Want faster target acquisition, easier 100-yard shots, and the upper hand in low-light situations?

You need a red dot for your pistol.

Tested Pistol Red Dots
Tested Pistol Red Dots (L to R): Trijicon RMR Type 2, Leupold Deltapoint Pro, Burris Fastfire 3, Vortex Venom

We hands-on review a few of the most popular and rugged red dots available.

We’ve mounted them on several pistols and rifles through thousands of rounds…and even shot them at night through night vision.

Mounted Pistol Red Dots
Mounted Pistol Red Dots

We cover “full-size” pistol red dots…and now smaller footprint “micro” red dots popular with concealed carry handguns.

Micro Compacts with Micro Red Dots, Front
Micro Compacts with Micro Red Dots

By the end you’ll know if pistol red dots are for you…and which one to get.

Let’s get started!

Summary of Our Top Picks

  1. Gold Standard

    Trijicon RMR Type 2

    Gold standard that is reliable, durable, and easily mountable.

  2. Editor’s Pick

    Holosun 507C X2 Pistol Red Dot Sight – ACSS Vulcan Reticle

    Our favorite overall pistol red dot for features, reticle, & price.

  3. Best Affordable Option

    Primary Arms SLx RS-10

    Our go-to affordable option that’s solidly built with a crisp dot.

  4. Best for Competition

    Leupold Deltapoint Pro

    Double-hood protection with a large and clear view.

  5. Also Affordable

    Vortex Venom 3 MOA

    Value packed option but not a lot of pre-milled handgun options.

  6. Micro Bang-For-The-Buck

    Holosun HS507K X2

    Great mix of features and build quality.

  7. Lightest Micro

    Shield Sights RMSc

    Large compatibility and unique looking.

  8. Most Affordable Micro

    Primary Arms Classic Micro Red Dot

    The most affordable micro that’s still suitable for daily carry.

  9. Do-All Micro

    Swampfox Sentinel

    Do-it-all micro that has dimming and auto-on functions.

Best Red Dots for Pistols

Let’s get started with pistol red dots for full-size and compact handguns.

1. Trijicon RMR Type 2

The RMR Type 2 is the gold standard of pistol-mounted micro red dots. Pricey…but super rugged and with extra features not found in others.

RMR Type 2 RM06 3.25 MOA
RMR Type 2 RM06 3.25 MOA

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1.2 oz
  • Battery Life: 4 Years at Brightness Level 4
  • Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
  • Dot Size: 6.5 MOA
  • Waterproof: 66 feet for 1 hour with plate
  • Footprint: RMR
  • Price: $469

Super Rugged

The most robust casing of all the pistol red dots out there and battle proven.

Tested Micro Red Dots
Tested Micro Red Dots (L to R): Trijicon RMR Type 2, Leupold Deltapoint Pro, Burris Fastfire 3, Vortex Venom

However, this leads to a smaller viewing window. But not that big of a deal when you have both eyes open and your brain superimposes the dot onto your target.

Battery Life

The longest-lasting as well with 4 years of continuous on at the very usable level 4 brightness level. However, if you’re using this on duty or using it at higher settings, I’d change the batteries every year.

One con of the battery is that it is on the bottom of the sight…so you have to unmount and re-zero each year.

RMR Type 2 Sealing Plate and Milled Slide
RMR Type 2 Sealing Plate and Milled Slide

Also depending on your slide you might need a sealing plate to make sure water does not get in. I got one just in case for my Glock Grey Ghost Precision slide (full review) since the sides were a little exposed.

Look & Feel

Very quality feeling and compact. Everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Buttons are easy to use (left side is higher brightness while right side is lower brightness; hold a few seconds to turn off).

RMR Type 2 on Polymer80 Glock
RMR Type 2 on Polymer80 Glock

Adjustments are also very tactile feeling.

