Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The pistol red dot market is huge, and if you release a handgun in 2023 without it red dot ready, it better be a retro reproduction. Handgun red dots have conquered the market, and today we are going to talk about some of the best options currently on the market. It’s a market that’s growing year after year. We can put a red dot on anything from a Glock 17 to a compact revolver.
The question isn’t, can we? The question is, what dots should we be using? We’ve gathered a diverse selection that represents some of the best dots in various genres of pistol red dots. From warfighter ready to compact and concealed worthy. Buckle in and get ready to see red.
Table of contents – The Best Pistol Red Dots
Trijicon RMR Type 2
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 defined the carry-and-duty pistol red dot genre. Without the Trijicon RMR, we would have never gained as much ground in the field of handgun red dots. The RMR Type 2 was the first uber-small optic that was easily fit to the slide of a handgun. The Trijicon RMR Type 2 provided a super small, light, and tough optic that became the standard bearer for handgun optics to follow.
It’s still considered the standard due to its durability and reputation for high quality. When USSOCOM needed a red dot, they turned to the Trijicon RMR. The Type 2 specifically solved some durability issues early handgun users found with Type 1. The RMR isn’t a one-trick pony, and Trijicon makes several models with varying reticles and models, so you can pick and choose what exactly you want.
The downsides to the Trijicon really come down to the battery placement. It’s placed below the optic, and to change the battery, you have to dismount the optic, swap the battery and re-zero the thing. It’s annoying, but it’s what you have to deal with. If you can get passed that, the RMR continues to be the standard bearer for durability and reliability for handgun red dot sights.
Aimpoint Acro P-2
The Aimpoint Acro introduced the world to the idea of an enclosed emitter pistol red dot on a handgun. An enclosed emitter prevents anything like dust, debris, rain, or snow from getting between the emitter and the lens. This creates a massive reliability spike. The original Acro was good, but the P-2 was designed to make it even better. This included using a bigger 2032 battery and increasing the battery life significantly.
They redesigned the buttons to provide a more tactile response, as well as an improved LED emitter. They wisely kept the durability aspect in check, and the P2 is unbeatable for duty and any defensive use cases. It’s one of the clearest micro red dots on the market and provides a very crisp 3.5 MOA dot that’s eye-catching but small enough to prevent obscuring the target.
The P-2 is a big, bulky looking optic, but it’s also overbuilt and designed to last forever and deal with whatever the world throws at you. The Acro P-2 also takes the cake in terms of price and can occasionally be tough to find due to high demand. If you get one, it’ll be tough to regret.
Holosun EPS Carry
The Holosun EPS Carry brings an enclosed emitter optic to the world of subcompact handguns. It’s the first of its kind and uses the industry standard Shield RMSc footprint. This makes it easy to attach to the Glock 43X/48 MOS, the P365, Hellcat, and many more. An enclosed emitter on a deep concealment pistol gives you the ultimate option for reliability.
The EPS Carry series comes in several configurations with red and green dots, various reticle sizes, and a multi-reticle option fit with a solar fail-safe. Like all Holosuns, the EPS features shake-awake technology backed by a long battery life. The buttons are huge, easy to access, and provide tactile feedback. The dot is surprisingly crisp, and the 6 MOA seems perfect for concealed carry purposes.
The EPS Carry is clear, but it doesn’t reach the levels of Aimpoint or Trijicon. The EPS Carry optic also varies fairly widely in price depending on options, so it ranges from affordable to a little pricey. With that said, the EPS Carry is currently the best micro pistol red dot on the market for subcompact pistols, and hopefully, other companies will step up, and we will see some advancement in this market.
SEE MORE: Carrying the New Holosun EPS
SIG Sauer ROMEO2
The SIG Sauer ROMEO2 is a bit of a revolutionary pistol red dot sight. The ROMEO2 series is the first modular optic I’ve ever seen. The ROMEO2 series allows shooters to switch from open emitter to enclosed emitter optics fairly easily. In fact, it can be done without having to remove or re-zero the optic. The optic comes with two shrouds, and when you combine the larger shroud with the included polycarbonate lenses, you get an enclosed emitter.
