 Tired of squinting at your iron sights to get the perfect focus? Show
Equipping your pistol with a good reflex / red dot sight will let you:
… And of course, your gun will have that nice bright red dot pointing wherever you aim. Top Pick
The Venom Red Dot Sight-3 MOA promotes rapid target acquisition while providing a precise point of aim; getting shots down range and on target fast. The Venom's aluminum housing ensures this unit will stand up to whatever you throw at it. To find the best pistol red dots on the market, we went out and reviewed 16 different red dot reflex sights. As a result, we picked out the following sights that are best in their specific categories - for pistols specifically. Plus 3 models below for altenatives, making a total of 9. Click the links below to jump to the reviews:
Ready? Let’s get started… Best Pistol Red Dots / Reflex Sights: 30-Second Summary
Compare Best Red Dot / Reflex Sights For PistolsNote: Tap the blue links below to check the latest price.
Note: The sights reviewed in this article are compatible with most handgun models – including the popular Glock 17/19/21 (all gens), Springfield XD, 1911’s, and even revolvers. Feel free to double-check, but there is usually a way to fit these reflex sights with most handguns. 1. Vortex Optics Venom - Best Pistol Red Dot Reflex Sight For Most People (Value For Money)Click Here For Latest Price Buy From OpticsPlanet Why It's Our #1 PickVortex Venom checks all of our criteria for the best pistol reflex sight:
Most importantly, Vortex Venom has been used and abused in the field for years - handling anything from competition shooting to tactical training - and it never fails to impress, especially when compared to more expensive reflex sights. But what is it makes Vortex Venom better than the competition - especially Burris FastFire III that retails for about the same price? Competition: Vortex Venom vs. Burris FastFire IIIVortex Venom and the runner-up Burris Fastfire III are practically equal in terms of their quality, price, and features. Both reflex sights have crisp dots and have no trouble retaining their zeros though longer shooting sessions. They're both great, time-tested beginner reflex sights. You have people vouching for both of them. Still, after taking a closer look we prefer Vortex Venom over Burris FastFire III for the following 4 reasons:
Additional featuresThe auto power off feature hits in after about 14 hours of use to save battery. The red dot optic is easy to adjust. Standard windage and elevation adjustment dials give out an audible click when you turn them. 1 click = 1 MOA. Battery access from the top - no need to unmount the scope to change the battery. Things To Watch Out ForChanging the battery is the most common complaint with Vortex Venom. Some people find it difficult to fasten the cap without cross-threading. You'll have to apply some force to screw down the cover. With higher brightness settings your dot will get larger and won't be as crisp. This is normal and will happen on all scopes in this price range. Finally, defects happen as these sights are made in the Philippines. But Vortex is known for offering one of the best warranties on the market. If your product is not 100%, you will get a replacement in no time. Bottom LineAt half the price of a military red dot, Vortex Venom is a bargain. You won't find a better bang for your buck than this. Considering the specs that you're getting, Vortex Venom is easily the best pistol red dot sight for the money that you can buy. It's the best entry-level red dot optic for Glock MOS & most other popular mounting systems. Burris Fastfire III is the only illuminated red dot that comes close, but Vortex Venom is slightly better than Burris, as you'll find out below. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
2. Burris Fastfire III - The Runner-Up Value For Money Pistol Reflex SightClick Here For Latest Price Buy From OpticsPlanet Why It's Our #2 PickBurris FastFire III is another good reflex sight for the money, but lands slightly below Vortex Venom in our ranking. Let's Take A Closer LookThe illuminated dot is visible in all light conditions, including on a bright sunny day. Auto adjustment of the brightness works well when moving from the shade to bright light. Simplicity is one area where Burris Fastfire III does beat Vortex Venom. With one button for brightness adjustment and one button for auto-mode, FastFire III is easier to operate. Especially your firearm is concealed, you'd have no trouble adjusting the illumination without taking it out. Three illumination modes are easier to remember and one illumination adjustment button is easier to operate. Battery access from the top means that you don't have to remove your scope when changing the battery. No re-zeroing. No complaints about the screen or the sight picture - everything works as it should with Burris. Things To Watch Out ForThere are no clicks when you're adjusting elevation/windage. The battery life may not be as long as advertised. I've seen reports that if you keep this one on Auto mode, the battery will last anywhere from 350 to 1,000 hours (as opposed to the 11,000 hours they advertise). The red dot sight blurs and loses its form on higher brightness settings. You can have quality problems. But like Vortex above, Burris offers a lifetime warranty and will replace any product that is not 100%. Bottom LineGet Burris Fastfire III if you want a scope that you can adjust while your gun is concealed. Otherwise, Vortex Venom beats it in every regard. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
