Red dot sights have revolutionized the concealed carry world by offering faster target acquisition, improved accuracy, and enhanced situational awareness. As technology advances, the best red dots for concealed carry are becoming increasingly popular among firearm enthusiasts. This guide explores some of the best red dot sights for concealed carry, focusing on key factors such as size, durability, battery life, and ease of use.
Whether you are a seasoned shooter or a newcomer to concealed carry, selecting the right red dot sight is key to enhancing your defensive capabilities.
When making your selection, it’s essential to prioritize features like compact size, durability, and lightweight design. These features are crucial to maximizing maneuverability and maintaining the concealability of your firearm.
What is the Ideal Reticle for Concealed Carry?
The ideal red dot reticle for concealed carry largely depends on personal preference and specific use cases.
Smaller dots of 2 MOA and 3 MOA provide more precision and are ideal for longer distances. However, such reticles can be harder to pick up quickly in stressful situations.
Larger dots of 4 MOA and 6 MOA, on the other hand, are easier to spot and acquire quickly. This makes them generally preferred for close-range engagements, which are more typical in concealed carry scenarios.
Best Red Dots for Concealed Carry
1) Holosun Sub-compact HS507K-X2 Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
- Battery life: 50000hrs
- Attachment/Mount Type: Shield RMS Footprint
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.58 – 0.77 in
- Brightness Levels: 12
- Weight: 1 oz
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Fabric/Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Finish: Anodized
The Holosun Sub-compact HS507K-X2 Red Dot Sight is the best red dot for concealed carry, it features multiple reticle options, long battery life,12 brightness settings, unlimited eye relief, and 7075-T6 Aluminum construction. It is a quality, versatile, and high-performance optic designed for compact firearms.
The highlight of this red dot sight is its dual reticle system, featuring a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle. This multi-reticle system offers excellent flexibility for various shooting scenarios. Besides, it is illuminated in red, providing clear visibility in diverse lighting conditions.
Regarding construction, the sight is crafted from durable 7075-T6 aluminum with an anodized finish that is not just non-reflective but also scratchproof.
The robust construction withstands rigorous use while maintaining a lightweight profile at just 1 oz. The sight also features an adjustment click value of 1 MOA to ensure accurate and straightforward sight adjustments.
Pros
- Dual reticle system with 2 MOA dot and 32 MOA circle
- Lightweight and compact design
- Durable 7075-T6 aluminum construction with an anodized finish
- Ten brightness levels for various lighting conditions
- Shield RMS footprint for versatile mounting options
- Night Vision compatible
- Designed for CCW
Cons
- None
2) Holosun EPS Carry Enclosed Pistol Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: Multiple Reticle System
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.58 – 0.77 in
- Brightness Levels: 8
- Battery life: 50000 hours
- Length: 1.1 in
- Weight: 1 oz
- Water Resistance Level: IPX-8
- Adjustment Click Value: 1.5 MOA
- Fabric/Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Finish: Anodized
The Holosun Carry Enclosed Pistol Sight (EPS) with Multiple Reticle System stands out as a premium choice for firearm enthusiasts seeking a versatile and durable red dot sight. This sight allows users to switch between different reticle options, providing flexibility for various shooting scenarios.
The red illumination of the reticle coupled with eight brightness levels, ensures visibility in a range of lighting conditions, from bright daylight to low-light environments.
Furthermore, the sight’s compact design, with a length of just 1.1 inches and a lightweight construction of 1 oz only ensures that it adds minimal weight to the firearm, maintaining balance and ease of handling.
This red dot sight is also built with durability in mind. It is constructed from 7075-T6 aluminum with an anodized finish to withstand harsh conditions and rigorous use. Moreover, the IPX-8 water resistance rating ensures reliable performance even in wet conditions, making it suitable for all-weather use.
The other essential features included are an adjustment click value of 1.5 MOA that allows for precise adjustments and unlimited eye relief for increased situational awareness.
