Mounting a quality red dot sight on your pistol can make a whole difference in the manner that you shoot. Today, we shed a light on the best pistol red dot sight and provide insights to help you find the appropriate model for your needs.
Red dot sights are by far one of the most versatile sighting tools available in the sphere of optics. Not only do these sights enhance overall shooting experience, but also make aiming easier for avid marksmen.
With the right red dot sight at hand, you will be able to push your pistol to its full potential and acquire targets with ease. The best pistol red dot sight also enables rapid target acquisition in situations where quick response is vital such as home defense.
However, it can take time to know which model is appropriate for your needs. This is because of the plethora of options available on the market. But we are here to help. In our article, we will highlight the benefits of owning a pistol red dot sight and then take you the very best models available out there.
Benefits of Pistol Red Dot Sights
Red dot sights are with no doubt indispensable accessories for pistols. Here are some of the benefits that make them a key addition to every pistol:
Speedy Target Acquisition
Using a red dot sight for pistol shooting will help you find and acquire targets quickly irrespective of the environment you are shooting in.
Enhanced Performance in Low Light
Red dot sights have adjustable brightness settings for the reticle. This makes them highly effective in low light settings.
Greater Shooting Accuracy
Furthermore, the best pistol red dot sight will hone your shooting skills and ensure that you acquire targets easily with greater precision.
Ease of Customization
With the ever-evolving technology, red dot sights are now very easy to customize. This means that you can easily tailor your red dot sight to suit your preferences as well as specific shooting conditions.
Versatility
One pistol red dot sight can be mounted on a wide range of pistols or other firearms including rifles and shotguns. If you have a collection of firearms, you can have a single red dot and use it on all your firearms.
Best Pistol Red Dot Sights – Top Picks
1) Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Red Dot Sight
Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Red Dot Sight is by far the best pistol red dot sight. It is engineered for use with virtually all optic-ready pistols as well as rifles and shotguns.
A defining feature of this red dot sight is the aiming point. It has a crisp 3.25 MOA red dot reticle which provides a balance between speed and accuracy. The brightness of the reticle is adjustable into eight different settings, including two for night vision devices and one super bright.
The construction quality of this sight is also outstanding. It has a forged aluminum body to divert impact from the lens and ensure great durability. On top of that, it has a corrosion and scratch resistant finish, and a tempered glass window which is also scratch proof and impact resistant.
When it comes to use and handling, the sight has improved electronics and battery contacts to ensure reliable performance in harsh weather. It also brings to the table unlimited field of view and True-Color multi-coated glass window for quick target scanning.
Features
- 25 MOA red dot reticle
- Unlimited field of view
- Eight brightness settings
- 7075-T6 aluminum alloy housing
- Waterproof to 66’
- Corrosion and impact resistant finish
- Eight brightness settings
- True-Color multi-coated glass
- Ruggedized electronics and battery contacts
Pros
- Clear reticle
- Night vision compatible
- Large and clear glassing window
- Outstanding durability
Cons
- Battery life
2) Leupold DeltaPoint Pro 1×2.5 MOA Dot Sight
Leupold is a household name in the field of optics. It is known for its commitment to make best value optics and the DeltaPoint Pro 1×2.5 MOA Dot Sight is not any different.
This optic is accurate right out of the box. It has a crisp 2.5 MOA red dot reticle for precision aiming in all environments. Additionally, the reticle has 10 brightness levels and night vision capabilities for use day and night.
The sight is built with user convenience in mind. You can change the batteries without the need to re-zero it again. It also boasts a broad 60 MOA adjustment range which guarantees maximum total travel and unmatched flexibility.
What’s more, the red dot sight is guaranteed for life. It is housed in a durable yet lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum body for superior durability. The housing is also fully waterproof, fog proof and punisher tested to be shock proof and recoil resistant.
Features
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Removable adjustable rear sight
- Lightweight aluminum housing
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Motion sensor technology
- Tool-less spring actuated battery compartment
- Diamond Coat optical coating
- 8 brightness levels
- 5 MOA red dot reticle
Pros
- Night vision compatibility
- Great build quality
- Lightweight
- Ease of installation
- Top mounted battery
Cons
- The clarity of the reticle could be better
3) Primary Arms The SLx 1x23mm Mini Red Dot Reflex Sight
Primary Arms The SLx 1x23mm Mini Red Dot Reflex Sight is the best pistol red dot sight for the budget buyers. It is built on Primary Arms reputation for innovation, reliability and value.
