If you’re not running a red dot on your pistol, you’re missing out! The performance advantages are real, and you have hundreds of options to choose from.
But with so many brands, open and closed emitters, and mounting footprints, how do you know which one to buy?
We narrowed the list down to our absolute favorites, then tested them to see where each one excels.
These, my friends, are the best pistol red dots available right now.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best CCW
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Best Budget CCW
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Best Duty
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Best Budget Full-Size
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Best Enclosed Emitter
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Best for Competition
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Best Solar
Table of Contents
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Pistol Red Dot Comparison Chart
| Emitter | Reticle (As Tested) | Window | Footprint | Price | |
| Holosun 507C X2 | Open | Green multi-reticle | 0.91″ x 0.63″ | RMR | $309 |
| Holosun EPS Carry | Enclosed | Red multi-reditlce | 0.77″ x 0.58″ | RMSc | $329 |
| Primary Arms Classic Micro | Open | Red 3-MOA dot | 0.83″ x 0.59″ | RMSc | $149 |
| Primary Arms GLx RS-15 | Open | Red ACSS Vulcan | 1.02″ x 0.79″ | C-More | $222 |
| Trijicon RCR | Enclosed | Red 3.25-MOA dot | 0.88″ x 0.64″ | RMR | $645 |
| Trijicon RMR | Open | Green 3.25-MOA dot | 0.87″ x 0.63″ | RMR | $519 |
| Vortex Defender-XL | Open | Red 3-MOA dot | 1″ x 0.92 | DeltaPoint Pro | $399 |
How We Tested the Best Pistol Red Dots
Our search started with a brainstorming session with the staff here at Pew Pew Tactical. Together, we’ve spent countless hours using all kinds of pistol red dots. That experience informed our selections.
Testing included the following:
- Mounting: You’re responsible for installing your red dot, so we evaluated how easy each manufacturer made that process. Priorities included the necessary hardware, clear instructions with torque specs, availability of adapter plates.
- Optical Quality: Accuracy requires a clear view of the target, so we lined up each optic in front of a visual effects grid to check for distortion, discoloration, and clarity. I checked for parallax effect at 25 yards.
- Brightness: I cycled through settings manually, and checked automatic settings in daylight and in the dark. When available, I also tested automatic modes for brightness and reaction time – with some pretty interesting results!
- Waterproofing: I submerged all red dots except for the Trijicon RMR and Primary Arms Classic Micro for 10 minutes. Those two use exposed battery compartments that are not watertight until the optic is mounted.
- Drop Test: After establishing zero, I dropped each optic from waist height with an unloaded pistol, checked for damage, and re-shot the target to check for zero-shift.
Of course, I also have some comments on what it’s like to shoot with these red dots.
In some cases, the red dots you see here are available with different reticles, in different sizes, and in multiple colors. I made note of those, so you know your options.
I also included a few alternate picks when the competition was especially tight. Sometimes, choosing the best pistol red dot comes down to personal preference.
Best Pistol Red Dots
1. Holosun EPS Carry – Best CCW
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Surprisingly compact for an enclosed emitter
- Solar power extends battery life
- Very rugged and well-built
Cons
- Sometimes confusing mounting footprint
- Laggy auto-brightness
Specs
- Emitter: Enclosed
- Reticles: 6-MOA red dot, red multi-reticle, 6-MOA green dot, green multi-reticle
- Brightness Settings: 8 daylight, 4 night vision
- Auto On/Off: Yes
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 0.77″ x 0.58″
- Footprint: Holosun K
- Battery: CR1620
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
Yep, I’m going back to the tried and true Holosun EPS Carry for this one. This well-rounded pistol red dot has a multi-reticle, solar power, solid durability, and I’m still not sure how they made an enclosed emitter red dot fit a concealed carry pistol this well.
Holosun provides clear instructions and torque specs in the owner’s manual. The EPS Carry includes three sets of screws with blue thread-locker already applied.
Holosun’s K footprint is very similar to the RMSc, but they’re not completely interchangeable, and the included RMSc adapter plate won’t work with slides that have recoil lugs. If that’s the case, as with the Springfield Hellcat Pro from this test, you’ll need a different plate like this one from C&H Precision.
