There is no better way to transform your handgun into a reliable shooting solution than with a reflex sight. Choose one of the best pistol reflex sights and start hitting targets with utmost precision.
Today, we take you through what makes the best pistol reflex sight, review some of the best pistol reflex sights currently on the market, and what you need to consider before purchasing a reflex sight for your Pistol.
After going through this information, we believe it will be easier for you to decide on the best reflex sight for your Pistol. Good luck with your selection journey.
What Makes A Great Pistol Reflex Sight?
A great pistol reflex right for a pistol should be light, bearing in mind that pistols are mostly used with one-hand shooting. A heavier rifle’s sight will reduce stability and balance when aiming at targets.
The reflex sight should be small in size to fit onto the available mounting space of a pistol because pistols are small in size.
A great pistol reflex sight should be weatherproof since pistols are used in all-weather environments. The material used in making the reflex sight should be strong and durable since combats are always subject to weapons dropping. In such a scenario, a less hard material will end up breaking, thus leading to damage to the reflex sight.
Battery life is an important feature of a good reflex sight. You would not wish to replace the battery often or buy a new reflex sight. Therefore, a great pistol reflex sight must have a good battery and automatic control over the reticle light.
A great pistol reflex sight also needs to be user-friendly in mounting so that first-time users do not feel overwhelmed with mounting.
9 Best Pistol Reflex Sights
The market is flooded with reflex sights for pistols and you probably have no idea where to start. Do not worry. We got you covered. As you probably already know, getting the best out of your Pistol depends on the accuracy of aiming at the target, which is improved when you use the right pistol reflex sight.
Below are some of the best pistol reflex sights that made the cut when it comes to performance, quality, compatibility with handguns and reliability.
1) Trijicon RMR Type 2 6.5 MOA Adjustable Red Dot Sight
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 6.5 MOA Adjustable Red Dot Sight is a versatile optic that is designed for improved precision and accuracy with any pistol. The reflex sight is powered by a CR2032 battery type capable of producing an LED red dot for over four years.
The red dot sight is built with durability in mind as it features a rugged aluminum housing material that is very tough yet light. This means it will be able to offer your sighting services over a very long period before getting damaged.
This red dot sight comes with controls for windage and elevation adjustments. There are also eight brightness settings and a true 1X magnification, which are some of the key features that make it one of the best pistol reflex fights. Boost your pistol accuracy and start hitting targets by pairing your firearm with this red dot sight.
Features
- Outstanding durability is provided by a unique housing shape
- Illuminated reticle
- Waterproof to 20 meters in depth.
- Auto-on and off battery
- Easy control of windage and elevation with adjustment of 1 MOA per click.
- Limited lifetime warranty of 15 years for lamps and 5 years for electronics.
- Multi-coated lenses
- Adjustable LED
Pros
- The most easily recognizable and catered-to
- Longer Battery Life
- Strength and compactness
Cons
- The battery is below the RMR, making it a hassle to change
- Losing zero is possible depending on the firearm
2) Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated 9 MOA Amber Dot Sight
Developed for improved precision and accuracy with any caliber firearm, the Trijicon RMR Sight is a legendary designed pistol reflex sight. These reflex sights are battery-free sights of fiber optics and tritium. The housing is made of rugged aluminum making it extremely lightweight for pistol applications.
The adjuster turrets are easy to use with audible clicks for elevation and windage adjustments. The reflex sight is very tough and applicable for military, hunting, competition, and law enforcement. This scope allows you to acquire targets easily and quickly using red dot visibility.
Trijicon RMR Sights are dual-illuminated and battery-free. They have innovated an LED insert that automatically adjusts for brightness in any lighting situation, ensuring optimum visibility of a dot against the target.
Enhanced accuracy is achieved by hard-coated lenses and ultra-clear sights, which are additional features that make this sight one of the best pistol reflex sights. The visual prowess of this red dot sight is unheard of making it a top contender among the best pistol reflex sights.
Features
- Improved precision and accuracy.
- Forged aluminum housing.
- Battery-free operation.
- The reticle of 9 MOA amber dots.
- Fixed magnification of 1X.
- Dual illumination configurations.
