
Lastly, there’s a nice tray that slides out for the battery, meaning you don’t have to take the entire unit off your handgun and lose zero each time you swap the battery.
Check out that nice 10 MOA chevron reticle which draws you to the center.
But that’s not all (sorry…couldn’t resist); there’s also a ring on the outside to show you if you’re off-center.
Once you really get the hang of it…you shouldn’t see the ring anymore. And you can actually disable it to save battery life. But it’s a great training feature.
The 507C uses the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR. With the number of slides that can mount the HS507C without the need for adaptor plates, this is a huge blessing.
It also makes it a great option for people who have older-gen RMRs and are looking to modernize. We’ve mounted multiple 507Cs to various pistols with great ease and success.
And with a Picatinny adapter, we even put it on our K-USA KP-9 9mm AK.
This may be our favorite red dot yet, so be sure to check out our full review and video!
What do you think of the Holosun? Rate it below!
3. Primary Arms SLx RS-10
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Good bang-for-the-buck
- Great battery life
- Shake-awake
- Night vision capable
Cons
- Glass has noticeable blue tint
- Adjustment arrows tend to reflect onto the glass
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.1 oz
- Battery Life: 25-50k hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: 3 MOA Dot
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: Docter + MOS Plate
- Price: $199
A recent entry into the red dot space from Primary Arms, the SLx RS-10 is our go-to recommendation for an affordable red dot that is still rock solid.
This thing is rugged, and the build quality exceeds its affordable price tag. Look-wise, the hood is cool, and the small PA logo is not too intrusive.
We dropped it a total of 9 times while attached to a Flux Raider in our full review. Besides some expected scratches, it cleaned right up with some water and held zero.
This little dot is awesome with 25-50k battery life…and also comes with shake-awake! That makes it extra nice as a CCW optic, where you don’t have to mess with buttons when you put it on and off.
The 3-MOA dot is crisp, but there’s a noticeable blue tint when looking through the glass. However, it doesn’t feel any worse than other red dots.
That said, one annoyance is that there’s a reflection of the U and arrow designating up adjustments right above the dot. It doesn’t show up well in pictures, but once you see it with your own eyes, it’s hard to stop seeing it.
The dot is also super bright, so it’s suitable from sunny Florida to scorching California. And, of course, you can dim it for indoor use.
Mounting-wise, the RS-10 uses the Docter footprint and also comes with Glock MOS mounting plates. However, there have been some reports of fitment issues with Docter-cut PDP first-generation guns and PSA Daggers.
It also includes a Picatinny mount for use on larger pistols or even rifles.
4. Leupold DeltaPoint Pro
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Large viewing window
- Clear glass
- Shake-awake
- Top-loading battery
Cons
- Low battery life
- Control scheme is sub-optimal
- Not night vision compatible
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.95 oz
- Battery Life: Not listed, but most are saying less than RMR
- Night Vision Compatibility: No
- Dot Size: 2.5 MOA
- Waterproof: 22 feet
- Price: $360
Another great option is the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro (DPP).
While slightly bigger than the RMR, it has been a favorite of mine for competition shooting due to the extremely clear glass and large viewing window.
The 2.5 MOA is reasonable for close-up work and really beneficial for longer-range shots.
Although plenty rugged with its double hood…I’d still give the overall win to the RMR in that department.
Leupold doesn’t list exact stats for battery life, and reports seem to vary from 2-8 months of battery life depending on the usage. This is definitely one of the weak points of this optic.
However, the battery is top-loading, so you don’t need to remove your sight and re-zero when you swap it out.
Another great thing is that it has a motion-sensing auto-on function. It’s plenty fast, and when I used it…it was always on before I could finish my draw.
Control-wise, you get one big spongy button in the middle that you have to keep pressing to go up and down in brightness, with a hold to turn it off/on if you’re not using the auto-on feature. This setup is less than stellar
Not a lot of custom slides are milled for the DeltaPoint Pro, but adapters for many common handguns are readily available. Picatinny adapters are also fairly easy to find.
The Outer Impact dovetail mount shown below also has worked well with the DeltaPoint Pro.
Check out our video for the full install:
5. Holosun 507Comp
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Massive viewing window
- Outstanding battery life
- Durable
- Competition reticle system
Cons
- No option for a larger center dot
- No solar failsafe
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.7 oz
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: yes
- Dot Size: 2 MOA dot with 8/20/32 MOA circle
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMR
- Price: $369
Sometimes bigger is always better. Competition shooters who need to be able to have a wide field of view and ultra-fast target acquisition often seek pistol dots with the biggest windows they can find.
For the longest time, Trijicon’s SRO reigned supreme thanks to its generously sized glass, but Holosun has once again proven their willingness to challenge anyone and everyone with their newer 507Comp.
As the name implies, the 507Comp is meant for competition. A huge 1.1×0.87-inch window ensures that you will be able to see everything you need to.
Specific to this model is Holosun’s Competition Reticle System (CRS). It features a 2 MOA center dot, with three different-sized outer rings you can select: 8, 20, or 32 MOA.
I sound like a broken record, but as per usual, you get the Holosun 50,000-hour battery life and shake-awake technology. However, this model does not feature a solar failsafe.
The 507Comp uses the same tactile button setup as their standard 507, but the buttons are slightly recessed to help prevent any accidental presses.
A side-loading tray makes battery changes easy, and the standard RMR footprint means mounting options are a-plenty.
This is really one of the best optics on the market for competition shooting, especially given the price. My only complaint is that I wish it had an option for a 6 MOA center dot.
Best Micro Red Dots for Micro Compact Pistols
These are some of our favorite dots that use smaller footprints to fit on the ultra-popular micro compact genre of pistols.