The hardware is labeled, but the writing is extremely small and difficult to read. The instructions don’t specify which screws are for which pistols, so you’re going to have to do some trial and error, torquing the correct screws to 15 inch-pounds per the manual.
The view through the EPS Carry’s window is clear and bright. You might notice a very slight blue tint and no distortion around the edges. This is a relatively tiny optic – especially for an enclosed emitter – but the window doesn’t seem small when looking through it. Holosun did a great job of maximizing the amount of glass that fits in the optic’s frame.
The 12 brightness settings span from invisible without night vision to blazing bright. Eight are intended for daylight, and I find that to be kind of a sweet spot. More than that, and you’ll struggle to notice a difference without tapping through multiple settings. Fewer than that, and you might be left wanting something in between two settings.
There are three brightness modes: automatic, manual, and lockout. Manual leaves it up to you, and lockout prevents accidental changes; that’s simple enough. The auto setting warrants some forethought.
The optic’s solar panel functions as the sensor, which provides rapid adjustments in response to changes in overhead lighting. What it doesn’t account for is the lighting in front of the optic. If you activate a pistol light in a dark room, the reticle is going to get washed out.
The side-by-side buttons are large enough that I didn’t have trouble finding them by feel and discerning which was which. They have a satisfying click to them.
An enclosed emitter should be unfazed by water, and the EPS Carry held up its end of the bargain. A 10-minute bath left no lingering effects, and the reticle remained clearly visible the whole time the optic was underwater.
Shooting with the EPS Carry is intuitive and easy. The auto-brightness setting might not be ideal from a tactical standpoint, but it sure is handy on the range. Manually changing reticles on the fly is as easy as holding down the minus button. I didn’t observe any parallax effect with the EPS Carry.
The housing is small enough that I never had an issue with it snagging on my shirt during the draw stroke. I think the edges are rounded just enough that clothing slides off rather than getting caught.
The drop test – a particularly gnarly direct hit on solid steel – resulted in a few superficial dings. There were times later in the day that I thought shots might be drifting right, but that was inconsistent so I suspect the blame lies with me, not the optic.
The EPS carry is available with a 2-MOA red dot, 6-MOA red dot, red multi-reticle, 2-MOA green dot, 6-MOA green dot, and green multi-reticle. Only multi-reticle optics feature solar power.
Holosun also offers the standard EPS with the same reticle and solar options for full-size pistols.
Get the whole scoop in our Holosun EPS Carry review!
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Want an alternate pick? Check out the brand-new Vortex Defender-CCW and Defender-ST enclosed emitter red dots. The Defender-CCW is a little larger than the EPS Carry, but I used it for about a month and really liked it.
2. Primary Arms Classic Micro – Best Budget CCW
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Super compact and lightweight
- Quality view through the glass
- Save your money for training ammo
Cons
- Instructions lack detail and torque values
- Must be removed to replace the battery
Specs
- Emitter: Open
- Reticles: 3-MOA red dot, 3-MOA green dot
- Brightness Settings: 10 daylight
- Auto On/Off: Yes
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 0.83” x 0.59”
- Footprint: RMSc
- Battery: CR2032
- Country of Origin: China
The Primary Arms Classic Micro keeps things simple. It’s lightweight, adds almost no bulk to a concealed carry pistol, and doesn’t break the bank. If you’re not hard on your optics, this one is worth a look.
Primary Arms ships this red dot with three sets of screws – all individually bagged, clearly labeled, and treated with blue thread-locker. The manual doesn’t offer guidance about compatible pistols, though, so you’ll have to figure that out on your own. No torque value is specified in the manual but I found it on the Primary Arms website (in this case, 12 to 15 inch-pounds).
I appreciate the rubber optic cover that comes with this red dot. I like to use those to keep fingerprints and oil off the window when I’m cleaning a pistol. Lots of more expensive optics don’t come with one, so it’s worth a mention.
I’m pleasantly surprised by how good the glass is on this optic, given the entry-level price. There’s no discernible tint or distortion. I’d expect a tradeoff in battery run time from glass without any tint, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. You just get more than you pay for this time.