Enclosed emitters ensure total reliability. Open emitter designs often work better with night vision, especially mid to lower-end night vision. If you want to switch from daily carry to night fighter, you can do it on the fly. The ROMEO2 is the first to allow this level of modularity. Beyond the modularity, you get crystal clear clarity, a very crisp red dot, and an extremely well-made optic.
What sucks is the price. It is not cheap. However, this premium-grade optic has features that make it stand out. You get the SIG MOTAC, Magnetic compatibility, and more. Heck, the included torque wrench was a pleasant surprise.
Steiner MPS
Steiner saw the writing on the wall and knew they had to get a pistol red dot out and on the market. They wisely decided to enter the enclosed emitter optics world as the industry is starting to lean that way. The Steiner MPS offers an enclosed emitter optic that does things a bit differently than the ACRO. First, the emitter is at the top, which allows the optic to sit lower on the gun and require lower suppressor height sights.
The Steiner MPS provides shooters with excellent ergonomics and a fairly lightweight option at only 2.05 ounces. Stiner built the optic to be tough and resist impacts and shock, as well as exposure to water. It’s tough, and tough is absolutely necessary when it comes to defensive optics, especially those in the duty realm.
The Steiner MPS is undoubtedly a bit blockier than the standard open emitter optic. The MPS also has a relatively short battery life of 13,000 hours. Luckily, swapping batteries is pretty easy, and if you don’t mind that you can get a fairly affordable enclosed emitter optic.
Holosun 507C Vulcan
The Holosun 507C Vulcan comes from a combination of Holosun and Primary Arms, and without a doubt, the 507C with the ACSS Vulcan reticle is the best beginner red dot on the market. Not only is it tough, well-made, and capable of withstanding daily carry, it has an awesome reticle. The Vulcan reticle features a 10 MOA chevron in the middle and a giant circle that you don’t necessarily see.
When you draw and present the gun, the optimal sight picture is just the reticle. If you see the circle portion of the reticle, your presentation is off, and you can adjust until you do not see the reticle. So if you see the top portion of the circle, you are aiming too low and know how to adjust properly. It’s smart and easy to use.
The 507C Vulcan also offers the same advantages as any 507C. This includes great durability, excellent ergonomics, shake awake tech, a solar backup, and more. Plus, it’s affordable, and when you mix the Vulcan reticle with affordability, you get a competent beginner’s pistol red dot.
SEE MORE: Transitioning to Pistol Red Dots with the Holosun 507c ACSS Vulcan from Primary Arms
Shield RMSx
The Shield RMSx is an interesting idea. Shield took their famed RMSc red dot’s footprint and upped the lens’s size. So you can mount this to a small, subcompact gun but have the lens of a full-sized red dot. It’s rather impressive and provides a giant, full-sized window. Big windows make it easier to find the dot, which can be quite useful for new shooters learning to find the dot.
This isn’t an optic that’s stuck with subcompact pistols, either. It works well on larger guns as well. The Shield RMSx has a super clear lens with awesome clarity. The dot is also crisp and clear and comes in both four and 8-MOA varieties. The Shield RMSx is also super lightweight and sits exceptionally low on your gun.
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The downside is that it’s not the best optic for duty use. It’s not super tough and would be more aimed at competition shooting or concealed carry. Others might be a little turned off by the lack of controls and automatic adjustment. Shield has claimed a large portion of the competitive market for a reason. They make clear, easy-to-use, and lightweight optics. The RMSx takes a low-profile pistol red dot and maximizes the window.
Pistol Red Dots Rule
If anyone tells you a pistol red dot is a gimmick, they’ve self-identified as someone who has never used one. A pistol red dot makes it easier to shoot faster, straighter, and further. In any light condition, you can identify a target. Pistol red dots have become valuable tools for defensive, competitive, and duty users for a good reason. They are no longer restricted to just Glock slides either. While they aren’t mandatory to be effective, you can take your skills to a new level with a good red dot on your chosen pistol.
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No Leupold Delta Point Pro or on the budget friendly side, any of the several red dots offered from Swampfox? Disappointing.
I have a 507K X2 on my Glock. I find it to be an excellent red dot. I especially like the 3MOA dot and you can also have the 65MOA ring. And for about $300 (bought at local gun shot. Cheaper online) I think it is quite a deal.
What is really needed is a red or green dot that is astigmatism proof,many shooters have this eye affliction, me included but I agree the dots are superior to the irons