3. Trijicon RMR Type 2 Red Dot - Best Military-Grade Low Profile Mini Pistol Reflex SightClick Here For Latest Price Buy From OpticsPlanet Why It's Our #3 PickTrijicon RMR Type 2 is the KING of reflex sights. This is a proper military red dot. It will always work when you need it to. Trijicons are known for being the most expensive reflex sights, but they're well worth the money if you're looking for the best reflex sight out there. Let's Take A Closer LookTrijicon RMR is probably the toughest red dot sightout there. The casing on Trijicon is thicker than Leupold Deltapoint, Sig Sauer Romeo 1, and Vortex Razor - sights that are all in the same weight class when it comes to price. It will stand up to any kind of abuse without losing its functionality. This is not a sight that you have to be "gentle" with. The quality of optics is top-notch - the screen has a bluish tint and the sight picture is very clear. Not as clear and big as on Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, but then again Trijicon RMR works well with night vision while DeltaPoint Pro is that night vision compatible. Controls are easy to use. There are 8 manual settings for brightness, as well as the auto-adjust mode. From my experience, the auto mode on this one works better than on cheaper sights like Burris and Vortex. I used to have a Trijicon RMR on my EDC Glock with the auto setting on 100% of the time. The illuminated dot had no trouble adjusting to light conditions automatically - it's bright enough in the sun and dim enough in the dark. Trijicon comes with 3-5 years of battery life. On a single battery. I don't know how they do it, but that battery life just blows their competition out of the water. Side note: Imagine this - you get a reflex sight when you're 30 and the next time you have to change it is when you're 33. Incredible. Things To Watch Out ForYou have to unmount the red dot optic to change the battery. Not a big problem, considering that you only need to do it once in 4 years. The window is slightly smaller than on some of the competitors - DeltaPoint Pro and Vortex Razor. Note that you'll have to buy the waterproofing sealing plate separately - it's not included with the sight. For Glock MOS or Springfield OSP, you need to get this one instead. If you go for Trijicon RMR, make sure you go for Trijicon RMR Type 2, not type 1. Type 1 is the previous version and had problems with shock-proofing on the battery. So the laser would start to flicker when shooting. Of course, Trijicon replaced the defective sights back then, but now they seem to have fixed the problem with their Type 2. Bottom LineTrijicon has 3 advantages over the other reflex sights in the same price class:
If you want these, go for the Trijicon. It's the best rmr you can get for most handguns (and rifles) out there. It's the best RMR for Glock 19, Springfield, 1911, etc. It's also the best red dot for rimfire pistols, since it functions equally well with rimfire and centerfire configurations. Last but not least, Trijicon RMR is also one of the smallest low-profile pistol red dots on the market. So if you're looking for a micro/mini reflex sight for your handgun for e.g. concealed carry purposes, you might have to invest a little bit more go for Trijicon RMR regardless, even if you can get better bang for the buck with Vortex & Burris. Red dots on pistols are notoriously cumbersome when concealed carrying, so if you're planning to use this with your ccw, the lower profile is absolutely worth investing in. But if you don't need the night vision compatibility and could live with shorter battery life, check out the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro below. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
4. Leupold Delta Point Pro - Best Screen / Motion Activated Pistol Red Dot Reflex Sight, Competition PickLeupold Delta Point Pro is another professional reflex sight and a strong competitor to Trijicon RMR. Both sights are top of the line when it comes to quality and features. And while Trijicon RMR is better overall, Leupold retails cheaper and has a couple of important upsides over the RMR that I want to talk about. Let's Take A Closer LookLeupold has a bigger, clearer glass than the Trijicon RMR above. The unobstructed, wide field of view will let you acquire targets faster. Dot performance is 90% - it works in all light conditions except for night vision. Maybe you need it, maybe you don't - that's for you to decide. But if you need night vision, then definitely go for Trijicon. There are 8 illumination settings along with an automatic setting. Motion-sensed activation is a battery-saving mode that other red dots don't have. In this