The increasing popularity of mounting an optic on your defensive pistol has led to an explosion of interest in the world of red dot optics. There are optics for every task and purpose, from smaller-sized sights that are meant for subcompact pistols to closed-emitter optics that can serve double duty on the long gun of your choice. And speaking of long guns such as rifles and shotguns, let's not forget the utility of a red dot optic when it comes to making the shot quickly and accurately. The red dot revolution continues in 2022, with no signs of slowing down.
Aimpoint | Duty RDS
For those who have desired an Aimpoint dot sight that comes with a mount, a spacer, a battery (that will last for three years), night-vision compatibility and the Swedish manufacturer’s legendary durability, here’s an affordable version that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Diameter: 18 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA dot
Length: 2.7 inches
Weight: 3.8 ounces
MSRP: $499
(877) 246-7646; aimpoint.com
Ameriglo | Haven
Ameriglo’s Haven offers a host of convenient, practical features. It has a 12-hour run time followed by a 12-hour, motion-activated auto-on. At a medium setting, battery life is up to two years. Its Carry-Loc system allows you to select a brightness setting, then disable adjustment so your setting is never accidentally changed.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 28x19 mm
Reticle: 3.5- or 5-MOA Dot
Length: 1.78 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $379
(470) 223-4163; ameriglo.com
Axeon | MDPR2
Further proof that pistol-slide-mounted red-dot sights are still red-hot, Axeon has released its MDPR2 sight as an affordable option in this growing market. With simple two-button operation, 4-MOA dot and eight brightness levels, the MDPR2 uses the DeltaPoint Pro footprint and has a claimed 30,000-hour battery life—all for less than $100.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 28x19 mm
Reticle: 4-MOA red dot
Length: 1.8 inches
Weight: 1.36 ounces
MSRP: $99.99
(479) 646-4210; axeonoptics.com
Bushnell | RXC-200
Durable to military standards and sporting automatic brightness adjustment, the RXC-200 is a great option for a handgun-mountable MRDS. It uses the Shield RMSc footprint and boasts 50,000 hours of battery life. Sized perfectly for ultra-compact 9 mm handguns that are all the rage these days, the RXC-200 is a welcome addition to the MRDS market.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 20x15 mm
Reticle: 6-MOA red dot
Length: 1.6 inches
Weight: 22 ounces
MSRP: $199.99
(800) 423-3537; bushnell.com
EOTech | EFLX
Joining EOTech’s line of holographic sights is the new EFLX reflex sight, intended for use as a pistol-slide-mounted optic, backup sight or shotgun/carbine red-dot sight. With 3- or 6-MOA dots, the EFLX mounts using the DeltaPoint Pro footprint, can be ordered with a Picatinny-rail mount, offers a top-mounted battery and programmable power-management options.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 23.4x16.3 mm
Reticle: 3- or 6-MOA red dot
Length: 1.9 inches
Weight: 1.4 ounces
MSRP: $389
(888) 368-4656; eotechinc.com
German Precision Optics | SPECTRAdot
The new SPECTRAdot has a 3-MOA, red-dot reticle and key features such as six day and five night-brightness settings as well as a high efficiency power-management system that allows for a battery runtime of up to 50,000 hours. The sight comes with a Picatinny rail mount and is adjustable in .5-MOA increments.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA red dot
Length: 2.54 inches
Weight: 6.63 ounces
MSRP: $421
(844) 692-4667; gpo-usa.com
Hawke | Reflex Sight Wide View
This rail-mountable dot sight is ultra compact, yet sports a wide viewing window for easy acquisition of both dot and target. It’s CR2032 battery inserts in the side of the housing, so you can change the battery with ease without removing the optic from your firearm—not that you’ll need to very often thanks to its motion-sensing auto-off feature.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 33x23 mm
Reticle: Circle Dot
Length: 2.3 inches
Weight: 3 ounces
MSRP: $189
(877) 429-5347; us.hawkeoptics.com
Holosun | EPS Carry
Designed as a closed-emitter red-dot for today’s concealed-carry, optics-ready handguns, the EPS Carry offers a 2-MOA dot with an ultra-low mounting height, which may allow co-witnessing of existing sights without the addition of suppressor-height sights. Solar panels offer increased battery life, and a version with a green dot is also available.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 14.7x19.6 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA red dot
Length: 1.62 inches
Weight: 1.23 ounces
MSRP: $435.28
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Holosun | SCS MOS Green
Holosun’s SCS MOS dot mounts directly to the MOS cut itself, eliminating one set of screws and plate. A solar panel powers the sight, which has a non-removable battery with an included power-level indicator. Users can cycle between the 2-MOA dot, a 32-MOA circle and the dot/circle combination.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 14.7x19.6 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA green dot, 32-MOA green circle
Length: 1.93 inches
Weight: 1.3 ounces
MSRP: $435.28
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Shield | RMSx
The RMSx is the new competition-ready red dot optic from Shield Sights. The RMSx has an 80-percent larger viewing window compared with previous models, yet still shares the same footprint. The optic has updated electronics for battery life. It can switch between an 8-MOA or a 4-MOA dot.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 34 mm
Reticle: 4- and 8-MOA dot
Length: 1.7 inches
Weight: .67 ounces
MSRP: $450
(801) 372-1629; shieldpsd.com
Steiner | MPS
The Steiner MPS (Micro Pistol Sight) boasts a rugged, mil-spec design to bring welcome versatility to your EDC pistol. All-metal construction and enhanced sidewalls fully enclose the LED for improved reliability in harsh conditions, while a recessed window with metal hood safeguards the front lens from potential damage. It also boasts a 13,000-hour battery life on a single CR1632 battery.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 16x21 mm
Reticle: 3.3 MOA
Length: 2.17 inches
Weight: 2.05 ounces
MSRP: $575
(888) 550-6255; steiner-optics.com
TruGlo | Red Dot Micro XR21 Red Box
Ready to mount on any pistol accommodating an RMSc footprint, TruGlo’s Red Dot Micro XR21 uses a 3-MOA dot for precision and incorporates push-button brightness controls with 10 settings. It also has a motion-sensing “awake” feature, auto-off and a 20,000+ hour battery life.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 21x16 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA Dot
Length: 1.6 inches
Weight: .8 ounces
MSRP: $237
(888) 887-8456; truglo.com
Viridian | GDO25
Viridian’s GDO25 optic has a 2-MOA green dot and mounts to a standard Picatinny Rail. The sight will co-witness with backup iron sights with the supplied high mount and has 10 brightness settings. It also features more than 30,000 hours of battery life.
Magnification: 1X
Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA green dot
Length: 2.7 inches
Weight: 6.7 ounces
MSRP: $289
(763) 479 4091; viridianweapontech.com
Viridian | RFX15
The RFX15 has a green 3-MOA aiming dot and fits most pistols with a Shield-standard footprint. There are eight regular and two night-vision brightness settings as well as instant-on and auto-shutoff to provide more than 30,000 hours of battery life. The RFX15 is one of the lightest optics in its class.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 17x24 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA green dot
Length: 1.6 inches
Weight: .65 ounce
MSRP: $289
(763) 479 4091; viridianweapontech.com