All 10 of this red dot’s brightness settings are daylight bright. That’s really not an issue unless you’re using night vision, and people who run night vision aren’t shopping for a $150 optic.
It’s not the sharpest, most defined red dot, but it’s not fuzzy. Once again, you get more than you pay for.
The buttons are very small, but at least there’s one on each side, so you know which is which.
Don’t forget the tiny Allen key that comes with this optic when you go to the range — you’ll need it to set zero. The turrets turn smoothly with no audible or tactile feedback so making adjustments takes a little bit of guesswork.
More so than any other optic in this test, the metal housing vanished to my eyes on the range. It’s so thin that all I saw was the range, my target, and a bright red dot. It’s about as close to running irons as you can get with a pistol red dot.
If I’m being transparent, I thought this little guy was a goner when it came time for the drop test. Nevertheless, the little red dot that could held up to the abuse and didn’t even exhibit zero shift.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a duty optic, but it’s not exactly fragile. This is a viable option for people who want to upgrade their carry gun on a budget.
We have a Primary Arms Classic Micro review if you want to know more.
What do you think of the Primary Ars Classic Micro? Rate it below!
3. Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable – Best Duty
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Nearly ideal blend of durability and price
- Now available with a red or green reticle
- Mounting plates are widely available
Cons
- Strong blue tint and some visible distortion
- Requires removal to replace the battery
Specs
- Emitter: Open
- Reticles: 1-MOA, 3.25-MOA, 6.5-MOA red dot, 3.25-MOA green not
- Brightness Settings: 6 daylight, 2 night vision
- Auto On/Off: Defaults to auto brightness after 16.5 hours
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 0.87” x 0.63”
- Footprint: RMR
- Battery: CR2032
- Country of Origin: USA
The RCR might be the valedictorian of the school of hard knocks, but the more affordable Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable is still my favorite duty optic. It’s nearly indestructible, the view looks a little better because the housing is smaller, and now you have the option to get a green reticle.
Mounting the RMR is convenient because it’s such a common footprint. Trijicon includes one set of screws for the Glock MOS system, and another for everything else. A torque spec of 15 inch-pounds is in the owner’s manual.
I don’t think the RMR ever won any awards for optical clarity, and I’m not going to break that streak. This glass is Barney purple with a noticeable fisheye effect around the edges. It appears to be ever so slightly magnified, as well.
As with the RCR, you’ll have to decide if you want Mercedes S-class optical quality or Toyota Corolla reliability.
The RMR has even fewer brightness settings than the RCR: six for daylight and two for night vision. It’s a very utilitarian approach that might leave you wanting more when you’re chasing precision on bullseye targets. The tradeoff is never being more than a click or two away from a usable setting – one of the reasons I have an RMR on my nightstand gun.
The RMR Type 2 Adjustable lets you control brightness manually or leave it up to the optic. The automatic mode’s reaction time appears to be quicker than Holosun’s, but that’s splitting hairs. The RMR senses ambient light rather than forward light, which makes the auto mode ineffective when using bright pistol lights in dark spaces.
Massive buttons on each side make adjustments easy; no fine motor skills required. It’s very obvious from handling the RMR that this is a combat optic, not a range-day toy.
The RMR’s emitter may not be as protected as the RCR’s, but it still took my water submersion test in stride. By the time I plucked it out of the water, it was dry and ready to rock.
My main critiques – fisheye and tint – still exist on the range, but they weren’t distracting. By the time I broke my first shot, I was focused on more important things.
The RMR not only survived my drop test, it didn’t even sustain cosmetic damage. The pistol got scratched up; the steel target lost some paint; the RMR looks brand-new. There was no shift in point of impact, either.
