Best Red Dot Sights for Pistols 2020 – The Ultimate Guide

1. Burris Fastfire III Red Dot Sight 2. Trijicon RMR Red Dot Sight 3. Leupold Delta Point Pro Red Dot Sight

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A red dot sight is an item that makes the life of a shooter simpler and increases their effectiveness. It acts as a cool accessory for your gun which not only makes your pistol look even better but helps you aim better in all kinds of conditions as well. Shooting with a red dot sight mounted on top of your pistol helps in faster target acquisition, easier focusing, and a better target hit rate. Also, the amount of misses gets reduced significantly without affecting the speed. The most important aspect of shooting with a red dot sight mounted pistol is that if you can hit a target at suppose 25 m with double the accuracy, then you can definitely hit the same target at 50 m as well. In this article, you can find only the best red dot sight for pistol available in the current market.

A red dot sight can be considered as a non-magnified, illuminated sight for your pistol that uses a red dot to aim at the target. The red dot may be generated by an LED or a laser diode. Red dot sights were introduced as tools used on the battlefields. The red dot sights being used today have been transformed into compact, lightweight and durable optical tools. Red dot sights for pistols were first introduced to be used in the hunting ground, but later got adopted by shooters as well. Now, the demand for pistol red dot sights is increasing like never before.

A red dot sight makes it pretty easy for the shooter to focus on a target while shooting. The shooter simply needs to point the red dot on the target and pull the trigger. You do not have to align the sights with the target for a perfect aim. Also, the red dot has the ability to move and cover the target flawlessly. This auto-correcting nature of a red dot sight helps a shooter keep both their eyes open while aiming and shooting which results in greater accuracy due to an increased awareness of their surroundings. A red dot sight is also known to provide a wider field of view, making it easy to shoot from a greater distance. Another advantage of a red dot sight is that it works well even in low light conditions.

A red dot sight is easy on eyes as well. Every shooter’s vision weakens over a long period of time and they need to adapt in order to maintain the accuracy and reliability of their shot. A red dot sight comes handy in this scenario and facilitates those with diminished vision.

But you need to be careful while using a red dot sight along with your pistol because there is always a possibility of malfunctioning since it’s an electronic equipment after all and can result in screen obscuration. You need to be well trained and prepared in case of optical or technical failure.

What to look for in a Red Dot Sight?

Let us help you go through some of the factors you need to consider while purchasing the best red dot sight for your pistol. 

Projection Type

Red dot sights may employ any one of the two types of projections namely holographic or reflex. A holographic projection uses a laser diode light to create a holographic red dot that can easily be projected onto the viewing window. Also, the sight is illuminated from the front of the lens. In contrast, a reflex projection uses an LED light which can be projected onto the viewing window and the sight is illuminated from behind the lens.

Reticle Style

A reticle or red dot is used to align the pistol with the target under consideration as effectively as possible. It is designed in such a way so that a shooter can pinpoint a target even in poor light conditions. A reticle is available in different styles that vary in terms of their color and pattern. The patterns include a single dot, a bullseye pattern or crosshairs. The color of the dot can be red or green. The size of the reticle can also be adjusted based on the needs of the shooter. It is known that a bigger dot results in faster targeting.

Housing Configuration

A red dot sight comes in two different styles namely tube style and open style. The tube style is much more traditional and allows the shooter to apply filters and protective covers to the optical lens. In contrast, open style is not as traditional and classic and consists of very minimal components including a light source and an objective window. In an open style design, filters cannot be used to improve the overall viewing experience.

Battery Life

As these are electronically powered, you may have to pay attention to the battery life of these devices. You need to be sure that the reticle will work whenever and wherever it is required. A red dot sight with a short battery life may abandon you at any given moment. Without the reticle at a crucial time which might be while you make the final aim, the targeting becomes difficult and less accurate. A red dot sight is good enough if it is able to operate for at least a thousand hours before giving up. Make sure to turn the sight off when not in use to ensure an extended battery life.

Compatibility with your pistol

A red dot sight needs to be mounted over your pistol for it to be used correctly. But not all sights can mount on any type of pistol or handgun. A specific red dot sight is designed to be mounted over a certain type of pistol. Make sure that the red dot sight you wish to purchase is compatible with your pistol and fits right in.

Appropriate size

Before purchasing a red dot sight, make sure that its size is appropriate to be mounted over your pistol. Also, you need to ensure that the weight is suitable for you to easily hold the pistol with the sight mounted on top of it. This is because the overall weight of your handgun or pistol will be affected by the weight of the sight mounted over it.

Top 10 Best Red Dot Sights 2020

There are a variety of red dot sights which are tough enough and small enough for mounting on pistols. You need to determine which red dot sight best suits your needs. Here is a list of some of the best and most popular pistol red dot sights available in the market currently.

