In a recent interview, Ken Campbell, the CEO of Gunsite, said in a recent interview that 60% of the pistols the classes there were topped with a red dot optic of some kind. Will the electronic dot sight take over the pistol market the same way that low power optics and dot sights did in rifles? Only time will tell, but the trend is definitely heading in that direction.
Bushnell | RXM-300
Designed in conjunction with world champion shooter KC Eusebio, this competition-ready pistol reflex sight has a large, durable housing and comes with multiple mounts to enable it to attach to almost any firearm. It also boasts a shake-awake, auto-on feature and Bushnell’s exclusive EXO Barrier to shed water off the lens.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 28x24 mm
Reticle: 4-MOA red dot
Length: 2.2 inches
Weight: 1.95 ounces (sight only)
MSRP: $300
(402) 437-6404; bushnell.com
Gideon Optics | Omega
Utilizing the popular RMR footprint to attach to a pistol’s slide, the large eyebox of the Omega from Gideon Optics makes finding the dot simple. Motion-activated illumination, intuitive power-level controls and 1-MOA click adjustments round out this affordable optic’s feature set.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 22.3x27 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA red or green dot
Length: 1.77 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $220
(724) 636-0310; gideonoptics.com
German Precision Optics | Spectra Reflex Dot
With features like a black anodized-aluminum housing, a built-in motion sensor to power the optic on or off and an integral photo sensor to automatically adjust the brightness settings of its 3-MOA red dot, GPO’s initial entry into the reflex-sight market is sure to turn heads. So is its 40,000-hour runtime and affordable price.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: .87x.63 inches
Reticle: 3-MOA red dot
Length: 1.6 inches
Weight: .75 ounces
MSRP: $400
(844) 692-4667; gpo-usa.com
Holosun Technologies | HS507COMP
Ready for competition from the get-go, Holosun’s new HS507COMP features a large viewing window and a choice of reticle arrangements thanks to its Competition Reticle System (CRS). The 650nm Super Red LED offers up to 50,000 hours of battery life with a 1632 cell. It incorporates Shake Awake technology.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 1.1x.87 inches
Reticle: Red or green CRS, 2-MOA dot with 8-, 20- or 32-MOA circle
Length: 1.8 inches
Weight: 1.7 ounces
MSRP: $435
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Holosun Technologies | SCS 320
Designed for optics-ready SIG P320 pistols, the SCS 320 attaches directly, without adapter plates. The unit features the company’s solar-charging technology. Moreover, multi-directional light sensors automatically adjust the dot intensity to match conditions. (A manual override function is incorporated, too.) Battery life without solar charging is touted as being 20,000 hours, and with even moderate exposure to bright light, it’s possible batteries may never need replacing. Models specifically designed to mount directly to the Smith & Wesson M&P M2, Heckler & Koch VP9 and Walther CDP are also offered.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: .90x.63 inches
Reticle: Green Multi-Reticle System (MRS), 32 MOA circle and 2 MOA dot
Length: 1.85 inches
Weight: 1.35 inches
MSRP: $470
(909) 594-2888; holosun.com
Meopta | MeoSight IV
The new MeoSight IV MRDS is Meopta’s lightest at 1.2 ounces. A natural for defensive or competition pistols, features include a housing of aircraft-grade aluminum, manual- and automatic-activation modes, 120 MOA of both elevation and windage adjustment and up to 30,000 hours of battery life from a CR1632 3V battery. There are five levels of dot brightness.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 24x17 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA dot
Length: 1.89 inches
Weight: 1.2 ounces
MSRP: $299
(800) 828-8928; meoptasportsoptics.com
Shield | AMS (Advanced Mini Sight)
The AMS is an enclosed-emitter optic that uses the ubiquitous Shield mounting footprint and can co-witness with standard-height iron sights, enabling it to be mounted to a wide range of factory-cut slides without the need for an plate or suppressor-height sights. The sight has side-accessible battery options, too.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 14.6x21.4 mm
Reticle: 4 switchable reticles
Length: 1.65 inches
Weight: 1.2 ounces
MSRP: $959
+44 (0)1297 678233; shieldsights.com
SIG Sauer | ROMEO-X Compact
Built from the ground-up to combine SIG Sauer’s experience developing red-dot optics for the military with its expertise designing EDC gear, this new line co-witnesses with standard-height pistol sights. Its aspherical lens is housed in a 7075 aluminum body for what promises to be outstanding durability.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 24 mm
Reticle: 2-MOA dot; 32-MOA circle
Length: 1.62 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $400
(603) 610-3000; sigsauer.com
Steiner | MPS
Now offered in a new FDE finish, 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, while a recessed window with metal hood safeguards the front lens.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: .63x.83 inches
Reticle: 3.3-MOA red dot
Length: 2.17 inches
Weight: 2.05 ounces
MSRP: $575
(888) 550-6255; steiner-optics.com
Trijicon | 1.5x16s Compact ACOG-RTR .223
A fixed-magnification optic with a dual-illuminated reticle pattern, the latest ACOG can be used in any lighting conditions, thanks to both fiber optics and tritium. The fiber-optics channel ambient light, while the tritium provides its own glow, thus neither manner of illumination requires batteries.
Magnification: 1.5X
Objective Lens Diameter: 16 mm
Reticle: Rapid Target RTR .223 (BDC)
Length: 4 inches
Weight: 5.1 ounces
MSRP: $1,357
(800) 338-0563; trijicon.com
Viridian | RFX11
At just .44 ounce, the RFX11 is one of the lightest reflex sights on the market and uses the proven Shield/RMSc footprint. The green 3-MOA dot is easy to see, and the instant-activation, auto-shut-off, ambient-light sensor add to the value of this compact dot sight. The RFX11 is powered by one CR2032 battery.
Magnification: 1X
Viewing Window Dimensions: 16x22 mm
Reticle: 3-MOA green dot
Length: 1.6 inches
Weigh: .44 ounces
MSRP: $189
(763) 479-4091; viridianweapontech.com