Looking for something more compact? Check out the Trijicon RMRcc. It’s everything we love about the RMR in a smaller package that works with concealed carry pistols. It requires a rather expensive ($76 – $111 MSRP) adapter plate for any footprint, and they’re readily available from Trijicon.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Primary Arms GLx RS-15 – Best Budget Full-Size
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Large, clear window
- Innovative reticle helps guide you onto your target
- Affordable without being cheap
Cons
- Uncommon mounting footprint
- No torque specs in the manual
Specs
- Emitter: Open
- Reticles: ACSS Vulcan
- Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 3 night vision
- Auto On/Off: Yes
- Adjustment: 0.5 MOA
- Window: 1.02” x 0.79”
- Footprint: C-More
- Battery: CR2032
- Country of Origin: Philippines
There’s a lot to like about this budget-friendly pistol red dot, but the ACSS Vulcan reticle steals the show. The huge outer ring will guide you to proper sight alignment, then wait politely outside the viewing window while you shoot.
Primary Arms provides all kinds of mounting options for this optic, with six individually packaged and labeled sets of screws. They even throw in a small tube of red thread-locking compound.
According to the online FAQ, screws should be torqued to 20 inch-pounds (no mention of that in the paper manual). That’s getting up there, but I wasn’t worried since they thread into an adapter plate rather than the slide itself.
This red dot uses the less-common C-More footprint, but a Glock MOS plate is included. If you need something else, you’ll have to do some digging for a third-party solution. C-More might be the best place to start.
Optical quality is decent, but not the best in the group. I notice a teal hue and a slight fisheye effect around the edges.
The massive window makes up for it, in my book. Between that and the thin shroud, this looks about as close to a dot floating in space as I’ve seen.
The 13 brightness settings give you plenty to work with. The dimmest is barely visible to the eye while the brightest is clear and defined even in harsh midday sun. The ACSS Vulcan reticle is very helpful if your presentation isn’t totally dialed. Even if the dot is outside the window, the generous outer ring will show you which way you need to adjust.
My biggest gripe with this optic involves the buttons. They work well enough, but they’re absolutely tiny and sit next to each other on the right side, so using them on the fly is difficult at best. Feel is vague, so you have to watch the reticle to know what you’re pressing.
Can you trust a sub-$200 pistol red dot in the rain? In this case, absolutely. The GLx RS-15 was no worse for wear after sitting submerged for 10 minutes.
I’m not used to the ACSS Vulcan reticle, so it threw me off during my presentation at first. That’s a lot of extra red flashing across the window!
It grew on me, though. You’ll see it flashing in the vide,o but that’s due to the LED’s refresh rate in relation to the camera’s frame rate. You can ignore that; it’s steady to the eye.
I was concerned about how this red dot’s thin housing would hold up to a drop onto steel but it actually handled it well. It got some battle scars, sure, but the glass remained intact and I put the next three shots through the same hole right on the bullseye so you’ll hear no complaints from me.
5. Trijicon RCR – Best Enclosed Emitter
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Practically indestructible
- Fast, easy brightness adjustments
- No torque wrench required for installation
Cons
- May cost more than your pistol
- Large and blocky, with a surprisingly small window
Specs
- Emitter: Enclosed
- Reticles: 3.25-MOA red dot
- Brightness Settings: 7 daylight, 3 night vision
- Auto On/Off: No
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 0.88” x 0.64”
- Footprint: RMR
- Battery: CR2032
- Country of Origin: USA
If you’ve ever looked at an RMR, a sledgehammer, or a tank and thought, “That looks kind of fragile,” the Trijicon RCR is for you. This absolute anvil of a pistol red dot doubles down on the brand’s reputation for durability with an enclosed emitter and a housing that feels as secure as a bank vault.
The RCR has the most quirky mounting procedure of any pistol red dot I’ve seen. It uses the RMR footprint, so that’s easy enough, but the screws have holes in the side rather than a Torx pattern on the top.
To install the RCR, I slotted the screws into the optic from the side, then lined them up with the holes on the mounting plate, and rotated them from the side about a quarter-turn at a time with the provided tool.
Since a torque wrench doesn’t work with this design, Trijicon includes a paper card that’s marked with lines indicating how far to turn the screws once they feel snug. It’s unconventional, for sure, but this method works and it’s very visual – no expensive torque wrench required. Two screw lengths (with spares for each) and a single-use tube of Loctite come in the hardshell case.
Trijicon red dots typically have a strong tint, and that’s true of the RCR. The windows have a significant purple hue and a noticeable fisheye effect around the edges.
