Last Updated September 10th 2023
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Winners at a Glance
The Leupold Deltapoint Pro is the best red dot sight for a pistol. But you might have different priorities, so we have choices.
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Leupold Deltapoint Pro |
| Price |
 | Trijicon RMR Type 2 |
| Price |
 | Vortex Venom |
| Price |
 | Holosun HS507C |
| Price |
 | Shield RMSc |
| Price |
Intro
Great pistol red dot sights are one of the best handgun accessories you can buy, period.
When it comes to a home defense situation, or you just like hitting bullseyes at the range, then the best pistol red dot sight is the simplest way to improve your aim. They’re just better than iron sights.
Paint the target, pull the trigger, shoot like a pro and wonder why you ever shoot without this thing. Then think about when you’ll really need your pistol and how much of a tactical advantage a red dot sight is. That’s why they’re getting so popular.
Well, it’s one of the reasons.
Better Than Your Own Eyes
Older shooting enthusiasts find that the red dot means they can keep indulging in their favorite hobby long after the point that their eyes could no longer do the job. Others just love the laser like accuracy and the way red dots turns any semi-automatic into an absolute weapon of war.
The only problem is that red dot sights are a minefield for the newbie. They range from $10 eBay specials through night vision specials with thermal imaging. That just might be a touch beyond your needs or skillset.
So, what are the best pistol red dot sights for sale in 2023? Our choice is the Leopold Deltapoint Pro, but there are options depending on your budget and priorities.
1. Leupold Deltapoint Pro
- Price: $549.99
- MOA: 2.5 MOA Dot
- Objective Window Size: 1.05×0.71 inch
- Weight: 1.95oz
- Battery Life: 300-1600 hours
Best Overall
Price: 2/5 Performance: 5/5 Durability: 4/5 Battery: 4/5
This is the red dot scope you could grow old with. I could anyway…
Some people will tell you that the RMR Trijicon is the one to beat and they might be right. But the Leupold Deltapoint Pro is way more than a budget alternative.
This scope offers total eye relief. With a larger field of view and clearer glass it’s just easier to focus through this Leupold Deltapoint than the perma blue-green military haze that the RMR Trijicon lives in.
You can fix windage and elevation with a coin and adjusting your Leupold Deltapoint Pro reflex sights can become a bizarre sport in itself.
Battery life is 300 hours on the highest intensity and 1600 on the lowest, while the top loading battery means it’s easy to fit a new one.
Better Than a Trijicon?
There’s a motion sensor onboard that lights this reticle up like a Christmas tree without any work on your part. That Leupold Deltapoint red dot shines bright and that’s about it really, you can just pick your shot.
The function of the reticle should surely be the priority. Here the Leupold offers a larger surface area, massive field of view, greater clarity and fantastic target acquisition.
Go for the 2.5 MOA dot for competition, range or recreational shooting. If your red dot sight is purely tactical for speed shooting or defense then you might want the 6 MOA dot system or the 7.5 MOA inscribed delta triangle. You’d have a good reason.
Now the Leupold Deltapoint Pro is a game-changer for your pistol, AR-15 and tactical shotgun and that surely makes it one of the very best red dots in the world.
2. Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED
- Price: $487.99
- MOA: 3.25 MOA Dot
- Objective Window Size: 0.83×0.63 inch
- Weight: 1.2oz
Best for Durability
Price: 2/5 Performance: 4/5 Durability: 5/5 Battery: 4/5
You won’t talk about the best red dot sights for sale in 2023 for long without the Trijicon RMR Type 2 coming up. It’s military hardware, which actually comes with its own compromises.
The point you have to consider is if the durability and precision of the Trijicon RMR are worth the loss of field of view and the clarity that go with the more consumer-oriented reflex sights for sale.
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED red dots are smaller and more compact with a tighter field of view. It’s also more rugged. It’s made from military-grade aluminum and the scoop at the top is designed to deflect any impact away from the glass.
So it’s designed to take an absolute beating, you’ll get 2000 hours of battery life and the Trijicon RMR is waterproof. You can also get a 3 MOA dot, a 6 MOA dot, a 7 MOA dot, as well as the 3.25 MOA dot that walks the line between fast target acquisition and a useful MOA dot for range shooting.
