What is the best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40? In this comprehensive article, I will take you through the best red dots for Smith & Wesson M&P 40, highlighting the specifications, pros, and cons.
Red dot sights have revolutionized handgun shooting and the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 is not left behind. Choosing the best red dot sight for your Smith & Wesson M&P 40 can be a game changer for you irrespective of what you use this handgun for. The sight can significantly hone your shooting skills, providing faster target acquisition and improved accuracy in virtually all environments.
About the Smith & Wesson M&P 40
The Smith & Wesson M&P 40 is a renowned semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by Smith & Wesson (S&W). It belongs to the M&P (Military & Police) series, which was introduced in 2005 as a successor to the Smith & Wesson Sigma series. Its key features and specifications include:
- Caliber: The Smith & Wesson M&P 40 is chambered in .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson), a popular cartridge known for its balance of stopping power and manageable recoil.
- Capacity: The standard magazine capacity varies but typically holds around 15 rounds.
- Design: The M&P 40 is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol. It has a stainless steel slide and barrel for durability and corrosion resistance.
- Safety: This handgun includes multiple safety features such as a trigger safety, frame-mounted ambidextrous thumb safety (optional on some models), and a loaded chamber indicator.
- Ergonomics: The M&P series is known for its ergonomic design, with customizable grip inserts to fit different hand sizes comfortably.
What Optic Footprint Does the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Have?
The Smith & Wesson M&P 40 comes with a standard optic footprint which is compatible with a wide variety of red dot sights. One of the common footprints for the M&P series is the “Smith & Wesson M&P C.O.R.E.” (Competition Optics Ready Equipment) design. It is designed to allow for the mounting of popular optics directly to the slide without the need for special tools or custom machining.
Best Red Dots for Smith & Wesson M&P 40
1. Trijicon RMR Type 2 6.5 MOA LED Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Fabric/Material: Forged Aluminum
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.63 – 0.83 in
- Reticle: 6.5 MOA Red Dot
- Brightness Settings: 8
- Battery Life: 4 Years at setting 4
- Optical Coating: True-Color, Multi-Coated Lens
- Length: 1.8 in
- Weight: 1.2 oz
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 6.5 MOA LED Red Dot Sight stands out as the best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40. It offers exceptional performance in various shooting environments and is built with user-friendly features for ease of use.
Crafted from forged aluminum, this sight is extremely durable, capable of withstanding harsh conditions and heavy recoil. Furthermore, the optical tube is sealed to lock out dust and moisture and ensure unimpeded performance in all weather conditions.
With the 6.5 MOA dot, the sight offers a perfect balance between precision and rapid target acquisition, making it versatile for both close-quarters and medium range engagements. The LED illumination is bright and crisp for clear visibility in both daylight and low-light scenarios.
Installation and adjustment of the RMR Type 2 are straightforward for added convenience. The windage and elevation controls are easy to manipulate, allowing for quick and accurate zeroing. Additionally, the battery life is impressive, providing up to four years of continuous use on a single CR2032 battery.
With all these handy features and superior construction, this sight is a worthy investment for serious shooters and professionals seeking a top-tier red dot sight for their handgun.
Pros
- Outstanding durability
- Ease of use
- Impressive battery life
- Bright, crisp, and easy to spot red dot reticle
- Versatile, accurate, and reliable
Cons
- Big budget
2. Leupold DeltaPoint Pro 1 x 2.5 MOA Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Fabric/Material: Aluminum
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.71 – 1.05 in
- Reticle: 2.5 MOA Red Dot
- Brightness Settings: 8
- Battery Life: 300 hours
- Optical Coating: Diamond Coat
- Length: 1.82 in
- Weight: 1.95 oz
Leupold has a reputation for making rugged and reliable optics like the DeltaPoint Pro 1 x 2.5 MOA Red Dot Sight. This red dot sight impresses with its precision and durability.
It employs a 2.5 MOA red dot which provides a crisp and clear aiming point, making it ideal for rapid target acquisition in a variety of lighting conditions. The sight is remarkably lightweight so it won’t add unnecessary bulk to your firearm. Additionally, it is easy to install with no specialized tools required.
To help the reticle serve its purpose, the sight has quality lens that offers a wide field of view with minimal distortion. Additionally, the motion sensor technology automatically activates the red dot when the sight is moved, ensuring it’s always ready for action without draining the battery unnecessarily.
Durability is another selling point of the DeltaPoint Pro. Constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum, it is both robust and resilient, capable of withstanding harsh environments and heavy recoil. Additionally, it is fully waterproof and fog-proof for reliable performance in adverse weather conditions. The tool-less spring-loaded battery compartment allows for quick and easy battery changes without losing zero.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Ease of installation
- Robust construction capable of withstanding harsh environments and heavy recoil
- Easy to access battery compartment
Cons
- Short battery life
3. Burris Optics FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Fabric/Material: Aluminum
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21mm
- Reticle: 3 MOA Red Dot
- Brightness Settings: 3
- Field of View, Linear: 190 ft at 100 yds
- Weather Resistance: Yes
- Length: 1.9 in
- Weight: 1.5 oz
Burris Optics FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight is the best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40 for budget buyers. It is a compact and versatile sighting solution that comes at a price that is affordable.