1. Burris Fastfire III Red Dot Sight

The Burris Fastfire III Red Dot Sight is one of the most versatile pistols red dot sights currently available in the market. It is extremely sturdy and has been built to withstand rugged and harsh outdoor conditions for a long period of time. Also, it is accurate enough to be used in competitive environments. This Picatinny Mounted Red Dot Sight includes a 3 MOA reticle that can easily be adjusted to four different brightness settings namely automatic, high, medium and low with the push of a button. The automatic brightness adjustment setting easily adjusts to the current lighting conditions. Elevation adjustment settings are also available with this pistol red dot sight.

The Burris Fastfire III Red Dot Sight also comes with waterproof and shockproof features to add to its versatility. Another feature adding to its convenience of use is the battery access. The batteries are located on top of the sight so that the whole red dot sight isn’t required to be dislodged in order to replace worn out batteries. Also, the presence of a low battery indicator makes you aware of the current battery situation and enables you to be fully prepared for your next outdoor adventure.

The Burris Fastfire III red dot sight is considered to be the most versatile sight because it can be mounted on top of a wide range of firearms including shotguns, handguns, rifles, pistols, etc. Its small and lightweight, weighing around 2 ounces, making them extremely suitable for pistols and handguns. Also, it is made of a pretty durable material which makes it your shooting companion for a long time. It also comes fitted with an optional sunshade to prevent glare.

Pros

  • Extremely Versatile
  • Value for money
  • Perfect alignment
  • Impressive Recoil tolerance
  • Auto brightness setting

Cons

  • Small sized buttons for power and brightness adjustment
  • Inconsistent red dot
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2. Trijicon RMR Red Dot Sight

The Trijicon RMR 6.5 MOA Red Dot Sight is a sturdy and durable red dot sight that ensures great optical quality and is worth its price. It is perfectly suitable for several applications such as competitive shooting, hunting, military purpose, etc. Though it’s slightly expensive, you can be sure to get the best pistol red dot sight for the money. Its most popular feature includes versatility and ruggedness. If you are a person who will be relying on a sight heavily for greater accuracy while shooting and will be using it for a long time, the Trijicon RMR red dot sight is exactly what you need. The durability is unquestionable and the optical performance is par excellence. The sturdy design makes it ideal for your pistol or handgun.

This red dot sight by Trijicon has a unique physical appearance which has been patented as well. But you can be sure that it is not just distinctive because of its appearance but also because of its functional features. The 6.5 MOA ensures faultless target acquisition even while you are on the move. The lens used in the Trijicon RMR is fully multicoated as expected. Also, it comes with almost no parallax which is always a plus. It incorporates a target locking feature into the design as well which helps in the worst scenarios. The auto brightness adjustment setting is also a very helpful feature. It also comes with a battery conservation mode.

Trijicon RMR Red Dot Sight is pretty lightweight due to the use of aluminum which also makes it extremely durable. This pistol red dot sight is also good with recoil tolerance and can easily handle the recoil of your pistol or handgun. Although this red dot sight is one of the most expensive red dot sights on the market, it is definitely the one for you if you are a practical gun user looking for high-end optics and great results that can totally be considered worthy of the money you spend.

Pros

  • Super bright light setting
  • Auto brightness adjust feature
  • Quick target acquisition and deployment
  • Two night-vision modes
  • Practical 6.5 MOA

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Change of battery requires you to re-sight
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3. Leupold Delta Point Pro Red Dot Sight

Leupold Delta Point Pro Red Dot Sight is definitely the heavyweight champion in this category with a hefty price tag. This sight is not very suitable for a common gunner but if you are willing to spend a mini fortune on high-end optics and spot-on accuracy, this red dot sight is certainly a lavish buy. It has been designed particularly for combat situations.

This red dot sight by Leupold has incorporated some amazing features in its design and can amaze you with its superior quality and performance. It comes with an optional rear sight behind the dot that improves the target acquisition significantly. The intensity and brightness can easily be adjusted by simply pressing a button. It provides slight flexibility in terms of choosing the MOA wherein one can make a choice between 2.5 MOA dot and 7.5 MOA triangle reticle. There is also a provision for adjusting windage and elevation.

Another essential feature is the ease of battery access. The battery is tactically located at the top of the sight so that you don’t have to worry about losing your configuration when your batteries give up on you. The batteries can easily be swapped at the press of a button. The use of aluminum body and steel guard makes it quite durable and rugged. This way, the Leupold Delta Point Pro can be used and abused by you without fearing that it would malfunction or break anytime soon. Also, it makes sure to keep the sight lightweight and suitable for use with pistols and handguns.

