Red dot optics?

14indy

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Just ordered a new 5" 40 cal ported performance center pistol and was wondering what you guys and gals recommend for red dot optics? I hate to pay $500+ for Leupold but looking for something around 2 - 3 hundred.
 
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If you have the CORE model it should come with an assortment of compatible baseplates. Just Google the prices and specs. I think most people would go for Trijicon but they are more expensive.
 
My wife has the Deltapoint 3 MOA and loves it. I went with the Trijicon RM08 and love it (in fact, I'll be ordering another in the next week or so). We haven't tried any of the less expensive optics, sorry I can't recommend anything there.
 
If you want to spend less take a look at the Burris red dot. It will install on this gun.....
 
I went through this and after firing the sights used by my Cop buddies I ended up with the Trijicon RMR. Here are the sights that co witness on the CORE. Burris 2 not 3, Docter 2, Trijicon RMR, J Point, and Deltapoint. I guarantee that you will buy sights until you get one that co-witnesses. Look at buying used. You may find one here on the for sale but the place you will find one is ar15.com on the Equipment Exchange. I found two I traded for, the MRDS (I will put this one on my SOCOM16) and the RMR4. There is a fellow there selling the Docter2 for $200 bucks and that might last you for a long time.
 
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There are a lot of us with them now so we need a poll;)
 
If you're looking at the Trijicon RMR, I'd wait to see how the new Leupold Deltapoint Pro compares to the Trijicon RMR. One notable feature the Deltapoint Pro has over the RMR is that one can replace the battery without removing the sight from its base. If the Deltapoint Pro doesn't have any problems, Leupold should give Trijicon a run for their money.
 
For under $300, I can recommend the Burris Fastfire ll. I have one mounted on a .45 1911, and one on an AR-15. Both have been reliable thru a lot of rounds.

Larry
 
Sorry for the dumb questions, but what is the CORE and what is meant by "co-witnesses"?
Gun is suppose to be here this week, when I pick it up I will price the Deltapoint, Burris Fastfire II and the Trijicon RNR.
I had a bad experience buying used a few years ago!
 
RMR also come with a line that takes NO battery. Fiber optic cable and trijicon insert. Also check with amazon for best prices on any make. I saved 150 bucks of retail on a rmr
 
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Sorry for the dumb questions, but what is the CORE and what is meant by "co-witnesses"?

CORE is the model of the M&P ("Competition/Optics-Ready," or something like that) and co-witness refers to arranging the mounting of the optic in such a way that the red-dot and the iron sights of the pistol coincide - the red dot appears to be sitting on top of the front sight and the sights can be seen through the window of the optic.

Some think co-witness is very important. Others think it is basically useless, distracting, even a hindrance, on a competition pistol. Opinions about the necessity/utility of it vary.

14indy, I know it is tempting to economize but if you can swing it, the RMR seems to be the unit I hear the most satisfactory comments about on the M&Ps and Glocks.
 
Sorry for the dumb questions, but what is the CORE and what is meant by "co-witnesses"?
Gun is suppose to be here this week, when I pick it up I will price the Deltapoint, Burris Fastfire II and the Trijicon RNR.
I had a bad experience buying used a few years ago!

CORE is the Competition Optics Ready version of the M&P with a cutout in the slide for a red dot sight. We imagine this is what you ordered. Otherwise there will be different mounting options for the red dot. Co-Witness means seeing your iron sights through your red dot. Some red dots co-witness others don't because of their height.
 
After destroying a bunch of cheap red dots in run and gun type shooting I'm sticking with Aim point. I spent more in red dots then it cost for one Aim point. Buy once cry once.
 
First, if you don't have the CORE model, you either will be replacing iron sights with a red dot in which case co-witnessing is not an option. I tried that with a mounting plate on a Glock and did not like it. It sat unnaturally high and was harder to acquire good sight picture in daylight much less trying in a dark house, and there was no b/u if the red dot failed. Or you will have to have the slide machined out to fit the red dot.

I have the CORE model which has the machined recess for the red dot mount. The manufacturers of the red dot sights listed in the CORE manual don't all claim that they co-witness, and many have not tested it.

Where I ended up was with a Trijicon RMR 06 and I am pleased with co-witnessing with that arrangement. I can line up the full white dots of the rear sight with the front sight while viewing thru the RMR window.

I first looked at using a Bushnell Fastfire III, which I already had from another gun and liked. However, as posted in pics on this site, you can only "co-witness" the very top of the rear iron sight, not even the full white dot. I then considered the Leupold Delta Point2. Dimensions said it was going to be a little better co-witness, but my recollection is not as much as Trijicon and that battery life was not as long as the Trijicon. I considered waiting for the "new" Delta Point Pro that was coming out where you are able to replace the battery without removing the sight. But I talked to Leupold and got the dimensions. For the Pro the plate is thicker than the Delta Point 2, so you lose co-witness of the sight.

You can usually get the red dot sights on some sort of deals online like Optics Planet or Amazon and save some bucks vs. MSR.
 
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If you're looking at the Trijicon RMR, I'd wait to see how the new Leupold Deltapoint Pro compares to the Trijicon RMR.

I have an email from Leupold that states that the DP Pro will not cowitness. So if that's important to someone, the DP Pro is not an option, assuming the info the sent me is correct. We'll see when it comes out. I opted for the original DP, which are still available and it cowitnesses fine. Also, I personally don't find the iron sights distracting at all. I don't even notice them when using the dot/triangle.
 
Thank you guys! I REALLY appreciate all the info!!! I will check at my dealer for Trijicon RMR04 and 06.
And yes, mine is the CORE model.
 
Mine is the RMR 4 and as stated it doesn't need a battery. I'm very pleased with it. I suspect that many company's will be making sights that co-witness in the near future.
 
On another note, I see these red dots are available in 3.25 and 6.5. Also on some models in green and orange. What do you guys recommend for indoor 25 yard ranges? Occasionally outside? I'm 70 with fairly good eyes.
Maybe I should have started a new thread?
 

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