mode, Leupold stays turned off until you move your firearm. The slightest movement will activate the laser's motion sensor technology - good for reacting at a moment's notice. The battery is top-changing and you won't have to remove your sight to change it. Adjusting elevation and windage is easy and you can hear audible clicks when you turn the screw. Great warranty - you get a lifetime warranty from Leupold on the scope. But note that Leupold doesn't cover shipping costs when you send the scope back for the warranty. Finally, the sight comes with a very nice rubberized cover to protect it in storage. Things To Watch Out ForThe sight doesn't perform well with night vision. What happens is that the glass of the sight reflects the dot too much and it's impossible to get a good aim with it. See the video below for more info and a demonstration. DeltaPoint Pro comes without the mounting hardware, so you'll have to purchase it separately. The button to change brightness is right in front of the window. When changing brightness, you won't see the result right away, because the window will be covered by your finger. It's not a critical flaw, but I prefer laser dots with buttons on the sides. You can expect around 6-12 months of battery life out of this laser sight. Battery life is another area where DeltaPoint Pro is weaker than Trijicon RMR. Bottom LineThere are 2 questions that you (and every other shooter thinking of buying it) need to answer here with this red dot:
If you answered "yes" to either one of these, skip Leupold and go for Trijicon RMR. Otherwise, Leupold's your thing. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
Trijicon RMR vs. Leupold DeltaPoint Pro video:
If you're a competitive shooter, you should also take a look at Trijicon SRO as well. It's designed with a maximized field of view and a clean, crisp red dot that deliver improved pistol accuracy in competitive-shooting and target-shooting applications. Unlike the mini RMR which is more on the tactical side. 5. Ade Advanced Optics Huracan - Best Budget Pistol Red Dot Reflex Sight Under 100"Advanced" is not the first word that I would use to describe ADE's Huracan pistol rds reflex sight. It's a budget Chinese-made reflex that comes with the bare necessities. Some people compare these to Burris FF 3 and Vortex Venom, saying that ADE gets the job done for a quarter of the price. We respectfully disagree. Let's Take A Closer LookThis red dot is bigger and heavier than Burris/Vortex. But the most important thing to know about ADE reflex sight is that it works... unless you get a defective model. The sight holds its zero on firearms, which can't be said for other budget sights. There are 5 illumination levels. The sight has memory - when you turn it on it activates on the last setting. There is no auto mode. You have the standard windage/elevation adjustments. The dot is slightly distorted when compared to more expensive scopes, but at the end of the day it still looks like a dot and works fine. The pistol rds shuts off automatically after an hour to save battery. It comes with a:
Things To Watch Out ForQuality problems are common with this red dot - the sight turning off and losing its zero. Unlike the companies above, ADE doesn't come with a lifetime warranty. Inspect your unit carefully when you get it. You might have to purchase a separate adaptor plate for this sight - for which you'll have to pay extra. And don't expect much from the battery - I've read reports of it failing after a few weeks. To change the battery, you'll have to take the sight off the gun. Bottom LineKeep in mind that getting a cheap red dot reflex sight is a bit like playing the lottery - you never know if you're going to get a defective product or not. ADE's sight gets you decent value for your money - if you keep an eye on defective models and send them back. It's also a good sight to try out reflex sights for the first time. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
6. Ohuhu Reflex Sight - Cheapest Budget Pistol Red Dot Sight Under 50, Affordable Pick #2"A red dot sight for twenty bucks? Are you kidding me?" Nope. Ohuhu's Red Dot is one of the many Chinese mass-produced red dot sights on the market. This model is sold under many different brands and retails for around $20. Ohuhu's version is the most popular, so I decided to take a closer look myself. This sight is far, far away from being "the best" red dot sight... but I was wondering whether a $20 sight can get the job done without:
Let's Take A Closer LookThe start looks promising. The case is made out of aluminum, which is a decent deal for what you're paying. But generally... the reviews on this sight are mixed. On one side you have people saying that they're impressed with the quality. But I suspect that these people didn't use the sight. Or didn't use it on a firearm, at least. Because on the other side, there is folk having all kinds of issues with this red dot. Here are some of the common complaints that I could find:
