• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Shield Plus red dot sight

W

Whisper

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 28, 2013
Messages
190
Reaction score
202
Location
Tennessee
I want a 4-inch Shield Plus with a red dot, but I hate the Crimson Trace products. Does anyone know for sure if the optic-ready Shield Plus will fit anything other than the Crimson Trace? A local gun shop tells me no, but looking at the S&W website it appears that they're claiming it will fit others besides the Crimson Trace.

From the website: "The optic choice is yours, choose from any Shield RMS optic footprint which covers up to 80% of the micro compact red dot optics on the market."

https://www.smith-wesson.com/article/shield-plus-now-optics-ready

As an interesting aside, I note that Amazon website lists the Crimson Trace red dots as being for airsoft guns.

Thanks,
Whisper
 
I won't claim to be an RDO optics expert, but here is some info that I found online.

As you stated, here is what S&W says:
"Your new favorite Shield Plus is ready to go straight out of the box. Whether you plan to run an optic or use the traditional iron sights, you decide. The optic choice is yours, choose from any Shield RMS optic footprint which covers up to 80% of the micro compact red dot optics on the market."

Then I searched for RDOs that would fit the same footprint:

List of compatible red dots
ADE Advanced Optics
ADE Advanced Optics RD3-018 Spike
ADE Advanced Optics RD3-021 Nuwa
JP Enterprises
JP Enterprises JPoint
Shield
Shield AMS
Shield SMS
Shield SMS 2.0
Shield SMSc
Shield RMS
Shield RMS 2
Shield RMSc
Shield RMSd
Shield RMSw
Shield RMSx
Sig Sauer
Sig Sauer Romeo Zero
Sightmark
Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec M3
Swampfox
Swampfox Sentinel 1×16
UTG
UTG OP3 Mini Micro
Vector Optics
Vector Optics Frenzy-S 1x16x22
Vector Optics Frenzy-S 1x17x24 MIC

Maybe this will help in your search for an RDO. Good luck!
 
...and the Riton TACTIC PRD 2, and the HEX WASP...

Cheers!

P.S. As far as the amazon "airsoft" comment goes, S&W, SCCY & Springfield Armory all sold pistols with Crimson Trace Red Dots...
 
Last edited:
OK, so what's the beef with Crimson Trace?

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Inquiring.jpg
    Inquiring.jpg
    32.4 KB · Views: 242
LVSteve said:
OK, so what's the beef with Crimson Trace?

attachment.php
Click to expand...

There's no real valid reason to hate Crimson Trace (CT) products. I believe the OP looked on antigun Amazon, saw a comment or two about CT dots being used on Airsoft guns, and then decide he didn't like all CT products.
 
Last edited:
Code:
Crimson Trace makes different tiers of optics. Some are lower-end and affordable with polymer housings, and others that are higher-end made out of aluminum.... The specific optic that S&W ships the Shield 2.0 and Shield Plus with from the factory is the polymer housing Crimson Trace CTS-1550, and that's the one many who want a higher quality red dot will bash. The [URL="https://www.crimsontrace.com/products/electronic-sights/ct-rad-micro-pro-red/01-01970.html"]CT RAD Micro Pro[/URL] is their higher tier optic for single stack and micro pistols.

Note: Amazon will often have the budget and Pro versions as well as the red and green dot versions all under one page with people commenting on different versions in the comment section. That will confuse some people as a con of their budget offering will be wrongly assumed to apply to their Pro versions.

I use a Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro:

  1. It uses 7075 aerospace aluminum unlike other red dots that use less durable 6061 aluminum.
  2. It's water resistant.
  3. It has a 2 year 20,000 hour battery life.
  4. It's adjustable for windage and elevation
  5. It uses a standard easy to find CR1632 battery
  6. It has a sensor that automatically adjust the brightness of the dot based on surroundings lighting conditions.
  7. It has a "shake-awake" feature that automatically turns the dot on whenever movement is detected.
  8. It senses when there has been no movement and will automatically turn the optic off.
  9. It co-witnesses with the front and rear iron sites, so you have fully functional irons should you have to use them. I personally have 3 dot night sights installed in addition to a red dot.
  10. It attaches directly to the Shield's slide. That means it sits lower, and it doesn't require that you spend money on an adapter plate.
  11. Comes in either a red or green dot.

FtCgou1l.jpg

t0GFoCDl.jpg

Ed0NA4el.jpg

2R747wul.jpg

xlnQV6El.jpg
 
Last edited:
Despite what Well Armed may believe, my opinion on the Crimson Trace red dot optics is based on examining several models at a local gun store and being unimpressed with the flimsiness of the polymer sight bodies and reading many online accounts (some with photos) of lenses falling out. The aluminum-bodied models may well be better, although they still lack click adjustments, according to reviews I've read. The CT optics also cost dramatically less than the acknowledged industry leaders like Trijicon and Holosun, so it seems to me unlikely that they will meet the same quality or durability standards. Of course, they don't necessarily need to -- for light range duty or occasional use, they may be fine. But that's not what everyone is looking for in pistol optics.
 
I just installed a Sig Romeo on a customer's Shield Plus the other week, so other optics will work on it. It was a normal RMSC footprint slide cut with raised lugs in both the front and rear.
 
Whisper said:
Despite what Well Armed may believe, my opinion on the Crimson Trace red dot optics is based on examining several models at a local gun store and being unimpressed with the flimsiness of the polymer sight bodies and reading many online accounts (some with photos) of lenses falling out. The aluminum-bodied models may well be better, although they still lack click adjustments, according to reviews I've read. The CT optics also cost dramatically less than the acknowledged industry leaders like Trijicon and Holosun, so it seems to me unlikely that they will meet the same quality or durability standards. Of course, they don't necessarily need to -- for light range duty or occasional use, they may be fine. But that's not what everyone is looking for in pistol optics.
Click to expand...

Yes, the polymer version is a budget version. Other red dot manufacturers also offer inexpensive budget version of their optics. That's not a representation of all of the optics and products the company sells.

Holosun and Trijcon both also use anodized 7075 aluminum housings, the Holosun and Rad Micro both use the same battery, and all are water and shock proof, so they use similar materials and finishes. Both the Holosun and RAD Micro have a IPX4 rating for waterproofing. They have similar durability when it comes to being water and shock proof. The RMR, of course is most durable of all red dots on the market, and, without going into detail, hands down beats them both. I just don't believe the RMRcc is worth the cost for a micro 9mm, and it still requires a mounting plate. The Holosun and RMRcc will make your irons worthless, and I like having my irons as backup. ymmv.

Cost: The MSRP on the popular Holosun HS407K X2 is $258.81. The MSRP of the Holosun HS507 X2 is $341.16. The one and ONLY difference between the 407 and 507 is that you are paying $100 more for the 32 MOA Circle reticle vs having a traditional dot. They are identical in every other way. That said, the MSRP on the RAD Micro Pro is $264.99! That's right in the middle between the Holosun 407k X2 and 507k X2 (which are essentially the same exact optic). Most micro dots will be in the $200-$350 MSRP range, so the RAD Micro is priced consistently with the rest of the market, and is NOT "dramatically less" like you stated. The Trijicon optics on the otherhand, are priced "dramatically" higher than almost all other optics on the market. You can purchase two RAD Micros or Holosuns for the price of one Trijicon RMRcc at an MSRP of $699.

Let's look at cost of other optics. The Swampfox Sentinel micro dot has a MSRP of $269. The Sig Sauer Romeo and RomeoZero Elite that @NewLiberty mentioned above both have MSRPs below $200. The Shield RMR optic is overpriced IMHO at $430. The Bushnell RX is $199.....
 
Last edited:
FYI: I have, use, and prefer Trijicon RMR optics on my larger pistols. Like you, I do my research. I don't buy simply based on cost but rather on cost and quality. I have experience with Trijicon, EOTech, Vortex, and other optics as well. Other than the windage and elevation "clicking" as it's adjusted, I'd say the quality of the Rad Micro Pro is on par or above other micro dots on the market. I also don't personally believe "clicking" is necessity or in all be all feature to worry about on a self-defense handgun that you’ll shoot at close distances and aren't going to be making adjustments on the fly like you would shooting longer ranges with a rifle. On a rifle, I'd require that feature. On a pistol, not so much. I use a laser site bore to zero at home or the range at 25 yards OR I co-witness the red dot with my irons. I can visually see the dot moving to where I need it to be as I turn the allen key, so no click needed. Then make simple, quick, and easy very minor adjustment at the range if need be at 25 yards. Clicking is not at all necessary or really needed IMHO. If I was shooting 100 yards or more with my micro carry pistol, then I might want the MOA clicking feature to help get on target. I reckon that's why fighting rifles like the M1 Garand, AR15, Fal, G3, Mosin Nagant, SKS, AK47, etc all have on the fly adjustable sights, and most handgun have fixed sights.

IMHO, you've become biased based on your experience with the CT low budget, cheap, no frills offering. That's okay. It's your money, and you need to be happy and content with what you spend it on. If the budget priced polymer red dot offering has forever turned you off from everything Crimson Trace makes now or in the future, so be it. I suggest you go with a Holosun optic on your Shield Plus. Just be aware and do your research as others on the forum and elsewhere have reported that they've had problems zeroing their Holosun optics on the Shield Plus because of how S&W milled out the optic cut. Some people don't have any issues while others say they have. You'll also will need an optic plate. I am not sure if the Trijicon RMRcc has this same issue. I actually have never seen anyone who uses a RMRcc on their Shield or micro 9mm's. That's something you might want to look into if you go the Trijicon route. There are also a couple of companies who will remill the Shield Plus slide to IF you actually experience any issues. (Maybe you will, maybe you won't.) There's a guy on Thehighroad.org who has Holosun 507k's on his Shield Plus and Shield 45, and I've never seen him complain, but in the same token, I've seen others members complaining about it on this forum and other forums.

Holosun 407k on a Shield Plus (w/ Optic Cut ) runs out of elevation adjustment. Anyone else?

M&P Shield Plus Optic choice

M&P Shield / Shield Plus Optic Ready Re-Machine for Holosun 507K/407K & EPS
 
Last edited:
I've been in touch with two nice people at Nameless Arms who seem well familiar with addressing the issues with the optic cut on the Shield. They tell me you can even reuse the original plate that covers the optics footprint (they only shave it by .017" when they mill it) if you want to remove the optic. I'm going to send the slide to them and then mount a 507k.
 
Whisper said:
I've been in touch with two nice people at Nameless Arms who seem well familiar with addressing the issues with the optic cut on the Shield. They tell me you can even reuse the original plate that covers the optics footprint (they only shave it by .017" when they mill it) if you want to remove the optic. I'm going to send the slide to them and then mount a 507k.
Click to expand...

There you go. Problem solved. Good luck :)
 
hardluk1 said:
Do Not over look Holson's Green dot or circle dot Kseries optics that will fit . The green dots for many eye's show up better over a wider range of back grounds.
Click to expand...

I love the circle dot Holosun red dots. Do they need a plate to fit on the Plus?

Joe
 
I'm going to throw out another microdot you should at least give the scratch and sniff test. It's the Cyelee Cat Pro. I've seen a few torture tests of this, and it's held up. It has a lot of very desirable features, like a side loading battery, and shake awake activation. It's also available with a circle dot reticle. it has a lot of Holosun's features at a lower price. It also uses a standard RMSc footprint, unlike Holosun. So it should fit your gun.

Cyelee CAT PRO Duty & Carry Ready RMSc Micro Red Dot with Motion Deact
– Cyelee Optics
 
hardluk1 said:
Do Not over look Holson's Green dot or circle dot Kseries optics that will fit . The green dots for many eye's show up better over a wider range of back grounds.
Click to expand...

I run a Holosun 407K on a optic-ready Shield Plus. It will NOT fit without an adapter plate. The K series had a modified RMSc footprint that is proprietary to them, and you must run a plate to mount it. Once mounted, it may not zero without a shim. Mine didn't, and I have seen other comments that substantiate this. It works on a Shield just fine, once the adapter plate (and maybe a shim) is in place.
 
I have tried 407K, 507K, EPS Carry, SIG Romeo-X Compact, and Vortex Defender - these all fit the RMSc/modified RMSc footprint except when the slide has the 2 recoil lugs. Then only the EPS Carry (with its included plate), SIG Romeo-X Compact, and Vortex Defender can directly attach without an adapter.

The Vortex Defender before November 2023 was a 14 hour shut-off time and had a slow refresh rate. Vortex updated them and the one I just got (3 MOA dot) has a 10 minute 42 second shut off and the refresh rate is the same as any other dot.

The Romeo-X Compact is the only 99% American made RMSc optic. It's assembled in the US with 99% US made parts. From what SIG told me, the only Chinese parts are the circuit board and the mounting screws.

I wasn't a fan of the 407K 6MOA dot or the lens distortion with the 407/507. EPS Carry was crisp and clear like the SIG Romeo-X Compact. Vortex Defender lens is decent as well.
 
I have been carrying and shooting a Shield Plus since they came on the scene with a CT optic installed. It has never failed to hold zero and has never failed to come on immediately when the hood was removed. Don’t know that I could ask any more of an optic. I do like the Holosun 507K better but until this one fails I probably won’t replace it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Shield Plus optic help (9mm, standard OR slide)
Replies
0
Views
216
Ktyhawk
K
R
What optics fit a new Shield Plus PC?
Replies
10
Views
4K
RenoHuskerDu
R
K
Need help before purchase M&P Shield Plus and Compact
Replies
13
Views
781
Hiwood
H
HiglandsRanchCO
First Timer Question About PC Shield Plus Optics
Replies
2
Views
307
HiglandsRanchCO
HiglandsRanchCO
M
M&P 2.0 Optic Ready and Shield Plus Optic Ready - Iron Sight Zero (Combat vs Center)
Replies
11
Views
3K
metroplex
M

Latest posts

Back
Top