Sidearms & Scatterguns Which RDS for pistol?

[101stinfantry]

Let me preface this with: I tried this once before, and hated it. However, I'm willing to give it another try, mainly because I want to hunt deer with a pistol next year, and I think the RDS may be a bit more accurate than the irons..........especially since my eyeballs don't work quite as well as they used to. So which RDS should I get? Viper, Venom, Fastfire III? Whatever it is, it must be able to change the batteries from the top, I don't want to have to remove the whole sight just to change the battery. Also, prefer a 2-3moa dot, last one I used was a 6moa and I felt the dot was too big. I don't have very much experience with the micro red dots so I'm looking for some knowledgeable input. Thanks

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

RDS? Oh Yeah...Red Dot Sight.

Target or Self Defense?

I'm old and a pistol aficionado...my eyes ain't what they used to be but I don't compete or target shoot I train for SD with my pistols at realistic SD ranges. Like 6' to 30'. I point shoot with pistols for SD. Fuck sights. Move point and shoot. YMMV if yer rooting and shooting targets from a classic stance or punching paper with pistols.

http://www.pointshooting.com/faschap.htm

VooDoo

 

[101stinfantry]

No competitions, or Self-defense. Mostly just for deer hunting from a stand, and of course occasional practice on paper.

 

[leeb10]

The two top options on the market right now are the Leupold Deltapoint and the Trijicon RMR. If you must have top load batteries, then go Deltapoint

 

[deerhunter70]

Go Leupold. I have 2 RMRs (gen 1 and 2) and they are amazing, bombproof, end of the world kind of RDS. I have the Leupold DPP and I like that one way more for no other reason than the window is so much bigger. Super easy to find the dot. I don’t actually have to find it, it’s always where it needs to be when I bring my pistol up. With my RMRs I am always searching for the dot. When I run the same gun with the different sights against a timer it shows in favor of the Leupy. I’ll keep my RMRs but I they will be used on rifles.

 

[101stinfantry]

Go Leupold. I have 2 RMRs (gen 1 and 2) and they are amazing, bombproof, end of the world kind of RDS. I have the Leupold DPP and I like that one way more for no other reason than the window is so much bigger. Super easy to find the dot. I don’t actually have to find it, it’s always where it needs to be when I bring my pistol up. With my RMRs I am always searching for the dot. When I run the same gun with the different sights against a timer it shows in favor of the Leupy. I’ll keep my RMRs but I they will be used on rifles.

That was exactly my problem when I tried this before, and why I hated it! Thanks that is very helpful.

 

[Tahoe333]

Shield 4moa RMS

 

[Delicatessen]

What handgun are you using? If a revolver as you are hunting that probably opens up most. Things like sigs can’t milk very far into slides so probably shield would be a good option. I personally really want to try the ACRO when it finally is available. Right now rmr is probably the best bet for reliability but again depending on if it is on a moving slide. Another to consider is the vortex razor as it too has the larger window.

 

[Delicatessen]

Stupid auto correct, can’t mill

 

[shoots100]

I have a variable power leupold scope on one of my 44mag hunting revolvers.
The battery will never fail on it, Ever.

SJC

 

[cupid stunt]

I recently bought a red dot for a pistol for the first time ever, a Burris fast fire II. I bought it as I found better reviews than the Burris Fast fire III and it was cheaper . It made a BIG difference to the accuracy of my pistol shooting and it came with a forever guarantee........... Can't go wrong really. It weighs under an ounce.

PS The battery can not be changed from the top, but as they last for years I don't consider it a problem.

 

[strike33]

RMR adjustable type 2

 

[SpeedDrop]

I have used mainly Trijicon RMR for all pistols. The 3.5 MOA has been great to see and have abused them. You can sometimes find them on sale for around $400 for a type 2 (newer generation). Much more expensive than a vortex, but more bomb proof.

 

[Mike4837]

Let me preface this with: I tried this once before, and hated it. However, I'm willing to give it another try, mainly because I want to hunt deer with a pistol next year, and I think the RDS may be a bit more accurate than the irons..........especially since my eyeballs don't work quite as well as they used to. So which RDS should I get? Viper, Venom, Fastfire III? Whatever it is, it must be able to change the batteries from the top, I don't want to have to remove the whole sight just to change the battery. Also, prefer a 2-3moa dot, last one I used was a 6moa and I felt the dot was too big. I don't have very much experience with the micro red dots so I'm looking for some knowledgeable input. Thanks

If you're set on replacing the battery from the top, I'd have to vote for the Leupold Delta Point Pro as well. I would be fairly concerned about the Vortex of Fastfires surviving on a pistol that has the power needed to take down a deer. Trijicon RMR is my first vote, but that definitely does not fall into the batteries from the top category.

 

[cupid stunt]

If you're set on replacing the battery from the top, I'd have to vote for the Leupold Delta Point Pro as well. I would be fairly concerned about the Vortex of Fastfires surviving on a pistol that has the power needed to take down a deer. Trijicon RMR is my first vote, but that definitely does not fall into the batteries from the top category.

The Burris Fastfires come with a forever guarantee ( not sure about the Vortex ).... If they could not take the recoil from a high powered pistol or rifle the would not have any guarantee.

 

[skinnj1]

The Burris Fastfires come with a forever guarantee ( not sure about the Vortex ).... If they could not take the recoil from a high powered pistol or rifle the would not have any guarantee.