6. Holosun EPS Carry MRS
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Multi-reticle system
- Excellent battery life
- Enclosed emitter
- Night vision capable
- Shake-awake
- Solar failsafe
Cons
- RMSc/K footprint can make mounting on RMR-cut guns more difficult
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1 oz
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: 2 MOA dot with 32 MOA circle
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMSc
- Price: $399
Holosun dipped their toes into the closed emitter red dot game with the introduction of their EPS and EPS Carry optics.
Enclosed emitter optics have the benefit of using two panes of glass to keep the dot emitter completely shielded from debris and the outside elements.
They have become a favorite among people who carry their weapons daily, carry in hostile conditions, or live in areas with less-than-ideal weather.
The EPS Carry MRS not only has a rugged enclosed housing but also has some other amazing features that are now synonymous with Holosun.
Shake-awake auto/off technology, a solar failsafe, a 50,000-hour battery life, a side-loading battery tray, and an IPX8 waterproof rating are all standard on the EPS Carry MRS.
The glass is pretty clear, with only a slight tint on both the MRS and the standard dot-only model, and the buttons are tactile and easy to use.
Users get a multi-reticle system that features a 2 MOA center dot with a 32 MOA outer reticle. This system allows users to swap between the dot-and-circle, dot-only, and circle-only (great for shotguns).
There are 10 daylight brightness settings, with 2 night vision settings for those so inclined.
Holosun wisely elected to use the Shield RMS/RMSc footprint, which has become the de facto standard footprint for all micro-red dots meant to go on smaller guns like the Sig P365 and similar.
Overall, the EPS Carry MRS is packed full of features as expected from Holosun, with the added benefit of increased durability from the enclosed emitter design. This is one of the best optics on the market, hands down.
7. Trijicon RMRcc
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Bomb-proof build quality
- Crisp 3.25 or 6 MOA dot
- Great battery life
Cons
- Needs an adapter plate to fit most firearms
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1 oz
- Battery Life: 4 years
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes, 8 settings, including 2 NV
- Dot Size: 3.25 or 6 MOA
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMRcc
- Price: $469
Does Trijicon still reign supreme even in the world of micro red dots with its RMRcc?
It looks great and is essentially a smaller RMR. So it’s built like a tank and will survive almost anything you can throw at it.
You get nice tactile buttons on each side and essentially tool-less adjustment for windage/elevation.
Battery life is a claimed 4 years, which puts it at the higher end of the spectrum.
Plus, it also has the ability to either secure auto-brightness for carry or a user-chosen brightness.
Reticle-wise you get a choice between 3.25 or 6 MOA reticles, both excellent options.
The dot is crisp and bright, but the window tint is slightly blue/green.
Here is where the RMRcc strays; it went with its own footprint instead of the RMSc standard for micro compacts. Therefore, you’ll need adapter plates, which will raise the overall height.
It’s a tank just like its bigger brother, and if it weren’t for the proprietary footprint and taller mounting with adapter plates, the RMRcc would be my choice to mount on a serious carry gun.
8. Holosun HS507K X2
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Multi-reticle system
- Shake-awake
- Night vision capable
Cons
- No solar failsafe
Quick Stats
- Weight: 1 oz
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: 10 daylight & 2 night vision settings
- Dot Size: 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMSc
- Price: $289
Let’s continue with Holosun’s micro red dot with its K model, the HS507K X2.
And just for comparison…let’s see the full-size C model vs. the K.
Like its bigger brother, the all-metal housing HS507K feels great in hand and has a nice chunky enclosure that’s sure to survive all but the worst abuse.
The +/- buttons are on the left side and easy to activate, and also turn the unit off by pressing both at once.
As per usual, Holosun delivers with a battery life of 50,000 hours (on medium settings). There’s also Lock Mode and Shake Awake tech to conserve even more battery life.
The big difference between the 407K and 507K is that the 507K has the multi-reticle system, meaning it has a 2 MOA center dot and a 32 MOA outer ring.
Pioneered by EOTech, the cirle-and-dot combo is perfect for precise shots and also quick acquisition minute-of-bad-guy shots.
Everyone who shot the 507K thought it was cheating. If any part of the reticle was on target, it was a hit.
As with the EPS Carry, the 507K uses the industry standard Shield RMSc micro footprint that is found on most 9mm micro compacts.
Although it lacks the enclosed emitter and solar failsafe of the EPS Carry, the 507K still packs most of the same features while managing to come in $100 less, making it a great buy.
9. Primary Arms Classic Micro
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Super affordable
- Great battery life
- Crisp and bright 3 MOA dot
Cons
- No shake-awake
- Bottom-mounted battery requires sight removal to change
Quick Stats
- Weight: .6 oz
- Battery Life: 25-50K hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: no
- Dot Size: 3 MOA
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMSc
- Price: $149
Another newer micro red dot from Primary Arms is their Classic Micro. This is a very affordable dot that still has great battery life.
The Classic Micro is very spartan in its looks, but the buttons on either side are useful and provide great feedback.
Unfortunately, the battery is located at the bottom, so you’ll need to take it off and re-zero each time you want to swap it.
Even with the annoyance of having to remove the sight and re-zero to change the battery, you only really have to do it once every few years thanks to its 25-50,000-hour battery life.
Being a budget-minded optic, you also don’t get shake-awake, so you’ll have to remember to turn it on/off for CCW purposes or just lean on the long battery life.
Zeroing takes an Allen key, which is not a deal breaker. However, there’s also no tactile click to let you know you actually adjusted something, so keep that in mind.