Bottom LineIt's hard to recommend Ohuhu for guns - even for pistols. This sight is made for airsoft, BB and crossbows. Not guns. It will lose its zero and who knows what other problems you might encounter. Then again, this sight can give you the basic idea about how reflex sights work - and whether or not you'd want to use one at all. So, if you're a beginner and you don't know whether you should get a red dot for your gun - that is the one scenario where I can recommend Ohuhu. But even then you're better off going with ADE. Check Today's Price On Amazon Specs & Features
7. HOLOSUN HS407K X2 Open Reflex Red Dot SightCheck Latest Price A lightweight yet tough aluminium sight from Holosun’s reflex range. There’s plenty to say of how tough this little guy is. It’s made from sturdy 7075 T6 Aluminum, and still manages to be the lightest of Holosun’s range, clocking in at just 28g. Some say the frame is a little bit thick, and to be fair it does mean your field view isn’t as wide as it could be, but this is often a trade off of aluminum red dots. It’s completely waterproof, and offers adjustments for windage and for the height of the sight itself. New changes to this specific model include larger illumination buttons that are easier to press, so you can access any of the 12 brightness settings with ease. Previous models had smaller buttons that you really had to get your nail in to press. The HS407K is also available as a green dot sight for anyone who has trouble seeing red, and the dot itself is well-defined with no star effect around the outside. Being a compact unit, it’s powered by a 1632 battery as opposed to the standard 2032, but what’s nice about this reflex sight is that the battery is accessible from the side of the unit, meaning you dont have to remove it from your pistol and then re-zero the sight. Not that you’ll need to be changing the battery a whole lot anyway, given the HS407K rates battery life at 50,000 hours, but it’s still a handy little feature. Bottom line: One of the sturdiest reflex sights around. Pros:
Cons:
8. Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Ultra Compact Open Reflex Pistol SightCheck Latest Price A straight up and down red dot sight for sub-compact pistols. Crimson Trace make a bunch of great gear for gun enthusiasts, and the CTS-1550 really nails it. This sight is crafted out of some form of toughened polymer, which is strong and lightweight, but perhaps won’t stand up to the same abuse as a stainless or aluminum sight. It fits the RMS footprint with it’s industry-standard J-Point mounting interface, and offers great battery life from a single 2032 fitted on the underside. One cool feature of the CTS-1550 is that it automatically detects the lighting conditions in your environment and adjusts the brightness of your dot accordingly Bottom line: Lightweight and compact, perfect for handguns that meet the same criteria. Pros:
Cons:
9. Sig Sauer Romeo Zero SOR01300 Reflex SightCheck Latest Price A large sight window and huge battery life make the SOR01300 a solid contender. Sig Sauer SOR01300 is a really capable red dot, with some cool features. The polymer body is tough, and even features addition irons (not iron though) at the rear, so you’ve got a backup method for zeroing in on your shot in a pinch. That said, the battery life is said to be circa 10 years (based on normal use), so it’s not like this is really going to be a problem. The great part about that is you won’t need to be too stressed about conserving charge, and can feel comfortable simply leaving the red dot on while you’re carrying. The optic itself has a slight bluish tinge, which will suit some and not others, and the red dot itself is crisp and accurate. One thing we love about the Sig Sauer SOR01300 is it’s huge sight window, which is surprising given the compactness of the optic itself. Add to that the Sig Sauer SOR01300’s 8 daytime brightness settings and it’s available configurations as a 3 or 6 MOA red dot unit, and you’ve got a fair few options going on. Bottom line: Pros:
Cons:
Pistol Red Dots / Reflex Sights Buyer’s GuideRed Dot TypesThere are three different types of red dots out there:
And I know what you're thinking - "I'll go for the dual red dot for my pistol, it has both tritium and LED - the best of both worlds." ...Not so fast. The good thing about tritium is that it has no battery. It relies on tritium tubes that have a half-life of about 10 years. But tritium sights can't pick up the dot in some light conditions. Which makes them less reliable than LED dots. So if you want a red dot that will work in all light conditions for your handgun, keep things simple and get yourself an LED sight that most people use. The only thing you have to worry about with LED sights it the battery. The good thing is that the battery will last you for at least a year on a proper sight, if not more (Trijicon lasts for 3+ years on one battery). So as long as you keep a track of that, you'll be fine. Upgrade Pick
