AGENDA

• Pistol Mounted Optics
• Red Dot Sights and Lasers
• Red Dot Technology
• Reflex Sight Models
• MOA
• Mounting Options
• Myths 
• Advantages and Disadvantages 
• Training
• Care and Maintenance 

What Is a Pistol Mounted Optic?

• Red dot sights (RDS)
• Handgun red dots (HRD)
• Miniaturized Red Dot Sight (MRDS)

Red or green

Red Dot Sight vs. Laser

A device mounted under the barrel of firearm that projects a red dot onto a target for visual reference.

Crimson Trace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iitstrnl1O8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PPwNlbEu7s

Red Dot Sights for handguns

• Reflex Sight - utilizes an LED emitter to reflect light off a lens
  • Holosun 507 k (Photo)
    • Used for pistols and rifles
    • Lightweight- 2 oz
    • Simple design
• Holographic (HWS) - utilizes a laser to project an image on a lens that appears to be forward of the sight
  • Eotech XPS2
    • Intended for rifles
    • Larger/heavier- 9 oz
    • Complex design

Reflex Sight Models

• Open- the light source of the open model is located in a partly open constructed housing
  • Can be susceptible to dirt, rain, etc., and can impair the display of the illuminated dot.
• Closed- the light source of the closed model is within an encapsulated housing.
  • Not susceptible to the elements. 

Minute of Angle (MOA)

Mounting Options 

Factory Option

Red Dot Mount

Milled/Machining

Pros and cons for each

Myths

1. Red dots are for everyone
2. Red dot sights will make you a better shooter

Advantages/Disadvantages

 Advantages:

One focal point vs. three

• Threat focused vs. sight focused

Both eyes open 

Low light shooting

Disadvantages

Cost

• Red dot sight
• Mounting
• Support equipment 
• Batteries

Training

• New process: focal point
• Weapon manipulation
• Optic malfunction or failure
• Care and maintenance 

Maintenance

• Cleaning
• Batteries
• Set screws