The rapid acceptance of dot sights for carry handguns might be the biggest area of advancement for optics, as more of today's handgunners discover the benefits of mounting a red dot onto their handgun slides. The release of 2019's lineup of new handguns shows many options with milled slides designed to accept adapter plates, holster manufacturers are developing fits that accommodate slide-mounted optics and trainers are focusing on the benefits of optically-sighted handguns. Whether you're looking to join the dot-equipped handgun club or place one of these intuitive, single-plane sighting options to your carbine or shotgun, there are plenty of options that are all-new for 2019. Check them all out here:
Aimpoint | Acro P-1
Aimpoint’s new Acro is a departure from the norm for micro-reflex sights. A fully enclosed optic, it has been tested to 20,000 rounds on a .40 S&W-caliber handgun slide. Proven to stand up to extreme abuse, it is smaller than it looks and is a solid choice for an everyday-carry-pistol optic.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 20x20 mm
Reticle: 3.5-MOA red dot
Length: 1.9 inches
Weight: 2.1 ounces
MSRP: $660
(703) 263-9795; aimpoint.us
Axeon | RG49
The open design of the RG49 ensures that rifle owners can stay aware of their immediate surroundings while engaging targets quickly and easily using a variety of reticle options. The optic attaches to standard Picatinny and Weaver rails with the built-in mount.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 30x22 mm
Reticle: Dot, Dot w/ circle, Crosshairs, Crosshairs w/ circle
Length: 3.5 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
MSRP: $69.99
(479) 646-4210; axeonoptics.com
Bushnell | First Strike 2.0
Built with longer battery life, a brighter aiming dot and tool-free battery replacement, the First Strike 2.0 is a huge improvement over the company’s original First Strike. Attaching directly to any standard Picatinny rail, the optic provides a battery life of more than 50,000 hours.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 30x22 mm
Reticle: 4 MOA dot
Length: 2.24 inches
Weight: 3 ounces
MSRP: $277.45
(800) 423-3537; bushnell.com
Crimson Trace | CTS-1400
A highlight of Crimson Trace’s new full line of optics, the CTS-1400 is designed for use on carbines and shotguns. It is rugged, minimalist and comes with the company’s signature free “Batteries for Life” program. The 3.25-MOA red dot has 10 levels of brightness, and it mounts to a standard Picatinny rail.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 33x22 mm
Reticle: 3.25-MOA red dot
Length: 2.3 inches
Weight: 2.9 ounces
MSRP: $499
(800) 442-2406; crimsontrace.com
Holosun | HE509T
Based on the company’s popular HS507C, the latest Holosun red-dot optic features a fully enclosed frame that enhances durability while also providing a clear sight picture. A single CR1632 battery powers the HE509T for up to 5 years, and the Advanced Solar Fail-Safe can run the unit indefinitely.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 16x23 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA dot; 32-MOA ring
Length: 1.85 inches
Weight: 2.78 ounces
MSRP: $470.58
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Holosun | HE512T-GR
Constructed with a titanium housing, the latest Holosun HE512T-GR can handle pretty much any environment, and built-in solar panels allow the sight to run without a battery, if necessary. This optic is also equipped with a Multi-Reticle system, including an ultra-bright green reticle that’s easily seen in any environment.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 16x23 mm
Reticle: Multi-Reticle System
Length: 1.85 inches
Weight: 2.78 ounces
MSRP: $670.58
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Kahles | Helia RD
Redesigned to help achieve an intuitive shot, the Helia RD features a unique “Anti-Reflexion” coating for clear visibility and a precise 2-MOA dot. It also comes with a Picatinny mount and four manual illumination settings with intelligent automatic switch-off.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 26x22 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA red dot
Length: 2.165 inches
Weight: 1.48 ounces
MSRP: $443
(800) 426-3089; kahles.at/us
Leupold | Freedom RDS BDC
Leupold’s newest red-dot sight sports a 1-MOA dot, a 34 mm main tube and an included mount specifically designed for use on modern sporting rifles. This purpose-built optic carries the nearly indestructible Leupold DNA throughout its construction.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Diameter: 34 mm
Reticle: 1-MOA red dot
Length: 5.3 inches
Weight: 6.9 ounces
MSRP: $519.99
(800) 538-7653; leupold.com
Lucid | Litl Mo
Micro-red-dot sights (MRDS) for pistols are all the rage these days, and Lucid’s Litl Mo is an affordable option for those wishing to put a dot on their defensive handgun. Using the same footprint as the Burris FastFire MRDS, the Litl Mo will find a home on a good number of pre-cut slides.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 19x28 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA dot
Length: 1.75 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $349
(307) 463-2633; lucidoptics.com
Meprolight | Foresight
The first augmented reflex sight on the market, the Foresight displays a reticle and useful data on a heads-up display similar to that found in military aircraft. Five reticle choices, a compass and a leveler can all be seen and used intuitively, and a light sensor automatically adjusts brightness.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 33x20 mm
Reticle: Five options
Length: 4.6 inches
Weight: 9.9 ounces
MSRP: $720
(833) 637-7654; meprolight.us
Minox | Micro RV 1
LED Technology leads the way for the Micro RV 1 with a battery life at medium brightness of up to 50,000 hours. Consisting of a high-strength aluminum housing, it is fully waterproof and comes with a neoprene protective cover. It also features 12 brightness levels.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Diameter: 18 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA red dot
Length: 2.52 inches
Weight: 3.39 ounces
MSRP: $269
(210) 377-2527; minox.com
NcStar | VDFLIPGLOM2
Featuring the patented FlipDot folding red-dot reflex lens, the VDFLIPGLOM2 flips up with a simple push of a button, which automatically turns the optic on. When not in use, the lens will fold down flat and turn off. It also includes mounts for Glock MOS pistols.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 22x16 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA red dot
Length: 2 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $109.99
(866) 627-8278; ncstar.com
SIG Sauer | Romeo3MAX
Developed in collaboration with Max Michel, the Romeo3MAX features a 30 mm round lens for a wide field-of-view. The open reflex sight utilizes a red-notch filter to make its red dot clear and easy to acquire. It features motion activation and up to 20,000 hours of runtime.
Magnificaiton: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 24x30 mm
Reticle: 3- or 6-MOA red dot
Length: 2.1 inches
Weight: 1.5 ounces
MSRP: $719.99
(603) 610-3000; sigsauer.com
Steiner | DRS 1X
In addition to three reticle modes, Steiner’s new Defendu Reflex Sight features auto brightness and seven illumination levels to aid shooters in selecting the ideal setting for day or night use. Though it’s capable of running on a single AA battery, two AAs provide a runtime of over 2,000 hours.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 24.5x32 mm
Reticle: Single Dot, Dot and Stadia, Dot, Stadia and Close Dot
Length: 2.57 inches
Weight: 10.4 ounces
MSRP: $749.99
(888) 550-6255; steiner-optics.com
Trijicon | SRO
Trijicon’s new SRO (Specialized Reflex Optic) is designed for competitive handgunners. Its large, parallax-free window makes it easy to find and track the dot. The sight uses the same mounting footprint as the RMR, and offers a top-loading battery compartment.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Dimensions: 25x22.5 mm
Reticle: 1-, 2.5- or 5-MOA red dot
Length: 2.2 inches
Weight: 1.6 ounces
MSRP: $749
(800) 338-0563; trijicon.com