World-renowned for its innovative applications of tritium and advanced fiber-optics, Trijicon manufactures the most advanced riflescopes and sights for tactical and sporting applications. What Does MOA Mean / Stand For?MOA on your red dot sight is basically the size of your red dot. The bigger the MOA (Minute Of Action), the bigger the dot. The two most common MOA sizes for red dots are 3 and 6, which we'll take a closer look in just a second. 3 MOA vs 6 MOA: Which Red Dot Size Is Best For Pistols?Another common question I hear about pistol red dots is - "Which MOA size should I go for?" Let's take a look. Bigger dots - there is a common misconception that a bigger dot will help you aim and acquire your target faster. I'm talking about 6.5 or even 9 MOA dots here. That's simply not the case - they will not help you acquire your target faster. The main downside of a bigger dot is that you won't be able to take a precision shot at a distance. The size of the dot is going to cover up your target - and you won't see it. We recommend 3 MOA dot or smaller - Because it can do everything that a bigger dot can do, and will allow you to take precision shots at a distance. If your dot's not visible enough, you just dial up the brightness. For most shooters, 3 MOA dots strike the right balance. Basically, a 3 MOA dot will do what the 6 MOA dot does, but not the other way around. Also Great
The FastFire 3 is the best selling red dot sight from Burris. Light and tough, the FastFire 3 series puts an unmistakable, bright red dot on your target to give you an immediate speed and accuracy advantage. Reflex Sight vs. Red Dot On A Pistol: (Almost) The Same ThingFor the most part, reflex sight is just another name for a red dot sight:
You should keep this difference in mind, but just know that for the most part when people are talking about pistol red dots, they actually mean reflex sights. How To Mount A Pistol Reflex SightThe easiest and the cheapest way is to get a Glock MOS. It's already cut out for the red dot sight and you won't need to make any additional modifications. With other handguns, it's going to depend on the model. Most sights fit Springfield OPS as well. Sometimes you'll need to get an additional mount for the scope. Whatever your pistol model, there is usually an intuitive way to fit a red dot sight on it. This includes:
How Do Red Dot Reflex Sights Work?The technology behind red dot sights is surprisingly simple. In a modern reflex red dot sight, a battery is used to power a single LED. This LED projects either a red or green light onto a concave lens. Thanks to a special coating of the lens, that illuminated point becomes visible to your eye, and you can use it to aim the gun. To put it simply, an LED on your reflex sight shines a beam of light onto a specially coated, slightly angled piece of glass. That glass reflects the light from an LED onto it, creating your reticle. This allows you to see your reticle and see through your optic, but someone on the other side of the optic cannot see your reticle. Burris optics has a great article with more information on how red dots work. 3 Different Pistol Red Dot Sight Price Ranges (You Get What You Pay For)There are basically 3 price classes when it comes to pistol reflex sights. From the 16 red dots we reviewed for this article, all of them were either:
And after reviewing the quality, here's what we have to say about each of them. Sub-$100 Budget Red Dots / Reflex SightsEvery reflex sight in this price range is mass-produced in China. We're lumping them all together because you won't see a significant difference in quality between a $100 reflex sight and a $40 reflex sight. It's the same models from China sold under different brands. Most of these cheap sights work and even hold their zero. But they're not durable, and they're not reliable. You never know when it's going to lose its zero or break down on you. Defects are common. They're good for trying out the sight, and seeing if a red dot is something that you could possibly work with. But if you're looking for a reliable pistol sight, you're better off saving up some money for a proper mid-price-range sight (like Burriss or Vortex) than going for one of the cheaper ones. ~$200 Red Dots / Reflex SightsThis is the sweet spot when it comes to bang for your buck. These are your competition/recreational red dot sights with Burris Fastfire III and Vortex Venom leading the way. They're both good sights that check all the boxes. It's the best choice if you want a sight that you can rely on, but you don't feel like shelling out $400-$500 for a Trijicon or a Leupold. Compared to the $400+ category, build quality and dot glare on higher illumination settings are the main shortcomings of these sights. They hold their zero well, and you can only lose it if you drop your gun with one of these on. $400+ Red Dots / Reflex SightsIn this price range, you're getting legit field/duty use scopes. They're often U.S.-made according to military specs and will handle anything you throw at them. These sights have virtually no downsides and will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it. This category is where Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Sig Sauer Romeo 1 and Vortex Razor live. How To Shoot With A Pistol Reflex SightHere's the best video that I've found showing how to properly aim & shoot with a red dot:
Reflex / Red Dot Sights On Pistols: Pros & ConsPros Of Pistol Red Dots / Reflex Sights1. Shooting at the distance - Red dots are unparalleled when you're shooting at the distance, especially when compared to iron sights. At 25 yards, your iron sights will almost completely cover the target, making any fine-tuning of your aim difficult. With an optic like a reflex sight, you'll have an unobstructed view of your target. All you need to do is line up the dot and fire. 2. Shooting on the move - Shooting on the move with accuracy is easier with the red dot - for obvious reasons. 3. Target transition/acquisition - Target transitions are slightly easier with a reflex sight, at least in my experience. There are many people arguing about this, but I've found mine to be better with a red dot, rather than without. 4. Shooting in low light environments - This is one of the greatest advantages of the reflex sight. An important thing to watch out for is not having your red dot turned up too much. If your dot is too bright for the environment, it will blind you completely when you present your gun. You have to know your operating environment beforehand so that you can adjust your dot brightness accordingly. 5. Night vision - When you have night vision with a reflex sight it is very obvious where you're aiming. But of all the reflex sights on the list, I'm only 100% certain about Trijicon RMR performing in night vision settings. 6. Threat Focusing - Finally, red dots allow you to threat focus better. It's extremely difficult to aim properly in real-life situations where you're being threatened by an actual attacker. Because, when you're pointing your gun at the attacker, you'd have to pull your focus away from the threat to the sights of your gun to aim properly. And that's hard to do, especially without professional training. You're "focusing" on the threat. A reflex sight will allow you to ignore your sights. You just look on your red dot and it's right there on the attacker. The ability to threat focus is probably the most important upside that you get from a red dot sight, especially if you're planning to use it for self-defense. 7. After you've gotten used to it, you'll find that shooting with a reflex sight is more intuitive. You won't need to focus on your rear sights when engaging a target, which is one less thing to worry about especially in stressful situations. Cons Of Pistol Red Dots / Reflex SightsYou need to train to use red dots - If the alignment of your handgun is wrong when you pull it out, you won't see the reflex sight at all. You'll need to practice the alignment of your gun when you draw/present it, especially if you're not a professional, It's susceptible to the elements - If a little drop of rain falls on the spot where the LED is coming from, it will distort the laser. If anything got in the way of that laser - like a leaf or a feather - you could lose your dot completely. It's unlikely, but with iron sights you can be 100% sure that this won't happen. Reflex sights run on batteries and batteries can fail - The good news is that batteries on these are designed to last for years. If you switch the battery every six months (just to be sure) you're going to be fine. Mechanical/electronic failure possibility. There are electronics inside a reflex sight - a contact can go out, the glass can break, the frame can break, and so on. If you get a good reflex sight, it'll be built like a tank, and you'll have a hard time breaking it no matter what you do. But with a strong enough knock in the right place - for example, dropping your pistol on the ground - any red dot can break. Could potentially lose its zero - This is a possibility on cheaper scopes and doesn't generally apply to more expensive/professional ones. But it is a scenario that you should be ready for. You can "lose" the red dot. Red dot sights have a small screen. If you don't align your firearm perfectly when drawing it, there is a chance that you could lose the dot. Another problem is that red dot reflex sights don't give you the same visual cues as iron sights, which means that you might have a hard time finding the dot again. This is fine in normal situations - you have time. But under stress, you might not be able to find the dot until it is too late. That's why training with reflex sights is so important. Not super-useful at close range. Your reflex sight's main purpose is making your pistol more accurate at long range. For your average self-defense situation - think under 15 feet or so - there isn't much to gain from having a red dot on your pistol. Make concealed carry more difficult. Red dot sights are not really built for concealed carry, at least not most of them. They're bulky, and can be hard to fit into a holster. Comfort is of utmost importance when concealed carrying, and chances are that you will have a better time without your reflex sight than with it, if you need to concealed carry for extended periods of time. Using A Red Dot vs Using Iron Sights On PistolsA red dot will allow you to aim & threat-focus faster than using iron sights on your pistol. That's because when shooting with a red dot, you only have align the dot and your target. With iron sights, you have both the front & rear sight to worry about (plus the target), which takes more work. To summarize:
Frequently Asked QuestionsAre Red Dots / Reflex Sights On Pistols Worth It?Red dots on pistols are worth it when you’re looking for better accuracy, especially over medium & long-range distances. With a reflex sight, you don’t have to change focal planes as with iron sights, as the dot is always on the same plane as your target. This makes reflex sights superior to iron sights. With practice, using a red dot sight will improve the accuracy of your shots. How Much Is A Red Dot For A Pistol?Quality pistol red dots retail anywhere from $200 “bang for the buck models” (Burris, Vortex, etc.) to $500+ professional military-grade reflex sights (Trijicon, Leupold Delta, etc.). If you’re looking for a reliable optic, you should not go below $200 with your budget. But if you’re only looking to try out a rmr, then feel free to go for one of the cheaper airsoft models retailing around $50 give or take. Should Pistol Reflex Sights Stay On When Not In Use?This is a matter of preference. If you have a proper dot, it will have an auto-off feature to save battery life when you’re not using it. Most people keep their red dots on while the pistol is in daily use, and turn them off when the pistol is in the safe. Do Military & Special Forces Use Red Dots On Pistols? Which models?The short answer is that yes, military does use reflex sights on pistols, special forces included. Pistol red dots in the military are much more common now than they were before, and most agree that they’re the future of pistol optics as the technology keeps getting better. The military uses professional reflex sights from brands like - Trijicon, Aimpoint, Leupold, EOTech etc. You’ll find that these models are about twice the price of a regular, consumer red dot. What Distance Is A Reflex Sight Good For?Red dot optics are good for a maximum of about 100 yards. After 100 yards, your accuracy will depend on the size of the target and the MOA of your dot. Reflex red dots have no magnification, so they are used for mid-range shooting, and are less effective over longer ranges. Are Red Dot Sights Parallax Free?Practically speaking, yes they are parallax free. Quality reflex sights are designed to have parallax only at very close ranges, where its effect does not affect your accuracy. At most reasonable engagement ranges, red dots have no parallax. That’s also why reflex sights are usually described as “parallax free” by the manufacturers, even though they actually do have it at extremely close ranges. But scientifically speaking - no sight is truly parallax free, with the possible exception of a laser sights. What Distance Should You Zero Your Pistol Reflex Sight?For most people, we recommend zeroing at 10 yards. That is, if you’re looking to use your gun for self defense. That will give you accuracy within 10 yards, where most of the gunfights take place. It will place your center of mass out to about 75 yards. Using a high chest hold, you will be able to hit a target out to about 150 yards with a 10-yard zero. The Final WordFor me, the good sides of reflex sights on pistols far outweigh their negatives. Especially if you plan to use your pistol for self-defense, getting a red dot is well worth it just for the ability to properly threat-focus in a critical situation. As for the picks, you can't go wrong with Vortex Venom. A couple of years ago, you would mostly see reflex sights on rifles and shotguns. And I don't know what changed. But I'm seeing way more red dots on handguns these days. And I like where this industry is moving. I'm hoping to see some new models hit the market soon. Image Sources: Trijicon 2019 Catalog, Adam Rogers What red dot does Glock recommend?The best RMR for a Glock is the 3.25 MOA reticle variant. It's the best because it offers all the durability and reliability of an RMR and the 3.25 MOA dot reticle is a fantastic size for fast reticle acquisition while still being small enough for precision aiming at small targets…
Do I need a red dot on my Glock?Unless you've got glow in the dark irons or something, the odds of your shots being on target decrease dramatically in low-light or changing light conditions. Red dot sights help significantly in these situations for obvious reasons, and they work exceptionally well in the context of night-vision shooting.
What MOA red dot is best for a pistol?What MOA is best for a pistol? In the question of 3 MOA vs 6 MOA, the 6 MOA red dot sight is better for pistols— whether it's plinking, target shooting, or home defense. Given the gun's design, you most likely won't be shooting past 100 yards. A larger dot reticle will start to lose precision at farther distances.
Can a Glock 17 Gen 5 have a red dot?With multiple adapter plates, you can quickly and easily mount miniature red dot sights to the rear of the Gen5 GLOCK slide, which has front serrations for easier and quicker manipulations.
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Best red dot for glock 17
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