Weighing a mere 1.1oz and featuring a compact form, the sight is perfect for use on pistols. It will not add any extra weight that can affect the precision of the pistol during use. Furthermore, it is remarkably easy to use, mount and dismount.
The optical performance of this red dot sight is outstanding. It offers a true day bright 3 MOA reticle with night vision capabilities. On top of that, it has fully multi-coated lenses to ensure optimal light transfer.
Solid construction is another highlight of this sighting tool. It is made from 7075 aluminum and coated with a hard anodized finish that is fully scratch proof and rust resistant. Over and above that, it is outfitted with convenient push-buttons controls as well as a side-loading battery compartment that enables easy battery change.
Features
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Rugged 7075 aluminum body
- Side loading battery compartment
- 3 MOA red dot reticle
- Low profile adaptor plate
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Hard coat anodized finish
Pros
- A range of mounting options
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Mount included
Cons
- Refresh rate
4) Crimson Trace CT-RAD Micro Pro 1×3 MOA Red Dot Sight
Next up, we have the Crimson Trace CT-RAD Micro Pro 1×3 MOA Red Dot Sight. Built with ease of use in mind, this optic is easy to install on an optics cut slide using CT micro footprint which is also compatible with Shield RMs and Jpoint footprints.
This red dot sight is compact, but tough as nail. It is made with 7075 series aerospace quality aluminum which is ultra-durable yet lightweight. Furthermore, it is IPX-4 water resistant, fog proof and shockproof for unimpeded field use.
To complement the sturdy construction, this sighting tool features a crisp 3 MOA aiming point which provides the ultimate balance of speed and precision even at extended ranges. The ambient light sensor included adjusts the brightness of the reticle to match the ambient lighting conditions and enhance its contrast with the background.
In addition to all these benefits, the Crimson Trace CT-RAD Micro Pro 1×3 MOA Red Dot Sight comes with decent battery life of 10,000 hours.
Features
- 3 MOA red dot reticle
- Ambient light sensor
- Bottom accessible battery compartment
- IPX-4 water resistance rating
- Picatinny mount
- Low profile design
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Aerospace aluminum housing
- Shake to wake sensor
Pros
- Good battery life
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to adjust
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Bottom battery compartment
5) Vortex Razor Reflex Red Dot Sight
When it comes to value and performance, it is hard to go wrong with the Vortex Razor Reflex Red Dot Sight. It is a high-clarity red dot sight that is designed to provide unmatched accuracy to your pistol, whether you are shooting during the day or night time.
This powerful red dot sight has proprietary anti-reflective lens coatings for exceptional brightness, clarity and color accuracy. It enhances the contrast between the target and the background for precision shooting.
Vortex optics are optimized for durability and this red dot sight model is not any different. It is built with a single-piece aluminum chassis that is waterproof, fog proof and resistant to shock and recoil.
Moreover, the premium wide field lens provides an incredibly spacious field of view and high-edge resolution. This makes glassing ultra-comfortable and aids in speedy target acquisition.
With all these features plus the high-speed precision targeting, the Vortex Razor Reflex Red Dot Sight makes an invaluable addition to the firearm of your choice.
Features
- Aluminum alloy chassis
- Unlimited eye relief
- 1MOA adjustment click value
- Parallax-free
- XR fully multi-coated optics
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Hard anodized matte finish
- Armortek lens coating
- 9 adjustable brightness settings
Pros
- Ease of installation
- Excellent build quality
- Clear glass
- Large viewing window
- Warranty
Cons
- Tall rail mount
6) Burris FastFire III Reflex Red Dot Sight
Next to grace our list of the best pistol red dot sight is the Burris FastFire III Reflex Red Dot Sight. This is another premium-quality red dot sight that is super-versatile, reliable and easy to use.
It has a 3 MOA red dot reticle for precision shooting in all distances. The reticle is easy to spot during use and there is an automatic brightness sensor that adjusts its brightness to match the ambient lighting conditions.
With a mere weight of 0.9oz, the sight mounts easily on any pistol without adding unnecessary bulk. It has unlimited eye relief to maximize eye comfort and a parallax-free design to ensure speedy target scanning and acquisition.