Glass is the most blue-tinted due to its special reflective coating that enhances battery life. However like the smaller viewing window…once your brain superimposes the dot it’s not that big of a deal.

RMR Type 2 View
RMR Type 2 View

Compatibility

Another huge plus for the RMR series…there’s the biggest selection of custom slides already milled for them.

Grey Ghost Slide
Grey Ghost Slides, RMR Ready

Otherwise, you will have to get more universal systems such as the Glock MOS, M&P Core, or dovetail attachments.

Night Vision

The only optic on the list that works well with night vision. All the other ones bloom too much since they are too bright.

RMR Type 2 NVG
RMR Type 2 NVG

On the lowest brightness setting, the dot becomes like a laser on target. Makes NVG shooting pistols a breeze compared to only night sights.

Also…the least output from the front to other night vision devices. You know who you are if this matters.

Pistol Red Dot NVG Reflection
Pistol Red Dot NVG Reflection (Left is the RMR Type 2)

Difference from RMR Type 1

You’ll see decent price savings from the Type 1…but the Type 2 has upgraded electronics that combat the semi-common flickering problem seen in Type 1’s. Definitely go for the newer Type 2.

Recommended Model & Accessories

I recommend both the 3.25 and 6.5 MOA models. Through the years I’m leaning more towards the larger 6.5 for easier target acquisition.

Big enough for quick target acquisition but small enough for 100+ yard shots. Other models have different-sized dots, mounts, and even tritium dual illumination.

Best Pistol Red Dot
507

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

It’s also the manually adjusted brightness model so you can pick the best for your environment. I’m not a fan of self-adjusting brightness in my optics…it never really works well.

Also, be sure that if it’s going to be on a serious firearm…to get suppressor height sights (preferably night sights too). Check out Best Glock Sights.

They’ll help if your optic goes down…and also helps guide your eyes to the dot.

RMR Type 2 with Suppressor Height Irons
RMR Type 2 with Night Fision Suppressor Height Irons

RMR Type 2 Summary

  • Most robust and proven pistol red dot on the market
  • Best battery life at 4 years on
  • Night vision compatible and lowest reflection out
  • Most custom slides are milled for it
  • Smaller window and bluer tint than others
  • Battery replacement on bottom
  • Most expensive
Gold Standard
507

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

2. Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan

The regular Holosun 507C was already a real contender that punches way outside its price point.

With massive battery life, RMR footprint, durability, and reasonable pricing.

Now enter…the collaboration with Primary Arms’ reticle-smiths to make the HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1.5 oz
  • Battery Life: 20,000 hours + Solar Backup
  • Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
  • Dot Size: ACSS Vulcan
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMR
  • Price: $309

Look & Feel

This is a solid unit.

You pick it up and you know that it has some beef on it and that it’s ready to get banged around, much like how an RMR feels.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan

We really like it, like a lot.

For our use, nothing has slowed it down. It is robust and has stood up to the abuse we’ve thrown at it including things like using the optic as a contact point to charge our Glock off of a belt or table.

OG Holosun HS507C on a Brownells Glock 19 slide.

The glass has also been completely scratch-free thus far.

Buttons are easy to access and manipulate on the left side.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan

Battery Life

At over 20,000 of battery life, the Holosun 507C is an optic that you will likely never replace the battery on from use…just remember to change it every one to two years.

There’s also a solar panel on top that gives another source of power for when the optic is in sunlight. However, the solar panel does not recharge the battery in any way.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Solar Panels
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Solar Panels

The 507C also features “shake-Awake” meaning it has an auto-off feature (you can choose how long it takes for the dot to turn off also!) and will auto-turn on when you move the optic. Very handy for setting and forgetting and for saving battery life.

Lastly…there’s a nice tray that slides out for the battery…meaning you don’t have to take the entire unit off your handgun and lose zero each time you swap the battery.

Reticle: ACSS Vulcan

What we truly love!

