Which red dot for carry gun?

[TNThomas]

Hello folks, looking for opinions. I only have one red dot (Tasso Pro-Point), and I am finally convinced they are, on average, an add better choice than just irons. I'm curious about your advice with reference to which red dot to get. I shoot bullseye and I mix my carry gun into the rotation for bullseye shooting as well.

With that said, I'm looking for a smaller dot, open to red or green, and open to different reticle, but I generally like a non crowded sight. The dot will be going on a 4.2" barreled Ruger SP101 match champion in .357mag. The dot may get moved over to a 5" Springfield Garrison in 45acp as well. Ideally I would like something between $100-$200, and footprint doesn't matter because I have to buy a mount to match as neither gun currently has a red dot mount. The 357 is my main overnight hiking gun. I have had multiple critter encounters at nigh, and the red dot would help in those scenarios. I will say that while I like a small dot, I do realize that there are pros with a dot in a circle/big dots, especially since I sometimes "loose" my little dot when bringing my gun up, and that wastes time. Some sort of shake awake feature would be nice. Amy thoughts on the Cyelee red dots?

Cheers

Read More

 

[Tlock]

One of the holosun. I personally would stay away from the cheap dots

 

[not3raccoons]

Personally, I like the holosun enclosed emitter options. EPS and EPS carry, 509t if you've got an extra $100 and want a bit more window space. Open emitter optics like the 407/507k, 407/507c work fine too, just gotta make sure to blow out any dust/lint from time to time

 

[Koda]

I have two Trijicons and can recommend them. They have all the features needed and a simple dot optic (though Id like to try a circle dot sometime...) and are reliable. They shake awake, and auto adjust brightness to the ambient light situation. Battery life lasts a very long time, I finally replaced a battery this year after more than two years of always on service and it technically didnt need it.

I have 1 super ultra cheap budget MRDS on my spare parts franken gun, made by Primary Arms it has a good reliable reputation but it lacks features. It does not have a shake awake feature.... so you have to remember to turn it on. It auto turns off after 12 hours, so if extended use then you have to remember that. It has no auto brightness.... so you have to check and set it for day use then check and set it in the evening for night use and there will always be some in-between lighting situation that its either too bright or too dim but still usable. I dont care about an optics price, but if you go cheap and you want this for a carry gun then do not skimp on those features.

I have not tried one yet but thinking of getting a Swampfox optic, they are mid range affordable and have all the needed features including a multi reticle choice between a circle dot and simple dot, and even green or red settings I think. Swampfox gets good reviews.

 

[Koda]

Note: there is a used Holosun 507K-GR X2 (Green Dot/Circle-Dot) that looks like a really good deal in the classifieds.

Holosun 507K-GR X2 (Green Dot/Circle-Dot)

Like-new 507K X2 with a green dot/circle-dot reticle. Comes in the original box with all the original bits. I believe it was mounted once, but never used. $175 cash. No trades at this time. Please send a private message to connect.

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[Catfishmoon]

In my opinion reliability is a primary concern in a defensive weapon, this is not an area where I would be looking for an inexpensive $100 dot, especially with the beating it will absorb being mounted on a .357 mag. I would even try to avoid having a mounting plate adapter in this situation, another potential point of failure.
I would be looking more at higher end dots or staying with iron sights on a defensive handgun.

 

[kmk1012]

I'm too old and not operator enough to have one on my pistol. In reality, I don't mind them but haven't really gotten used to them, I take way too much time looking for the dot. The two I have both have very small moa dots, more for target work, I'm sure a bigger dot would be much easier to pick up with the eyes quickly.

 

[64MercurysRule]

Note: there is a used Holosun 507K-GR X2 (Green Dot/Circle-Dot) that looks like a really good deal in the classifieds.

Holosun 507K-GR X2 (Green Dot/Circle-Dot)

Like-new 507K X2 with a green dot/circle-dot reticle. Comes in the original box with all the original bits. I believe it was mounted once, but never used. $175 cash. No trades at this time. Please send a private message to connect.

www.northwestfirearms.com

Yes that is a great deal right there . Get it while you can . Great sight and options . Best price anywhere .