It’s a tradeoff I’ve come to expect with Trijicon’s red dots. I make jokes about them looking like a stained glass window and then use them anyway, because their track record of durability is second to none.
Trijicon takes a less-is-more approach to brightness settings with three for night vision and seven for daylight. It’s a philosophy of speed: in a defensive situation, you don’t need to find the perfect brightness setting eventually; you need to find a usable one right now. Whether you agree with Trijicon is a matter of preference (I do).
The buttons are very stiff, so they don’t offer much tactile feedback, but I appreciate that they’re massive and placed on either side of the optic. That lets me reach for one side or the other (left for up, right for down) and mash it without looking, even through a concealing garment.
My water test didn’t have any effect on the RCR. It’s well-sealed and remained functional throughout.
Have you ever been in a bunker? That’s about what it feels like to aim with the RCR. The housing is massive, and I never forgot that on the range. But the dang thing works. It outshone the bright desert sun like a champ and kept me on target.
I didn’t observe parallax effect, but the fisheye look remained noticeable.
Obviously, the RCR survived the drop test. Surprisingly, so did the steel plate. Unstoppable force, meet immovable object.
Ready for more thoughts on this optic? Check out our Trijicon RCR review!
The clear alternative to the RCR is the Aimpoint ACRO P-2. The Pew Pew Tactical staff debated this at length, and there really isn’t a bad choice between the two.
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The ACRO P-2 has better glass, but it comes with a polarizing mounting footprint. We ultimately gave the RCR an edge in durability,y and, since that’s the whole point of using an enclosed emitter red dot, it won out for this list.
For my money, I’d be happy with either one.
6. Vortex Defender-XL – Best for Competition
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Massive, crystal clear window
- Red and green reticle options in several sizes
- Super crisp dot
Cons
- No multi-reticle option
- Might be easier to find mounting solutions if it used the RMR footprint
Specs
- Emitter: Open
- Reticles: 2-MOA red dot, 5-MOA red dot, 8-MOA red dot, 3-MOA green dot
- Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 2 night vision
- Auto On/Off: Yes
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 1” x 0.92”
- Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Battery: CR2032
- Country of Origin: China
Right now, there’s no better competition pistol optic than the Vortex Defender-XL. Yes, the panoramic glass is incredibly clear, and sure, it’s tough. The Defender-XL is also affordable for the average shooter, which means more money for training ammo, professional instruction, and match fees.
I’ve stood on this soapbox before: nobody optic company does mounting solutions better than Vortex. The Defender-XL comes with a huge assortment of screws that are not only labeled with their thread type, but also which pistols use them. Blue thread-locker is applied, and Vortex provides a torque spec of 10 to 12 inch-pounds when using thread locker.
This red dot uses the DeltaPoint Pro footprint. There’s a Glock MOS plate and a Picatinny mount in the box, as well, so most people should be covered without chasing down a third-party adapter.
This is another option that comes with a silicone cover to protect the optic when you aren’t using it.
The supersized window is crystal clear, with no tint or distortion. That’s one of the main reasons I recommend it for competition, although it’s just as nice on range guns and larger defensive pistols.
The Defender-XL features 10 brightness settings for daylight and two for night vision. That’s a pretty common split, and one I’m content with.
The buttons are fairly large, sit on opposite sides of the optic, and provide the best tactile feedback of the group. They’re smaller than Trijicon’s buttons but have a more positive feel, so I’d say the two brands achieve similar usability through different approaches.
The Defender-XL proved its watertight abilities during my testing. I was very interested to see that the shape of the optic trapped a small air bubble over the emitter, so when I removed it from the water, the LED was completely dry. Nifty!
Shooting with the Defender-XL had me chuckling because the glass is so massive. It felt like cheating at first, and after a few magazines, I started to wonder if I could carry it as my EDC.
The reinforced housing shrugged off the impact from my drop test, and that beautiful pane of glass remained good as new.
If I were going to shoot competitively, this would be an easy pick. It made my shooting faster and more accurate, and I’d never worry about it falling apart on me. A competitive price seals the deal.
The Defender family also includes two smaller optics.
The Defender-ST is more of a duty optic for full-sized pistols, and the Defender-CCW is a compact optic for concealed carry pistols. Red and green dots are available in all three sizes.
