Red dots

This collection contains red dot sights for pistols, rifles and shotguns. A red dot sight projects an aiming point on a lens. You keep both eyes open and place the dot on the target. Pistol red dots mount on the slide. Rifle and shotgun red dots usually mount on a Picatinny or Weaver rail. The collection is sorted by footprint and by brand.

Step 1: the footprint

The footprint is the screw pattern and base shape of a red dot. It decides which optic plates and mounts the red dot fits. For a pistol, check the footprint first. Most pistol red dots here use the Trijicon RMR or Shield RMSc footprint. Other footprints are Holosun K-series, Docter, C-More RTS, Leupold DPP, Holosun 509T, Aimpoint Acro and Aimpoint A-CUT.

• Red dots with Trijicon RMR footprint: a common footprint for full-size pistols.
• Red dots with Shield RMSc footprint: common on compact and slim pistols.
• Red dots with Holosun K-series footprint and Red dots with Docter footprint.
• Red dots with C-More RTS footprint and Red dots with Leupold DPP footprint.
• Red dots with Aimpoint Acro footprint and Red dots with Aimpoint A-CUT footprint.

If your pistol is Optics Ready, you need an optic plate for this footprint. See Optics ready plates. If your pistol has no optic cut, you need a red dot mount. See Red dot mounts.

Direct-fit red dots

Direct-fit red dots are made for one specific optic cut. They install without any plate. Examples are the Holosun SCS models. They exist for the CZ P-10, HK VP9 and SFP9, Walther PDP 2.0, Sig P320 and Glock MOS. Vector Optics Frenzy models are made for the Glock MOS, CZ Shadow 2 OR and Walther PDP 2.0. See Red dots with direct mounting footprint.

The Shield RMSc footprint also fits the factory cut of several slim pistols directly. Examples are the Glock 43X MOS and 48 MOS, Sig P365 X and XL, and Springfield Hellcat. See Direct-fit red dots.

Step 2: the reticle

The reticle is the aiming mark you see in the window. The size of a dot is given in MOA. One MOA covers about 29 mm at 100 m. A small dot covers less of the target and suits precise shots. A large dot is faster to find. In this collection, single dots range from 2 to 6 MOA.

Many Holosun models have a Multi-Reticle System. You switch between a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, or both together. The circle helps you find the dot fast at short distance.

Red or green

Most models come with a red or a green reticle. The color is named in the title or in brackets, for example [green]. Many shooters see green better in daylight. Red is the classic choice. Both colors work the same way.

Open or enclosed emitter

An open red dot has a single lens with the emitter in front of it. Rain, snow or dirt can block the emitter. An enclosed red dot protects the emitter in a closed housing. Enclosed models in this collection include the Holosun 509T, the Osight SE and the Shield AMS.

Window size and dimensions

The window is the lens area you look through. A larger window makes it easier to find the dot after recoil. Window sizes in this collection start at about 13 x 18 mm on small pistol models. Larger models reach about 26 x 32 mm. Each product lists its window size and total dimensions. A small, low red dot suits a slim carry pistol. A larger window suits sport shooting.

Battery, solar and power saving

Most pistol red dots run on a CR2032 or CR1632 coin cell. Some models have a side battery tray, so you can change the battery without removing the red dot. This keeps your zero. Holosun gives battery life of up to 50,000 hours on many models. Several features save power or replace it:

• Solar: some models have a solar panel as a backup power source. The Holosun SCS charges an internal battery from light.
• Shake Awake: the red dot switches off when idle and on again when it senses movement.
• Lock Mode: locks the buttons, so settings do not change by accident.

Some models also have night vision compatible settings.

Red dot height and co-witness

The height of the red dot decides if you still see your iron sights through the window. Some red dots are made to co-witness with standard height iron sights. The Shield AMS is an example. With most other red dots, you need taller co-witness sights to see the iron sights through the window. See Sights.

Zeroing

Every red dot has screws or dials for windage and elevation. After mounting, you zero the red dot at your typical distance. A side battery tray lets you change the battery without removing the red dot, so the zero stays. If your red dot sits at an angle, a shim corrects the point of impact. You keep your elevation range for zeroing.

Red dots for rifles and shotguns

Rifle red dots have a Picatinny mount and fit any Picatinny or Weaver rail. Some models also fit shotguns, such as the Vortex Viper shotgun model. Steiner, Holosun, Vector Optics and Sightmark make red dots for rifles in this collection.

Brands

The range includes Holosun, Vector Optics, Shield Sights, Olight (Osight), Sightmark, Vortex, Steiner, Aimpoint, C-More, Trijicon and Toni System. Some differences between the brands:

• Holosun: many models with the Multi-Reticle System, Shake Awake, Solar Failsafe and battery life of up to 50,000 hours. The X2 series adds Lock Mode.
• Shield Sights: the maker of the RMSc footprint. The SMS was designed for pistols and has a polymer lens. Newer models fit existing RMS and SMS mounts.
• Vector Optics: the Frenzy and Maverick series, including direct-fit versions for several pistols.
• Osight: the Osight SE is enclosed and has a side battery (CR1620).

See Red dots by brand.

Accessories

Covers protect the lens of your red dot. Replacement screws are available in common thread sizes, such as 6-32, 4-40 and M4. Shims of 1° install between the mount and the red dot. They correct the point of impact when the slide angle or mounting tolerance shifts it. See Red dot accessories.

Frequently asked questions

Which red dot fits my pistol?

1. Check if your pistol has a factory optic cut (Optics Ready, OR, MOS, OSP or RDO).
2. If it has one, check if a direct-fit red dot exists for your model. If not, choose any red dot and buy an optic plate for its footprint.
3. If it has no optic cut, choose a red dot and a red dot mount for your model. Both must use the same footprint.
4. Check the window size and dimensions. Slim pistols need small red dots.

What dot size should I choose?

Choose 2 or 3 MOA for precise shots at longer distance. Choose 4 to 6 MOA if you want to find the dot faster at short distance. Choose a dot with a 32 MOA circle if you want both options.

Do I need a plate or a mount?

You need a plate if your pistol has a factory optic cut. You need a mount if it has no optic cut. You need neither if you buy a direct-fit red dot for your exact model.

Can I change the battery without removing the red dot?

Yes, if the model has a side battery tray. On models with a battery under the red dot, you must remove the red dot and zero it again.

Red or green reticle?

Both work the same way. Many shooters see green better in bright daylight. Choose the color you see better.