One of its standout features is its lightweight design. weighing in at just 1.5 ounces, it is perfect for use with this pistol without adding significant weight. Besides that, it boasts a durable construction, with a robust aluminum housing that ensures it can withstand heavy recoil and harsh environmental conditions.
Regarding reticle, the sight is outfitted with a 3 MOA dot. It offers the ideal balance between speed and accuracy, making it ideal for both quick shooting and precise aiming. Additionally, the automatic brightness sensor adjusts the dot’s intensity based on the ambient lighting, ensuring visibility in any lighting condition.
In terms of usability, the FastFire 3 is incredibly user-friendly. It has a top-loading battery compartment that allows for easy battery changes without the need to remove the sight. On top of that, the sight also features a convenient power button that controls both the on/off function and brightness settings, making it simple to operate in the field.
Pros
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Durable construction
- Crisp 3 MOA reticle
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited brightness settings
4. Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight
- Color: Black
- Finish: Hard Anodized Matte
- Fabric/Material: Aluminum Alloy Chassis
- Objective Lens Diameter: 26.5 mm
- Reticle: 6 MOA Dot
- Illumination Type: LED
- Brightness Settings: 10
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Battery Life: 150 – 30000 hours
- Length: 1.9 in
- Weight: 1.1 oz
The Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight is another budget-friendly optic built for performance. It is a top choice for shooters looking to enhance their speed rapid target acquisition and shooting performance.
This compact sight features a 6 MOA dot that is crisp and clear. It is optimally illuminated and ideal for both close-quarters and mid-range shooting. Furthermore, the 1x magnification ensures an unlimited field of view, allowing for quick transitions between targets.
With the fully multi-coated lenses, the sight provides a bright and clear sight picture, even in low-light conditions. Besides, you can tailor the illumination intensity of the reticle into 10 brightness settings for quick aiming in virtually all light settings.
Vortex optics are known for their rugged construction and this sight is not an exception. It is constructed from rugged aluminum which is both durable and lightweight, to withstanding harsh environments and recoil from high-caliber firearms. Other than that, the sight features a a top-load battery compartment that makes battery changes quick and hassle-free without removing it from the firearm.
The sight is also parallax-free, ensuring that the point of aim remains consistent regardless of eye position.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Bright and clear optics
- Premium wide-field lens with exceptional edge-to-edge resolution
- Minimalist design that ensures it can work with a shotgun, rifle, or handgun
- Robust and well-built
Cons
- Short battery life
5. HOLOSUN HE507C-GR X2 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle Open Reflex Pistol Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: Green 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
- Light Wavelength: 540nm
- Magnification: 1x
- Parallax Free & Unlimited Eye Relief
- Power Source: Solar & Battery
- Battery Type: CR1632
- Battery Life (Hours): 50000
- Brightness Setting: 10 DL & 2 NV
- Window Size: 0.63×0.91
- Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
- Surface Finish: Anodize
- Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA
- W&E Travel Range: ±50 MOA
When it comes to performance and reliability, it is hard to go wrong with the HOLOSUN HE507C-GR X2. This highly impressive reflex sight stands out for its versatile and reliable performance in all situations.
This model features a multi-reticle system of 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle. It offers users flexibility in target acquisition and precision. Besides, the green reticle is exceptionally bright and clear, providing excellent visibility in various lighting conditions.
Moreover, the sight has multi-coated lens to enhance light transmission and ensure a crisp and sharp image. This is complemented by the robust construction and an anodized finish that resists wear and tear. Additionally, the solar failsafe and Shake Awake technology ensure that the sight is always ready for action, conserving battery life when not in use.
Another impressive feature of the HE507C-GR X2 is its user-friendly design. It has a side-mounted battery tray that allows for easy battery replacement without removing the sight, maintaining zero settings. The buttons are tactile and responsive, allowing for quick adjustments to brightness settings.
Moreover, the sight also offers a robust mounting system, ensuring it remains securely in place even during heavy recoil. All these advanced features combined with solid construction makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their shooting accuracy and reliability.
Pros
- Multi-reticle system
- Super LED technology
- Easy to install and use
- Solid, robust and reliable construction
6. Crimson Trace CTS-1250 Compact Open Reflex Pistol Sight
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Finish: Matte
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 1.7 in
- Reticle: 3.25 MOA Red Dot
- Illumination Type: LED
- Illumination Color: Red
- Battery Type: Stand Alone Lithium
- Battery Life: 40000 hours
- Shockproof: Yes
- Fogproof: Yes
- Weight: 1 oz
The Crimson Trace CTS-1250 Compact Open Reflex Pistol Sight is the best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40 for beginners. It is built with an intuitive and user-friendly interface to accommodate all shooters from beginners to veterans.