Check out that nice 10 MOA chevron reticle which draws you to the center.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle

But that’s not all (sorry…couldn’t resist), there’s also a ring on the outside to show you if you’re off center.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle

Once you really get the hang of it…you shouldn’t see the ring anymore. And you can actually disable it to save battery life. But it’s a great training feature.

Compatibility

Using the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR, the number of slides that can mount the HS507C without the need for adaptor plates is a huge blessing.

It also makes it a great option for people that have older-gen RMRs and are looking to modernize.

We’ve mounted our multiple 507Cs to both Brownells Glock slides, PDP, and more.

Holosun HS507C-GR X2 Button on PDP
Holosun HS507C-GR X2 Button on PDP

Holosun HS507C X2 ACSS Vulcan Summary

  • Robust build with 20,000 hour battery life, solar backup, and shake awake
  • Great chevron reticle with outer ring that helps beginner shooters
  • Night vision capable and waterproof
  • Great price for the features

This may be our favorite red dot yet.

Available Coupons

We’ve got a lot more to say about it in our full review…as well as video review:

Now let’s look at some micro red dots for concealed carry handguns.

Micro Compacts with Red Dots, Front
Micro Compacts with Red Dots

3. Primary Arms SLx RS-10

A recent entry into the red dot space from Primary Arms…the SLx RS-10 is our go-to recommendation for an affordable red dot that excels in being a rock-solid optic either Picatinny mounted or on a pistol.

Primary Arms RS-10
Primary Arms RS-10

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1.1 oz
  • Battery Life: 25-50k hours
  • Night Vision Compatibility: Yes
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA Dot
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: Docter + MOS Plate
  • Price: $199

Look & Feel

This thing is solidly built and exceeds it’s more affordable price tag. Look-wise the hood is cool and the small PA logo is not too intrusive.

Primary Arms RS-10 in Flux Raider
Primary Arms RS-10 in Flux Raider

Oh yea…this thing is strong. We dropped it a total of 9 times while attached to a Flux Raider in the full review. Besides some expected scratches it cleaned right up with some water and held zero.

With all that weight falling on it, we think it would do well on a CCW handgun as well where it (hopefully) isn’t subjected to as much punishment.

Battery Life

This little is awesome with 25-50k battery life…and also comes with shake-awake! That makes it extra nice as a CCW optic where you don’t have to mess with buttons when you put it on and off.

Reticle: 3 MOA Dot

The dot is crisp but there’s a noticeable blue tint when looking through the glass. However it doesn’t feel any worse than other red dots.

Primary Arms RS-10 Glass
Primary Arms RS-10 Glass

However one annoyance is that there’s a reflection of the U and arrow designating up adjustments right above the dot. It doesn’t show up well in pictures but once you see it with your own eyes it’s hard to fully stop seeing it.

Dot is also super bright so you’re good from sunny Florida to scorching California. And of course you can dim for indoor use.

Compatibility

The RS-10 uses the popular Docter mount and also comes with Glock MOS mounting plates. However there’s been some reports that PDP first generation guns and PSA Dagger guns don’t fit…even though they are Docter cut.

Primary Arms RS-10 Picatinny Mount
Primary Arms RS-10 Picatinny Mount

Plus it comes with a Picatinny mount to put on larger pistols or even rifles.

Primary Arms SLx RS-10 Summary

  • Strong build with 25-50k hour battery life and shake-awake
  • Crisp 3 MOA dot however slightly blue tint on the glass
  • Night vision capable and waterproof
  • Great bang-for-the-buck
Best Affordable Option
199

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

4. Leupold Deltapoint Pro

Another great option is the Deltapoint Pro…but it’s my favorite for competition shooting due to the clearest glass and largest view.

Deltapoint Pro
Deltapoint Pro

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1.95 oz
  • Battery Life: Not listed, but most are saying less than RMR
  • Night Vision Compatibility: No
  • Dot Size: 2.5 MOA
  • Waterproof: 22 feet
  • Price: $360

Look & Feel

The biggest difference is that it’s slightly bigger than the RMR but has a much better view…both in clearness of glass and size.