However, it’s held zero through everything we’ve thrown at it in the full review. The dot is easy to see and is bright enough even for the scorching sun.
The Classic Micro uses the standardized RMSc footprint, so you should have no problem mounting it on almost any CCW gun.
This is one of the most affordable micro red dots currently on that market that is suitable for daily carry.
10. Vortex Defender CCW
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Durable aluminum housing
- Motion activated
- 9,500 hour battery life
Cons
- No auto-adjust for brightness
Quick Stats
- Weight: .95 oz
- Battery Life: 9,500 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: 3 or 6 MOA
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: RMSc
- Price: $250
In 2023 Vortex set out to shake up the red dot world with their new Defender CCW. This compact, yet ruggedized optic was a culmination of everything the American company had learned to date.
Vortex first focused on making the Defender tough, with a 7075 aluminum body and aspherical, coated lens. There’s even a polymer bumper on the top for shock and a textured face for racking the slide off the optic.
The Defender CCW uses a top-load battery, so you don’t have to remove it and re-zero for replacement. It also comes equipped with o-ring seals, keeping it dust and waterproof.
Vortex indicates the Defender CCW runs on an included CR1632 battery for approximately 9,500 hours.
Inside, the electronics boast a suite of important features like motion activation, as well as a 10-minute auto-shutoff. Available with 3 or 6 MOA dots, the Defender has ten brightness settings, with the two lowest being night vision compatible.
As for the durability, we’ve tested it ourselves during a 1,000-round burndown we conducted on the Mossberg MC2C. The Defender CCW (and Mossberg) held up great despite running through a case of ammo in short order.
The Defender CCW utilizes the Shield RMS/RMSc footprint, but also comes with a Picatinny mount.
Best Full-Sized Enclosed Emitter Pistol Dots
These are our top picks for those who want a fully enclosed emitter for increased durability on their non-micro compact handguns
11. Aimpoint ACRO P-2
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extreme durability
- Excellent battery life
- Enclosed emitter
- Night vision capable
- Side-loading battery
Cons
- Viewing window to housing ratio isn't great
- Unique mounting footprint
- Expensive
Quick Stats
- Weight: 2.1 oz
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
- Dot Size: 3.5 MOA
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: ACRO
- Price: $599
Aimpoint was the first to get into the enclosed emitter optics with their Advanced Combat Reflex Optic, or ACRO.
Their optic has since been upgraded to the ACRO P-2, which retains the qualities that made the original version groundbreaking while adding improved features.
To put it plainly, this is one of the toughest optics on the market. It is ridiculously overbuilt, is submersible up to 115 feet, and is extremely shock-proof.
A crisp 3.5 MOA dot is paired with glass that is only slightly tinted.
The buttons are easy to use and tactile, and the side-loading battery ensures that you never have to remove your optic or re-zero when swapping it out.
Not that you will need to swap it often, as the ACRO P-2 boasts an impressive 50,000-hour battery life.
You get 10 brightness settings, which include 6 dedicated daytime settings and 4 night vision compatible settings. This optic performs extremely well under night vision, as most Aimpoint optics do.
The biggest downside, apart from the size of the viewing window, is the proprietary ACRO footprint. Adapter plates are readily available, but increase the cost as well as make the already-tall optic sit even higher.
But if you are looking for a proven optic that has been around, improved, and is bomb-proof in any and all conditions, the ACRO P-2 has the pedigree to back it up.
12. Steiner MPS
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Quick Stats
- Weight: 2.05 oz
- Battery Life: 13,000 hours
- Night Vision Compatibility: yes
- Dot Size: 3.3 MOA
- Waterproof: Yes
- Footprint: ACRO
- Price: $499
While Steiner can be known for lagging behind in terms of innovation or following the flow of the market, that isn’t the case with their Micro Pistol Sight (MPS).
Not only is this an excellent duty-grade enclosed emitter optic — it has an attractive price.
Looking through the MPS will reveal crystal clear glass, a crisp 3.3 MOA dot, and a generous 21x16mm window.
The controls are tactile but also recessed to prevent unwanted inputs. An aggressive front hood also protects the extensively recessed front lens to provide maximum protection of the glass.
A unique feature of the MPS is that the emitter sits at the top of the optic. This reduces the room needed at the bottom and allows it to sit lower than the competition.
The MPS does not have a shake-awake or auto-on function, but it does have an auto shut-off after 13 hours (strange choice).
Battery life is quite lower than many of its competitors, at 13,000 hours, but a top-mounted battery makes changes easy and pain-free. You get 8 brightness settings in total, with 6 for daytime, and 2 for night vision.
Steiner elected to use the ACRO footprint, meaning any ACRO adapter plates or ACRO-ready firearm will also be able to accept the MPS.
If you are looking for a rugged enclosed emitter optic without the price that comes with the ACRO P-2, the MPS is a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
There you have it…the reasons why or why not to get a pistol red dot. And our favorite picks across some price ranges and applications.
What are your experiences with shooting red dots on your pistol? Any tips for the learning curve? Check out our How to Shoot Pistol More Accurately for more tips that translate to iron sights AND red dots.
135 Leave a Reply
I have (2) Swampfox Kingslayer, (1) Swampfox Liberty, (1) Swampfox Justice, (1) Shield RMSc, (1) PA Classic, (3) Riton RMR Red Dots and (1) DARCO RMSc. All work great for what I use them for and were left off your list. The Swampfox and Shield are all shake 'n wake.
Eric! You left out the Sig Sauer Romeo 1 Pro! It is a terrific red dot I have on both my P226 Navy and P 320 M18. It is tough, totally reliable and easy battery change. Much better view than the Trijicon!
The SRO is the best option for NVGs, hands down.