It doesn’t seem right to talk about competition pistol red dots without mentioning the Trijicon SRO.
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It’s one of the most popular optics among competitive shooters who put a premium on speed, but it’s also priced out of reach for a lot of recreational shooters.
7. Holosun 507C X2 – Best Solar
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Pros
- Unlimited solar power
- Solid optic for the money
- Available with a red or green dot
Cons
- Solar panel and glossy finish are susceptible to scratches
- Not sure I trust auto-brightness
Specs
- Emitter: Open
- Reticles: 2-MOA red dot, 2-MOA green dot
- Brightness Settings: 10 daylight, 2 night vision
- Auto On/Off: Yes
- Adjustment: 1 MOA
- Window: 0.91” x 0.63”
- Footprint: RMR
- Battery: CR1632
- Country of Origin: China
Battery life – or, more accurately, battery run time – is hard to measure because it depends on several factors, including your own setting selections. One thing we can all agree on is that a solar panel like the one on the Holosun 507C X2 is a great way to put more range time between battery replacements.
Holosun provides two sets of screws (and spares) with the 507C X2. They have the same fine-print labeling as the EPS Carry’s hardware, and once again, it’s up to you to figure out which ones work with your pistol or mounting plate.
The 507C X2 uses the RMR footprint, although Holosun calls it “an industry standard footprint” on the website and in the owner’s manual. According to the manual, screws should be torqued to 15 inch-pounds with non-permanent thread-locking compound.
As I’ve come to expect from Holosun, the glass in the 507c X2 is very clear and free of imperfections and distortion. There’s a purple tint, but only enough to see when I focus on the glass itself. When I sight in on a target, everything looks clear.
The 507C X2 has a fairly standard range of 10 daylight brightness settings and two night vision-compatible settings. The buttons to control brightness and reticle selection are next to each other on the left side of the optic.
Once again, auto-brightness is the way to go at the range, but I’d stick to a carefully selected manual setting for defensive uses. Remember that a dot that’s too bright is suboptimal, but a dot that’s too dim is invisible.
This Holosun has an exposed emitter, but it still handled my water test just fine. I could even see the reticle when I looked through the glass container where it sat submerged.
The 507C X2 adds quite a bit of heft to the slide; I suppose all that solar wizardry has to go somewhere. The multi-reticle is super bright, though, so that’s all I saw once I presented the pistol.
I didn’t notice any parallax effect, and the green LED kept up with the bright midday sun better than red alternatives. Many people find that green dots appear sharper to their eyes, but for me, it’s actually the opposite – do some experimenting and find out what your eyes prefer.
The large, exposed solar panel is more vulnerable than solid metal, but the 507C X2 emerged from my drop test with just a superficial scratch along the leading edge. There was no meaningful damage and no shift in the point of impact.
Still curious? Check out our Holosun 507C review for more info!
Looking for something a little more unique? OpticsPlanet’s OPMOD series gives you the option to get the same great red dot with a splash of color.
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The 507C X2 is available with a red or green multi-reticle. The 407C X2 is a similar optic but with a dot reticle only.
How to Pick the Best Pistol Red Dots
Still not sure how to pick one red dot over another? Here are some factors to consider.
Mounting Footprints
If you already have a pistol, the first thing you need to do is determine which mounting footprint it uses.
Some pistols are cut for a specific pattern. In the case of the Springfield Hellcat Pro from this test, it’s the Shield RMSc footprint.
Other pistols, like this test’s Glock 45 MOS, give you more options by using adapter plates.
This approach lets you pick any optic as long as there’s a factory or aftermarket plate but it also raises the optic higher off the slide. That could block your factory irons, so you might have to buy suppressor-height sights if you want a backup sighting system.
Open vs Enclosed Emitter
The debate over open and enclosed emitters is a spicy topic. People tend to have a strong preference for one or the other, and both camps have valid points.
The emitter is the LED that projects a reticle onto an optic’s window.
Open emitters are exposed to the elements. That makes the optic vulnerable to water and debris that can cover the LED, although that’s uncommon. The good news is that obstructions are generally very easy to clear, and simplicity is often associated with reliability.