Consumer Grade Tough, Not Military Tough…
The Leupold is tough, but it’s consumer tough. The Trijicon RMR is soldier tough, but it’s not as pretty and both of them are solid enough if you take care of your kit.
But that’s the essence of your choice. The Leupold is prettier and bigger. The Trijicon RMR Type 2 is smaller, more purpose-driven and has a stronger military flavor.
Auto brightness settings can take care of the right levels of compensation, or you can choose between eight manual settings with the adjustable LED. The Tritium phosphor fiber optics can provide auto brightness in low light.
It is also compatible with night vision devices and you can order a 1 MOA red dot or a 6 MOA dot Trijicon RMR pistol sight if you’re just interested in fast target acquisition at defensive distances.
Inevitably it’s parallax free and some people will tell you the Trijicon RMR Type 2 is the best red dot for sale in 2023. We almost agree…
You can also opt for the Trijicon SRO pistol sights. The Trijicon SRO is aimed more at competition use, it’s compatible with suppressor height iron sights and is basically the same price as the RMR. The SRO has a larger, clearer window, but the high price, high spec RMR is much more durable.
3. Vortex Venom Red Dot
- Price: $249.99
- MOA: 3 MOA Red Dot Sight
- Battery Life: 150 hours high intensity
Best Low Budget Red Dots
Price: 4/5 Performance: 3/5 Durability: 3/5 Battery: 3/5
The Vortex Venom pistol Red Dot Sight might not be the most solid reflex sight on this list. But at this price, it absolutely does the job, and will last a decent amount of time.
Now Vortex also has a great reputation for getting the basics right and it features heavily in our list of best long-distance rifle scopes for $1000.
This Vortex Venom reflex sight is honestly a match for the Burris red dot sights and it will serve you well. It’s a multi-coated lens that combats glare and helps you focus on the target.
Choose from 10 different brightness settings with the LED or you can even go for the auto brightness settings that automatically adjusts the LED according to the ambient light, which is actually a premium feature for a low cost red dot like the Vortex Venom.
It might not last as long as the Leupold, but then it might. This could really be a perception thing and the Vortex Venom is well screwed together. It’s also a functional reflex sight at an amazing price.
If you’re putting this on a Sig Rattler then think again. But if you’re on a budget and this Vortex Venom sight is sitting atop mid-range weapons that maybe don’t have match grade barrels, then this will be all the pistol red dot sight you need.
Battery life is 150 hours on high intensity and the Vortex Veom has up to 30,000 hours on standby and you can opt for different MOA dot size options.
Now Vortex have a lot of good sights and you’ll find the Crossfire and more on the recommended list. But we’re here now, talking about the Vortex Venom. And it’s good, really good.
4. Holosun HS507C
- Price: $309.99
- MOA: 2 MOA Dot/32 MOA circle or both
- Objective Window Size: 0.91×0.63 inch
- Weight: 1.5oz
- Battery life: 50,000 hours
Best for Battery Life
Price: 3/5 Performance: 3/5 Durability: 5/5 Battery: 5/5
It isn’t the prettiest red dot sight and it certainly isn’t the cheapest, but time and again the gun reviews wax lyrical about the Holosun HS507c and its durability, dependability and ability to take a beating.
Those are really important with an accessory that is glass, but also protrudes and can get smashed from pillar to post in your range bag or just during the course of daily life.
It shouldn’t happen, but it does, and while seasoned reviewers have normally been through several Trijicon red dots, despite the military seal of approval, it’s almost impossible to break a Holosun HS507c.
There are exceptions and please don’t try and prove me wrong, but old hands will tell you that the Holsoun HS507c just keeps on trucking, forever.
And the solar panel backup for the battery is kind of a nice touch because you know it just cannot fail even if if it has sat for months and the 50,000 hour battery life is somehow exhausted.
You can also choose between the 2 MOA dot reticle, a 32 MOA circle or both, which can be handy if you need accuracy and you’re in a firefight, or for shooting sports.
You can run with either one or go with both, so the Holosun HS507c red dots can have a massive 32 MOA circle with a small dot size center. That’s good, as is the price tag.
You get 10 day time setting and 2 night vision settings as well with these pistol red dots. So the Holosun HS507c really is a solid performer and one of the best pistol red dot sights.
