Budget Entry level Red Dot.

[Captain Quack]

I EDC a Ruger Max 9 which is already set up for a red dot. I'm really curious about getting a red dot but I don't want to spend $300 or $400 for something I may hate. Any recommendations for entry level Red Dots to try out and if I like it buy a better one? Ruger has a Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Ultra and a Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec M3-Reflex Sight on the Max 9 accessories page in the $160-$170 range. Good place to start or is there something more budget out there I haven't found?

Captain Quack.

 

[tbs]

https://www.bushnell.com/red-dots/ar-optics/advance-reflex-sight/BU-AR750006.html

 

[giggitygiggity]

I am a huge fan of Swampfox red dots. They aren’t the cheapest, but some models can be had for under $200 and I find them much more robust than many others in that price range as they’re aluminum and also have the option of adding an “Ironsides” which is an additional metal jacket to further protect the sight. Allegedly, many of their optics are designed by a gentleman that designed for Primary Arms. The only downside is that they are made in China; some will slander the brand on that basis alone, but I have not experienced any quality control issues.

Additionally, I was in the market for a Shield footprint red dot sight about a year ago. The SIG Romeo 0, Shield, and Swampfox Sentinel were the only options that had that footprint. The SIG was made of plastic. The Shield had a plastic model which was affordable, but had a metal model which was $350ish if memory serves correctly. For about $250, I got a Sentinel which was metal and works great. I am not criticizing plastics/polymers and I am certain that they work fine in most instances, but I just have more confidence in a metal sight especially one that will get battered around on a pistol slide.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Burris Fastfire iii

 

[berettaprofessor]

Bushnell TRS-25 ($60-80) on Amazon...you could get them below $50 prior to the recent run on anything firearm-related. I've got several of them running around and they're a great little red dot. It's improvement, the TRS-26 is around $150. Also, I don't have any experience with them, but the Sig-Romeos are running about $130 right now.

 

[Captain Quack]

I'm hoping for maybe $125 and less. If I'm going to spend $200-$250 I might as well just go all the way. Or am I chasing that Chinese dragon? I think I've figured out the various mounts and MOA features so that's something. I keep googling for them but not having much luck, I don't want to buy a complete piece of crap that won't give me a good idea if they will work for me.

Captain Quack

 

[Captain Quack]

Sorry. I should have made it clear. I'm looking for one for a Ruger Max 9 pistol. Thanks anyway Berettaprofessor.

Captain Quack.

 

[Tom-R2]

I'm really liking mine, it's a Holosun 507k. Be sure you get the right size, the optic footprint is pretty small. The RDS for my Glock 23 is way too big for the Max-9. If you have a store nearby that has several models, you might take your slide (carry a different pistol) in and check the dimensions on several models.

 

[doubleh]

Deleted.

 

[forrest r]

I use several different brands of mini reddots of different pistols and revolvers. I picked up 1 of these bushnell rxs-100's to keep around for do-all temporary reddot to use use on anything for testing, fill-in, hunting, etc. It actually has done extremely well, had it on a couple different semi-autos (9mm & 45acp). Held up to the beating of hot loads on a 10" contender bbl/44mag & is currently on a 357mag.

Pretty impressive mini reddot for $100
https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A01894271FK0XHTBSA2R8&url=/Bushnell-RXS100-Reflex-Sight_RXS100/dp/B08DL8M2PB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=mini+red+dot&qid=1627464932&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&qualifier=1627464932&id=598640764406258&widgetName=sp_atf

A link to bushnell's website rxs-100 page where they're selling the sight for $99.99 along with a description of the sight and this "Bushnell's Lifetime Ironclad Warranty"
https://www.bushnell.com/red-dots/rxs/rxs-100-reflex-sight/BU-RXS100.html


I use 2mmoa, 3moa & 4moa dots.

This sight is a 4moa dot that does extremely well on targets, steel, bowling pins, etc @ 50yds and in. It really shines @ the 50ft line easily picking up on standard sized targets. Talking about shining, in bright sunlight the highest setting is actually too bright and gives the dot minor distortion, turn it back 1 setting and it's game on with clear round red dot.

The only issue I've had with this sight is with picking up on small targets like shotgun wads @ 50ft. The 4moa dot covers too much of the shotgun wad, there isn't much left/right up/down (centering) with the 4moa dot when the wad ends are facing me.

I typically use a 3moa dot for small targets out to 50yds and in and a 2moa dot for for anything further then 50yds

Anyway, I've only had the bushnell rxs-100 for 4 months now and it's done extremely well on everything I've put it on. I would absolutely buy another one. Been kicking around buying a canik tp9sfx, if I do This bushnell will have a permanent home on top of it.

 

[Captain Quack]

Forrest R. Timely advice. I just saw the XRS 100 and ordered one. Reviews were decent and it was right at the price point I was looking for for testing. If it does suit me well then the question will be what do I upgrade too?

Captain Quack.

 

[Buzznrose]

I am a huge fan of Swampfox red dots. They aren’t the cheapest, but some models can be had for under $200 and I find them much more robust than many others in that price range as they’re aluminum and also have the option of adding an “Ironsides” which is an additional metal jacket to further protect the sight. Allegedly, many of their optics are designed by a gentleman that designed for Primary Arms. The only downside is that they are made in China; some will slander the brand on that basis alone, but I have not experienced any quality control issues.

