For those considering an RDS sighting system, here are some links that may help you investigate choosing a gun, mounting system, iron sights and an optical sight. Setting up an RDS on your pistol can be a cheap experiment or an expensive, critical, life and death decision.
One cannot make choices about a technical subject like this without defining personal priorities. What may be right for one person may not be right for everyone else. Some choices may matter a lot to meet your requirements; others may be less important. Budget, intended use, personal experience, and even consideration for what one wants vs. any other advice should be respected by all.
Many of these writers are very opinionated, but usually this is because of valid experiences or research. Opinions are helpful for making your own decisions, but they are not absolute.
GABE SUAREZ BLOG [Search blog for posts on Red Dot Sights (RDS)]
GABE SUAREZ BLOG - CHOOSING THE "RIGHT" RED DOT SIGHT
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/7dc128...fa603fce6f.pdf [64 pages, long but worth it]
The Ultimate Guide to Pistol Mounted Red Dot Sights - Tier Three Tactical [Summarizes the above 64 pages with additional commentary]
There are dozens of other articles about RDS systems discoverable on the 'net with searches on:
Pistol RDS
Pistol Red Dot Sights
Pistol Optical Sights
The requirements for an optic mounted on a reciprocating slide are different than those on a long gun.
Just because the military chose an item, it does not mean it is the best for an individual. Such decisions are made on a very broad basis with different considerations than an individual purchaser faces. The decision to purchase usually takes many months or even years, and the item will often remain in service with little or no change for years. Often commercial offerings are newer and more technically advanced than what the military chose years ago. For instance, large quantity availability; large quantity cost; large quantity repair/replacement; durability; adjustment capability; battery life (can be short because of free, easily available replacements); ease of battery replacement; intended use (long gun vs. pistol); etc.
As always when researching any subject one person's anecdotal experience or opinion has limited value.
Including mine.