Enclosed emitters use two windows instead of one, with the emitter safely tucked away between them. That eliminates the risk of something blocking the emitter.
The downside is increased complexity and potential points of failure. If the seals fail, moisture inside the optic can fog up the windows from the inside, and you won’t be able to wipe it off or use your iron sights.
In the simplest terms, open emitters are more prone to malfunctions, but they’re easy to fix on the fly. Enclosed emitters rarely experience malfunctions, but they’re generally more serious.
Reticle
We colloquially call these optics pistol red dots, but that’s not always strictly accurate.
These days, you can choose from red dots and green dots. Red is more common and typically draws less power from a battery. Green is easier for some people to see, especially those with astigmatism, and might offer better contrast depending on your environment.
You have options when it comes to size, as well. Dots are measured in minutes of angle, with 1 MOA being roughly equivalent to 1 inch at 100 yards. Smaller dots are more precise; larger dots are easier for your eye to find in a hurry. I consider 3-MOA dots to be a sweet spot that works in a range of situations.
In addition to simple dot reticles, you can also get various multi-reticles that let you choose from a dot, a ring, or both. What you choose is a matter of personal preference. If you’re not sure, a multi-reticle will give you the most options.
Optical Quality
Optical quality is key, and it boils down to a few different factors.
First up are distortion and clarity. Some glass warps your view of the target, which is distracting and could obscure finer details. Inexpensive glass may even include imperfections that clutter your view. We want to minimize these effects as much as possible.
Next up is discoloration. You’ll notice that some pistol red dots look perfectly clear, while others have a noticeable tint. That’s likely a choice made by the manufacturer. Clear glass is easier on the eyes, but it drains the battery faster. Tinted glass might make the world look blue, but the battery may last longer.
Another phenomenon you might experience is parallax. Once your reticle is aimed at a target, the dot should ideally stay put when you move your head slightly to the side, up, or down. If it doesn’t, you’re seeing a parallax error, and it can cause you to miss.
Battery Life
Battery run life is a major priority for all manufacturers, because nobody likes swapping out batteries – especially if you have to take your optic off your pistol to do it.
Automatic shutoff features are common. They put your optic to sleep when motion isn’t detected for a certain amount of time. As soon as you move your pistol, the red dot will wake up and be ready before you have time to present it.
Another way to extend battery life dramatically is through solar power. Some pistol red dots have a solar panel that takes over automatically when enough sunlight is available. That allows your battery to shut off and save its energy for later.
Price
As always, you have to consider price when buying a red dot for your pistol.
Are premium optics better than inexpensive ones? Yes, but that may not matter if they’re out of your budget.
It’s better to have a good optic that you train with regularly than factory iron sights and an all-or-nothing attitude.
Meet the Experts
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to picking the best pistol red dots, but at least now you have enough information to make an informed buying decision.
Fair warning, you’re going to end up with more than one – and that’s ok! Come on back and let us know what you bought, and why you chose it.
Are you already using a red dot, or are you still rocking iron sights on your pistol? Let us know in the comments! Looking for more great optics? Come see the Best AR-15 Scopes & Optics!
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If it uses batteries, or has electronics (which I have personally seen fail) it's not going on my weapon. Old school works fine and reliably, and skips the trendy 'feelz' of gizmo purchases.
To each their own. As long as you train and stay proficient, rock on!
What about revolvers red dots? Yes, it is a “thing.” I have a S&W 329 TRR8 that came with detachable Picatinny rails.
It sure is a thing! Check your mounting footprint and have at it. If it's a Pic rail, adapters are easy to come by. Vortex, for one, includes Picatinny mounts with several of the Defender-series dots.
I am surprised you did not have a Eotec red dot I’ve had one for 20 years and still,works well it’s going to need the battery contacts replaced soon it uses 2 AAs after 1000s of rounds thru the AR it’s on it some times goes blank . From what I understand it has a lifetime warranty!
We're big Eotech fans around here, too. Their rifle optics are incredible but the EFLX pistol sight doesn't seem to be on the same level. It sounds like you have one of their 5-series optics, which is a fantastic choice (as you already know). Thanks for reading and chiming in!