Pros:
- Multiple Reticle System for versatile use
- Eight brightness levels for various lighting conditions
- Lightweight and compact design
- Durable construction with 7075-T6 aluminum and anodized finish
- IPX-8 water resistance for all-weather reliability
- Precise 1.5 MOA adjustment clicks
Cons
- No Solar Failsafe
3) Vortex Defender CCW Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 3 MOA
- Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm
- Brightness Levels: 8
- Length: 1.6 in
- Weight: 0.95 oz
- Water Resistance Level: Waterproof
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Fabric/Material: 7075 Aluminum
- Lens Finish: Fully Multi-Coated
The Vortex Defender CCW 1x25mm Red Dot Sight is one of the best red dots for Concealed Carry, it is a compact, high-performance optic designed for concealed carry and personal defense. The sight is built with ease of use in mind to accommodate all users including beginners.
Its 3 MOA reticle is crisp and precise, offering excellent accuracy for rapid target acquisition. The reticle’s red illumination, coupled with eight brightness levels, ensures optimal visibility in various lighting conditions. Furthermore, the sight features fully multi-coated optics to enhance performance in low light.
Constructed from 7075 aluminum, this red dot sight is both lightweight and robust, weighing only 0.95 oz. With a length of just 1.6 inches, it seamlessly integrates onto compact and subcompact firearms without adding unnecessary bulk. Besides, the optical tube is waterproof, providing reliability and durability in adverse weather conditions.
In addition to all these features, this red dot sight is easy to install and features 1 MOA adjustment click value that allows for precise windage and elevation adjustments, ensuring accurate shot placement.
Pros
- Crisp 3 MOA reticle with red illumination
- Eight brightness levels for versatile lighting conditions
- Lightweight and durable 7075 aluminum construction in a single-piece chassis
- Fully multi-coated lens for enhanced clarity
- Waterproof, ensuring reliability in adverse conditions
- Compact design ideal for concealed carry
Cons
- No night vision-compatible brightness settings
4) Holosun Sub-compact HS407K-X2 Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 6 MOA Dot
- Mount Type: Shield RMS Footprint
- Objective Lens Diameter: 0.58 – 0.77 in
- Brightness Levels: 10
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Weight: 1 oz
- Water Resistance Level: IP67
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Material: 7075 Aluminum
- Lens Finish: Multicoated
Next on our list of the best red dot for concealed carry is the Holosun Sub-compact HS407K-X2 1x 6 MOA Dot Red Dot Sight. This is a robust and versatile optic designed for sub-compact pistols.
The sight employs a 6 MOA dot reticle in red illumination. The reticle is easy to spot and crisp to ensure quick target acquisition. More importantly, its brightness is adjustable across 10 levels, catering to various lighting conditions from bright daylight to low-light environments.
To help the reticle serve its purpose is a multicoated lens that provides a clear, crisp sight picture in all light settings. Furthermore, the sight is built with 7075 aluminum construction to ensure durability and resistance to harsh conditions. It is also IP67-rated for water resistance in wet environments.
Weighing just 1 ounce, the HS407K-X2 adds minimal bulk to your firearm, preserving its balance and handling characteristics. It also features a Shield RMS footprint for easy attachment and compatibility with a variety of mounts and an impressive battery life of up to 50,000 hours.
Pros
- Durable 7075 aluminum construction
- Long battery life of up to 50,000 hours
- Lightweight at only 1 ounce
- IP67 water resistance
- 10 brightness levels for versatile use
- Easy attachment with Shield RMS footprint
Cons:
- Limited objective lens diameter (0.58 – 0.77 in) may restrict the field of view
5) Swampfox Sentinel II 1×20 Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 3 MOA Dot
- Illumination Color: Red
- Objective Lens Diameter: 20 mm
- Brightness Levels: 10
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Fabric/Material: 7075 Aluminum
- Lens Finish: Multi-Coated/Hydrophobic/Anti-Fog
The Swampfox Sentinel II 1×20 Dot Sight is an impressive red dot sight designed for rapid target acquisition and durability. Featuring a 3 MOA dot reticle, this sight offers a precise aiming point that enhances accuracy for both novice and experienced shooters.
The red illumination color is crisp and vibrant, ensuring clear visibility in various lighting conditions. With an objective lens diameter of 20 mm, the Sentinel II provides a wide field of view, which is essential for quick target transitions. In addition, the sight includes ten brightness levels, allowing users to adjust the dot intensity to match their environment.