Deltapoint Pro View
Deltapoint Pro View

2.5 MOA is perfect for close-up work and longer range shots.

Although plenty rugged with its double hood…I’d still give the overall win to the RMR in that department.

Deltapoint Pro Double-Hood
Deltapoint Pro Double Hood

Battery Life

I couldn’t find exact stats, but most people are saying the battery is not as great as the RMR.

BUT…it’s top-loading so you don’t need to remove your sight and re-zero.

Auto-On

Another great thing is that it has a motion-sensing auto-on function. It’s plenty fast and when I used it…it was always on before I could finish my draw.

I really like the auto-on function so I won’t fault its less-than-stellar button interface.

Deltapoint Pro
Deltapoint Pro Single Button

It’s one big spongy button in the middle where you have to keep pressing to go up and down in brightness. And hold to turn it off/on if you’re not using auto.

Compatibility

Not a lot of custom slides are milled for the Deltapoint Pro. But it’s ready for the Glock MOS and M&P Core (with adapter).

Also has a nice Picatinny adapter for pistols with rails. Or go with a 1/3 cowitness mount for your AR.

Deltapoint Pro Picatinny Mount
Deltapoint Pro Picatinny Mount

And works well with an Outer Impact dovetail mount shown on my Glock but available in other flavors.

Deltapoint Pro on Outer Impact Mount
Deltapoint Pro on Outer Impact Mount

Check out our video for the full install:

If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!

Deltapoint Pro Summary

  • Plenty robust with double hood
  • Largest window and clearest glass
  • Easy battery change and decent life
  • Motion-activated auto-on
  • Larger and taller profile
  • Not night vision compatible
Best for Competition
449

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

5. Burris Fastfire 3

The Fastfire 3 is the most affordable reliable option for entering the world of micro red dots.

Burris Fastfire 3
Burris Fastfire 3

Quick Stats

  • Weight: .9 oz
  • Battery Life: Up to 5 years
  • Night Vision Compatibility: No
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: Docter
  • Price: $180

Look & Feel

It’s less than half the price of the RMR but doesn’t feel cheap (especially in its AR-F3 Mount).

Fastfire 3 in AR Mount
Fastfire 3 in AR Mount

Glass is not as nice as the Deltapoint…but it’s still way less green than the RMR. View is also slightly larger than the RMR.

Only one button that cycles through 4 settings (off and 3 brightness settings) that are enough for most non-night vision wearers. Also, an auto-adjustment function that you can turn on/off.

Fastfire 3 View
Fastfire 3 View

Battery Life

I couldn’t find exact numbers on it…but it says it can be up to 5 years.

Also, a key thing to note is that there’s an auto-turnoff function at 9 hours.

Great on the surface since the battery won’t die if you forget to turn it off. But not the best if you’re carrying.

For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend it for CCW. But still perfect for a range/competition gun…especially with Burris’ forever warranty.

Compatibility

Not a lot of custom slides but the AR-F3 model is a perfect co-witness on my AR-15 (and has handy slots for extra batteries and tools).

Mounted Fastfire 3
Mounted Fastfire 3

Here’s the co-witness.

Burris Fastfire 3 Co-Witness
Burris Fastfire 3 Co-Witness

If you get the regular version, it comes with a low Picatinny rail mount that should do well with railed pistols.

Fastfire 3 in Outer Impact Mount
Fastfire 3 in Outer Impact Mount

Plus it fits into the Glock MOS (exact width) and M&P Core systems. And of course the Outer Impact system as well.

Fastfire 3 Summary

  • Lightest on the list
  • Top load battery for easy changing
  • Auto-brightness and 9 hour auto-shutoff
  • Clear glass but smaller viewing window
  • Only 3 brightness settings
  • Most affordable
199

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

6. Vortex Venom

Another affordable option is the Vortex Venom that’s just a little more than the Fastfire 3 and what I recommend as the best bang-for-the-buck pistol red dot.