Vortex are lifetime warranty on their rds. For what it is worth, a RDS riding on a slide takes way more G's than a "high powered rifle", any manufacturer's rds sometimes go TU under these circumstances-mount it to the frame of a semi or on a barrel of a revolver and they live way longer w/o all the sudden starts and abrupt stops.

 

[TACC]

What handgun are you using? If a revolver as you are hunting that probably opens up most. Things like sigs can’t milk very far into slides so probably shield would be a good option. I personally really want to try the ACRO when it finally is available. Right now rmr is probably the best bet for reliability but again depending on if it is on a moving slide. Another to consider is the vortex razor as it too has the larger window.

I own to Sig 229's that have been milled for an RMR, as well as Glocks and even a FNS 9 and they work great.
I also own Vortex venom and viper, both are ok for target practice or gun games, but no where near as durable and robust as an RMR.
Go with the RMR.

 

[Jsmith410]

I have a G40 with a Vortex Razor. I like it ok and it has been dependable thus far but It does take a couple sec to find the dot. I did go with a 3.5 dot because I planned to mainly use it for hunting.

 

[101stinfantry]

It'll be going on an EAA 10mm, I use this gun for just shooting, and next season for deer. It's really too big for a CCW, though it would make a fine nightstand gun if you want or need that much power. Does anyone know what the price point on the new enclosed Aimpoint is supposed to be? Probably way more than I want to spend, since this isn't a gun that I'll be going to for saving my sorry ass.

 

[Rebels010]

My favorite RDS is the RMR06 Type 2. I have one on my G19 and I'm a big fan. As a carry weapon, I wanted the best available.

For your application and time frame, get a used Burris FF or Vortex Venom. Both come with lifetime warranties. Plenty of time to play with it this summer before hunting season. If you find you like it, keep it. If you find you want to upgrade your optic, sell it for a minimal rental fee since you got it used. Same scenario if you find you don't like it.

 

[hermosabeach]

Lets chat dot size....
8 MOA is big and I like it...
its 2" at 25 yards
1" at 12 1/2 yards

You can use the dot for Holdover too- use the top edge of the dot on your target should you need more precision up close.
I don't understand why some folks want a small dot for a handgun. 3.5 MOA is 7/8" at 25 yards...

Many shoot at 10 yards - so that is .35" A penny is .75"

For a durability, I like the trijicon RMR- it is extremely durable.. but you do need to remove the sight every 2 years to change the battery.

 

[Rebels010]

I’ve tried both and it’s the 3 moa dot by a landslide. Neither is wrong, just different strokes for different folks.

 

[sevenplagues]

Trijicon RMR , Model RM06 Type 2, which is a 3.25 MOA dot, and has user adjustable brightness. This is one of - if not the best way to go

 

[aslrookie]

If you’re struggling to find the dot, then your presentation to the target is your problem, not the optic itself. I can turn off all the lights in a room, draw from a holster, and see my red dot without effort.

It’s about proper presentation. The reason you struggle with the dot is because it’s making you have a good flat, straight, and consistent presentation to the target. Also, why do you need to change batteries?

I have had 2 batteries over the course of 2 years in my rmr and it’s constantly on. I’ve taken it back packing in freezing temperatures with moisture and never needed to change the battery. I only changed it because I wanted to.

If you’re going to use a RDS on a pistol, don’t settle for anything less than an RMR.

 

[sevenplagues]

If you’re struggling to find the dot, then your presentation to the target is your problem, not the optic itself. I can turn off all the lights in a room, draw from a holster, and see my red dot without effort.

It’s about proper presentation. The reason you struggle with the dot is because it’s making you have a good flat, straight, and consistent presentation to the target. Also, why do you need to change batteries?

I have had 2 batteries over the course of 2 years in my rmr and it’s constantly on. I’ve taken it back packing in freezing temperatures with moisture and never needed to change the battery. I only changed it because I wanted to.

If you’re going to use a RDS on a pistol, don’t settle for anything less than an RMR.

Sometimes the dot can flicker if the battery is losing connection. I agree with you about practicing. I run a RDS on my Glock 19 and when I first got it, I had issues finding it. In order to rectify this situation, I focused on fundamentals; isolating each step, until my draws were consistent and I was drawing at point of aim. Repetition is huge!

 

[Rillhurst]

RMR 06 Type 2 has 2 to 4 times the electrical contacts and should address the flicker issue. Co-witnessed with the iron sights also remedies the ‘chase the dot’ scenario.

 

[MajKong]

I have several Burris FastFire IIIs. One on a G34, one on a Ruger Mk III Lite, one on a Mini-14, and one on a 9mm AR. I can’t speak highly enough about them and they meet all your requirements. Sure, I’d love to run DeltaPoints, but then I’d have only one!

 

[Primus]

Hands down the deltapoint. Bigger, better glass, better dot, easier to change batteries and cheaper/just as durable. Leupold also has a pretty nice mil/leo discount that makes them really attractive.

 

[hermosabeach]

Kelly McCann aka Jim Grover was the first guy with a red dot on a fighting pistol. He did an overly high - count 2-3

He would bring the gun way up instead on dropping the elbow.

You pick up the front sight faster and the dot easier. I have his DVDs inside the crucible / enter the crucible. It was good / solid training at the time...
not saying it is bad now, but I think the first release was on VHS