Lets talk Red Dots on handguns

Aaron has the P2 video out.

Edwardteach72 said:

I'm waiting for my drive home to listen to this.

I'm interested in how his did.. since this video is almost 23m long and most of the other pistol optics lately have been about 10m shorter give or take

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I’ll give you a clue…it’s an Aimpoint!

Question. I’ve been thinking of one, but I have an astigmatism and the dots on normal red dots are very blurry to me. I have a prism red dot and o can see it perfectly. I don’t think anyone make a prism red dot for pistols do they? I’m guessing it’s because the prism is too large to fit in such a small package. I have the sig 365xl and was thinking of potentially adding a dot at some point.

Edwardteach72 said:

Yea sadly based on how prisms work we aren't at the point for handgun optics

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I figured, but you’re the resident expert so I wanted to ask. Thanks!!

Saltwater60 said:

Question. I’ve been thinking of one, but I have an astigmatism and the dots on normal red dots are very blurry to me. I have a prism red dot and o can see it perfectly. I don’t think anyone make a prism red dot for pistols do they? I’m guessing it’s because the prism is too large to fit in such a small package. I have the sig 365xl and was thinking of potentially adding a dot at some point.

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Some people claim that the green dots are better for those with astigmatism - as someone who has a mild 'tism (and not the aut) I decided to test it. I might have posted the pictures elsewhere -





The green shows up a little brighter (and also the red model was due for an annual battery change at the time). Personally without corrective lenses I find the red a little less blotchy - but it's so minor a difference that I'd be comfortable with either. Everyone is different also - and I've read even different copies of the exact same model.

From what I've read a smaller MOA dot is better for 'tism, and lower the brightness slightly.

I also have prescription safety glasses for the range - cost me $300+ a few years ago but so worth it.

MikeyCNY said:

Some people claim that the green dots are better for those with astigmatism - as someone who has a mild 'tism (and not the aut) I decided to test it. I might have posted the pictures elsewhere -

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The green shows up a little brighter (and also the red model was due for an annual battery change at the time). Personally without corrective lenses I find the red a little less blotchy - but it's so minor a difference that I'd be comfortable with either. Everyone is different also - and I've read even different copies of the exact same model.

From what I've read a smaller MOA dot is better for 'tism, and lower the brightness slightly.

I also have prescription safety glasses for the range - cost me $300+ a few years ago but so worth it.

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The smaller MOA dot being less effected makes complete sense. My astigmatism is fairly bad and largely the only reason I need glasses. My FIL had a red dot and I think it was green and it looked like a lopsided snowflake to me. It was a cheap osprey or something like that so a more expensive one maybe be better.

Saltwater60 said:

The smaller MOA dot being less effected makes complete sense. My astigmatism is fairly bad and largely the only reason I need glasses. My FIL had a red dot and I think it was green and it looked like a lopsided snowflake to me. It was a cheap osprey or something like that so a more expensive one maybe be better.

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I've also got an astigmatism. All red dots look like small starbursts to me. A 2 MOA dot minimizes the effect. I just put the starburst where I want the shot to go. I've been doing pretty well with a couple of Holosun 507c's and a 507K.

I've been reading up (and watching videos) on open reflex sights while waiting on permission from the state to pick up my P365X. Based on this I'm looking at the Holosun HE407K-GR X2 for the green and 6 MOA optic. From what I understand the larger green optic is easier/faster to pick up while aiming, and you don't need the pinpoint accuracy of 2 MOA for self defense purposes with a handgun.

Is this correct? I've never used/shot with this type of sight, but it seems like a relatively easy transition from iron sights.

minderasr said:

From what I understand the larger green optic is easier/faster to pick up while aiming, and you don't need the pinpoint accuracy of 2 MOA for self defense purposes with a handgun.

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Aim small, miss small.

I like the 2 MOA dots on my Holosun 510 (rifles), 507c, and 507k.

I have to zero my red dot on the new pistol. How many feet/yards do you guys recommend doing that at?

minderasr said:

I've been reading up (and watching videos) on open reflex sights while waiting on permission from the state to pick up my P365X. Based on this I'm looking at the Holosun HE407K-GR X2 for the green and 6 MOA optic. From what I understand the larger green optic is easier/faster to pick up while aiming, and you don't need the pinpoint accuracy of 2 MOA for self defense purposes with a handgun.