- Both fiber optics and tritium light sources.
- The lightweight of 1.2 oz.
- Objective lens diameter of 16 mm.
Pros
- Clear glass and crisp reticle
- Dual illuminated reticle option
- Light and Compact
Cons
- Slight Bluish tiny color
3) Vortex Optics Razor Reflex Red Dot Sight
This reflex red dot sight is built with top-tier performance and superior durable material. Its lenses are fully multi-coated, and the ArmorTek glass is also coated. Razor provides crisp, clear edge-to-edge clarity and is built into a rugged aircraft-grade aluminum housing.
The reflex sight has a wider field of view and adjustable brightness settings. A one-piece chassis unit can withstand the toughest abuse and is 100% waterproof.
It comes with a Picatinny-style mount and hex adjustment tool and is covered by Vortex VIP unconditional lifetime warranty, ranking it among the best pistol reflex sights. It also comes with a CR2032 battery that gives it 30000 hours of continuous operation
Features
- The reflex sight is a 1.83 inches reflex type of matte black finish.
- The lightweight of 1.4 oz.
- CR2032 type battery gives 30000 hours of continuous function.
- Fixed magnification of 1X and adjustment of 1 MOA per click.
- Vortex VIP unconditional warranty.
- Reticle red dot.
- Aircraft-grade Aluminum material.
Pros
- Durable and dependable
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to use
- Positive and secure Picatinny rail
Cons
- Fails to hold zero in some instances
4) Vortex Venom 1×26.5 mm, 3 MOA Dot Reticle Reflex Sight
Vortex Venom is an entry-mid mini red dot sight with a hard-anodized black, matte finish. It has an aluminum alloy fabric chassis and a magnification of 1X. Its objective lens diameter is 26.5 mm with a 3 MOA dot reticle.
The reflex sight is made with unlimited eye relief and unlimited adjustment types. The lenses are made of glass and are fully multi-coated. The scope has a Picatinny mount type and CR2032 battery capable of running for 150-30000 hours.
The reflex operates between the temperature of 22 and 122 Fahrenheit, is waterproof up to 1m, and can resist shock. Vortex Venom 1×26.5 mm is small at 1.9 inches in length, 1.1 inches in width, and 1.02 inches in height. Lightweight is the design of this reflex sight, weighing 1.1 oz. Unleash the hidden potential of your Pistol today with this red dot.
Features
- Fully multi-coated premium wide-field lens.
- Unlimited eye relief and brightness settings.
- Parallax-free with single-piece chassis.
- Waterproof and shockproof.
- Hard anodized finish with ArmorTek material.
- 1x magnification and red dot reticle.
- The reticle of 3 MOA dot.
- Adjustments of 130 MOA elevation and 100 MOA windage.
- The small size of 1.9 inches in length and 1.1 oz weight.
Pros
- Top battery loading access
- Very slim lens for reduced obstruction
- Offers 6 MOA dot size for shooters with astigmatism
Cons
- Not for duty use
- Not SHTF rugged
5) Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex Sight
Light and tough, the FastFire series puts a conspicuous bright red dot on the target to give an instantaneous speed and accuracy advantage. It has a magnification of 1X, an objective lens diameter of 21 mm, and a reticle of 8 MOA. The reflex is designed to give a linear field of view of up to 190 yards, operating on a CR2032 battery.
The scope is Picatinny mounted and is both water and heat-resistant. It also has three manual brightness settings with an automatic brightness adjustment setting. The top-mounted battery gives easy access without removing the sight.
The sight comes with other top features such as an aluminum cover with a black anodized finish, water resistance, and two reticle options that make it competitive among other best pistol reflex sights.
Features
- A bright red dot that allows fast target acquisition and aiming.
- The scope is parallax-free for better accuracy.
- The reflex sight is compatible with all types of guns, from pistols to rifles.
- Compact and lightweight.
- Automatic brightness sensor adjustments to match environmental conditions.
- High-grade glass for excellent brightness and clarity with lasting durability.
- Hi-Lumen multi-coating provides low-light performance and glare elimination.
- Waterproof, shockproof, and heat resistant.
- An extra included battery of CR1632 type.