Q: Anyone experienced issues with the RMRs fogging up in misty conditions near the freezing point?
Strange that you ONLY review The Shield Rmsc made for micro compacts. Shield U.K. INVENTED the pistol red dot and sold it to Trijicon! Up in the top tier of your list should be the Shield RMSw waterproof red dot. No buttons, waterproof. Completely auto, superfast brightness adjustment for all conditions..... No wonder the badass SAS use it as well as numerous special forces around the globe......And it holds it's zero after thousands of rounds and flinging the gun down range on a concrete floor...I know I did it!.....
BTW- tip- You should practice bringing up the gun to presentation and seeing the dot until you are at the muscle memory level that you can bring up the weapon with your eyes closed in a pitch black dark room and when you open your eyes you see the dot......
I have 2 GGP slide set up pistols and would like your recommendation for a less expensive red dot that fits the RMR footprint on both my slides. I have both a 19 and 19X. I want to mount a RD on the 19 which also has VickersTactical Ameriglow sights and a Wilson barrel. very accurate and reliable once I got it broken in. I would like to stay under 200.00 and XMas sales are coming up.
I have the S&W Shield Plus Optics ready. It states, "The optic choice is yours, choose from any Shield RMS optic footprint " What would be the best and the affordable options for this weapon?
Interesting top choice for competition red dot. SRO, Romeo 3 XL or Max, RTS2 v5 and newer option 507 Comp all more represented in competition. Most competitive shooters will go with 6 MOA or larger. DP solid choice just not the dot I see majority of competitors using 2022 to present. Two current US WORLD champs used CMore and SIG red dots .
Thnx Eric, ya made my purchase way easier than trudging thru all these sights and info.
Almost all of them are too small dot for fast acquisition. Crispiness is meaningless as you are not supposed to look at dot when using RDS - it is not front iron sight shooting. Your focus must be on target with RDS and dot is image of your brain... light reflected from glass and it does not exist in reality. If you want "crisp dot" then you should invest in prism etched RDS, but it is different game.
People started moving to 6,8 and even 10 MOA dots as this is what is required on close targets and fast shooting (you are not shooting flies on paper or sniping at 100 yards).
Are touches on the Steiner red dot? Seems to be overlooked by many.
awesome article: personally I cannot afford any of them but maybe the Crimson Trace. In my opinion there has to be alternative options for less money. I would like to see a top 10 list of alternative options for less than $100. unless you all about the branding, and don't care about those of us the are unable to spend that kind of cash, for top name brand dot optics. I never see any articles aimed at us poor's, that cant afford to spend big money for name brand products. we just get ignored or made fun of, because our budget prices are not the same as yours. budget for us is less than $100 for optics and accessories and less than $500 for firearms. where influencers get your information about budget prices is beyond me because it is not even remotely true. I'm not trying to offend anybody or even argue. I am just trying to speak the truth, and am not embarrassed to admit it.
If your wanting sub $100 optics, just stick with iron sights and buy more ammo . The cheapest optic on this list is the cheapest you should go for a RELIABLE optic. You don't want something that loses zero after 100 rounds. This is a good list from very low budget to high end pistol red dots.
As far as name brands. The swamp fox is not a what you'd call a name brand optic. Trijicon and Leopold are the only true name brand optics on the list.
I'm a "poor". Ive been saving for a couple months to get a Holosun. Btw, true "poor's", cannot afford a fire arm and ammo. So they wouldn't be looking for cheap optics. Hence, no articles for cheap optics.
Save up and get a quality optic if you're wanting a optic. A cheaper one will just give you headaches and be a literal waste of money.
If you buy a rifle, make sure it has irons. Because the prices for budget optics are much higher.
I stand by my comment! poor's do want optics, and other gear accessories upgraded parts and fancy triggers, just like anybody else, and yes guns and ammo are issue. I have saved ammo for years, and I wasn't always a poor, till I broke my back at work over decade ago, and it's like I said poor's get ignored, laughed at, and made fun of. I survive now on less than $1k monthly. Who died and made you judge and jury that you get to say "true poor" a poor it is not up to you to get to decide who is a poor, and who is not! your a dick just for saying a "true poor"! Anyway yes it is a good list, but you have been misled by influencers and name brands. there are other alternatives like Monstrum, Vector optics, etc. and others as such. I guess you had never herd of stimulus checks that allowed allot of us to have firearms, and a start on ammo. besides there are family members, and friends, that have gifted firearms. not mine but that's another story, also there are flea markets, and gun shows, etc. where you can get cheap deals, on guns, and ammo etc. besides the fact that I have reloaded for years, and I know others that reload it is not that hard to horse trade if you know the right people! I am happy you have been saving for months for a Holosun awesome but personally even if I did save that much for a Holosun my wife still wouldn't let me spend that kind of money for an optic. Anyways you have a great life, and have fun with your Holosun when you get it. Good Day and God Bless
Seems like your review missed Vortex's latest product release. called the DEFENDER-CCW™ RED DOT, or maybe you purposely excluded it. From my review, it's at the top of my buy list even though a little more expensive than Vortex's Venom, and priced in the middle of your list. I also like Vortex's lifetime warranty on all its products and have them adourning all my firearms!
I bought the Holosun/Primary Arms 507C X2 ACSS Vulcan reticle in green as my first optic. While neat in concept, the inverted V reticle was too large and too "giggly" for me and became a distraction. I tried it in Steel Challenge and USPSA and disliked it so I sold it and got the 508T in green with the 3 reticle option (dot, circle, or dot in circle). Worked much better for me in competition and wasn't as "giggly" like the inverted V. Also, being able to switch reticles on the fly was a big plus when trying to shoot double alphas and steel plates at various distances.