Is this correct? I've never used/shot with this type of sight, but it seems like a relatively easy transition from iron sights.

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I prefer the smaller MOA dots - yes the larger dot is easier to pick up, but it'll also make precision shots harder. I have this steel target (it was $160 when I bought it...) - and making "hostage shots" at longer range is fun -


There might be other considerations if you have or plan to use Night Vision - I've read that 6 MOA is better, and green dot doesn't show up as well. I have zero experience in that area so just relaying what I've read and heard.

Dr. Evil said:

I have to zero my red dot on the new pistol. How many feet/yards do you guys recommend doing that at?

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I've been using 10 yards for my pistols, however looking at @Edwardteach72 's picture I may have to consider 25 yards. One thing I forgot at the range, and Ben from @OnSight Firearms Training reminded me in a class two weeks ago, is when you're really close (we were at 3 yards for one part) you have to aim high because you're zeroed for 10+ yards.

Ben told me yesterday to sight the dot at 15 yards. Did this earlier this morning. Was double tapping to chest and one to the head and then double tapped to the head and one to the chest. The ones off target were before I adjusted the dot. Now I just need to practice, practice, practice.

Phazer said:

I've also got an astigmatism. All red dots look like small starbursts to me. A 2 MOA dot minimizes the effect. I just put the starburst where I want the shot to go. I've been doing pretty well with a couple of Holosun 507c's and a 507K.

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This makes sense and this was the optic I was thinking about.
The 2 moa makes sense to me and is probably similarly sized to a front sight dot.

Edwardteach72 said:

No front sights are (and this is difficult to actually measure because it has to do with how far it is from your specific eye and what not) actually closer to like 10-12 MOA as a rule of thumb

Update here is how to figure out size

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Thanks. I had no clue they would be that many MOA. I’ll have to measure mine and figure this out. I’m thinking a 2 MOA dot even snowflakes out won’t cause me an issue then.

Had a chance to check out an unmounted Holosun 407K (6 MOA) at the LGS today. Unfortunately he didn't have any 507Ks in stock.

It seemed nice, fairly easy to locate the dot. And it gets bright AF. However, at the highest level of brightness, the dot got extremely distorted. Think fried egg when you accidently break the yolk.

Is this something inherent to Holosun? This particular model? Or do all Holosuns have this issue?

minderasr said:

Had a chance to check out an unmounted Holosun 407K (6 MOA) at the LGS today. Unfortunately he didn't have any 507Ks in stock.

It seemed nice, fairly easy to locate the dot. And it gets bright AF. However, at the highest level of brightness, the dot got extremely distorted. Think fried egg when you accidently break the yolk.

Is this something inherent to Holosun? This particular model? Or do all Holosuns have this issue?

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I don't think this is an issue so to speak. Mine are the same. There is a certain point that you go beyond when making the dot brighter where it gets like that. I get to that point and then back off until it isn't too bright.

Tip toeing into red dots . . . Beretta 92x compact RDO and an inexpensive Bushnell. It's been almost three and a half years since I have even shot a gun (a lot of shit going on but I digress). Found a range out here in AZ and ran a box through using irons . . . Settled down a bit and mounted the RXS-100 on it and started again sighting it in. The guy with the suppressor left, the young couple watched, and the other old bastard (besides me) cussed.

Took me a couple of weeks to try to figure out the mounting plates and order my free one from The Pizza Gun joint. Got a DPP one and grabbed the Bushy for under $80.

The good, the bad, and the ugly . . .
Good - the 92x compact has the second best out of the box SA/DA trigger I have ever felt, just behind my Beretta LTT full size. Sig Legions aren't even close. The Bushnell RSX-100 for cheap worked great.
Bad - front sight is an orange dot and even in broad daylight meh. Progressive lenses are ok but at 63, well, hmm . . .
UGLY- ok Blue loctite is your friend . . . In my rush to mount the optic I neglected to use the tube of it I brought. Yup, dumbass got home a saw a hole where there should have been a screw.
Good, part 2 - Bushnell CS didn't even snicker and the aforementioned screw should be here this week.