Vortex Venom
Vortex Venom

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1.1 oz
  • Battery Life: 150 to 30,000 hours
  • Night Vision Compatibility: No
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: Docter
  • Price: $229

Look & Feel

I’ve always liked Vortex products…and I’ve been rocking their scopes in my competition rifles for years. This one is no different. Feels quality in hand and still really light.

Glass quality is on par with the Burris. I like the slightly wider field of view.

Vortex Venom, Rear
Vortex Venom, Rear

It does win in the button department…there’s an up and down button to cycle through the 10 brightness settings. However, the lowest is still too bright for night vision use. Also, auto brightness function that’s activated if you hold a button for 3 seconds.

Also an auto-shutoff function…but it’s at 14 hours so it’s acceptable for CCW use.

Battery Life

150 hours at the highest intensity and up to 30,000 at the lowest. Real-world use is probably somewhere in the middle which is good enough for me if you switch the battery every year or so.

Vortex Venom View
Vortex Venom View

Plus…it’s top-mounted for easy swapping.

Difference from Vortex Viper

The Viper has a slightly lower profile and comes in a strictly 6 MOA dot size.

But the Venom is a newer design and has slightly better ratings. The only con is that it uses CR1632 batteries compared to the more common CR2032 of the Viper. AND also comes in a 6 MOA flavor too.

Both have Vortex’s famous lifetime warranty.

Again, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new stuff every week!

Compatibility

It comes with an extra-low Picatinny mount that goes the best on railed pistols. I’ve been shooting it a lot with my Buckmark and it almost feels like I’m cheating!

Vortex Venom Mounted on Buckmark
Vortex Venom Mounted on Buckmark

Not a lot of pre-milled custom slides but works with the Glock MOS and M&P Core. Plus the Outer Impact system.

Vortex Venom on Outer Impact Mount
Vortex Venom on Outer Impact Mount

Vortex Venom Summary

  • Light and lowest profile with Picatinny rail
  • Clear glass and top-loading battery
  • Good battery life and 14-hour auto-shutoff
  • 10 brightness settings and auto-brightness
Also Affordable
249

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

7. Holosun HS507K X2

Let’s continue with Holosun’s micro red dot with its K model…the HS507K X2.

Holosun HS507K X2 Front
Holosun HS507K X2 Front

And just for comparison…let’s see the full-size C model vs the K.

Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R)
Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R)
Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R) Window
Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R) Window

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1 oz
  • Battery Life: 50,000 hours
  • Night Vision Compatibility: 10 daylight & 2 night vision settings
  • Dot Size: 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMSc
  • Price: $289

Look & Feel

Like its bigger brother, the all-metal housing HS507K feels great in hand and has a nice chunky enclosure that’s sure to survive all but the worst abuse.

Holosun HS507K X2
Holosun HS507K X2

+/- buttons are on the left side and easy to activate…and also turn off by pressing both at once.

Holosun HS507K X2 Shooting
Holosun HS507K X2 Shooting

Battery Life

50,000 hours (on setting 6)!

There’s also Lock Mode and Shake Awake tech to conserve even more battery life.

Reticle: Dot and Ring

One of my favorite reticles is the dot and ring that was pioneered by EOTech. Perfect for precise shots and also quick acquisition minute-of-bad-guy shots.

HS507K X2 Reticle
HS507K X2 Reticle

Everyone who shot the 507K thought it was cheating…if any part of the reticle was on target…it was a hit.

See it in action:

Compatibility

For the micro red dot market…the gold standard is the Shield RMSc footprint which the HS507K uses as well. It fit on all the guns we’ve tried…

9mm Micro Compacts
9mm Micro Compacts

Don’t have a micro yet? Check out our Best 9mm Micro Compacts.