Your photos don't do the Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan reticle justice. This is the best "red dot" I've ever used. Te inverted V reticle is crisp and sharp, and is very helpful for precision aiming. It's like having a 6 MOA dot with a sharp 1 MOA aiming point on it. Great for quick shots, and precision placement.
Another good review which fails to include what I believe is the most innovative and best red dots on the market, the Leopold Deltapoint Micro. It is reasonably priced, is VERY low profile with much of the sight extending beyond and below the top of the slide. Yes, it only is made for Glock and M&P for now, but certainly deserved recognition!
Yes, the Leopold Deltapoint Micro .... AND .... the Meprolight FT Bullseye (rear sight).
I have both - love both of them.
the Meprolight FT Bullseye took some time to get used to. But 4 magazines later I suddenly got it and it became easy and simple and became 'natural'. That's what people who I had seen using them had told me, that at some point while practicing with it suddenly I would get it and it will became easy and simple and 'natural' just like iron sights.
Love the the Leopold Deltapoint Micro also.
On my EDC I use the FT Bullseye now, and my other defense pistols a mixture of the Leopold Deltapoint Micro and FT Bullseye. My only complaint with using the Leopold Deltapoint Micro on my EDC is how the battery hangs off the back of the slide extending the length of the gun - and its not because I object to it but rather that in my carry position at 4 o'clock with my body shape it pokes me such that the 'extension' it adds to the slide it makes it a little uncomfortable at times.
Solved the Leopold Dletapoint Micro being a little uncomfortable at times. Simply went to another holster, now its nice and comfy.
Wow, no SRO or SIG Romeo sights in the review. I guess premium competition sights were not in the budget.
I'd love to see this updated to include comparing the newer Burris Fastfire 4. And it could note that the 507c is also available in green (perhaps others), which I prefer even with the shorter battery life.
I’m afraid you misfired on this article. Three friends of mine and I have the Romeo 1 pro red dot on our pistols. I would wager it is better than all but the most expensive dots on your list. Inexpensive, solid, reliable this is the red dot your readers should check out. It is a total winner and terrific bang for the buck!
You gotta be kidding me. Not one SIG RDS? Ridiculous.
How can Aimpont not be on this list. The Acro has to be the toughest take anything red dot on the market.
This is what I came to say. Closed emitters are definitely the future.
I have two of the Viridian RFX-35 green dots on two of my pistols. The green is very easy to see and I've never seen a more crisp dot. I got both of mine on sale from Optics Planet well under $200 each. I also have one of the Holosun's with the ACSS reticle and really like it.
While my favorite pistol optic is the Holosun 507k X2, I totally agree with you about the Viridian RFX35. It’s a great optic!
I really like the Red Dots on my ARs (one is a Vortex Venom), and I'd like to put one on at least one of my pistols. Unfortunately, that means either buying a new slide or seeing if a gunsmith can mill the existing slide(s). Either of which, is not without some not insubstantial costs when you're on a fixed income.
Has anyone had a slide milled? What's the average cost.? I live in a rural area, so I'd have to ship the slide to someone for the work.
Eric, what sight do you recommend for an Alaskan .454 with a 2.5 inch barrel? Didn't see any revolvers in this article.
interesting to see that there is no closed emitter red dots on this list
For the micro red dot market…the gold standard is the Shield RMSc footprint which the HS507K uses as well. It fit on all the guns we’ve tried…
I have read conflicting information. Is this true for the Shield Plus? I would like to get one for my wife’s Shield plus.
I am a little disappointed that there was no mention of the Riton red dot. I couldn't find a date on this article so maybe this predated it?
Funny , you all really don't care much about the Shield Red Dot. I have been using Shield Red Dots for years ,have one on my Max9 and Glock 43 and HK VP9 to be fair(Glass Lens), I also have a Trijicon RMR on a Sig P2022. You mentioned that Shield Uk has been making Red Dots for years and YES they have for OTHERS. IE look at the Sig,and Trijicon and interesting they are made by Shield under contract. Personally I'll stay with Shield UK. For the price it's outstanding . Oh their customer service is the EXCELLENT even if they are across the pond. Response time is within 24hrs or less and they are eager to help.
Comparing the high-end Delta Point Pro and Trijicon to the budget-priced Vortex Venom is an unfair and flawed comparison! Why didn't you include the Vortex Razor? It is similar or lower priced than your top-rated entries. The Vortex Razor has fantastic glass, super-crisp 6moa dot(or 3moa if you prefer), side loading battery compartment, and tough. And with the best customer service. Importantly; I've used them all and I do not work for Vortex.
because they were payed to compare specific red dots.
Just to clarify, we were not paid to include or compare any specific red dots. These are the ones we have on hand and have experience with.
I have Holosun 507C Green and the 507 with the red chevron ACSS. While I prefer the bright green I use the ACSS for competion. When in odd positions or weak hand only stages the large outer centering ring is a treat.
A question, as I am considering the purchase of a red dot.
I am retired, but I still have access to a high precision milling machine, my dad's, that used to be a machinist. He taught me I did not want to be a machinist, but needed the training.
What is the precision I need to drill and tap holes for a red dot sighting system?
±0.003, ±0.0005?
Thank you kindly gentlemen.
Tony
+/-.005
Having been in my share, and some of others, defensive gun use - 3/5/7 and 10 yards is where you need to be practicing with fast target focus shooting and forget the red dot. These distances will be where you will most likely find yourself right quick and in a hurry when the time comes and you will not be using a red dot either.