 

[OrPackrat]

I have both a Holosun 507C-GR and 407C-GR and like them, a friend is picking up an inexpensive new optic that I hope to check out next week, dealer cost on it is a bit over 100.

 

[spookshack]

Yes that is a great deal right there . Get it while you can . Great sight and options . Best price anywhere .

Well someone got it. Good for them!

 

[1775usmc]

I'm a huge fan of the Acro P2 AKA the mailbox.

 

[TNThomas]

Thanks for the input folks! I'll probably just suck it up and use the Irons on the Sp101, less weight/bulk too. A trinity's front sight would solve the nighttime issue. For the 45acp I'll look into a used Holosun.

 

[titsonritz]

I'm too old and not operator enough to have one on my pistol. In reality, I don't mind them but haven't really gotten used to them, I take way too much time looking for the dot. The two I have both have very small moa dots, more for target work, I'm sure a bigger dot would be much easier to pick up with the eyes quickly.

It's more about perfecting your grip and presentation than size of dot.

 

[ORhutner]

Thanks for the input folks! I'll probably just suck it up and use the Irons on the Sp101, less weight/bulk too. A trinity's front sight would solve the nighttime issue. For the 45acp I'll look into a used Holosun.

Palmettoe State has been running a great price on the Holosun 407k, $169 I believe.

If you have the money, Aimpoint Acro P2 is my favorite, Trijicon RMR/SRO are also great. For the money, it is really hard to beat Holosun and that is coming from somebody who follows the buy once/cry once philosophy.

 

[Jason200911]

507 and eps if you can afford it. Acss Vulcan rings are amazing and oriented towards pistol beginners that have a hard time finding their dot.

Cyelee is known for being very durable but their circle dot options are even more expensive than holosuns. Probably stick to single dot with them to keep it cheap.

There's some good Chinese budget red dots too: epn solar, gowutar, votatu make some good stuff and the latter 2 has circle dot options which i love on rmsc sized dots.

Side note I hate green reticles. A lot of green grass and trees where I live and it forces me to turn to dot up extra extra bright so it doesn't blend in with the foliage

 

[Stomper]

It's more about perfecting your grip and presentation than size of dot.

Manmeet disagrees....

 

[dplev4]

Holosun 507k for carry. Leupold DPP for target. Trijicon SRO for woods. Trijicon is worth the price and my favorite. I found, with practice, that red dots really helped me get on target, especially at distance beyond 15 yards.

 

[GlocksAreMe]

I have Trijicon, Aimpoint, Holosun, Leupold, and Vortex.

The Aimpoint is the Acro 2 and is not cheap but it is a fully enclosed optic. It is very nice.

Holosun seems to be the one making the most in innovation though. They have some models now that are direct mount, so no requirement for adapter plates or suppressor height sights.

 

[Jason200911]

I have Trijicon, Aimpoint, Holosun, Leupold, and Vortex.

The Aimpoint is the Acro 2 and is not cheap but it is a fully enclosed optic. It is very nice.

Holosun seems to be the one making the most in innovation though. They have some models now that are direct mount, so no requirement for adapter plates or suppressor height sights.

They're mostly good but red dot users all know that we hate the proprietary holosun footprints that requires shaving down the rmsc lugs to be able to run the holosun rmsc without using the stupid plate. Holosun claims shaving the lugs makes it waterproof but it's a total lie and they just did it to make manufacturers mill their proprietary slide footprint.
So now you know anytime you choose to mill rmsc, mill holosun rmsc and not rmsc if you want a interchangeable footprint

 

[GlocksAreMe]

They're mostly good but red dot users all know that we hate the proprietary holosun footprints that requires shaving down the rmsc lugs to be able to run the holosun rmsc without using the stupid plate. Holosun claims shaving the lugs makes it waterproof but it's a total lie and they just did it to make manufacturers mill their proprietary slide footprint.
So now you know anytime you choose to mill rmsc, mill holosun rmsc and not rmsc if you want a interchangeable footprint

I've never had to do any shaving of lugs for my holosun optics