Mini Red Dot Sight Systems on Handguns (MRDS)

265 Replies

If you’ve been paying attention to the defensive or competition handgun market over the past 10 years, you’re likely aware of the growing trend toward slide-mounted mini red dot sights (MRDS) in addition to (or in place of) standard iron sights. Most handgun manufacturers now offer at least one model with integrated mounting provisions for a red dot sight and makers that don’t are feeling a lot of consumer pressure to add them.

The reasons red dots are becoming more commonplace on handguns (and we feel this trend will continue until it’s “the norm”) are largely the same as the reasons red dots have become ubiquitous on combat and practical competition rifles: firearms mounted with red dots are easier to use, simpler to learn, and faster to shoot.

In this article, we’ll elaborate on the key reasons why MRDS on handguns are taking over the market. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of handgun red dots, in addition to the basics of shooting them well.

RED DOT SIGHTS ON HANDGUNS HAVE BEEN USED IN COMPETITION FOR DECADES

Aimpoint was the first big name to popularize the use of its simple, rugged red dot “scopes” on rifles and handguns, as far back as the mid-to-late 1970s. In the 80s, IPSC handgun shooters began to build custom scope mounts on their revolvers and 1911s to allow the installation of red dot scopes (and they looked very similar to traditional scopes, with a tube-shaped profile).

This tube-type red dot scope also became very popular in Bullseye handgun competition, and red dots of all types remain legal in the sport to this day.

However, the “micro” or “mini” red dot sights of today didn’t start appearing until around 2005, and their use on handguns definitely took a leap forward in 2009 with Trijicon’s introduction of its excellent RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) optical sight, which remains a top choice for duty, defensive, and rough competition use.

ADVANTAGES OF MRDS

SINGLE FOCAL PLANE

The human eye can only focus on one thing at a time, in one focal plane. When shooting a handgun with traditional iron sights, most people are told to focus hard on the front sight, while the rear sight and the target will necessarily be slightly blurry. However, studies show that our biology prioritizes a “threat focus” when under stress, so you are likely to focus hard on an attacker (often specifically on the attacker’s weapon in a defensive situation) or the target (in a stressful, timed competition) rather than on the front sight, unless you’ve practiced long and hard to do otherwise.

One primary advantage of the MRDS optic is that there is only one focal plane required: you simply focus on the target and if you align your handgun properly, the red dot will appear “on the target” where you are aiming. There’s no confusing 3-focal-plane nonsense or shifting your focus from the target to the front sight and back.

WIDER, LESS RESTRICTED FIELD OF VIEW

Traditional iron sights, using a common “center hold” where the bullet impacts the target just above the front sight, require you to cover the bottom half of the target with the sights to achieve proper sight picture and sight alignment. You’re only seeing the top half of the target, with your sights and firearm obscuring everything below.

A red dot, even the relatively small window of a MRDS on a handgun held at arm’s length, will still allow a much greater view of the target, the point of aim, and the area below it, compared to iron sights. Depending on the distance, you can often see the entire target through the window as well as much of the surrounding space.

MORE ACCURATE

Most shooters find they can shoot more accurately with a red dot than with iron sights, particularly at distance and when speed is an issue. With the dot, you can easily “holdover” for longer shots, while still seeing the entire target in the window. Your eye will also automatically center the dot on a round bullseye target, which is easier to see clearly at distance when using a “target focus,” as discussed above.

FASTER TRANSITIONS, FASTER SHOOTING

There’s a reason “open guns” at handgun competitions nearly always include an optical sight. The speed and accuracy advantages are undeniable. Even skeptics of the “newfangled” MRDS will become converts if they practice with it and shoot back-to-back strings using a shot timer. Transitioning from one target to another is simply faster and easier if you don’t have to worry about aligning your front sight, your rear sight, and your target. The numbers don’t lie… where speed is paramount, the red dot is king.

BETTER FOR “OLD EYES”

Many older shooters who have trouble getting an effective sight picture with iron sights can find renewed handgun prowess by adding an MRDS. Even if the actual “dot” or reticle isn’t super crisp for these shooters, they can still easily align the dot on the target and make effective hits.

DISADVANTAGES OF MRDS

 DURABILITY ISSUES

Although the most recent generations of the MRDS, at least the top quality (and expensive) ones, can absorb quite a lot of abuse, they are still complicated electronic devices that include glass and solder and wires and batteries. So they are inherently more fragile than simple, low-profile sights made of steel.