I might add that my friends Trijicon SRO on his competition GLOCK 19 is the only red dot I might consider using on one of my competition pistols along with my Holosun 507c green.
Holosun HE507c Green..... hands down.. 2nd Place to Trijicon RMR.. I love both my Holosun's..The other has red dot. I took off my Vortex Venom and bought another Holosun.
100% agreed !!!
you people need to stop pushing made in china garbage
Glad to see the 507c on there, I have the green version for my P320. Any availability or review info on the Fastfire 4 with selectable reticles? I'm thinking of one for my PCC. Also, any issue with gases from LCI pistol barrel notches clouding the lenses? Thanks!
We have a 507C on a 9mm AK and so far so good! https://www.pewpewtactical.com/kalashnikov-usa-kp-9-review/
Thanks very much for an insightful and well researched article, as always. I have four Shield RMSc sights, two “glass” and two with a polymer lens. The polymer lens requires careful maintenance and cleaning as it scratches easier than you would expect. The battery life of the Shield is about one year also. I would recommend these sights but I would most definitely recommend the “glass” and not the polymer lens.
I have a Trijicon SRO too. I see it’s not mentioned in the article. Any views on the SRO? I use it on my working Glock 19. Thanks again for your excellent firearm journalism.
Good info on the two types of lenses! And yes we have a standalone SRO review: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/trijicon-sro-review/
Why do you say the Holosun 507K is "Overall our favorite micro red dot right now" yet it does not appear in your top 5?
Hi Mike, we split it up by footprints with full-size/compact red dots and micro red dots. The K is a micro red dot which take up places 6-11.
This was a great rundown on red dots. Have you ever reviewed the Riton MPRD 2? It looks interesting and I’m wondering where it falls within the range of red dots in your list and if it’s worth considering.
I wish the RMR type 2 was shake and wake. Don’t like having to press a small button to turn it on.
Hey guys im really busy this sunday and its when i check into Pew Pew but i didnt get a chance to really look over the whole post/message? I am wondering since i jumped into the whole P80 Glock19 thing i didnt realize that an RMR cut slide limits me to a Trijicon red dot? They are so damn expensive i cant justify buying one?!!! Are there any other red dots out there that will fit the RMR cut that are a bit cheaper? Or am i limited to "only" Trijicon"$$$$?
It fits the holosun mentioned here
Check out the SOUSA Optics R.A.I.D. Pistol Dot. It’s RMR mount, nice quality, and well under $200.
As Anthony Stevenson said the Holosun 507C (not K) will fit the RMR plate
I am glad you did not omit the Holosun 507C. It's the best.
I hear it will mount on an RMR cut slide......do you know if it dose? Or if there is any kind of adapter to be able to buy something other then a Trijicon? I mean damn$$$?
Dah! Some one screwed the pooch missed big time! The Leupold DP-Pro is also has a specific night vision model the is compatible with the latest night vision equipment.
I like the holson HS507c will that co-witness with the staccato 2c dpo
Jealous. I miss my STI...
Do any of these fit/compatible with the Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP Edition? I want to get an optic for it but want to make sure it fits without me having to do any extra work. Greatly appreciate your response in advance to my question!
If I had the Hellcat OSP, I’d buy the HEX Wasp, which fits the mounting footprint precisely. Springfield just launched HEX as an optics company and though the the Wasp fits any slide w/ a Shield RMSc footprint, aesthetically it was made for the Hellcat and just looks great. Plus, it’s aluminum and glass, not polymer (Romeo Zero, Shield RMSc).
I can't find the "V2" version tested and it's not listed on Holosun's website. It seems that it was upgraded to the Holosun HS507C-X2. Could you check to verify this as your replacement recommendation?
That is the correct optic! Not sure if they renamed it or if we mistyped it, either way -- very highly recommended and good to go!
How are red dot sights affected by the gases coming off a suppressor mounted on a hand gun?
I'm curious. Why did you aim the RMR and Vortex at the darkened part of your wall, and then aim the Leupold, Burris and Holosun at the white the part of your wall? Personal bias or are Trijicon and Vortex providing you with pistol red dots?
We never even noticed. The Holosun footage was taken months after the others, Vortex and Burris might have provided a red dot for T&E but I don't remember -- Leupold and Trijicon I believe were ones bought by Eric, Holosun red dots are all ones I've bought. A white wall in the day time provides enough contrast that I don't think the minor difference in shadow really equates to anything.
Only one red dot or maybe two red dots on this list are worthy for EDC. The RMR and the Delta point. These reviews lack any sort of real shooter feedback. All this is a bunch fluff info to get you to by through their affiliate link on Amazon. The Vortex Venom and Viper are pure garbage along with the Burris. Basically fake ass news. You want real reviews from a real shooter go to Sage Dynamics.
Sage Dynamics doesn't recommend the Delta Point. The only two he recommends for EDC are the Trijicon RMR and the Holosun line.
Jerry Miculek uses the Vortex Viper, so I wonder just how bad it can be.
Not saying the Viper is good or bad (never used one) but it's a safe bet Miculek doesn't pay for them and when/if it goes tit's up he get's a new one overnighted to him from the Vortex.
I second that.
How far forward are these typically mounted?
Is there any additional precision in mounting them more towards the rear of the rail?
They are mounted where the rear sight normally goes, plus or minus a tiny bit.
There is no accuracy or precision advantage in placement location.
Thank you David!!
These red dots are a big money maker. Look at the less expensive units and check the comments. First thing you don’t need a lot of the extras, you want the dot and the target to line up clearly, so long as the dot doesn’t move your in business.
You've seriously missed the boat by not including the Holosun red dot. They're durable, well built with monolithic frame, clear optics, greatbatterylifewithinstan-on... I could go on but, that's your job.