- A battery access point is conveniently located on the top side.
- Burris Forever Warranty type.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Longer battery life
- Easy to access elevation and windage adjustments
Cons
- Unavailability of the motion-sensing shake awake technology
- Inadequate for longer distances
- No automatic ON function
6) Holosun HE509T Reflex Optical Red Dot Sight
The Holosun HE509T is an enclosed reflex handgun with red dot sights with a wide field of view paired with useful features that help the shooter stay on target while at the same time reducing acquisition time.
HE509T is made of tough, lightweight titanium housing in an enclosed design for better protection against the element that opens reflex optics. The lenses are multi-coated to provide a bright, crisp sight picture in any condition.
The parallax-free view has unlimited eye relief offering maximum comfort and ease for nearly any shooting activity. The Holosun reflect sight is made with shake and awake technology that conserves power by sensing movement and automatically adjusts reticle brightness to match lighting conditions. The scope is powered by LED, giving up to 50000 hours of battery life from the CR1632 battery.
Features
- Up to 50000 hours of operation from CR1632 battery.
- 12 brightness setting.
- Designed with enclosed Titanium housing.
- Convenient tray battery compartment.
- Parallax-free and unlimited eye relief.
- Shake awake technology.
- Solar Failsafe.
- Multi reticle system gives the user flexibility to use other optics as they please.
- Super LED provides a versatile range of intensity for the brightest environments.
- Grade 5 titanium housing.
- Multi-layered coating of optical glass.
Pros
- Durable and lightweight
- Solid mounting
- Excellent memory function
- Low battery warning
Cons
- Cannot use a rechargeable battery
- Blurry glue around the lenses
- Too small to mount on rifles and shotguns effectively
7) Sig Sauer Romeo 11×30 mm Mini Reflex Sight
For first and accurate target acquisition, this reflex dot is your option. Sig Romeo 1 Mini is waterproof and maintains a consistent zero shot after shot. These red dot sights allow low and co-witness mounting.
The TruHold twin adjustment springs provide a lock-less zeroing system that withstands punishing recoil. Each unit has CNC-machined from a solid billet of magnesium for lightweight strength.
Romeo 1 Mini Fog-proof reflex sight is equipped with motion-activated illumination to power off when the device isn’t moving to save battery power. The molded aspherical lens of the Sig Romeo 1 Lightweight is bright and distorted-free, and the red-notch coating ensures a brilliant red dot.
Features
- Stealth ID is an Electro-Optics industrial design.
- Revolutionary Mega view optical design
- High transmittance red notch reflector
- A 3 MOA red Dot with multiple intensity settings
- Manual illumination controls
- Readily available CR1632 battery.
- Strong and lightweight aircraft-grade CNC magnesium housing.
- Waterproof and fog-proof performance.
- Sig Sauer Infinite Guarantee and Electronics Limited Warranty.
Pros
- A clear and crisp glass
- Very wide field of view
- IPX7 waterproof and fog-proof
- Very compact and lightweight
- Sights in easily
- Mounts on many handgun models
Cons
- It could use a better shroud
- It can be hard to pick up the dot on very bright days
8) Bushnell 1X25mm RXS-250 Reflex Sight
Bushnell 1X25mm RXS-250 Reflex Sight is made with a point source LED that creates a clean beam producing a strong dot without wasting battery life. There are ten brightness settings for clear daylight and excellent night vision, ensuring maximum target vision.
A top-loading CR2032 battery gives the scope 50,000 hours on mid-setting and does not require changing. The scope works well with all common red dot mounts with Delta point Pro footprint. The rugged aluminum housing ensures that the scope’s glass and electronic internal parts are protected during field operation.
Bushnell 1X25mm RXS-250 Reflex Sight is designed with windage and elevation adjustment of 1 MOA per click. The chamfered hood edges protect its optic from the possibility of snags on clothing or the environment.
The lenses are designed to provide a large field of view without sacrificing durability. The fully multi-coated inner parts provide accurate color representation and high-light transmission.
The coating system mitigates stray artifacts from secondary light sources. The reflex sight is compatible with many factory optics pistols and aftermarket suppressor height sights.