Construction-wise, the sight is built from 7075 aluminum, a hard-wearing material to withstand harsh use. The lens is multi-coated with hydrophobic and anti-fog properties, ensuring clear sight pictures in adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, it boasts MOA adjustment type that allows for precise zeroing, making it easy to fine-tune the sight for optimal performance.
Pros
- Clear and precise 3 MOA dot reticle
- Durable 7075 aluminum construction
- Multi-coated lens with hydrophobic and anti-fog properties
- Wide field of view with a 20 mm objective lens
- Ten brightness levels for various lighting conditions
Cons
- None
6) Burris FastFire C 1x22mm Red Dot Reflex Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 6 MOA Dot
- Illumination Color: Red
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Fabric/Material: Combined
- Battery Life: 25000 hours
- Fog Proof: Yes
- Shockproof: Yes
- Attachment/Mount Type: Slide
Burris FastFire C 1x22mm Red Dot Reflex Sight is the best red dot for concealed carry for budget-conscious buyers. It is a robust and versatile optic that stands out in the competitive field of red dot sights in terms of performance, reliability, and value for money.
Featuring a 6 MOA dot reticle, the sight provides a clear and easily visible aiming point, making it ideal for quick target acquisition. The red illumination color enhances visibility in various lighting conditions, ensuring that users can rely on this sight in both low-light and bright environments.
Furthermore, the sight is built with combined high-quality materials for ultimate durability. Furthermore, it is both fogproof and shockproof for use in harsh weather conditions and under rigorous use, whether mounted on a handgun, shotgun, or rifle.
Another standout feature of the Burris FastFire C is its long battery life, offering up to 25,000 hours of continuous use. This ensures that users can depend on the sight for extended periods without frequent battery changes. Over and above that, its adjustment type is MOA, providing precise and easy adjustments for windage and elevation.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight construction
- Removable rear post sight included
- Easy to install and use
- Long battery life
Cons
- The battery compartment design is not user-friendly
Next Reads
How to Choose the Best Red Dot for Concealed Carry
Choosing the best red dot sight for concealed carry involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your needs effectively: These factors include:
Size and Weight
Since concealed carry focuses on minimizing bulk and maintaining concealability, opt for compact red dot sight that will be easy to conceal together with the firearm. The best red dot for concealed carry should also be lightweight so it won’t add any extra bulk to the firearm.
Durability
The red dot should be robust enough to handle daily carry, including potential drops or bumps. Look for sights with rugged construction to withstand abuse. Additionally, opt for a model that is fully waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
Battery Life
Long battery life is crucial to ensure your sight is always ready when you need it. Some models offer extended battery life or solar-powered options to enhance reliability.
Ease of Use: The best red dot for concealed carry should be easy to operate and quick to acquire the dot when drawing your firearm. Features, like shake awake technology or automatic brightness adjustment, can enhance usability.
Compatibility
Ensure the sight is compatible with your firearm model. Many red dots come with adapters or plates to fit different mounting systems.
Dot Size
For concealed carry, a smaller dot size (e.g., 2 MOA) is generally preferred as it allows for more precise aiming without obstructing the target.
Price and Value
Last but not least, consider your budget and choose a red dot that offers good value for money without compromising on essential features. The plethora of models available on the market come at varying price tags so there is something for everyone.
FAQs
- What reticle size is best for concealed carry?
Generally, smaller dots like 2 MOA or 3.25 MOA are preferred for concealed carry. They offer precise aiming point without obscuring the target at typical engagement distances.
- How important is durability for a concealed carry red dot?
Durability is very important for a concealed carry red dot. The sight should be able to handle bumps, abrasions, and the rigors of everyday carry without losing zero or functionality.
- Do red dot sights affect concealability?
Yes. Like any other accessory, red dot sights can affect firearm’s concealability. They can add some bulk, so it is important to choosing a compact and lightweight model that fits well with your firearm without getting in your way of shooting.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are a ton of great red dot sights for concealed carry and the ideal model depends on your shooting needs and specific firearm. Ensure that you settle for a model from renowned brands for durability, quality, and performance assurance. Hopefully, the information in this article has steered you in the correct direction.