5 Sig Sauer ROMEO 1 Reflex
- Price: $299.99
- MOA: 3 MOA Red Dot Sight
- Objective Window Size: 0.91×0.63 inch
- Weight: 1.5oz
- Battery life: 50,000 hours
Great Mid-Range Reflex
This is a new addition to the elite world of the best reflex sights. But you kind of know that it’s going to be a match for anything in its price range in the micro red dot sight sector.
Sig Sauer does engineering excellence pretty well and you just knew they were going to get the ROMEO1 right.
These are halfway house micro red dots. They will fit on your small pistol, but they might be slightly wider than the slide.
But the payoff is these are totally functional pistol red dots for rifles, pistols shotguns or an AR pistol, too. Just put them on the Picatinny rail with the right mounting bracket and you’re good to go.
You might not know that Sig Sauer Romeo optics come with a lifetime guarantee and you don’t need a receipt, just the product. That is serious confidence and it speaks volumes for the work the company puts into the production process on this Sig Sauer Romeo red dot sight.
The field of view is massive and the glass is crystal clear on these red dots. It’s a fantastic optic that offers 2000 hours of battery life and will do its best to conserve it by going to sleep if you leave it idle.
More Than Tough Enough
The TruHold Lockless Zero system accounts for the recoil and does its best to keep the red dot centered and absorb the impact with a pair of springs. It was tested to withstand 10,000 rounds of 45 ACP fire. But yeah, the lifetime guarantee kind of supercedes that.
Some people think this is the best optic you can put on a pistol and there’s no doubt that the Sig Sauer Romeo red dots punch above their weight.
If you would rather spend slightly more on a real quality product, the Sig Sauer Romeo 1 Reflex sight is the one you want. It’s leagues ahead of the budget options and it’s nibbling at the heels of the Leuopold Deltapoint Pro.
Just be aware if you have the Sig P365 then you need the even smaller Romeo Zero red dots for your concealed carry pistol.
6. Burris FastFire III
- Price: $209.00
- MOA: 3 MOA Red Dot Sight
Solid Cheap Contender
Can you do without the nth degree of engineering or final polish that go into Leopold and the Trijicon? Are you’re the kind of person that buys decent stuff and replaces it regularly, rather than buying top end gear and keeping it for life?
Then this Burris Fastfire is probably the price point you’re looking for.
Burris is fast establishing a reputation for producing quality optics like this reflex sight and cutting the corners where they really don’t matter. The Burris Fastfire embodies the brand.
You can see the difference between this Burris Fastfire and the Leupold, you really can. But then this is slightly more than half the price.
It’s our budget choice and if you just want the functionality, then this Burris Fastfire could be the best red dot sight for you.
There’s no auto brightness settings here on the Burris Fastfire just an on-off switch and tool-less adjustability for windage and elevation to compensate for drop off. .
7. Shield RMS Compact
- Price: $328.99
- 4 MOA Dot Size or 8 MOA Dot Size
Best for Micro and SubCompact Pistols
The Shield RMSc is a popular addition to small micro compact pistols like the Springfield Hellcat OSP, S&W M&P Shield and Glock 43 MOS.
Choose between a 4 MOA dot size and a larger 8 MOA dot size on the clear polymer optic that is more durable than glass. It’s made from aerospace grade aluminum with an anodized matte black finish.
The LED brightness adjusts automatically to the environment and there’s an optional top loading battery compartment too.
It’s works brilliantly with the smaller Glock MOS models, and the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield sights.
8. Crimson Trace CTS-1550
- Price: $179.99
- MOA: 3 MOA Dot reticle
Built for the Smallest Pistols
This Crimson Trace CTS-1550 ultra compact open reflex sight is a budget red dots system that is more than good enough for the casual shooter.
The industry standard J-Point mounting interface makes it a snap to install and you get 20,000 hours of battery life from the Crimson Trace CTS-1550.
As the battery is underneath, you can also use suppressor height iron sights to co-witness the Crimson Trace CTS pistol red dots.
This Micro Red Dot fits comfortably on concealed carry guns like the Sig Sauer P365 or Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. As you can see here…
9. Trijicon RMRcc
- Price: $476.49
- MOA Dots: 3.25 Dot Size & 6.5 MOA Dot Size
Built for the Smallest Pistols
This Trijicon RMRcc is that little bit smaller than the RMR and it too is designed for the likes of the Springfield Hellcat OSP and Glock 43x MOS.
