A Hard Look At Carry Optics

The biggest news in handguns and accessories during the past few years has been the rise of carry optics. This wholesale adoption of red dot sights has come at breakneck speed. I realize that they are properly called reflex sights but we all call them red dot sights- even though some are green dot sights. The reflex sight was invented over one hundred years ago but it took some time for battery, LED, and electronic advances to make the reflex sight viable. The rise of the red dot sight is overwhelming.

Red dot sights make for faster and more accurate shooting. (Courtesy CZ-USA)

Today almost every third optic sold by maker optics makers is a red dot sight.  When you consider the number of hunting rifle scopes, AR and AK scopes, shotgun scopes, and .22 rimfire scopes sold this is a tremendous rise in popularity. Development has proceeded to the point that carry optics are reliable enough for service and self defense use.

The author firing his compact CZ P-10

Red dot sights such as the Trijicon RMR are legendary for their reliability. Battery life is phenomenal. With the red dot set on the highest settings the battery may last 10,000 hours but with a more conservative setting the battery may go a strong 30,000 hours. Among the most important nuts and bolts advancements has been in mounting fixtures. You no longer need have the slide faced off for mounting and today’s handguns offer a wide range of plates or systems to mount the popular red dot sights. Contact XS sights and you are in business!

That’s Gregory Clement burning through a course in USPSA competition.  (Courtesy Jake Martens)

The Human Eye

The human eye is a wonder and we should design technology that compliments our eyesight. Iron sights may work well enough but they require a focus on the front sight and closing one eye for best accuracy. We have to keep an eye on the sights and the target.  It is possible to use iron sights with both eyes open but some shooters simply cannot get the hang of it. When it comes to red dot sights we must train to use technology more effectively. This means target focus. It is like upgrading a shooters neurological capacity. We focus on the target, lay the red dot on the target, and shoot through the sight. Red dot sights offer great speed and accuracy. The learning curve is steep for some shooters but well worth the effort.

Most new pistols such as the CZ P-10 C Ported are delivered optics ready. (Courtesy CZ USA)

Choices in Red Dot Sights

When it comes to carry optics the primary driving force in price is features. There are a number of mounting systems, including direct mount RMSc for compact handguns and RMR type direct mount for larger handgun. An optic worth considering is the Sightmark Mini Shot. This sight is in the affordable range at around two hundred dollars, but will work well for most uses. Holosun also offers affordable options. In the end the more you pay the more features you get. Auto off and shake aware are good features but ask yourself if you need multiple reticles.

This is a Sightmark mini sight, a good value for the money.

Types of Red Dot Sights

A maker with a wide range of products is Holosun. These run from the affordable standard 407 to the more complex 509T. The more expensive versions feature up to three reticles including a dot, a dot in a circle, and a combination of a dot and circle reticle. This makes for versatility and the sight is easily adjusted for brightness, although it also features auto adjust. Holosun is among the most popular red dot sights.

A maker who has manufactured over 100,000 sights is Shield Sights. They enjoy a tremendous international reputation. Their sights are immortalized in a memorial to those who served in the war on terror. Shield’s RMSc footprint is among the most useful and compact of optics mounting systems. Recently Shield introduced an enclosed emitter type sight as well as a translucent roof RMSc size sights. The Shield sight is always on and features aggressive light adjustment.

This is the author’s Glock 17 and Sheild Sights enclosed emitter. 

This is the original Sheild Sights RMSC mounted on a SIG P365 pistol.

Among the most proven sights are the RMR and SRO from Trijicon. These sights are among the first to be regarded as service grade and serve with a number of institutions on service handguns. The RMR is my favorite, the SRO has a larger window well suited to big frame handguns. Recently Trijicon introduced their first green dot pistol optic.  The Leupold Delta Point Pro is a proven sight recently adopted by the US Marshal’s office. Recently the LAPD adopted the FN 509 9mm handgun based largely on its accuracy and accommodation of red dot sights. The red sight world is an interesting place to be.

Enclosed Emitters

Recently Swampfox optics introduced the Kraken enclosed emitter sight. A new trend is the enclosed emitter red dot sight. These sights offer rugged construction and a body that seals the internals and LED emitter from the elements. The aiming function may also be superior. 

Swampfox optics recently introduced the Kraken enclosed emitter red dot optic.

Many of the big names have introduced enclosed emitter sights including Holosun’s 509 T and the Steiner MPS. The MPS in particular is an awesome rugged design with an outer shell – a carapace in appearance- that protects the sight. More and better things are coming from red dot sights. From the simple to the sublime these sights are changing how we shoot and how we view handguns as regards speed and accuracy.

Steiner’s MPS is among the newest purpose designed enclosed emitter sights. This sight is intended for service grade duty.

If you are looking for a holster specifically designed to accommodate the red dot sights mentioned above, explore the Optic Ready Holsters by FALCO Holsters. 

Optics Ready Book

There’s no denying it: Optics—ready handguns are here to stay. From limited options just a few short years ago to today's near total market domination, optics—compatible pistols and revolvers have seen a dramatic rise in popularity. In Optics Ready: Red—Dot Sights for Modern Handguns, author and shooting instructor Robert Campbell unravels the dizzying array of options.

Whether you’re eyeing an optic—equipped handgun for concealed carry or competition, or you need to maintain proficiency in the face of aging eyes and deteriorating eyesight, this is essential reading. It covers and compares the best budget and premium pistol optics, explains how to choose rock—solid mounting solutions, and guides you on shooting and training with an optics—ready handgun for concealed carry and home defense.

Inside you’ll find:

• Types of pistol optics
• Understanding footprints and mounting options
• Red—dot vs. iron sights for concealed carry
• Optics—specific shooting and training tips
  

If you're new to the idea of outfitting your handgun with an optic, you have questions. Do budget handgun optics hold up as well as high—end brands? What are the different types of red—dot sights? Should your red—dot cowitness your iron sights? Which features are essential, and which are marketing hype? Find all the answers and more in Optics Ready: Red—Dot Sights for Modern Handguns!

Available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Booksellers May 1