About loctite... the new clear looking stuff takes days to set if you goop it on and set the screw. I let it air dry for a few hours before setting the screw. A trick gramps taught me about the old style formula loctite it to use a precision torch to heat the tool for 30 seconds then gently start the screw. When the loctite gets soft the screw will turn easily, torque to spec.
If you re torque same thing, heat the tool 1st.
To remove?
Same thing, heat the torx bit, slow gentle pressure.
The chances of breaking off a screw are far less when using the hot tool method on loctite.
I love these tips, thanks for sharing the wealth!
“Trust the dot: take the shot.”
From your description, it appears that you’re not familiar with the Bindon Aiming Concept. When your brain adapts to seeing the tiny red dot, you see the dot superimposed on your target… you’re not “looking” for anything: you automatically “see” it when the pistol is brought up to eye-level.
Try it: your speed and accuracy will vastly improve.
It is amazing how many shooters I observe closing their non-dominant eye when shooting a red dot sight.
After a year or two of using (almost exclusively) Holosun sights, I’m literally not aware of the pistol sight itself, and I “see” the reticle imposed on my target. This is called the Bindon Aiming Concept — and it works… vastly improving your speed and accuracy.
The Holosun sights are excellent, and I think those hating on them don’t realize just how many attributes and options they offer. That’s alright: let them use their clunky favorites so they can discover that there’s no prize for Second Place in a gunfight.
Some excellent choices made, especially the Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan, which I have on 2 of my 3 favorite carry pistols.
A few thoughts about your choice of theTrijicon sight: first of all, when you replace the battery of this unit, you lose your zero and have to re-aim the sight… a bloody nuisance. Equally annoying is Trijicon’s crappy “We don’t care, we don’t have to” customer service. Their ACOG units were state-of-the-art decades ago and their corporate arrogance was legendary: now they have an immense backlog of radioactive sights (tritium) they have no idea how to deal with or dispose of. They’re still just as arrogant.
Unlike the Trijicon sight, you don’t lose your zero after replacing the battery of these Holosun sights; customer service is superlative, and their products just keep improving. Only downside: made in China.
The Aimpoint sight is a beast.
Maybe Made in the USA would be a good criteria.
How do sig optics stack up
Holosun gets hate but honestly I like them better than any trijicons I have. I tend to agree with a lot of this article. I picked up a sig red dot and came so close to buying it. The circle dot was the clearest I have ever seen. I think the sig optics have been improving their quality steadily and I am starting to consider making the jump on the next one.
$200 is steep for “most affordable”
Thanks for reading! We are getting ready to do a massive overhaul of this article with new recommendations (and some better prices) so keep an eye out.
Good day. I have a Romeo pro as an offset sight on my ar10. Does anyone know of a red dot with on off controls on the right side? Shame I can not post photo.
One more for the perpetual Holographic Vs. Red Dot discussion: My priority is fast acquisition and specifically by being able to look at the target and use the sight at the same time, and suitable for a pistol. Obviously, every reported holographic sight on the market is way to big for any kind of compact pistol and arguably large even for full size, adding 11-13 oz. to the weight of a slide. My internal debate keeps coming back to an old fashioned laser of the "Terminator" school. But, if there were a Red Dot that somehow had the capability to accomplish this particular advantage of Holographic, even if many other features had to be sacrificed, then that would be amazing. Anything even on the horizon, in the next few years? When will there be a Holographic sight half the size and a width closer to one inch than two?
I’m surprised how many American gun enthusiasts find value in Chinese products.
Perhaps someday, when political awareness isn’t what schools primarily teach, we’ll begin producing engineers who will design and fabricate these products, and MBAs who don’t subcontract manufacturing to China so they can double their profit: unwisely for us, everything we have the Chinese build for us becomes their product — which we can’t compete financially with when they begin selling it.
Rifle scope or dot sight, which one is more suitable for AR15 to hunt turkeys? I read an article about ar 15 scopes, but I still have no answer.
If the scope is better, how about this kind of LPVO scope?
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.
SwampFox Sentential is much better than most on the list and at a much better price point too.
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.