In the ever-changing world of self-defense, enthusiasts for concealed carry always strive to maximize the dependability, effectiveness, and user-friendliness of their gear. Red dot sights, among the many technological advances in firearms, have become a revolutionary addition, providing shooters with quick target acquisition and improved accuracy when under pressure.
Choosing the best red dot for concealed carry can greatly improve your defensive capabilities, guaranteeing that you are ready for any circumstance with assurance and accuracy. This guide explores the best red dot sights on the market right now, exploring their features, advantages, and what makes them perfect daily carry partners.
Factors to consider when buying the Best Red Dot for Concealed Carry
Size and Weight
To keep your firearm hidden, a red dot sight should be lightweight and compact. Larger optics may make it more difficult to conceal and carry your rifle. Your firearm’s handling and balance will be less affected by a lighter sight, making it more pleasant to carry all day.
Durability and Build Quality
Opt for sights composed of sturdy materials, such as aircraft-grade aluminum, which balances weight and durability. A red dot sight should be shockproof, waterproof, and fog-resistant to endure everyday wear and different environmental factors.
Battery Life
Choose a sight that will last a long time between battery replacements. The battery life of many red dot sights is measured in thousands of hours. Features like auto shut-off help guarantee that your sight will be operational when needed by preserving battery life.
Dot Size and Brightness Settings
A smaller dot size (1-3 MOA) allows for more precise aiming, while a larger dot (4-6 MOA) can be quicker to acquire in close-quarters situations. Optimal visibility in a range of lighting circumstances is made possible by many brightness settings, including compatibility with night vision.
Mounting Options
Make sure that the sight is compatible with the mounting method on your gun. Certain red dots are made to fit particular models or include mounting plates. A sight that is more naturally positioned for shooting and easier to conceal is achieved with a lower profile mount. This keeps the sight closer to the bore.
Best Red Dot for Concealed Carry
1) Trijicon RMR Type 2 Red Dot
Specifications
- 1x magnification
- 0.63 – 0.83 in objective lens
- 0.83 x 0.63 in objective window size
- 1 MOA Red Dot reticle
- 8 brightness settings
- Unlimited eye relief
- 4 Years at setting 4 battery
- Tempered glass lens
- Multi-coated lens
- Waterproof
- Shockproof
- 1.2 oz weight
- 1.8 in length
- 1.1 in width
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight, is made to be precise and long-lasting. This sight’s ruggedized aluminum construction means it can withstand heavy use and tough circumstances. Its 3.25 MOA dot strikes the right mix between target acquisition speed and accuracy, making it suitable for both competition and self-defense shooting. To ensure visibility in various lighting, the adjustable LED has eight brightness settings, including two-night vision settings and a super bright mode.
The sight also has Trijicon’s patented housing design, which diverts impact force away from the lens and increases its endurance. For those seeking to improve their shooting accuracy, the Trijicon RMR Type 2 is a dependable and adaptable option due to to its extended battery life and user-friendly controls.
Pros
- It offers exceptional accuracy with its precise red dot reticle
- Features a rugged aluminum housing and a hardened glass lens, ensuring reliability and durability
- It is compact and versatile
- This sight offers extended battery life
- It ensures optimal visibility in all lighting
- It is waterproof
- Multi-platform friendly
- Easily adjustable windage and elevation
Cons
- None
2) Holosun HS507K X2 Red Dot
Specifications
- 1x magnification
- 0.58 – 0.77 in objective lens
- 0.58×0.77 in window size
- 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
- 10 brightness settings
- Unlimited eye relief
- Multicoated
- 50,000 hours of battery life
- Parallax free
The Holosun HS507K X2 Red Dot Sight is made especially for subcompact pistols for concealed carry. With its multi-reticle system, users can choose between a 32 MOA circle, a 2 MOA dot, or both, giving them flexibility for a range of shooting situations. The sight is equipped with Holosun’s ground-breaking Shake Awake technology, which dramatically prolongs battery life by turning the optic on when there is motion and off when it is stationary.
