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
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Editor’s Pick
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Gold Standard
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Best Affordable Option
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Best for Competiton
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Best Enclosed Emitter Micro Dot
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Best Overall Micro Dot
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Most Affordable Micro
Table of Contents
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How We Tested the Best Pistol Red Dots
Input for this article came from the editorial team at Pew Pew Tactical after extensive testing with each model on a variety of firearms. Our team is comprised of former law enforcement, competition shooters, and concealed carry instructors.
For this assessment, we mounted each optic on carry and competition pistols and ran thousands of rounds through them at the range. We evaluated them based on durability, reliability, battery life, features, reticle, and value.
Best Open Emitter Mini Red Dots
Let’s get started with standard open emitter pistol red dots for full-size and compact handguns.
1. Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
Specs
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!
2. Trijicon RMR Type 2 – Gold Standard
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
Specs
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.
3. Primary Arms SLx RS-10 – Best Affordable Option
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
Specs
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. Holosun 507Comp – Best for Competiton
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Massive viewing window
- Outstanding battery life
- Durable
- Competition reticle system
Cons
- No option for a larger center dot
- No solar failsafe
Specs
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.
5. Holosun EPS Carry MRS – Best Enclosed Emitter Micro Dot
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
Specs
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.
6. Holosun HS507K X2 – Best Overall Micro Dot
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Multi-reticle system
- Shake-awake
- Night vision capable
Cons
- No solar failsafe
Specs
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 a multi-reticle system, meaning it has a 2 MOA center dot and a 32 MOA outer ring.
Pioneered by EOTech, the circle-and-dot combo is perfect for precise shots and also quick acquisition of 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.
7. Primary Arms Classic Micro – Most Affordable Micro
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Super affordable
- Great battery life
- Crisp and bright 3 MOA dot
Cons
- No shake-awake
- Bottom-mounted battery requires sight removal to change
Specs
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.
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
8. Aimpoint ACRO P-2
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
Specs
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.
9. Steiner MPS – Best Affordable Enclosed Emitter
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Clear glass, crisp dot
- Decent price
- Duty-grade
Cons
- No shake-awake function
- Shorter battery life
Specs
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.
Honorable Mentions
Trijicon RMRcc
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Bomb-proof build quality
- Crisp 3.25 or 6 MOA dot
- Great battery life
Cons
- Needs an adapter plate to fit most firearms
Specs
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.
Vortex Defender CCW
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Durable aluminum housing
- Motion activated
- 9,500 hour battery life
Cons
- No auto-adjust for brightness
Specs
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.
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Large viewing window
- Clear glass
- Shake-awake
- Top-loading battery
Cons
- Low battery life
- Control scheme is sub-optimal
- Not night vision compatible
Specs
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.
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.
Latest Updates
- May 16, 2024: After additional testing, we moved three models to the Honorable Mentions section. Added supplemental data to each product recommendation and also expanded on how we tested each red dot.
- March 10, 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.
140 Leave a Reply
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.
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?