Also, some MRDS optics’ mounting screws and/or plates (particularly on Glock’s MOS-equipped guns) have been known to break due to the forces involved, and people have been beaned in the forehead by flying red dots. So be sure to vet your combination of handgun and MRDS thoroughly and carefully before any serious use.

EXPENSE

Prices have come down and entry-level MRDS are now available for well under $100 (though we wouldn’t recommend them). However, a good one will cost you from around $300 up to $700. In some cases, this is more than the price of the pistol you mount it on. Though the practical advantages of the red dot are undeniable, many people find the expense to be a deal-breaker.

RETICLE WASHOUT/FLARE

Most red dot sights either automatically adjust to ambient lighting conditions via an electronic sensor or are manually set to a specific brightness by the user. In both cases, the reticle/dot can be washed out or become nearly invisible when shooting from a dark space into a light/outdoor space, for example, or when shooting inside a dark room but with a tactical light illuminating the target.

This can be mitigated somewhat by turning up the dot’s brightness higher than you would typically want it, but it’s still a potential issue. In addition, when you crank up the brightness of the dot too high, there is almost always some “bloom” or flare around the reticle and it can appear less crisp and larger than it needs to be for utmost accuracy.

FOGGING, RAIN, OR DEBRIS CAN OBSCURE OPEN-LED EMITTERS AND/OR THE SIGHT WINDOW

The open-type design of many mini red dot sights (including the Trijicon RMR) can allow rain or condensation to obscure the LED emitter (the “red dot” that’s reflected on the optic’s window), and a drop of water in the right spot can also cause the dot to “fracture” and appear as several dots in the reflecting window.

While this condition is relatively rare, it certainly is a consideration and within the realm of possibility, particularly for police officers who carry their duty handguns in an external belt holster in cold weather, and then enter a warm space, or shooters who use their handguns in the rain.

Furthermore, if an open-emitter MRDS-equipped handgun is dropped in the dirt, snow, or mud, debris can obscure the emitter and/or the sight window and can be difficult to remove.

There is a very recent trend toward fully enclosed MRDS like the Aimpoint Acro and the Holosun EPS series, and this can eliminate the issues above, but these sights are pretty expensive and are more bulky than traditional open-emitter MRDS types.

ASTIGMATISM AND RED DOTS

People with astigmatism or other eyesight issues can sometimes have a hard time getting a sharp sight picture when using a red dot. The dot can appear blurry, or perhaps shaped like a teardrop or question mark, or even two dots. Trying a green, rather than red, reticle can sometimes alleviate this, as can trying a different brand or model of MRDS and seeing which one looks the best to you. The best advice here is try before you buy.

BATTERY LIFE

Though some MRDS types are available with solar panels to enhance battery life (or with tritium+fiber-optic illumination), the best-looking, best-shooting, and most versatile red dots all run on batteries. The top manufacturers promise battery life between 6 months and 5 years depending on use and brightness settings, but the fact is you’re still going to want to change your battery sooner than recommended, just to be safe.

(We’ve had a battery on a frequently-used Trijicon RMR last for over 3 years, but we don’t recommend putting this to the test, particularly on duty or defensive-use optics.)

At a minimum, we recommend you change your battery every year on New Year’s Day, or your birthday, or other memorable day (and change all the batteries in your home smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and your Liberty safe’s SecuRam electronic lock at the same time).

The Deltapoint Pro and most of the Holosun red dots have top- or side-mounted battery access, while the RMR must be removed from the slide to replace the battery, which of course requires you to clean and remount the screws with threadlocker, and re-zero your optic after reinstallation. Some find this a hassle, and some feel it’s a small price to pay for unparalleled durability.

HOLSTER/CONCEALMENT OPTIONS MAY BE LIMITED

The larger the optical window and the more durable the MRDS housing, the bulkier it will be when mounted on top of your handgun. Some holsters are incompatible with red dot-equipped handguns, and the additional bulk and sharpish edges of some mini red dots can make concealed carry (particularly pocket carry) a chore.

DIFFICULT TO LEARN

Now, we aren’t contradicting ourselves. In the intro above we said that MRDS handguns were “simpler to learn” than iron sights. However, what that means is that for a new shooter, it’s easier to learn to align a red dot on the target than it is to line up the rear sight, front sight, and the target for a proper sight picture.