Its compact design integrates seamlessly with this handgun, providing a clear advantage in quick target acquisition. Furthermore, the sight offers a crisp 3.25 MOA red dot reticle, ensuring speedy target acquisition and precision even in challenging lighting conditions.
Construction-wise, the sight is built with durability in mind. It features rugged construction that withstands recoil and heavy use. Additionally, the optical tube is weather resistant to ensure reliable performance in harsh environmental conditions.
With the user-friendly controls, this red dot sight enables easy brightness adjustments to match ambient light levels. It also boasts a low-profile design that facilitates comfortable holstering without snagging, ensuring readiness in critical moments.
Pros
- Top accessible battery compartment
- Long battery life of up to 40,000 hours (4.5 years)
- Industry standard mounting interface
- Low-profile, snag-free design
- High efficiency LED for years of maintenance-free use
Cons
- Not duty worthy
7. Swampfox Sentinel 1x16mm 3 MOA Dot Ultra Compact Micro Dot Sight
Specifications
- Fabric/Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Objective Lens Diameter: 16mm
- Reticle: 3 MOA Red Dot
- Brightness Settings: 10
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Optical Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Length: 1.61 in
- Weight: 0.62 oz
Last but not least, we have the Swampfox Sentinel 1x16mm 3 MOA Dot Ultra Compact Micro Dot Sight. This compact and lightweight red dot sight impresses with its blend of low-profile design and robust performance.
Designed for quick target acquisition and accuracy, the sight features a crisp 3 MOA red dot that is accurate and easy to use. The quality lens helps the reticle to serve its function by providing a wide field of view that enhances situational awareness.
The Swampfox Sentinel red dot sight is compact but built with durability in mind. It boasts a rugged aluminum housing that ensures reliability in challenging conditions. This makes it suitable for both handguns and rifles without adding unnecessary bulk.
Moreover, its intuitive controls allow for easy brightness adjustments, adapting swiftly to varying light conditions. This high-performance micro dot sight also features unlimited eye relief and parallax-free optics for comfortable glassing with or without eyewear.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy brightness adjustments
- Robust aluminum construction
- Long battery life
Read Also
- 7 Best Red Dot for 10mm Pistol
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How to Choose the Best Red Dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40
Choosing the best red dot sight for your Smith & Wesson M&P 40 is not something you do in a hurry. Here are the key factors to take into consideration before you settle for any product.
Compatibility
Compatibility is the first thing to consider. Ensure that the red dot sight is compatible with the Smith & Wesson M&P 40. Check for mounting options and whether the sight is designed to fit securely on your pistol.
Durability
After compatibility, check the durability and construction quality of the red dot sight. A tip is to opt for a model that is rugged and durable, capable of withstanding the recoil and harsh conditions that firearms may encounter. The best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40 should also be waterproof and fog-proof.
Battery Life
Next. check the battery life of the red dot sight. Longer battery life is desirable to minimize the frequency of battery changes or recharges. Additionally, you should choose a red dot sight whose battery compartment is put either on the side or at the top for easy access.
Reticle Type
Decide on the reticle type based on your preference and shooting style. Common reticle types include dot, circle-dot, and holographic sights. Choose one that helps you acquire targets quickly and accurately.
Ease of Use
Consider how easy it is to adjust the brightness settings, zero the sight, and make other adjustments. User-friendly controls can make a significant difference in usability.
Price
The best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40 doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Set a budget and look for a red dot sight that offers good value for money. Balance cost with the features and performance you need.
Size and Weight
Consider the size and weight of the sight, especially if you prefer a compact setup. A lightweight sight can help maintain the balance and maneuverability of your pistol.
FAQs
- Can you put a red dot sight on a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield?
Yes. You can put a red dot sight on a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield to enhance its usability and accuracy.
- Which type of red dot sight is best for the M&P 40?
The M&P 40 is compatible with various red dot sights. Opt for a durable and reliable model designed for handguns.
- What is the best range to sight in a red dot on a pistol?
10 or 15 Yards. The 15-Yard zero distance is arguably the best all-around for your pistol’s red dot sight.
- Is it worth putting red dot on handgun?
Absolutely. Putting a red dot on your handgun will not only enhance your speed of target acquisition but also fine-tune your shooting accuracy even in low level light settings.
Final Words
Hopefully, this article has shed some light into the best red dot for Smith & Wesson M&P 40. With a quality red dot sight at hand, you will hone your shooting skills, boost your speed in target acquisition, and make the most out of your shooting. Remember to settle for a model from reputable brands for quality and reliability assurance.