Features
- Bright 4 MOA dot with exceptional battery life.
- User-selectable auto-off timer.
- Rugged water and dust-proof housing material.
- Versatile design mounts on pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
- Optimized housing design and visibility.
- Bushnell lifetime Ironclad warranty.
- Top loading battery of CR2032 type.
Pros
- Intuitive Design
- Sharp and distinct red dot
- Auto-off timer
Cons
- Lacks shake-awake technology
9) Sightmark Mini-Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight
Another fine reflex sight for pistols is the Sightmark Mini-Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight. It is a multi-purpose reflex sight that is ideal for hunting, competition shooting and LE application. The reflex sight is purposely designed to improve close-range precision and boost target acquisition with ease.
This pistol reflex sight is built with versatility in mind. It features a low-profile mount for pistols and shotguns, as well as a riser for use on rifles. It also has 10 brightness settings of the red dot, for use even under bright sunlight.
Furthermore, Sightmark made this FMS reflex sight to be virtually indestructible. It has a robust aluminum housing with a steel shield that protects it from impacts and nature elements. Even better, it is 100% waterproof for use even when there is a heavy downpour.
Another impressive feature of this reflex sight is its long battery life. It has a low power consumption profile that provides up to 30,000 hours of battery life and an auto shutoff which helps preserve the battery. Lastly, it has an ambidextrous digital switch for added flexibility.
Features
- Fully waterproof and dustproof
- 3 MOA red dot reticle
- 10 brightness levels
- Steel protective shield
- Unlimited eye relief
- Ambidextrous digital switch
- Solid aluminum housing
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Night vision compatible
- Simple windage and elevation click adjustments
- Easy to operate
- Low profile mount and riser mount included
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Exterior coating is less durable
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How to Choose the Best Pistol Reflex Sights
In a market flooded with optics, selecting the best reflex sight for your pistol can be taxing. Most reflex sights are similar and telling apart the different brands makes it harder for you to pick the best fit for your handgun. Below are the main considerations to keep in mind when looking for a pistol reflex sight.
Optic size
Most red dot sights are designed for long guns and are too big to mount on pistols or only fit on pistols with integral rails or ALG-style mounts. The best reflex sights for pistols are either miniature or compact-sized optic scopes.
Compact red dots mount to pistols with Picatinny tail, giving a broader view and long battery life. Miniature reflexes are the most lightweight and suitable for any pistol.
When choosing the best pistol reflex sights, consider a small and lightweight sight that matches the size of pistols. You should consider a smaller and lightweight reflex sight that will fit and not interfere with balance and accuracy during shooting.
Heavier reflex sights would be problematic during aiming as the balance of the Pistol will be unstable, therefore leading to difficulty in obtaining shots.
Construction
Durability is the most important quality for any pistol accessory, such as reflex sight. Most of the best reflex sights are aircraft-grade aluminum alloys with long-lasting strength. This is a must-consider factor when you go to purchase your scope.
Read: Best Red Dot Sights for 9mm Carbine
Battery life
The battery life of reflex sights varies by brand. As a buyer, you should go for a red dot with a battery that lasts long and gives bright light. Others have lower brightness and are best suited for low-light environments.
Dot Size
You should consider a reflex sight with a reticle that helps you aim targets perfectly, depending on the size of the target. Small reticles help hit minuscule targets easily, while larger reticle sizes are preferred for larger fast-moving targets.
Mounting Methods
Some guns are pre-cut for easy mounting of multiple optics, while others have no mounting sites that can accommodate many, if not all, reflex sights. This is because all pistols have different sizes and screw patterns. Consider choosing a reflex sight that will fit onto your Pistol without modifications.
Read: Best Rimfire Red Dot Sights
Conclusion
If you are looking for competitive pistol shooting, concealed carry for self-defense, or upgrading your duty sidearm, a reflex red dot is one of the best interventions for you to choose from.
Miniature red-dot sights allow you to acquire a target image more quickly, provide superior low-light contrast to iron sights, and are easier to learn how to use well.
Optics manufacturers have continuously strived to reduce these devices’ weight and bulk, increasing their viability for defensive applications. After reading this article, we hope you will make a good choice.