For someone who has been shooting for years and is accustomed to the “front sight, press” school of handgun shooting, switching to an MRDS-equipped gun can be mildly frustrating at best and infuriating at worst. We’ve known several shooters who simply refused to try to learn to shoot a red dot after one try, because they found it so counterintuitive. But if you dedicate yourself to regular practice, a red-dot-equipped handgun may become your favorite tool.

COUNTERFEITS

It’s an unfortunate fact of our global economy that anything that is in high demand (and is relatively high in price) will inevitably attract counterfeits from China. So, if you are shopping for your “Trijicon” MRDS on sites like eBay or Amazon, be very careful to check multiple sources, read reviews, and learn the tell-tale signs of counterfeits before you get burned on a knock-off at a “great price.”

TIPS ON SHOOTING A RED DOT OPTIC-EQUIPPED HANDGUN WELL

 The main difficulty most shooters have when transitioning to a red-dot-equipped handgun is “finding the dot.” Since the dot and window are completely independent of traditional sight alignment, many shooters find themselves fishing for the dot, or quickly losing the dot after they find it, or after each shot.

The short answer to this problem is “practice, practice, practice.” The more you practice getting a consistent draw, and a consistent presentation of the gun, the more often the red dot will be aligned with your eye at the completion of the draw stroke. It takes lots of slow, perfect repetitions to allow you to gradually increase your draw/presentation speed, and if you practice enough, you’ll find that you don’t even have to think about finding that dot; it will simply appear on the target and you can break the shot.

CONSIDER INSTALLING CO-WITNESS IRON SIGHTS

Moving from iron sights to a handgun without them, one equipped with only a red dot optic, can be a tall order at first. Some experts recommend installing suppressor-height iron sights, or otherwise “co-witness” irons, to their MRDS-equipped handguns, not only as a backup in case the optic fails, but to aid in aligning the pistol properly and locating the dot.

We recommend against “slaving” your red dot to your iron sights, but it can be helpful at first to use your irons to generally guide your eye to the dot. One potential problem with this is you may become dependent on the iron sights to locate the dot, and you may find one day that either the rear or the front sight has gone missing (we’ve had this happen in the middle of a competition stage, when the front sight broke off).

 

265 thoughts on “Mini Red Dot Sight Systems on Handguns (MRDS)”

  1. Tabitha Corwin

    Your ability to distill complex concepts into digestible nuggets of wisdom is truly remarkable. I always come away from your blog feeling enlightened and inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!

    Reply ↓
  48. zapoy_vyvod_yuOl

    Вывод из запоя без боли и страха – Профессиональные услуги
    Вывод из запоя на дому [url=vivodizzapoyaalmaty1.kz]vivodizzapoyaalmaty1.kz[/url] .

    Reply ↓
  55. lency

    Основываясь на долголетний навык в этом секторе и профессиональную бригаду профессионалов, по восстановление эксплуатационных характеристик скважины, капитальный ремонт скважины, прочистка ливневой канализации, обустройство скважины, очистка дренажной канализации, поставка водоподъёмных колонн, замена водоподъёмной трубы в скважине, поставка скважинных труб и другие. Эти услуги обширно применяются во многих ориентациях, в разного рода как ирригация, сельское хоз-то, комерческий или жилой комплекс. Наша бригада экспертов обладает обширным практическим опытом в данных областях, что позволяет нашей фирме реализовывать данные работы такие услуги как очистка скважины, обслуживание скважин, диагностика скважин, монтаж насоса в скважине, телеинспекция систем канализации, промывка трубопроводов высоким давлением, замена водоподъёмной колонны в скважине, очистка трубопроводов высоким давлениемпродуктивно и быстро. Представляемые услуги ценятся различными нашими заказчиками за их быстрое исполнение и конкурентноспособную расценочную программу.

    Reply ↓
  59. GK_Peresvet_lkKr

    GK Peresvet: надёжные винтовые сваи для частного и коммерческого строительства
    ГК Пересвет: свая винтовая цена

    Reply ↓
  99. kladovayaldiams

    Мучает дилемма: расщедриться или нет? Разбираемся, когда щедрость уместна, а когда лучше воздержаться. Советы и подсказки, как найти баланс между щедростью и собственными интересами. https://kladovaya-znanij-3.ru/rasschedritsya-ili-net-dilemma-schedrosti/ Расщедриться или нет: дилемма щедрости