When it comes to construction, Burris built the sight with durability in mind. It has a robust aluminum housing with a non-reflective matte finish. Over and above that, it is fully waterproof, weather resistant and usable in temperatures ranging from -10 to 130℉.
Features
- Aluminum housing
- Parallax-free
- Unlimited eye relief
- 3MOA red dot reticle
- Automatic brightness sensor
- Top battery access
- Matte finish
- 8-hour automatic cut out feature
Pros
- Solid and durable construction
- Clear lens
- Easy to mount and use
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Tight battery cap
7) Viridian Weapon Technologies RFX-35 Micro 3 MOA Green Dot Sight
Last but not least, we have the Viridian Weapon Technologies RFX-35 Green Dot Sight. From sub-compact to full-size to PDW, this sighting tool is multi-platform friendly and highly versatile.
It has a crisp 3 MOA dot to fine tune your shooting skills and help you acquire targets rapidly. The brightness level of the dot is adjustable into 10 different levels for you to choose from based on your preference and shooting needs.
Furthermore, this optic is crafted to be nearly indestructible. It has a ruggedized aluminum construction which is shock proof and recoil resistant. The rock-solid housing coupled with the weatherproof design guarantee reliable performance in all weather conditions.
Another stunning feature is the long battery life. Even with repeated use, it can last up to 40,000 hours. Besides that, the optic boasts unlimited eye relief for optimal glassing comfort and a lightweight construction which makes it easy to mount and dismount.
Features
- Water resistant, fog proof and shock proof
- RMR mount type
- 3 MOA green dot
- Unlimited eye relief
- Tool adjustable
- 10 brightness settings
- Aluminum construction
Pros
- Long battery life
- Quality craftmanship
- Lightweight
- Small footprint
- Versatile
Cons
- No mount
Read Also
- 7 Best Red Dots for Glock 19
- 7 Best Red Dot for Sig P320
- 6 Best Red Dot for Glock 43X MOS
- 7 Best Red Dot for Canik TP9SFx
How to Choose the Best Pistol Red Dot Sight
Whether you intend to use the red dot sight for shooting, self defense or any other application, here are the things to consider before settling on any particular product.
Compatibility
First and foremost, ensure that the red dot sight is compatible with the pistol you intend to use it with. Most of the optic ready pistols are compatible with a wide range of red dot sights, but not all. So, be sure to make the right selection.
Reticle Size
The next thing to consider is reticle size. Generally, what you plan to use the red dot for plays a big role in determining your ideal reticle size. For shooting applications where accurate and speedy target acquisition is vital, we recommend that you get a small reticle of not more than 3 MOA. On the other hand, go for a large reticle that is easy to spot if you have astigmatism, aging eyes or any other eyesight problem.
Brightness Settings
The best pistol red dot sight comes with adjustable brightness setting for the reticle. The more the brightness settings the better. It will give you the ability to tailor the reticle to match your specific needs as well as the ambient light conditions. For all kinds of shooting applications, we recommend red dot sights with at least 8 brightness settings.
Size and Weight
Compact and ultra-lightweight red dot sights are recommended for pistol use. Such optics will hardly add any weight on the pistol or affect its accuracy and balance. A compact red dot sight also makes the pistol easy to carry and conceal.
Durability
Last but not least, consider durability. Whether you are buying a pistol sight for the first time or looking for an upgrade, it is important to get one that is built with durability in mind. The housing should be tough to withstand impacts, recoil and abuse. The best pistol red dot sight should also be fully waterproof and weather resistant.
FAQs
- What is the typical battery life of a red dot sight?
The typical battery life of a red dot sight varies from brand to brand and ranges between hundreds and thousands of hours. The longer the battery life, the more economical the optic is to run and maintain.
- Are red dot sights worth it on a pistol?
Absolutely. The easiest way to accessorize a pistol is to use a red dot sight. This optical sighting tools aid in rapid target acquisition in all situations. They are also important for fine-tuning precision with every shot you take.
Conclusion
The best pistol red dot sight is one that comes with all the features you need for your shooting needs. Each model we have mentioned above has every basic feature you need to hone your shooting skills and boost you overall speed of target acquisition. Take a look at the specs and attributes that make each model a good purchase and choose appropriately.