The use of DiamondCoat aspheric lens makes it scratch resistant and ensures superior brightness and resolution. The unlimited eye relief adds to its existing charm.

The features that attract pistol and handgun owners towards this red dot sight are its superior performance, high-end quality, precise shots, and versatility.

Pros

  • Motion Sensor technology
  • Unlimited eye relief
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • DiamondCoat aspheric lenses

Cons

  • A bit expensive – but well worth it
  • Reticle drifts out of adjustment
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4. Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight

Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight is a compact and small-sized sight which can easily be mounted on top of your pistol. It comes with a 6 MOA reticle diameter which is perfect for faster target acquisition. The low profile design chosen by Vortex Optics for this red dot sight is perfect for pistols and handguns. This enables it to provide an unobstructed view without being too bulky or oversized. It also comes with several accessories and a Picatinny Rail Mount. The battery life of 150 hours on high power and 13,000 hours on low power is incredible. There is an additional battery conservation mode where it automatically shuts down after 14 hours to preserve the battery life.

The Vortex Viper red dot sight enables you to achieve superior levels of precision and accuracy. Although it is not exactly built for rough and rugged use, it still manages to do its job and can be useful in several other situations like sports shooting, hunting, etc.

The lightweight design is quite helpful where the overall weight remains around 2 ounces. The presence of multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces significantly improves the light transmission and provides a bright and crisp view. It comes with a super-low mounting height which makes it suitable for pistols and handguns. Also, it has a red tint making it very effective in low light conditions.

The ArmorTek coating over the lens increases its durability immensely and protects it from dust, oil, and scratches. The ten different brightness control levels are a great addition and enable you to ensure a reliable view in all kinds of light conditions.

In summary, the Vortex Viper red dot sight provides incredible performance with a compact and lightweight design at an affordable price.

Pros

  • Lightweight construction
  • Durability
  • Versatility
  • Multiple brightness control levels

Cons

  • Slightly longer
  • Battery type is not that common
  • Shorter battery life
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5. C-More Systems Red Dot Sight

The C-More Systems Red Dot Sight is quite compact in its design and can easily be mounted on top of your Glock. It comes with a removable battery tray for quick focusing and reduces your efforts for reconfiguration. It is water resistant as well due to the use of O-ring seals making it ideal for use in all kinds of weathers. Also, this red dot sight has an 8-hour auto shutdown feature for battery preservation.

The body is made of aircraft grade aluminum, making it strong and sturdy as well as pretty durable. This makes it ideal for rugged use. It comes with a 3 MOA red dot with a manually adjustable brightness. Also, it uses ten different brightness settings. This makes the red dot extremely visible in any kind of lighting. Also, there are provisions for windage and elevation adjustment. This red dot sight features unlimited eye relief as well.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight construction
  • Auto shutdown feature
  • Fast target acquisition
  • Unlimited eye relief
  • Battery replacement doesn’t affect the configuration

Cons

  • Separate Mounting Kit
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6. Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight

Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight can be considered the best red dot sight for a 22 pistol or any pistol as a matter of fact. It comes with a Top Load 3 MOA red dot and is built for rugged use. This particular red dot sight from Vortex Optics is totally shockproof and can withstand rough use as well as heavy recoil. Also, it is waterproof due to the presence of O-ring seals. The hard-anodized finish makes Vortex Venom free from any kind of glare. Also, it provides unlimited eye relief, adding to the convenience of use. It is pretty lightweight, weighing at just 1.1 ounces. The top load enables it to produce highly visible red dots, which improves the target acquisition rate.

Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight comes with ten different levels of brightness which can easily be adjusted manually. Also, there is an auto brightness adjustment setting to ensure a reliable view of the dot in any kind of light condition. It also incorporates elevation adjustment setting, with the maximum level at 130 MOA. Also, the maximum windage adjustment stands at 100 MOA.

Vortex Venom is the best mini red dot sight for the money. It is versatile enough and is suitable to be mounted on top of pistols and handguns with the Picatinny rail mount. The ultra-clear multicoated lens provides a wide field of view along with bright, clear and crisp image quality. It also includes a 14-hour auto-shutdown feature to preserve battery life

Pros

  • Parallax Free
  • Unlimited Eye relief
  • Shockproof and weatherproof
  • Extremely durable

Cons

  • Poor battery life
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Conclusion

Now that you are aware of what a red dot sight is and the factors you need to consider while purchasing the best micro red dot sight along with some of the most popular models available on the market, it should be easy for you to figure out the best red dot pistol sight for the money. Also, you need to be aware of your needs and the actual purpose of using a red dot sight, before making a decision about which one to buy. The best red dot sight for your glock is the one that suits your specific requirements, is compatible with your gun and fits right into your budget.