I’m out of touch and don’t get the red dot...

[Black Sunshine]

Hopefully, this is not a thread-jack... What are the guidelines for dot size vs intended range? The handgun I'm considering comes with a 1 moa dot RMR.

 

[sithlord]

Hopefully, this is not a thread-jack... What are the guidelines for dot size vs intended range? The handgun I'm considering comes with a 1 moa dot RMR.

Unofficial guideline: the MOA of your dot should be smaller than your MOA of your firearm and/or operator.

A red dot is intended for short range (100 yards or less) for quick acquisition versus precision engagement. Obviously, it CAN be used for precision (eg, hunting), or longer range, but there are better tools for the job in that case.

If you can keep your handgun with .25" groups at 25 yards (thats 1 MOA at 25 yards), that's amazing.

 

[bamashooter]

Hopefully, this is not a thread-jack... What are the guidelines for dot size vs intended range? The handgun I'm considering comes with a 1 moa dot RMR.

None per se. A 1 moa will cover a 1" spot on a target at 100 yards. It'll cover 2" at 200 yards, etc. Typically for a self-defense pistol you tend to go a bit larger. 3"-4" is common for dedicated close-in, quick acquisition stuff. Or perhaps a 2 moa dot with a "quick" ring / circle around it.

 

[Black Sunshine]

I like the idea of 1 MOA but am told that the dot can be hard to see.

 

[ben_g1]

I like the idea of 1 MOA but am told that the dot can be hard to see.

Sometimes I have that problem, especially because I like using the smaller dot as I have the astigmatism other posters talk about. The smaller the dot (my red dot has 12 setting) the less dots I see .

I use the Sig Romeo 4 that also has the 65mm red circle around the red dot, very much easier finding the dot.

 

[Fishinfool]

I like the idea of 1 MOA but am told that the dot can be hard to see.

Personally, I like a bigger dot size. Maybe, if I was shooting bullseye, a small dot would be better. The idea behind a red dot is speed, and a larger red dot is usually quicker to find. My latest red dot sight (Venom with a 6 inch dot) was easy to spot, and was giving me fist sized groups at 50 yards from a 1911 last week at the range. Good enough for me. If I want real precision, especially on a rifle, I go to a scope.

Larry

 

[Andyk]

Hopefully, this is not a thread-jack... What are the guidelines for dot size vs intended range? The handgun I'm considering comes with a 1 moa dot RMR.

It depends on what you want to do with it. For accuracy smaller is better. For speed bigger is better. Speed and accuracy is a compromise. I use anywhere from 8 to 16 moa for speed events but it's tough to shoot 200 yards with 16 moa since it covers most targets.

 

[Kayback]

It depends on what you want to do with it. For accuracy smaller is better. For speed bigger is better. Speed and accuracy is a compromise. I use anywhere from 8 to 16 moa for speed events but it's tough to shoot 200 yards with 16 moa since it covers most targets.

Zero using the top of the dot. This means you can make longer ranged hits easier without covering the target and it doesn't change much up close.

 

[Blackstuff]

Hopefully, this is not a thread-jack... What are the guidelines for dot size vs intended range? The handgun I'm considering comes with a 1 moa dot RMR.

Unless you are only doing very precise/slow shooting with the gun I wouldn't buy it.

For action/practical shooting, (or self defence) I wouldn't have anything smaller than a 6-8 MOA dot. I've got a 3MOA Burris Fastfire III on my practical pistol and its hard to find under stress/from awkward shooting positions. I've been meaning to replace it for a while now!

 

[Protocall_Design]

Sometimes I have that problem, especially because I like using the smaller dot as I have the astigmatism other posters talk about. The smaller the dot (my red dot has 12 setting) the less dots I see .

I use the Sig Romeo 4 that also has the 65mm red circle around the red dot, very much easier finding the dot.

If you move the scope as far back as possible on the barrel, you will be able to find the dot easier, and it will move less during recoil. The closer you get the scope to the pivot point (wrists), the less vertical movement it will have.