For the price point, it doesn't get any better.
I apologize! I didn't see the Holosun listed up top and found it way down at the bottom so, I acquiesce!!
You got it right! Absolutely the best for the $ and then some!
Do any of those sights come with an adapter of some sort in order to mount them on a HK Mark 23?
Wondering if there are any recs for a green dot sight for my weaver mount rifle. Seems they range in cost from under $100 and go up to about $700 or so. I am not sure what I am looking for re value, accuracy, etc. If anyone has a suggestion or you have a previous post regarding green dots I would appreciate it. Thanks all.
We got an article for you! Red vs. Green Dots, my recommendation would be the Holosun 510c GR
Thank you David. Much appreciated
Good job! Keep it up. Also can you do a review on European red dots like Leica and Docteurs too pls.
Yes, I agree. Great to see the reviews and I’d like to know about Leica and any other Euro red dots.
The delta point Pro has a night vision model, how would this compare with the type 2 night vision?
Any way to attach a red dot to (an original) 70 Series Gold Cup? My old eyes can no longer see rear sight, front sight and bullseye in the same picture.
Nothing from Sig Sauer?
Do you have thoughts on how the Sig Romeo series, in particular the Romeo Zero fit into this lineup?
We haven't tested the pistol optic series from Sig yet, but from what I've heard they have durability issues compared to Trijicon and Holosun.
I have the Sig Romero 1 and it’s so awesome. Rugged. Great features, auto off and on. 10 levels of brightness. Top battery replacement etc. it’s awesome and has a great price point
What are your thoughts on the Sightmark Core Shot and Sighmark Mini Shot?
I haven't tried or seen any Sightmark product that was worth the money. I would not put their optics on my firearms.
I have heard the Holosun is one of the best, if not the best, if you have an astigmatism (especially the green dot). The only red dot I had was a Vortex and I sold it because it looked terrible to me. All I could see was a star-like plume in lieu of a dot. The Holosun is said to virtually eliminate that compared to other red dots.
I have a Holosun 510 on my AR. I also have astigmatism. I looked at several other sights before I bought the Holosun. It has the clearest dot to me. Go to a dealer that has a good variety of sights, tell them what you want and check them all out. Like usual, you get what you pay for. I spent about $300 or so and I’m really happy with it. I looked at a Trijicon and I couldn’t see it well. Aimpoint same thing. If I’m right, the Holosun is a reflex sight. Mine is also shake awake and is supposed to last about 30000 + hours. I like it and it works well for me.
I am now 62 years old but I have used red dots for almost 10 years. I have trijicon, vortex and burris and am satisfied with all of them. I have a burris fastfire on a 45-70 guide gun and continue to take deer in season, i have vortex on ARs and can't see why anyone would rely on iron sites for less then 100 meters, i have a trijicon on a Glock 35 and am getting accustomed to it but see the same promise for this configuration as the others. Practice is what counts! from seeing the dot on target to learning the controls. For us old guys, red dots keep us in the game. Stay safe and healthy!
i am 65 and purchase my first red dot. i am VERY happy with the Burris FF. I know i don't have anything to compare it to, but, with my eyesight, it has became hard to focus on the front and rear sight and the target all at the same time. the red dot took care of that. What i was extremely pleased about was the forever warranty. I drop the pistol will adjusting a new holster and broke the sight, totally my fault. Contacted Burris, told them what i did, sent the sight in and they covered it 100% at NO CHARGE to me. Today its hard to find a company that believe in and stands behind their products. Burris lives up to their word. I shot over 300 rounds in my Ruger American 45 and the sight is still dead on.
“I couldn’t find exact numbers on it…but it says it can be up to 5 years.
Also, a key thing to note is that there’s an auto-turnoff function at 9 hours.
Great on the surface since you the battery won’t die if you forget to turn it off. But not the best if you’re carrying.
For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend it for CCW. But still perfect for a range/competition gun…especially with Burris’ forever warranty.”
So why exactly are you unable to recommend this for CCW usage? Is it due to the 9hr auto turn off or the 5 year battery life? Does the optic turn on with movement like other systems? The lack of proper editing/ proof reading in this article leaves me a bit unsure about the validity of the reviews.
I second that. Reading that article, the author's "about me". The run-on sentences, the lack of most punctuation, completely horrible read. The guy is lucky he can feed himself while disguised as a journalist. JS. First impressions of a first visitor.
Where did you get the titanium for $205? I'm about to purchase one and I'd like to get titanium if you could post the link please?
Interesting article
However, one thing I've noticed from having three Trijicon RMRs, some for four years, plus both Type I & Type II, is that I've NEVER found it necessary to re-zero after the annual battery change.
Have an original Series 70 Gold Cup. Currently have tritium adjustible rear sights, otherwise identical to the original rear sight setup and which was an easy drop-in.
Is there a red dot setup that would use the original Gold Cup slide without slide modification? All my other mods have been drop-in (extended grip safety, Pachmyer rubber grips, etc.) Would like to avoid making permanent mods to this great, classic .45 that out of the box was and is more accurate than I.
Good article, I like your analysis and ratings, but you forgot to mention a positive festure of the Burris FF: it has different mounting plates that fit many specific firearm's rear iron sight grooves. If you don't have a rear sight mount/removal tool, a gunsmith can press out your rear iron sight and press in the mounting plate.
What do you think about the Shield RMS or the Noblex Doctor?
