Red Dot Sight
Also called: reflex sight, dot sight
A no-magnification sight that projects a small glowing dot you place on the target. Fast to use with both eyes open.
- Type
- Red Dots & Sights
- Magnification
- 1x, with no zoom
- Dot size
- Often 2 to 6 MOA
- Power
- A small battery, often lasting hundreds to thousands of hours
- Eye relief
- Not critical; the dot can be seen from a range of head positions
- Used for
- Hunting, Target shooting
Safety: Mount and zero the sight with the firearm unloaded and pointed in a safe direction, and follow the maker's torque specs.
What it is good for
- Fast shots at close range, such as brush or shotgun hunting.
- Handguns and carbines.
- Shooters who want to keep both eyes open.
Where it falls short
- No magnification for judging far targets.
- Needs a working battery; carry a spare.
- A big dot can cover a small target at long range.
Tips
- Keep the dot brightness just high enough to see in daylight, and lower it in dim light.
- Co-witness or zero it with your ammunition at a known distance.
Works well with
- Prism Sight: a compact sight that adds some magnification.
- Scope Rings and Mounts: how sights attach to the firearm.
Field notes
Red dots sit on a lens that reflects the dot back at your eye. Because the dot appears at a distance, you can focus on the target and the dot together.
Related guides
Specs here are typical, not guarantees; models differ, so check the maker's published numbers. Never look at the Sun through any optic without a certified solar filter, and zero or mount a scope with the firearm unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. Rules on optics, such as scopes on certain hunts or lasers and electronics, differ by state; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Want a buying guide? Read Choosing Hunting Optics.