Holosun HS507K X2 Summary

  • Robust build quality
  • 50,000 hours and shake awake technology
  • 1 MOA Dot and 32 MOA Circle reticle
  • Compatible with all tested micro compact guns

Overall our favorite micro red dot right now.

Micro Bang-For-The-Buck
295

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

8. Shield RMSc

Shield from the UK has been silently manufacturing red dots for a lot of big players…but now they’re here with their own Shield RMSc micro red dot.

Shield RMSc Shooting
Shield RMSc Shooting

Quick Stats

  • Weight: .6 oz
  • Battery Life: 2-3 years, >4 years in dark storage
  • Night Vision Compatibility: yes
  • Dot Size: 4 or 8 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMSc
  • Price: $319

Look & Feel

Probably the most unique looking out of our batch of micro red dots…the RMSc has a triangular cutout on the sides that definitely help with its minuscule .6 oz weight.

Shield RMSc Front
Shield RMSc Front

Battery Life

Shield went with 2-3 years as their timeframe which gives an upper limit of around 26K hours. And up to 4 years if the unit is in dark storage.

Why dark storage? Since it’s an auto-on system with a light sensor on the side.

Shield RMSc Side, Light Sensor
Shield RMSc Side, Light Sensor

Its CR2032 battery is on the bottom so you’ll have to remove the unit and re-zero…but that’s par for the course for these tinier red dots.

And if you remember to do it every 2 years or so you’re golden!

Reticle

We went with a 4 MOA dot and this particular model is their polymer (instead of glass) window. It’s very clear and the dot is good but slightly orange.

Shield RMSc Reticle
Shield RMSc Reticle

See it in motion here:

Compatibility

It’s the basis of the standard RMSc footprint…so it’s GTG for (almost) any micro compact handgun out there.

Shield RMSc Summary

  • Unique looking and super light
  • 2-3 year battery life with more if kept in dark storage
  • Clear polymer window with a crisp albeit slightly orange dot
  • Night vision compatible
  • Compatible with all tested micro handguns
Lightest Micro
349

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

9. Primary Arms Classic Micro

Another newer micro red dot from Primary Arms…the Classic Micro gives you an affordable red dot that’s tiny, affordable, but still with great battery life.

Primary Arms Classic Micro
Primary Arms Classic Micro

Quick Stats

  • Weight: .6 oz
  • Battery Life: 25-50K hours
  • Night Vision Compatibility: no
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMSc
  • Price: $149

Look & Feel

The Classic Micro is no frills in the looks department…but it probably doesn’t matter since it backs it up with useful buttons on the side that give great feedback.

Primary Arms Micro Reflex Buttons
Primary Arms Micro Reflex Buttons

However, like some other micros…the battery is on the bottom so you’ll need to take it off and re-zero each time.

And after a month of carry it’s still going strong even with some minor hits (see that big scratch above).

Battery Life

Even with the annoyance of having to take it off and re-zero…that’s only once every few years with its up to 50K hour battery life.

Though with this budget option you don’t get shake-awake so you’ll have to remember to turn it on/off for CCW purposes. Or because of the huge battery life just keep it on!

Reticle

Primary Arms Micro Reflex View
Primary Arms Micro Reflex View

Zeroing takes an Allen key which is not a deal breaker…but there’s also no tactile click to let you know you actually adjusted something. So keep that in mind.

However, it’s held zero through everything we’ve thrown at it in the full review. The dot is easy to see and is bright enough even for the scorching sun.

Primary Arms Micro Reflex on P365XL
Primary Arms Micro Reflex on P365XL

Compatibility

Standardized RMSc so you should have no problem mounting on almost all CCW guns.

Primary Arms Classic Micro Summary

  • Super affordable for the build and features
  • Great battery life with tactile +/- buttons on the side
  • Crisp/bright 3 MOA red dot
Most Affordable Micro
149

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Our current most affordable micro red dot that suitable for daily carry.