The Doctor is one of the better small light weight optics available. It’s more common in Europe than in the U.S. due to marketing and hype. If you buy one, I think you’ll be very happy. The Shield RMS is not a strong optic. It is small, lightweight and compact and that is both the Pro and the Con. Unfortunately it is not a good option unless you are very very careful using it because bit is not rugged or durable. It cannot take a lick and keep on ticking. All of the other optics reviewed are much much better, especially the Acro, Holosun and RMR
I was frustrated with a conventional handgun scope on my 454 Casull, and my aging eyes. Decided to try a Vortex Venom with a small Burris mount. Love the darn little thing. Only have to focus on my target, because the red dot looks like it’s on the target. Have over 500 full power loads through it now without any problems at all. I wonder why it took me so long to go with this type of sight.
February seems early to come out with a 2019 list. Was the Trijicon SRO out when you made the list?
Also, I'm surprised the Holosun 507c was only an honorable mention
Feb was when we last did an update, we have another update coming soon though!The SRO was not out at the time, but we JUST published a complete review of it! (literally published it just a few minutes after your comment, haha). I've been running the Holosun 507c on my Glock for a couple of months now, we're going to include it in the next update of this article and not just as an honorable mention :D
I cannot find a pre-milled slide for either my Walther PPQ nor for my SIG 320 Compact. Any suggestion?
What do you think of the SIG Romeo 1 on the SIG320 Compact RX? Heard it is not very reliable??
I picked up the P320 XCompact yesterday and it is milled for Sig’s optics. springer precision makes mounts to adapt that slide for a variety of optics. Not sure if you’d be able to find that slide by itself, unfortunately.
Evolution Gun Works makes a playe that fits the ppq. I just ordered on for mine
A British firm, Shield Sights, makes at least 2 red dots, the RMS and the RMSc, that are excellent and smaller than most of the sights you reviewed. They are available at Brownells etc. and are a much better fit for smaller handguns like Glock G26, Glock G43, Sig P365 etc.
I had an RMS put on a Glock G26 and the slightly smaller RMSc put on a Glock G43 at Lone Wolf Distributors. You just send your slide and your red det to them and they will have the slide back to you in about a week (or at least they did for me).
What? Holosun 507c isn't in this list??
Can we add Holosun once updated? Thanks
I have had a Trijicon RMR RM07 on my S&W M&P40 PC Ported for about three years.
You DO NOT have to resight after changing the battery.
Otherwise good info on the Trijicon RMRs.
H K
could you guys write an article about pistol red dot mounting solutions? And some affordable solutions to actually have one mounted on the slide?
Anyone tried the Truglo TRU•TEC MICRO SUB–COMPACT OPEN RED DOT SIGHT?
What a great goddamm article. Love the content, exactly what I needed to read to know what's what in the current crop of red dot sights.
Looking to add a red dot to my Glock 29 hiking/woods/campin gun and I've got some soul searching to do, as far as what to go with.
Thanks so much, Bryan! Let us know what you end up doing with your G29!
I chose the Vortex Viper over the Venom. The sides don't bulge out and it will fit a single stack pistol better because it is narrower.
Thanks for the review, I really had a hard time deciding between the RMR, Delta Point Pro & Dr. Optic (surprised Dr. Optic wasn’t included in review as they are in my opinion better than Burris & Vortex and have would b better priced with the RMR & DPP). I decided to go with the Delta Point Pro for many of the pros you detailed but also needed to be mentioned is the optional rear sight mount on the DPP that allows more esthetic look and provide co-witness. One other important feature that was failed to be mentioned is Leupold Gold Ring Lifetime Warrany on this product, this is what really sealed the deal as other red dots of similar quality and price only had a limited warranty that lasted a few years.
Sig Romeo 1 needs to be added to the list.
Agreed. A great optic, well priced, and in my opinion better than at least a couple of these.
Red dot is a little blurrier than a venom. I have one of each on a sig p320 and a kimber arctic lw and the venom has a sharper dot.
The Burris FF3 is GREAT; I have three on different pistols and they work great on my Tuesday nite shoots; I use the 8-min dot for pistol. Really improved my score.
You need to move the "pros/cons of red dots" to the top of the article. Got all excited to spend money, only to see the dreaded fogging problem at the very end! I'm running in and out of VERY different environments at work, from a humid 95 outside, to AC, to a reefer (35 degrees), and back out. Tried wearing my glasses at work, can't see after the 1st trip in (same results in the winter as well). Even tried anti fog spray, and while that helps initially, after the 3rd trip, I can't see, lol. Red dots won't work on my CC, dang it!
Trying a slightly different format since I was seeing readers leaving unless the list is at the way top.
As always, thanks for the great information. Actually something I was looking for a long time. I got the Romeo1 on my Sig and love that one too. Did you have the chance to look at the Nikon Spur? I got that one for my WC EDC X9 - still waiting for it to come back from the Gunsmith.
You're so welcome! Haven't heard about the Nikon Spur yet...let me know how you like it.
Your review was useful and well written I noted, however, that you omitted tube sights like the Accupoint and UltraDot. While the reviewed sights might work well for action shooting, they be unlikely to be seen on a bullseye conventional pistol line. It should also be mentioned that those with astigmatism will see more flare than dot. Interestingly, many illuminated rifle scopes also under-serve those with older or astigmatic eyes. Such shooters often do better with etched glass reticles. Why pistol scope makers don't use this approach remains a mystery.
Question, Do you know of a Red Dot that uses the rear sight dovetail on a Ruger Security 9?
I purchased a Vortex Venom for my Buckmark, for Bullseye Competition, mainly for the 3 MOA dot, and battery placement. Does really well, have not had battery replacement as of yet.
Good to hear!
The Amazon link for the FastFire III points to the Vortex Venom.
perhaps they must have fixed it ? I found the Burris on Amazon via that link.