Pistol Red Dot - What size dot?

androoze said:
For those who run a red dot on their pistols, what moa size dot do you prefer? Thinking of grabbing a holosun 407c and there's a good deal on a 2moa version but I'm wondering if that dot is too small to run on a pistol? I currently run irons on all my pistols.

Most info I read online is all about defensive carry you want 6moa so you can find the dot faster. Seeing as we are range toy only in the free state of Canada, what do you recommend?
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Before you buy a sight, see if there is one you can try out at a range. I test drove a friend's and had terrible trouble finding the damn dot. Holosun has a 507 that incorporates a dot with a very large circle around it (VSS Vulcan reticle IIRC) which greatly helps with finding the dot.



beltfed said:
Another option is the Holosun 507 with the ACSS chevron. Very happy with the two I have..
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Yes, this is the one I have and it seems to work well.
 
^The ACSS Vulcan is a chevron just FYI. I actually just bought a 507C with that reticle. Seems pretty useful. I believe most or all of the newer Holosuns have an option for dot, circle, dot with circle etc. No need to buy the Vulcan.

 
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73582 said:
Any experience with Burris fastfire 4? Dont want to spend $900 to 1000 on a red dot for my pistol, thinking the burris would suit me for what I do, I dont compete.
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The Holosun 507 can be had for $550 - $600. It's totally worth the price. The shake-awake feature is really nice.
 
73582 said:
Any experience with Burris fastfire 4? Dont want to spend $900 to 1000 on a red dot for my pistol, thinking the burris would suit me for what I do, I dont compete.
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Holosun is my goto even on my carry guns but the SRO is my favorite
 
Thanks you 2, ill look into the Holosun. In your opinion/ experience, is the "green easier to see than red" a reliable claim? When looking at my aimpoint pro on a brighter setting the dot does appear smeared, i have just got used to turning the setting dimmer.
 
Just about every high level competition shooter will be using 6-8 MOA. Personally, I have always run the 8 MOA but have recently been working with our new 10 MOA FTP Alpha 3 dot and love it.

You do not want a small MOA dot which requires you to turn it up until the dot flares. You want a nice crisp dot which makes calling your shots easier.

IPSC GM
USPSA M
Ranked as high as 2nd in Open in Canadian Nationals
 
73582 said:
Thanks you 2, ill look into the Holosun. In your opinion/ experience, is the "green easier to see than red" a reliable claim? When looking at my aimpoint pro on a brighter setting the dot does appear smeared, i have just got used to turning the setting dimmer.
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I’ve never used green dots but when looking through them at the store they don’t seem any easier to my eyes

With that said, I don’t doubt that some people find them easier
 
Fast Toys said:
Just about every high level competition shooter will be using 6-8 MOA. Personally, I have always run the 8 MOA but have recently been working with our new 10 MOA FTP Alpha 3 dot and love it.

You do not want a small MOA dot which requires you to turn it up until the dot flares. You want a nice crisp dot which makes calling your shots easier.

IPSC GM
USPSA M
Ranked as high as 2nd in Open in Canadian Nationals
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hmm interesting. You sound like a person who would know, so is this because it is easier to get on target faster, or does it assist accuracy?
 
Center is always center. Are you shooting at a 2moa target or a torso sized one? Are you shooting for group size or hits on the clock?

You can also setup for 6oclock hold. The dot is just 3x as big and that much easier to find and aim with. I am very surprised so many people are saying 2moa here.... I had a 3 and even then it seemed small to me on the GSG

My potentially false assumption is all those people shoot inside a range and from a stationary firing line at 15-20y
 
Results of a 6MOA dot at 10 yards. This is 10 shots. I can do this all the time. Even that bad shot. lol! I shoot the same sports as Fast Toys. I’m just not as good as he is. :cheers:

FE6-C7-FD4-1-B6-F-4-E17-891-E-4-CC046-C1-D75-F.jpg


Re: colour: think about your background. Shooting fast and lots of green around the target? A green dot might not be helpful. See if you can try one where you normally shoot.
 
Gindryden said:
hmm interesting. You sound like a person who would know, so is this because it is easier to get on target faster, or does it assist accuracy?
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It's easier to get on target faster, stands out in bright sunlight and easier to track the dot under recoil. A crips round dot is essential. Some brands are not round at all and I have seen one that look like a snowman on it's side. I don't even know how you could consistently aim like that or track it. Some small dots will wash out in the sunlight too.

You can check out the FTP Optics Alpha 3 here:

https://fasttoys.net/ca/FTP-Optics-Alpha-3-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight-V3-Short-Body/

a3_shortbody_main.jpg
 

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I run a 407 Comp on my Shadow2. I leave it set on the 2moa dot and just increase/decrease the brightness to suit the lighting. On close up targets I'll crank up the brightness and the dot basically starbursts to look bigger. For stages with distance shots I'll dial it down for for more precision.
 
It depends what you want to do with them; my dot usage is strictly steel challenge, so big dot = good. If you needed to be accurate (Like, more accurate than minute of plate) at range, a big fat don't isn't what you're after. Then optic quality comes in to play; a nice bright crisp 3MOA dot is going to be as visible as a bigger dot in a cheaper optic, and it won't cover too much of the target when you get out there.

Dnu69 said:
Depends a bit on what you are planning to use it for. I put a Holosun 507COMP on my Canik Rival a while back and it is awesome. Had tried the 507C which is also nice but the COMP is outstanding. Also run a couple of Vortex Venoms (3MOA), they are also good but I am tempted to upgrade at least one of them to the COMP.
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I have HS507comps on both of my open rimfire steel challenge guns. The dot with the 8MOA circle is awesome.
 
I run 3 MOA red dots on my pistols (Vortex and Burris) and have no issues with speed or accuracy. I Tried a 6 MOA dot but IMO its way too big for a pistol (unless accuracy is not your thing). I moved the 6 MOA dot to my 1301 tactical.
 
Speed and accuracy are relative to the shooting sport you are participating in. We are IPSC and USPSA competitors so speed and accuracy are weighted in your hit factor by a mathematical formula. The higher your hit factor, the better you do on the stage. Shots are typically in the 3-25 yard range but some matches do have targets out to 50 yards.
 
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