Pistol red dot sight
- Thread starter Spo0nFED
- Start date
I went down the road not too long ago for the popular pistol ones for a rifle application. Holosun, Trijicon and Leupold deltapoint were frequently compared against each other at the higher end of the reflex and competitive options. I ended up appealing to the Holosun solar powered stuff in the end, they seem most innovative and working on improving and introducing new with trijicon as 2nd on my list. Start watching YouTubes on them and you'll see which ones guys put head to head etc.
I have two Trijicon SRO's in 2.5 MOA. One for my Production Optics gun and the other for my Open gun. Never had a hiccup from either after many, many thousands of rounds. I've had to change the batteries in each one once - that was it. They are pricey, but you get what you pay for. Hope this helps.
My wife likes the Holosun 507c x2 and I have a few Holosun 507s with the ACSS reticle and they work very well. I have developed a slight astigmatism (getting old sucks) and I found the ACSS has no halo or star effect.
Leupold DPP 6MOA on my production optics. No issues either.
If you are going to run it in competition, look for a) vertical window size and b) warranty.
Taller window helps to keep the dot inside during the recoil cycle.
Warranty - used hard enough, all slide mounted RDS will die sooner or later, “lifetime” warranty is nice to have.
SRO is excellent, expensive
Sig Romeo is worth a look, the bigger Max versions may or may not fit your slide. I have Romeo 1Pro on my backup rig.
Vortex, trij RMR are solid, but they have tiny windows
If you are going to run it in competition, look for a) vertical window size and b) warranty.
Taller window helps to keep the dot inside during the recoil cycle.
Warranty - used hard enough, all slide mounted RDS will die sooner or later, “lifetime” warranty is nice to have.
SRO is excellent, expensive
Sig Romeo is worth a look, the bigger Max versions may or may not fit your slide. I have Romeo 1Pro on my backup rig.
Vortex, trij RMR are solid, but they have tiny windows
Just put a Holosun 507 COMP on a Canik Rival. Sighted it in a couple of days ago. It is fantastic. I suspect I will like it even better after I get the Rival tuned up. Tried a 507C in green due to a slight astigmatism but my eyes like red better so changed it up for a red COMP. I also use a 510C on a SBR which I like, so the COMP seems familiar in a weird way. A couple of Vortex Venom’s on Ruger (Mark II and IV), which also work very well.
I've used Burris FF4, Riton MPRD, Sig Romeo 1 Pro, and a few Holosuns. Now all my OR handguns have Holosun red dots, becasue they are simply better products. If you are on a tight budget then go with 407, if you are after performance then go 507 or 508. If you want platform specific red dot then go with SCS. I prefer ACSS reticle over just the dot and circle, but both work perfectly.
cptseawolf
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
What you can get really depends on the optics footprint of the pistol you want to put it on. There are multiple footprints.
I’ve been running a Holosun 508T on my Glock 34 in IDPA for a couple of years now and haven’t even changed the battery! Good clear optic, no halo. Another one to consider is the Holosun 509T, “T” means titanium housing on both. This is a fully enclosed emitter which is clearer optics. You need to look at some YouTube comparisons and reviews. Both can be found for under $600-$700.
As an aside the Holosun 509T closed emitter is being adopted on Black Box Custom cut Glock 17’s, by Calgary Police in the near future I hear. Some new cut with no plate needed, like a pic mount style, which is lower and no suppressed sights needed just standard sights. Worth a yak with BlackBox if you need your slide cut to get the detailed info.
I had my 508T cut done by them and the stipple work on the frame. I highly recommend BB for their work.
As an aside the Holosun 509T closed emitter is being adopted on Black Box Custom cut Glock 17’s, by Calgary Police in the near future I hear. Some new cut with no plate needed, like a pic mount style, which is lower and no suppressed sights needed just standard sights. Worth a yak with BlackBox if you need your slide cut to get the detailed info.
I had my 508T cut done by them and the stipple work on the frame. I highly recommend BB for their work.
I've been running the same optic on a G17 for about 6 months now (and another as an offset red dot on a carbine). I've been quite impressed with it so far and echo your thoughts on a closed emitter being a blessing here in the PNW, it's real nice having a clear dot when you draw your pistol whilst standing out in the rain.
My biggest issue is that the firearms and optics companies haven't come up with a standard mounting pattern for all systems.
The myriad of combinations of pistol vs optic makes for a plethora of mounting plate adapters which themselves are ridiculously priced.
I've been looking for a solution for my Grand Power Xcalibur for some time now. It came with a plate for a Venom but I was hoping to find something that didn't need a plate so I could mount the optic that 2mm lower into the slide.
Anyone with helpful suggestions?
The myriad of combinations of pistol vs optic makes for a plethora of mounting plate adapters which themselves are ridiculously priced.
I've been looking for a solution for my Grand Power Xcalibur for some time now. It came with a plate for a Venom but I was hoping to find something that didn't need a plate so I could mount the optic that 2mm lower into the slide.
Anyone with helpful suggestions?
Right now it is a Beta v. VHS debate with the mounting pattern.
I think for most service sized pistols the Trijicon RMR cut is going to win. The Doctor / Noblex, Aimpoint micro, Shield and Leopold Deltapoint , among others are all popular, but I'm hedging a bet that where we see the likes of Holosun and a number of other RDS manufacturers have either hooked their wagon or at least offer models in this pattern, that I believe it is the most popular out there.
For a slim slide on a carry pistol the RMSc is popular, but it isn't as versatile or as slim as the RMRcc cut. More compacts will be able to use the RMRcc cut v. the RMSc.
Ultimately it will be the Carry segment (civy CCW, LEO and military) and their demand in the USA that will drive this bus.
I think for most service sized pistols the Trijicon RMR cut is going to win. The Doctor / Noblex, Aimpoint micro, Shield and Leopold Deltapoint , among others are all popular, but I'm hedging a bet that where we see the likes of Holosun and a number of other RDS manufacturers have either hooked their wagon or at least offer models in this pattern, that I believe it is the most popular out there.
For a slim slide on a carry pistol the RMSc is popular, but it isn't as versatile or as slim as the RMRcc cut. More compacts will be able to use the RMRcc cut v. the RMSc.
Ultimately it will be the Carry segment (civy CCW, LEO and military) and their demand in the USA that will drive this bus.
I've been really happy with my Bushnell RXS-250 and the newer RXU-200, but then again I'm not an elite larperator, just a casual pleb running the occasional IDPA match. If I needed something for serious use and abuse I'd probably go with an Aimpoint Acro or some other enclosed sight like a Holosun EPS.
Holosun and Trijicon.
These are the most tested, most reliable dots on the market. Trijicon is the Eotech of the RDS world. Big slow moving company that rarely innovates. But you will not find a more robust sight with the RMR. For competition, there is also the less robust SRS.
Holosun also makes a really really good product and is constantly innovating. Which is why they have a myriad more options than any other company.
The Aimpoint ACRO and the Eotech ELFX also have good track records, however they are newer on the market and do not have the testing the others have.
Avoid the cheaper dots (any thing made by Vortex which has horrible flicker and refresh) while a $150 dot might be fine for plinking on the range, one good hit against a barricade or drop will probably render the dot permanently inoperable.
Also avoid the stupid solar gimmicks (which i wish Holosun would just drop and lower the price on their otherwise excellent products) as they really gain you nothing.
For serious use, look at an enclosed emitter sight. Keeps the crap/belly button lint/weather from messing up your dot.
Worth reading is the Sage Dynamics whitepaper on MRDS for duty use. Aaron has done the most extensive testing of pistol dots you will find. His data is invaluable.
Good luck.
These are the most tested, most reliable dots on the market. Trijicon is the Eotech of the RDS world. Big slow moving company that rarely innovates. But you will not find a more robust sight with the RMR. For competition, there is also the less robust SRS.
Holosun also makes a really really good product and is constantly innovating. Which is why they have a myriad more options than any other company.
The Aimpoint ACRO and the Eotech ELFX also have good track records, however they are newer on the market and do not have the testing the others have.
Avoid the cheaper dots (any thing made by Vortex which has horrible flicker and refresh) while a $150 dot might be fine for plinking on the range, one good hit against a barricade or drop will probably render the dot permanently inoperable.
Also avoid the stupid solar gimmicks (which i wish Holosun would just drop and lower the price on their otherwise excellent products) as they really gain you nothing.
For serious use, look at an enclosed emitter sight. Keeps the crap/belly button lint/weather from messing up your dot.
Worth reading is the Sage Dynamics whitepaper on MRDS for duty use. Aaron has done the most extensive testing of pistol dots you will find. His data is invaluable.
Good luck.
Curlingace
New member
- Location
- London, Ontario
Following this thread. One consideration for me is ease of mounting, dovetail, or if need machine work. I can’t speak to use of, but Burris website show lots of info on mounts with instructions
Just picked up a primary arms rs10, seen little use so far though. If it holds up for the price it seems really well built and has been performing well. I really like the battery access, shake-awake and overall build quality.
Be sure to check out the FTP Optics Alpha 3 Red Dot. It was designed by IPSC Grand Masters for competition use. These are Japanese made optics and warranty is covered out of Canada if something goes wrong. We are happy to answer any questions you may have as well.
This uses the same mounting pattern as the RTS-2. It also has been recently resigned to fit the slide cut on CZ Shadow 2 OR gun with an RTS2 plate.
https://fasttoys.net/ca/FTP-Optics-Alpha-3-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight-V3-Short-Body/
This uses the same mounting pattern as the RTS-2. It also has been recently resigned to fit the slide cut on CZ Shadow 2 OR gun with an RTS2 plate.
https://fasttoys.net/ca/FTP-Optics-Alpha-3-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight-V3-Short-Body/