10. Crimson Trace CTS-1550

Want to ease into the world of micro pistol red dots with the least financial pain? Check out Crimson Trace’s CTS-1550.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Shooting
Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Shooting

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1 oz
  • Battery Life: 20K hours
  • Night Vision Compatibility: No
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMSc
  • Price: $139

Look & Feel

The CTS-1550 is from a slew of new options from Crimson Trace (originally known mostly for laser stuff). Check out our review of the larger RAD Pro pistol red dot and also RAD Max rifle optic.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Front
Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Front

Pretty average in terms of styling.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550
Crimson Trace CTS-1550

But I do have to let you know that it’s slightly wide compared to “standard” micro compact handguns. So you’ll have a little bit of shelf hanging off on the sides.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Overhang
Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Overhang

It doesn’t seem to expose any electronics so waterproofness should still be fine.

Battery Life

20K, or over 2 years, is great.

You also don’t need to mess with buttons since it has an ambient light sensor that turns the unit on and changes the dot intensity.

It also turns if off to further increase battery life.

Reticle

A nice crisp and bright middle of the road sized 3 MOA reticle.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Reticle
Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Reticle

One good thing with the side overhang is that it grants you a slightly wider field of view.

See it in action here:

Compatibility

It’s listed as a J-Point which as far as we can tell is the same footprint as the RMSc which is the standard.

Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Summary

  • Most affordable unit when you shop around
  • Good battery life with auto on/off functions
  • Slight overhang but gives you a wider field of view
  • Crisp/bright 3 MOA red dot

Want to try a micro red dot but not break the bank? The CTS-1550 is a good starting point.

139

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

11. Swampfox Sentinel

I’ve tested the Swampfox Sentinel for the longest since it’s lived on my P80 G43 project…and it’s a good Goldilocks micro red dot.

Swampfox Sentinel Shooting
Swampfox Sentinel Shooting

Quick Stats

  • Weight: .6 oz
  • Battery Life: 2 years real world
  • Night Vision Compatibility: No
  • Dot Size: 3 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Price: $239

Look & Feel

I love the look of it with the rounded window.

Swampfox Sentinel, Front
Swampfox Sentinel, Front

And for the most part I ran it with its optional “armor.”

Swampfox Sentinel Uparmored
Swampfox Sentinel Uparmored

When shooting, I felt that the optic had a taller field of view which can make dot acquisition faster…especially for beginners.

The reason being you’re likely pulling down from the top when learning to migrate from iron sights to a pistol-mounted red dot.

Battery Life

Battery life is par for the course with 2 years…and I like how they added real-world applications.

Reticle

A nice crisp/bright 3 MOA dot.

Swampfox Sentinel Reticle
Swampfox Sentinel Reticle

There’s several models of the Sentinel:

  • Auto Brightness with Auto-On
  • Manual Brightness with Shake-n-Wake

Plus throw in red or green dot varieties and you’ve got a bunch of flavors to choose from…I went with the red Auto Brightness with Auto-On.

Swampfox Sentinel Light Sensor
Swampfox Sentinel Light Sensor

Compatibility

RMSc footprint that will fit on almost anything…plus a good amount of set screws.

Swampfox Sentinel Summary

  • Nice red dot with a slightly taller field of view that might help beginners
  • Good battery life with 4 models to choose from
  • Decent price with ability to uparmor for more protection
Do-All Micro
195

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

12. Trijicon RMRcc

Does Trijicon still reign supreme even in the world of micro red dots with its RMRcc?

Trijicon RMRcc Shooting
Trijicon RMRcc Shooting

We love the red dot itself…but compatibility becomes the limiting factor for micros.

Quick Stats

  • Weight: 1 oz
  • Battery Life: 4 years
  • Night Vision Compatibility: Yes, 8 settings including 2 NV
  • Dot Size: 3.25 or 6 MOA
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Footprint: RMRcc
  • Price: $469

Look & Feel

It looks great and is essentially a smaller RMR. So it’s built like a tank and will survive almost anything you can throw at it.