    Reply ↓
  103. kladovayaznanijldiams

    От королевского подарка до предмета необходимости: узнайте, как наручные часы прошли путь от роскоши до повседневности и покорили мир! https://kladovaya-znanij-4.ru/istoriya-naruchnyh-chasov-ot-zhenskogo-ukrasheniya-do-muzhskogo-aksessuara/ История наручных часов: от женского украшения до мужского аксессуара

    Reply ↓
  158. Jeremywet

    BE A MATCH FOR GRAPHICS CARDS AND PROCESSORS ADMINISTRATOR TO WELL-SPRING! The important business is the following:
    – Can GPU be adapted to for the sake of calculations?
    – Is GPU estimate faster than CPU?
    – Is a GPU comparable to a CPU?
    Also assume into the open air how to descry pass‚ if the processor is compatible with your GPU. Paramount specifications, results of popular benchmarks, scene rating and reviews on site CPUDebate.]

    Reply ↓
  176. parkcam_ru_ltSl

    ParkCam — всё для вашего авто: автоэлектроника, аксессуары, системы безопасности
    паркам.ру магазин автоэлектроники

    Reply ↓
  184. megaplast24_ru_zuMl

    Мегапласт – ведущий производитель пленки и упаковочных материалов в Красноярске
    мегапласт пленка megaplast24 ru

    Reply ↓
  203. Металлобаза_Юметалл_rvpt

    Юметалл – надежная металлобаза с большим выбором металлопроката для строительных и промышленных нужд. Узнайте больше на сайте.
    Юметалл – лист цветной металлопрокат

    Reply ↓
  204. Svetlawaync

    Разглеждайки темата за гражданската отговорност, няма как да не споменем удобствата и предложенията, които предлага Болерон при интернет сключване на тази застраховка.
    Болерон улеснява процеса, като предлага ефективна и достъпна платформа за онлайн сключване на полица, което икономисва време и усилия на клиентите. Освен това, компанията предлага конкурентни тарифи и прозрачни оферти, което позволява на клиентите да вземат информирано решение. Дигиталното решение на Болерон е идеално за всички, които предпочитат лесното и достъпното, когато става въпрос за гражданска отговорност.

    гражданска отговорност онлайн калкулатор

    Reply ↓
  211. special event planners

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

    Reply ↓
  212. Mariajef

    Тази програма за нова година в Дубай ол инклузив звучи страхотно! Включените разходки, като панорамната обиколка на Дубай и посещението на The View at the Palm, дават възможност да се видят най-добрите забележителности на града. Също така, резервацията в модерен 5-звезден хотел е прекрасно предложение за това време на годината. Някой посещавал ли е с Exotic Holiday досега? Бих се радвал да чуя отзиви за техните гидове и организирани турове.

    Reply ↓
  214. zidni satovi

    I am curious to find out what blog platform you are utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?

    Reply ↓
  225. Silviawaync

    Здравейте на всички във форума! Искам да споделя невероятното си изживяване с Exotic Holiday – изключителна агенция, която силно препоръчвам на всеки, който желае за екзотична почивка или вълнуваща екскурзия до далечни дестинации. Тази година се възползвах техните оферти и избрах почивка на райски остров – Малдивите, и това беше сбъдната мечта! Мястото беше като от пощенска картичка: екзотични плажове, кристално чиста вода и истински лукс.
    За тези, които искат нещо по-авантюристично, Екзотик Холидей предлага голям избор от културни обиколки, сафари приключения и екскурзии до Африка, Южна Америка и Азия. Аз съм си набелязала няколко техни предложения за обиколка на древни цивилизации и еко туризъм в Амазонската джунгла, което е изключително интересно за следващото ми пътуване.
    Определено те осигуряват професионализъм и внимание към детайлите – от настаняване до местни гидове и културни преживявания. Ако жадувате истинско екзотично приключение или просто релакс на тропически остров, не се бавете да се свържете с тях!

    релакс и спа почивки

    Reply ↓
  226. Silviawaync

    Здравейте на всички във форума! Искам да споделя страхотното си изживяване с Exotic Holiday – страхотна туристическа агенция, която силно препоръчвам на всеки, който желае за екзотична почивка или вълнуваща екскурзия до екзотични дестинации. Тази година се възползвах техните оферти и избрах почивка на райски остров – Малдивите, и това беше мечтано преживяване! Мястото беше като от картичка: екзотични плажове, кристално чиста вода и истински лукс.
    За тези, които търсят нещо по-различно, Екзотик Холидей предлагат голям избор от културни обиколки, сафари приключения и екскурзии до Африка, Южна Америка и Азия. Аз съм си набелязала няколко техни предложения за обиколка на древни цивилизации и еко туризъм в Амазонската джунгла, което е изключително интересно за следващото ми пътешествие.
    Определено те предлагат качество на услугите и внимание към детайлите – от места за отсядане до местни гидове и културни преживявания. Ако търсите истинско екзотично приключение или просто релакс на тропически остров, не се бавете да се консултирате с тях!