If you want red dots for a micro compact, this is ever so slightly better than the RMR. The bigger reflex sight still works, but this one was made for it.
10. Primary Arms Micro Reflex
- Price: $149.99
- MOA: 3 MOA Red Dot Sight
Best Cheap Sight for Small Pistols
The Primary Arms Micro Reflex red dots are budget friendly sights that largely do the same job as the more expensive options.
It’s a great choice if you’re not sure about high quality red dot sights. We’ve all spent money on accessories that are gathering dust in a drawer. It happens. So if you want to play with the concept before investing big bucks, the Primary Arms Classic Series sights make sense.
Primary Arms sell some great optics, sights, spotting scopes and accessories from other brands, too. But these cheap and cheerful entry level sights bearing its own name might be Primary Arms’ crowning glory.
We like them, if only for the fact they make the best pistol red dot sight accessible. And they’ll sell you an optics ready custom slide as well.
Also check out the likes of the Primary Arms SLX red dot for your AR-15.
11. Aimpoint Pro 2 ACRO
- Price: $599.99
- MOA: 3.5 MOA Dot
- Objective Window Size: 0.59×0.59 inch
- Weight: 2.1oz
- Battery life: 50,000 hours
Night Vision for Handguns!
Several of the best red dots for your pistol are night vision compatible and offer one or two night vision settings in a few cases, but the Aimpoint Pro 2 ACRO takes night vision to the next level with 4 separate night vision settings with a much improved LED emitter sitting behind the objective.
It looks like a mini magnifier, but it’s not, your magnification remains at 1x. ACRO stands for Advanced Compact Reflex Optic and the Aimpoint Pro 2 comes with a front and rear lens, as well as the housing that is waterproof to 35 meters. That matters to some of you.
The battery life is insane, more than 5 years on 6/10 intensity. It might work, or Aimpoint might be lying. We’ll check back with the answer in 2028. Even then you can switch the battery without removing the Aimpoint Pro thanks to the top loading battery compartment.
Now the optic has also been designed to handle life on top of a semi automatic pistol, which is a violent life thanks to the action of the slide. It has been tested to 20,000 shots on a 40S&W with no adverse effects and that is double the force of a 9mm slide.
Now it’s still only night vision compatible, not full night vision as you might have hoped for from a chunky unit like this. But the Aimpro is definitely an advanced optic.
Plenty of folks are using them on their AR-15, shotgun and also as a secondary sight on long range rifles for simple target acquisition before using the magnified scope for the tough stuff. BUt they are mainly designed to be the ultimate red dot/reflex sight for your pistol.
What About True Night Vision?
Honestly that gets beyond the realm of a 9mm sidearm pretty fast and you can only really enjoy those set-ups on an AR or shotgun.
The whole idea of the illuminated reticle and the best pistol red dot sight is that it can give you a fighting chance in low light conditions. Trying to go beyond that with true night vision is getting a little bit operator.
Just so you know, the smallest true night vision units that people seem to really like are the Eostech EXPS2 and EXPS3. Also the Holosun HS510C is well loved and comes in a little cheaper.
Both are really designed for long guns, though, and night vision on a pistol really isn’t that much of a thing.
It’s much better to train with your red dot in low light, and at night, and see just how close to night vision you get with the simple top mounted red dots.
Green Dot Sight
You can get a green dot sight for several of these models, including the Trijicon. The red dot is more flexible, though, and you can get a better contrast at dawn and dusk especially.
The US Marines did opt for the green dot 9 MOA circle dot sight though, if that means anything. But the vast majority of consumer red dot units sell with, well, a red dot.
AR-15 Red Dots & Rifle Scopes
Red dot sights for your pistol are one thing, but they go into a whole new ballgame with your AR-15 rifles, shotguns and long guns.
That gives you access to a whole load of larger red dot sights and magnifier combinations.
The Sig Romeo MSR is an option for your AR pistol or shotgun. But the Romeo MSR isn’t going to work with a sidearm. And the same goes for the Primary Arms SLX, which is another budget friendly choice for your long pistol or rifle and is better for long range work.
If you’re looking for a real long range optic then consider a scope like the Vortex Crossfire.
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