Trijicon RMRcc Front
Trijicon RMRcc Front

Nice tactile buttons on each side and essentially tool-less adjustment for windage/elevation.

Trijicon RMRcc Side
Trijicon RMRcc Side

Battery Life

At the high end with 4 years.

Plus the ability to either secure auto-brightness for carry or a user-chosen brightness for competition.

Reticle

I like the option of having both 3.25 or 6 MOA reticles.

The dot is crisp and bright but window tint is slightly blue/green.

Trijicon RMRcc Reticle
Trijicon RMRcc Reticle

Compatibility

Here is where the RMRcc strays…it went with its own footprint instead of the RMSc standard (for micro compacts). Therefore, you’ll need adapter plates that raise it up.

If it weren’t for that…I’d love the RMRcc for a serious carry gun.

RMRcc Mount on Glock 43x MOS
RMRcc Mount on Glock 43x MOS

Trijicon RMRcc Summary

  • Trijicon build quality and battery life
  • Crisp 3.25 or 6 MOA reticle
  • Needs an adapter plate for most firearms (didn’t directly fit any of our test micro compacts)
459

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Pros/Cons of Red Dots

Now you know the best red dots for specific applications…but why even go with one on your pistol?

Pros

  • Sight acquisition: tracking a red dot is easier than rear and front irons…but you have to practice! The first time you try out a handgun with a red dot is going to feel really weird. The lower the mount (such as pre-milled slides)…the closer it’s going to be to using irons.
  • Long range shooting: if you’re running a 2-3 MOA dot…it’s going to get MUCH easier to hit farther distances. If you have your trigger fundamentals down (How to Shoot More Accurately)… 100-yard steel gong hits will become the norm.
  • Low light shooting: much easier compared to regular irons or even night sights. Even more so if you’re using NVGs (night vision goggles). Just make sure to choose the correct brightness setting with your goggles or your flashlight.
  • Poor eyesight: for many cases if you’re eyes are a little older and focusing on the front sight gets harder…it can be great to use red dots. Make sure your astigmatism is in check otherwise the dot will look blurry.
  • Situational awareness: since you can have both eyes open easily…you get to see more of your surroundings.
Micro Red Dots in Case
Micro Red Dots in Case

Cons

  • Electronics: more likely to fail than iron sights. Choose the correct ruggedness for your use and make sure to have fresh batteries. And/or have suppressor height irons as a backup.
  • Training: you have to practice with your exact optic and handgun to make sure you see the dot when you bring up your gun. It’s an “all or nothing” optic…you either see your dot or you need to fumble around to get it in view.
  • Expense: first the optic which will run at least $200 for a proven reliable red dot…plus custom mounts.
  • Weather: droplets of water or temperature differences can mess up the projecting laser or fog up the glass

Conclusion

Tested Red Dots, Top View
Tested Red Dots, Top View (L to R): Trijicon RMR Type 2, Leupold Deltapoint Pro, Burris Fastfire 3, Vortex Venom

There you have it…the reasons why or why not to get a pistol red dot. And our favorite picks across some price ranges and applications.

Bunch of Micro Guns and Red Dots
Bunch of Micro Guns and Red Dots
Best Pistol Red Dot Category Price
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Gold Standard $469
Leupold Deltapoint Pro Best for Competition $360
Burris Fastfire 3 Most Affordable $180
Vortex Venom Best Bang-For-The-Buck $229
Holosun HS507c Another Best Bang-For-The-Buck $299

What are your experiences with shooting red dots on your pistol? Any tips for the learning curve? Check out our How to Shoot Pistol More Accurately for more tips that translate to iron sights AND red dots.

The post 12 Best Pistol Red Dot Sights [Real-Views + Video] appeared first on Pew Pew Tactical.

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