A solar backup is also included for improved dependability under various lighting settings. With its lightweight design and sturdy construction, the HS507K X2 is designed to withstand heavy use without taking up much space. This sight guarantees quick target acquisition and accurate aiming with its clear, sharp reticle and simple controls. It is a great option for anyone looking for a dependable and effective red dot sight for daily carry.
Pros
- Unlimited eye relief
- Parallax free
- Long battery life
- Multiple brightness settings
- Compact and lightweight
- The 2 MOA red dot reticle offers quick and precise target acquisition
- The Shake Awake feature automatically activates the sight when it senses motion
Cons
- None
3) Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Red Dot
Specifications
- 1 x magnification
- 0.71 – 1.05 in objective lens
- 2.5 MOA Red Dot reticle
- 8 brightness settings
- 2 oz weight
- Anti-scratch optical coating
- Unlimited eye relief
- Motion sensor technology
The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight is made for shooters who need accuracy and dependability. With its 2.5 MOA dot, this sight offers a sharp, clear aiming point that is appropriate for both quick target acquisition and accurate firing. The DeltaPoint Pro is incredibly tough and able to survive hard conditions because of its ultra-durable aluminum housing and spring-steel shroud for additional protection. Because of its Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which maximizes battery saving by turning on the lights when it detects movement and turning off when not in use.
Enhancing situational awareness, the large aspheric lens provides a wide field of view with edge-to-edge clarity. Sighting in is made simpler by simple, tool-less windage and elevation adjustments. A popular option for both professional and amateur shooters wishing to improve their shooting performance, the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is renowned for its optical clarity, robustness, and user-friendly features.
Pros
- Supports night vision devices
- Improves battery access without removing the sight with the top-side battery compartment
- Extends battery life with Motion Sensor Technology
- Eliminates distortion and color inconsistency with crystal-clear lenses
- Improves target acquisition with its huge field of view
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Compact and lightweight
- Built to withstand heavy recoil and harsh environmental conditions
- Adjust the brightness of your red dot to match external conditions
Cons
- None
4) Shield Sights RMSc Red Dot
Specifications
- 1x magnification
- MOA adjustment
- 0.61 oz weight
- Automatic brightness settings
- 2 to 3 years of battery life
- Compatible with night vision
- 8 MOA red dot reticle
The ultra-compact Shield Sights RMSc Red Dot Sight was designed with subcompact and concealed carry pistols in mind. In close-quarters situations, its 4 MOA dot provides a bright, precise aiming point that speeds up target acquisition. The RMSc is made of a sturdy polymer lens and an aluminum body, making it lightweight and strong enough to survive regular use without significantly increasing the size of your handgun.
Its flexible brightness adjustment adjusts the dot intensity according to the surrounding lighting, giving it the best visibility possible in a variety of settings. The RMSc is made for simple installation and fits well on a range of popular concealed carry models, despite its slim profile. Shooters wishing to improve their concealed carry setup will find the Shield Sights RMSc to be an excellent option due to its unique combination of ruggedness, high performance, and minimalistic design.
Pros
- Long battery life
- The 8 MOA red dot reticle allows for quick target acquisition and improved accuracy
- Compact and lightweight design
- Built to withstand recoil, impacts, and adverse weather conditions
- The intuitive controls allow for easy adjustment of brightness settings
- Provides a versatile aiming solution
- No radioactive materials
- It is completely eye-safe
Cons
- The battery compartment is underneath
See also:
5) Vortex Venom Red Dot
Specifications
- 1x magnification
- 26.5 mm objective lens diameter
- 3 MOA Dot reticle
- 10 brightness settings
- Unlimited eye relief
- Parallax free
- Fully multi-coated
- Parallax free
- 1.1 oz weight
- 1.11 in width
- 1.9 in length
- ArmorTek lens finish
The Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight is a high-performance and versatile optic. It has a 3 MOA dot, which offers an accurate aiming point and facilitates rapid target acquisition for improved accuracy. The Venom’s fully multi-coated lenses provide exceptional light transmission and a large, clear field of vision, guaranteeing good visibility in a variety of lighting situations. This sight is lightweight and robust, made of sturdy aluminum that can endure rough terrain and heavy recoil.
The top-load battery compartment makes it simple to replace the battery without taking the gun’s sight off. The Venom’s user-friendly power and brightness controls allow it to react to different lighting conditions with ten different brightness settings, including an auto-brightness option. For shooters looking for a durable and effective optic for their rifles, the Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight is a great option because of its strong build, dependability, and ease of use.
Pros
- Excellent light transmission
- Unlimited eye relief
- Long battery life
- User-friendly design
- Durable and is waterproof and shockproof
- Compact and lightweight
- Quick target acquisition
Cons
- None
See also:
6) Sig Sauer ROMEOZero Red Dot
Specifications
- 1x magnification
- 24mm objective lens
- 3 MOA reticle
- 8 brightness settings
- Unlimited eye relief
- Parallax free
- Polymer lens material
- 0.4 oz weight
- 1.6 in length
- 0.93 in width
The Sig Sauer ROMEOZero Red Dot Sight is designed for subcompact pistols and concealed carry. With its 3 MOA dot, it offers a clear, accurate aiming point that is easy to see, improving target acquisition and accuracy quickly. The ROMEOZero is a very lightweight sight that offers durability and clarity thanks to its tough polymer body and SpectraCoat™ HD polymer lens. Its MOTACTM motion-activated illumination system significantly extends battery life by turning on the sight when motion is detected and turning it off when not in use.
Easy installation and integration are features of the ROMEOZero, which is designed to fit seamlessly onto popular compact handgun models. The Sig Sauer ROMEOZero Red Dot Sight is a great option for daily concealed carry because of its reliable design, easy brightness changes, and dependable performance.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Compact and lightweight
- Parallax free
- The Motion Activated Illumination System powers up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not
- Has the SpectraCoat HD Polymer Lens with 10 times the impact resistance
- It provides exceptional brightness
- Versatile compatibility
- Innovative and durable
- Unlimited eye relief
Cons
- None
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Best Red Dot for Concealed Carry FAQs
Are red dot sights durable enough for everyday carry?
With features like waterproofing, shockproof construction, and sturdy materials like aircraft-grade aluminum, many red dot sights are made to be incredibly durable.
How long do the batteries last in red dot sights?
The batteries in the majority of red dot sights last thousands of hours. Certain versions have features like auto shut-off to save power while not in use. This ensures the batteries can last up to 50,000 hours.
Will a red dot sight affect the concealability of my firearm?
The most effective red dot sights for concealed carry are lightweight and compact, made to minimize the impact on concealability. Choosing a low-profile model helps maintain a slim and discreet firearm profile.
What dot size is best for concealed carry?
Because it strikes a nice mix between speedy acquisition and accuracy, a 3 MOA dot is frequently chosen. Some shooters may choose larger dots (4-6 MOA) for quicker sight alignment in close quarters. Others may prefer smaller dots (1-2 MOA) for increased accuracy.
Can I install a red dot sight on my existing concealed-carry firearm?
Red dot sights are made to fit on a range of guns with ease. Ensure the sight you select is compatible with your particular model. The other option is to look for one that includes mounting plates that are the right size.
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Conclusion
Finding the best red dot sight choice for concealed carry is a crucial choice that can significantly improve your defensive skills. Red dot sights are an essential addition to your daily carry setup because of their unmatched advantages in terms of speedy target acquisition, accuracy, and user-friendliness, which have been made possible by technological breakthroughs. You can find a red dot sight that precisely suits your requirements and tastes by taking into account elements like size, weight, durability, battery life, dot size, mounting options, simplicity of use, and price.
Investing in the best red dot sight can increase your confidence and make sure you are better equipped to defend your loved ones and yourself.
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