Thanks to all on this site for great reviews on red dot sights for M&P CORE models. I spent a lot of time reviewing all and settled on the Venom. It is a new Vortex model and there is not a lot of info online other than a few generic views and a couple pictures.
I learned that all the current Red Dots have strengths and weaknesses and that anyone you choose will be a compromise. I am a recreational shooter, do not carry a duty pistol, or rely on my CORE for concealed carry or home defense. I have an M&P Shield for the former and prefer the shield and a shotgun for the latter.
After reading many of the reviews and being a longtime Leupold fan, I first purchase a DeltaPoint. Great field of view! And, great green delta! I absolutely did not like the ergonomics of the two rear lock screws that I could not access without heat bending a tool or removing the rear sight. Also, I didn't like the open bottom battery compartment and having to remove the sight to change the battery. The DeltaPoint co-witnesses perfectly. I returned it.
I next bought the Trijicon dual illuminated amber delta. I thought after seeing the battery set-up on the Leupold that a "no battery" dual illuminated Trijicon would be the way to go. These are know for great construction and durability and the this sight certainly is that, but they are pricey! For me the amber delta was very low illumination and hard to pick up in all but bright outdoor lighting. Took it to the indoor range and it was very dim. Looking from low light to bright light it was almost indiscernible. The green may be better, but the amber was just too dim for me. I returned it.
I got to see the Burris Fastfire III side-by-side with the Venom and the Venom has a wider field of view and appears a little more solidly built. So ordered the Venom. It fits perfectly, has a top load battery, and co-witness a little better than the FastFire (which is really not co-witnessing at all) but you can see the top half of the rear sight and the op half of the front sight theough the Venom, so in a pinch, I think you could hit what you are aiming at without the red dot on. (with practice)
I'll confess, my ideal set-up would be the Trijicon battery powered RM02, but just couldn't see spending $500+ on a range gun. I bought the Venom for $210, similar in price to the FastFire and am very happy with the set up. Hope this helps somebody.
I learned that all the current Red Dots have strengths and weaknesses and that anyone you choose will be a compromise. I am a recreational shooter, do not carry a duty pistol, or rely on my CORE for concealed carry or home defense. I have an M&P Shield for the former and prefer the shield and a shotgun for the latter.
After reading many of the reviews and being a longtime Leupold fan, I first purchase a DeltaPoint. Great field of view! And, great green delta! I absolutely did not like the ergonomics of the two rear lock screws that I could not access without heat bending a tool or removing the rear sight. Also, I didn't like the open bottom battery compartment and having to remove the sight to change the battery. The DeltaPoint co-witnesses perfectly. I returned it.
I next bought the Trijicon dual illuminated amber delta. I thought after seeing the battery set-up on the Leupold that a "no battery" dual illuminated Trijicon would be the way to go. These are know for great construction and durability and the this sight certainly is that, but they are pricey! For me the amber delta was very low illumination and hard to pick up in all but bright outdoor lighting. Took it to the indoor range and it was very dim. Looking from low light to bright light it was almost indiscernible. The green may be better, but the amber was just too dim for me. I returned it.
I got to see the Burris Fastfire III side-by-side with the Venom and the Venom has a wider field of view and appears a little more solidly built. So ordered the Venom. It fits perfectly, has a top load battery, and co-witness a little better than the FastFire (which is really not co-witnessing at all) but you can see the top half of the rear sight and the op half of the front sight theough the Venom, so in a pinch, I think you could hit what you are aiming at without the red dot on. (with practice)
I'll confess, my ideal set-up would be the Trijicon battery powered RM02, but just couldn't see spending $500+ on a range gun. I bought the Venom for $210, similar in price to the FastFire and am very happy with the set up. Hope this helps somebody.