Additionally, I was in the market for a Shield footprint red dot sight about a year ago. The SIG Romeo 0, Shield, and Swampfox Sentinel were the only options that had that footprint. The SIG was made of plastic. The Shield had a plastic model which was affordable, but had a metal model which was $350ish if memory serves correctly. For about $250, I got a Sentinel which was metal and works great. I am not criticizing plastics/polymers and I am certain that they work fine in most instances, but I just have more confidence in a metal sight especially one that will get battered around on a pistol slide.

I’ll give the SF Sentinel a shout out too. I have one on a Glock 43X and G48. Zero problems after 500+ rounds

If you qualify for their military discount, it’s a significant savings.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have one of every model of the Swampfox micro reflex sights and haven't had any issues with any of them. And yes their MIL/LEO discount is nice.

 

[Captain Quack]

Looking all over I've seen a lot of good comments about Swampfox. I just checked with them and despite being a Canadian Army Veteran I would still qualify for the Mil discount. That's more of a thank you than I ever got there.

Captain Quack.

 

[Buzznrose]

I have one of every model of the Swampfox micro reflex sights and haven't had any issues with any of them. And yes their MIL/LEO discount is nice.

I have Sentinel, Justice, and Liberty red dots, and my favorites are the auto wake models. All have been excellent. I have one Vortex Viper and I cannot tell you how many batteries I go through with that one. My bad for not shutting it off, but I like the Swamp Fox features better.

 

[12Bravo20]

The only Swampfox reflex sight that does not have the auto shutoff is the Kingslayer. But that is not a big deal since they are on my Kel-Tec CP33 and S&W 22A pistols. My Sentinel is the always on auto brightness version.

 

[forrest r]

Forrest R. Timely advice. I just saw the XRS 100 and ordered one. Reviews were decent and it was right at the price point I was looking for for testing. If it does suit me well then the question will be what do I upgrade too?

Captain Quack.

Perhaps nothing.
If it does what you want why replace it????

 

[Captain Quack]

There is that. I really would like to get some of the options like shake awake. I'm horrible at things like remembering to put new batteries in things. I'm also really into customer service by a company and I have talked to a bunch of golfers and read a few reviews that Bushnell has horrible customer service.

Captain Quack.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Holosun is my go-to budget red dot.

 

[LeftyRed]

Holosun 407k. Can’t get any cheaper and have the reliability. Their 8MOA circle is pretty good! Waiting for them to come out with it in green.

Lefty

 

[forrest r]

Myself I buy burris fastfire III's before putting the same $$$ down on a Holosun 407k.

Really don't need any "shake awake" and 8moa is simply out of the question for me. Just depends on what the shooters wants and needs are.

You really need to get some range time in (200+ hours) and give the reddot you bought a good workout. Bells and whistles are not only nice to have, they're fun. But at the end of the day the reddot is there to put lead where you want it. A shake awake isn't going to tighten your shots up along with thru experience you'll find what size dot you'll need for your style/type of shooting needs.

My background with reddots goes back to 2006 with 22lr rimfire firearms setup for nra bullseye and steel challenges. In 2008 started running redots on 586's and then 629's. Finely switched over a pair of nm 1911's last year.

Anyway you should worry more about what you can do with a reddot rather that worry about what a reddot can do for you.

 

[Captain Quack]

That's why I'm buying a budget one first. To see if it will even work for me. Money is tight with having to pay out of this world prices for powder and primers and I'm not willing to drop $300+ on one if it won't work for me. If it does work then I'll buy a higher end one and put the Bushnell on something that isn't so critical as my EDC. Considering I have to return the XRS-100 I just received because it doesn't have a dot but has a series of hash marks instead doesn't say much to me about Bushnell QC.

Captain Quack.

 

[Captain Quack]

Well. This has been a adventure. The first one didn't have a dot. It had a blob. Bushnell said send it back to Amazon and get a new one. Guess what? Same issue. I contacted Bushnell and told them I would give them a chance to make good on it before I posted any reviews. Got the standard reply about shipping back.

At my own expense.

No. Sorry. Why should I pay for their chance to make it right? That's time and money out of my pocket to fix their problem. Back to Amazon with a bad review there too.

Captain Quack.

 

[Tom-R2]

I have my Holosun507k set to turn off after 10 minutes - the fastest setting. I was wondering how fast it comes on, so I placed it on a shelf and let it sit for a while. I walked over to the shelf and since I left it at eye level, I could see it wasn't on. The instant I touched it, it was back on. I did not even perceive any movement to the pistol or sight. So, it's pretty sensitive. It won't go off if you are wearing it.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Well. This has been a adventure. The first one didn't have a dot. It had a blob. Bushnell said send it back to Amazon and get a new one. Guess what? Same issue. I contacted Bushnell and told them I would give them a chance to make good on it before I posted any reviews. Got the standard reply about shipping back.

At my own expense.

No. Sorry. Why should I pay for their chance to make it right? That's time and money out of my pocket to fix their problem. Back to Amazon with a bad review there too.

Captain Quack.

Have you used a red dot before? I ask because if you haven’t and you have astigmatism, the dot will likely not be crisp. On regular illuminated scopes and illuminated prism scopes, this phenomenon does not occur. However, on pistol red dots sights, red dot sights, and holographic sights, this occurs due to the manner in which the dot is projected onto the glass/plastic. I do not understand the science behind it, but I have a slight astigmatism and on my pistol red dots and SIG Romeo5, I notice some distortion of the dot which I mostly mitigate by wearing glasses and adjusting the dot intensity.

Hopefully, you can get everything squared away.