Red dot sight questions?

[329]

After much reading it seems I am more confused than when I started. I would like to put a red dot sight similar to the jpoint or leupold delta. I am confused about;
1. Battery life?

2. Will I have to re sight in after battery change.

3. Dot size. I have a new 629 classic with the full lug. I will be using mostly for general target and some hunting.

4. Best mounting system, or the best one for a recommended sight model.

5. Any recommendations on particular models or dot size would also be appreciated. I would not shoot hunting at more than 75 yards, and would really like to keep it at 50 or less.

Thanks in advance!
R

 

[H Richard]

I'll try and answer some of your questions. I've used red dot sight s for over 15 years. The tube type are larger, heavier, and bulky. You are on the right track looking at the J Point, Delta type sights. I have a Burris FastFire III, mounted on my 617 with an Alchin Mount. I highly recommend the Alchin mount as gets the sight as close to the top of the frame as possible. STS C-More Scope Mounts - Allchin Gun Parts I had a Fastfire II a couple years ago, and it was only adjustable for intensity by a sensor that "automatically" adjusted the dot brightness depending on your environment and available light. (Was either too bright or so dim I couldn't see it). When the Fastfire III came out it has manual adjustment of 3 settings and the auto sensor setting. Unfortunately at all settings it was too dim, and I have sent it back to Burris for repair or replacement. The 3 MOA setting is very small at pistol distances, but useable. It will cover about the "X" ring on a NRA B3 target at 50 ft. The other alternative in the Burris is a 8 MOA dot, which would be good for action pistol work as you can pick it up faster and easier, but is too large (for me) for bullseye shooting. My ideal would be a 5 MOA dot.

For hunting out to 75 yards on deer sized game a 5 MOA or 8 MOA dot would be probably preferred, but the 3 MOA is more precise. I'd recommend you go to a fairly large store and look through them at targets 75 yards away and see what your preferences are. I have not used any of the other makes, but I do know the C-More is well thought of and another member of the Forum is well pleased with the J Point.

 

[Macinaw]

I've been using this C-more railway 8 moa for Steel Challenge for about two years with the first battery. You just need to remember to turn it off after each string. It is a great sight that Midway usually has on sale for about $208.

 

[TAROMAN]

I tried the J-Point in the Allchin mount on a 686.
The Allchin mount is superb, for this variety of sight.
Quickly discovered that it was impossible to zero the elevation with internal adjustments. J-Point sell a series of wedges that are used to correct this.
The club matches in which I participate require shooting at different ranges, so the tiny allen wrench with degree wheel is less than ideal for making on the fly adjustments.
Finally settled on the MatchDot II. Four dot sizes and two reticles from which to choose, and a polarizer to prevent dot washout in bright sunshine seal the deal.
First time out added 100 points for my score.

Final choice depends, of course, on the gun's intended mission.

My $0.03, YMMV.

 

[boatbum101]

I've only got experience with the Ultradot & Aimpoint sights . I still shoot bullseye so have stuck with proven sights with repeatable accurate adjustments . Of the 2 above for a magnum I'd be inclined to go with the Aimpoint . They're tough , decent glass but not cheap . The Ultradot may do what you want for half the price . Many good mounts & rings available & I'd stick with all steel concidering it's going on a 44 mag . As mentioned above the UD Matchdot is adjustable for dot size & brightness . Glass quality is not as good as Aimpoint but like I said it's half the price . Warne & Burris make some very strong mounts / rings . Hope this helps .

 

[329]

Richard,
What do you think of the fastfire 2? The FF3 only comes in 3 moa and 8. Any recommendations on either? Or...should I look at the FF2?

Thanks !

 

[357Ruger]

I have a Fast Fire II and hate having to remove the sight to change batteries.

The elevation and windage adjustments could be much better quality as well. I think it is an expensive sight for what you get.

 

[fltbed]

I have also been using red dot sights for a while. I’ve shot a few informal competitions with them but I’ve used them mainly for hunting. I use only tube style sights because all the open, single lens lightweight sights that are so in vogue today, all have one serious shortcoming. All it takes is one drop of moisture on the lens to turn your dot into a washed out halo. No recital = no sight = missed shot or worse, a wounded animal.

Annoying on the range but unacceptable to me in the hunting field.
Tube style sights are bigger and heavier but they work when you need them to in almost any weather. Hence the reason the military uses them rather than the single lens designs.

For a compact sight to mount on a handgun my first choice would be one of the newer compact models like the Aimpoint T-1/H-1 or the Zeiss Z-point. If your more on a budget, Bushnell and Valdada offer similar offerings for about half the price or less.

Jeff

 

[series guy]

I have 8 or 10 guns with red dots on them. All are tube type sights. If you want to give the system a try look on ebay for a used Tasco Pro Point. The older models were made in Japan and are very reliable and well made. Get one with a 30mm tube for a better field of view. I usually find them for $30 - $40. Weaver makes a base for around $8 that works as well as any I've used. This means that you can be shooting your red dot equiped .44 for a $50 outlay. I've been using this system on a 625, a 617, a 19, and a few others with great success. I also use Aimpoints and Ultradots but the Tasco is really the best buy to get started and you probably won't feel the need to upgrade.

 

[329]

Great input all. Thank you very much!

 

[329]

I have also been using red dot sights for a while. I’ve shot a few informal competitions with them but I’ve used them mainly for hunting. I use only tube style sights because all the open, single lens lightweight sights that are so in vogue today, all have one serious shortcoming. All it takes is one drop of moisture on the lens to turn your dot into a washed out halo. No recital = no sight = missed shot or worse, a wounded animal.

Annoying on the range but unacceptable to me in the hunting field.
Tube style sights are bigger and heavier but they work when you need them to in almost any weather. Hence the reason the military uses them rather than the single lens designs.

For a compact sight to mount on a handgun my first choice would be one of the newer compact models like the Aimpoint T-1/H-1 or the Zeiss Z-point. If your more on a budget, Bushnell and Valdada offer similar offerings for about half the price or less.

Jeff

Jeff,
What is the difference between the T1 and H1?

 

[keithherrington]

Other options

Like some others that have responded I've been shooting red dot for several years now, mostly in bullseye shooting. I've tried various tube sights, and still shoot the UltraDot on my 22. However, I've recently decided to transition to the Trijicon RMR sight on my wadcutter 45 guns to get a faster recovery. I never got used to the long slow recoil of a slide mounted tube sight. The RMR uses a 3.5MOA dot, close enough to the 4MOA UltraDot that I can't tell the difference. However, the quality of the RMR dot (how round and in focus it is) is not up to the UltraDot standard. The RMR more than makes up for it in other ways. It is very robust and durable. It has screw adjustable windage and elevation adjustments (with faint index points) and as far as I can tell the zero doesn't change with battery changes. One big advantage is the way the sight automatically turns off if the gun has not moved in 5 minutes, turning back on automatically as soon as the gun moves. Battery life is about 2 years and it uses a standard 2032 battery. I like the sight I've mounted it on my two carry guns: S&W M&P 45 (work done by David Bowie) and on my S&W M&P 9 CORE. I'm still transitioning to this sight, using an 8MOA dot. However, with so much experience in bullseye the transition seems to be going very smoothly. So far I'm very pleased.

As to dot size for you, the 8MOA dot covers 4" at 50 yards and 2" at 25. The 3.5-4MOA dot half of that.

The RMR can be purchased to fit a Weaver rail, or can be mounted to a custom mount in virtually any configuration.
Keith

 

[fltbed]

Jeff,
What is the difference between the T1 and H1?

The T-1 is built more for military/operators. Can except mag boosters, night vision, etc.

The H-1 is similar but built more for sportsmen. No deep water capabilities, etc.

Jeff

 

[fltbed]

If you want to give the system a try look on ebay for a used Tasco Pro Point. The older models were made in Japan and are very reliable and well made. Get one with a 30mm tube for a better field of view.

I have one of these (PDP3) I bought new back in 92. Over the years, it’s been mounted on my old pin gun, (S&W 25-5) a couple .22’s, a few 357 & 44 mags, a couple AR’s, spent a few years on a shotgun and is currently residing on an in line 50 cal muzzleloader.

I agree, those things are quite a bargain.

Jeff