    екскурзия с група Екзотик Холидей

    Reply ↓
  227. Simonawaync

    Добър ден! Наскоро открих сайта Ovee.bg и съм изключително доволна от начина им на работа към пренаталните добавки. Те предлагат специално разработени формули за жени, които планират бременност или имат затруднения при забременяване. Това, което наистина ме зарадва, е, че продуктите са съобразени с различните нужди – има основна формула за началото на процеса, разширена за тези с по-големи предизвикателства и специална формула за проблеми като поликистоза. Всяка доза е в малка опаковка, което е страхотно, защото не се налага да мъкна няколко опаковки хапчета. Формулите са съгласувани с медицински експерти, което ми осигурява спокойствие. Ако някой търси подкрепа за репродуктивното си здраве, със сигурност си струва да хвърлите поглед на Ovee.bg!

    добавки за забременяване

    Reply ↓
  238. Altonetect

    мтс интернет кемерово
    https://ai-db.science/wiki/%C3%90%C2%A1%C3%90%C2%BA%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%91%C5%92_%C3%90%C5%93%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C2%A1_%C3%90%CB%9C%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B0_%C3%90%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2_%C3%90%C5%A1%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%BC%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B2%C3%90%C2%BE_%C3%90%C5%B8%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%B0%C3%90%C2%B2%C3%90%C2%B4%C3%90%C2%B0_%C3%90%CB%9C_%C3%90%C5%93%C3%90%C2%B8%C3%91%E2%80%9E%C3%91%E2%80%B9
    мтс тарифы на интернет

    Reply ↓
  243. DonaldCreld

    билайн интернет
    https://hikvisiondb.webcam/wiki/%C3%90%C5%B8%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B4%C3%90%C2%BA%C3%90%C2%BB%C3%91%C5%BD%C3%91%E2%80%A1%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%B8%C3%90%C2%B5_%C3%90%E2%80%98%C3%90%C2%B8%C3%90%C2%BB%C3%90%C2%B0%C3%90%C2%B9%C3%90%C2%BD_%C3%90%E2%80%98%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%B7_%C3%90%C5%B8%C3%90%C2%B0%C3%91%C3%90%C2%BF%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B0_%C3%90%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2_%C3%90%C5%A1%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%BC%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B2%C3%90%C2%BE_%C3%90%C2%B2%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B7%C3%90%C2%BC%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B6%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%BE_%C3%90%E2%80%BA%C3%90%C2%B8
    сайт билайн кемерово

    Reply ↓
  251. Bryantex

    ттк домашний интернет барнаул
    https://chessdatabase.science/wiki/%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C5%A1_%C3%90%CB%9C%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%82%AC%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%80%9A_%C3%90%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%C3%91%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B0%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%B2%C3%90%C2%BB%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%90%C2%B8%C3%90%C2%B5_%C3%90%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%91%C6%92%C3%90%C2%BF%C3%90%C2%B0_%C3%90%C5%A1_%C3%90%C2%A1%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B8
    ттк подключить барнаул

    Reply ↓
  253. LelandBet

    ттк подключение
    https://king-wifi.win/wiki/%C3%90%C5%BE%C3%90%C2%B1%C3%90%C2%B7%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%91%E2%82%AC_%C3%90%E2%80%9D%C3%90%C2%BE%C3%90%C2%BA%C3%91%C6%92%C3%90%C2%BC%C3%90%C2%B5%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%91%E2%80%9A%C3%90%C2%B0%C3%90%C2%BB%C3%91%C5%92%C3%90%C2%BD%C3%91%E2%80%B9%C3%91%E2%80%A6_%C3%90%C2%A4%C3%90%C2%B8%C3%90%C2%BB%C3%91%C5%92%C3%90%C2%BC%C3%90%C3%90%C2%B2_%C3%90%C3%90%C2%B0_%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C5%A1_%C3%90%C2%A2%C3%90%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2
    провайдер ттк

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *