Posted: 1/30/2026 12:08:59 AM EDT
|
As a 58 y/o with really good day and night vision, my close-up vision is going to crap. Pistol irons are now just blurry bumps and I have decided to give pistol mounted optics a try. I picked up one of the Bass Pro special RXM's on a killer holiday sale stacking multiple discounts with the Vortex Venom pre-mounted and I'm loving it. Second problem is all my ccw Glocks are non-optic ready Gen 5's so I'm going to start replacing them with Gen 6 models. Tried them at SHOT and the grip is a noticeable improvement and now they have a better optic mounting system. win/win! I know rifle optic red dots well but I am on a steep learning curve with pistol optic options and size related questions. If I am starting from scratch with some new Gen 6 pistols, what is the baseline for reliable ccw-quality red dots? What size window should I choose? I'm 5-11 200lbs so I should have no problem "hiding" a G19 with one of the bigger housings. Is enclosed the only way to go for ccw? Are higher tier Vortex or Holosun options GTG? Or Do I need to spend more than that? Any other tips/tricks/advice? DPP or RMS footprint is now a non-issue with the Gen 6, correct? Thanks for helping out a newbie to pistol optics |
Joined:
Jan 2026
Posts:
11
EE: 0% (0)
LA, USA
|
You’re going to get a hundred different opinions on what everyone’s “base line/budget” optic is. If you’re not wanting to spend Trijicon/Aimpoint money, go Vortex. The Defender line is incredibly good and of course, absolutely no one in the industry can touch Vortex’s customer service or warranty should you ever need it. Defender XL’s have started to dominate gun games in terms of popularity. |
|
I tried out a Vortex Defender on a G19, and I actually like it. Optic is near flush with the slide width. Also the Defender's knurled front is like having a charging handle. Holosun is pretty dang nice and have held up well to testing. While the new Vortex options are really nice, their long term durability is questionable. I chose to go with the Holosun 407/507 series for carry. Either will serve you well though. You can use a direct MOS plate on the Gen 6 I believe. For those with a RMR cut: The Osight RMR to RMSC plate fit my defender nice and tight despite only using 2 out of 4 lugs. Their optics get some hate, but the adapter plates are really well made for the price.. |
Joined:
Feb 2024
Posts:
44
EE: 0% (0)
GA, USA
| I'm 45, I'm fairly new to them on handguns. I just got a Vortex venom micro enclosed and I absolutely love it. My eyes are starting to wear out as well. A red dot tightens my groups up about 75%. I prefer enclosed emitters for increased reliability. I don't need a gummy bear or some belly button lint taking my optic out of commission when I need it. |
|
I am a pistol red dot novice. But i put a 507 ACSS on my 22 Tactical solution pistol. Love it 100%. The ring around the reticle is the best part. it helps you have a reference when you are hunting for the dot. Its nice on a play gun but not sure you need it on a ccw gun. If you present the pistol just like you would for iron sights then you wont loose the dot. Its when you get slack and lazy you need the reminder. I dont think you will be slack and lazy presenting your CCW. Just train a little and the regular do should be fine. Only thing i dont like about the chevron on mine is that it is a bit confusing for my brain. I never really know to have the impact be on top of the point or covered by the point. I actually think a regular dot would be just as good with a little practice. that would let you get 407C which is cheaper. Around $200 on the EE. But keep yours eye open. I just got a RMR for $290, so they can get reasonable close. I will admit the RMR is the type 1 and salty as hell. But if it gives me trouble Trijicon has good CS. Simply based of track record i would go RMR if you can find a deal. I have not compaired my 507 to the RMR yet. I am OK with open emitter and going to try it out. See if it meets my needs. I would hesitate on open emiter for my woods gun. But that thing regularly gets packed full of pine needles and wet clumpy snow. I will say that looking through the one layer of glass on the open emiters is different than open sights. Maybe that gets better with practice. It would be interesting to see if the two pices of glass on the enclosed are worse. I do have some input about rifle dots. I have a older Sig Romeo that works perfectly. No issues. But all my serious guns wear Aimpoint or Trijjicon. I have had great luck with Aimpoint Pro or the M2 if you can get them cheap enough. The M2 has some shortcomings of the PRO. But it has an amazing track record. On the EE you can get them both under $400. I would say spend a extra $200 over the cheaper ones and get at least one aimpoint for at least one rifle. Its proven and i like the dial much better than buttons. I did pick up a T2 but have not compared them yet. I would get a cheap Aimpoint and then the budget optic of your choice. Compare the two. You might find that the Aimpoint is much better and its not worth trying to same money on the cheap ones. Or you might find the cheap one does everything you want as well as the cheaper on and just go budget all the way. But it puts the question to rest for you. I would consider doing the same with 407k and the RMR if you can find a cheap one. I buy a lot of saly optics from good companies that support them. If i have a issue i know they will fix it. It lets me try out he form factor without going broke. I picked up a TA11 for about $600 with the same idea in mind. Bedside guns dont see the abuse or the elements that outside guns do in my opinion. Supposedly the new RMO is much better than the old and it is about half the price of a T2. If you have something like a .22 or a range gun that you know will need a dot you could start with a simple 407c used or the cheap version PSA sells. If it doesnt cut it for you then move it to a new home on a 22 or range gun. PS I would hang onto your G5 until you find a dot and settle on it. a lot of the universal mounts are not as strong or need adapter plates. The adapter plates cost almost the same as having your slide milled. If you mill the slide you dont have flexibility but you have a rock solid mount that also often sits lower I just bought a RMR for my G19 5 MOS. If had known what i know now i probably would've bought the cheaper NON MOS and had it milled. The money saved on the MOS and the plate would have been about the same as the machine work and refinish and the milling would give me a stronger lower mount. The RMR cut slide will fit a good bit of the other sights. |