Since the red dot sights revolution reached pistols years ago, they have now taken over to become the best pistol accessories. With the best micro red dots for pistol, you will be able to increase your speed of acquiring targets and hone your shooting skills in different situations.
Optics companies both large and small continue to make better red dot sights to meet the demands of every shooter out there.
With modern technological advancements, different brands have come up with micro red dot sights that are more compact than the standard red dots, yet powerful.
With pistols, such red dots are easy to conceal and so light that they will hardly affect the balance of the pistol. A micro red dot will also make it easier for you to shoot straight and quickly without losing your precision.
Why You Should Put a Red Dot on your Pistol?
Red dot sights have plenty to offer to every shooter no matter their skills or experience level. Pistol-mounted optics are designed for quick and responsive target acquisition making them perfect for close combat shooting scenarios.
Another benefit of mounting a red dot on your pistol is improved accuracy. A red dot sight lets you focus primarily on the target so you take a shot with conviction it will land where you intended it. Self-defense and other CQB applications need improved aim and precision.
Pistol-mounted optics also improve your aim in low-light conditions. Naturally, proper sighting decreases as light diminishes. With a red dot sight, you can hit the target accurately in poor lighting. Moreover, pistol red dot sights allow you to get to the targets faster in poorly lit situations.
The ability of the eye to maintain sharp focus decreases with age and when vision issues come knocking, you can seek refuge in red dot sights. These optics will give you a helping hand so you remain competitive and hit targets with utmost accuracy.
Lastly, micro red dots for pistols provide a confidence boost. Any handgun owner will appreciate having an efficient weapon that gets the job done right. When you equip your pistol with a red dot sight, you will notice an improvement in the accuracy of your shots.
8 Best Micro Red Dots for Pistol
In this post, we are going to take you through the best micro red dots for pistols that are available on the market currently. Let’s take a look.
1) Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot Sights
The Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot Sight is an award-winning pistol optic that will improve the shooting efficiency of your handgun. This ultra-compact sight offers unmatched performance in any shooting situation making it one of the best micro red dots for pistol.
It boasts an incredibly wide field of view which is essential for quick target finding. The high-quality glass dominates every competition by providing crystal clear sight pictures even in poor lighting conditions.
Moreover, the sight is built to be nearly indestructible. It has rugged aluminum housing and a stealth shield to take in the beating. Better yet, it is designed with advanced sealing methods to not only withstand extreme temperatures but also keep moisture out and provide a lifetime of all-weather use.
When changing the battery, you don’t have to take the sight off the pistol. This is thanks to the easy-access top battery compartment. The red dot sight also employs a 3 MOA red dot reticle that offers a great balance between speed and accuracy.
Features
- 1x magnification
- 3 MOA red dot
- 8 illumination settings
- Unlimited eye relief
- Rugged aluminum housing
- Weatherproof construction
- Easy-access battery compartment
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Crisp clear red dot
- Accurate
- Easy to install
2) Primary Arms Classic Series Micro Reflex Dot Sight
With 11 illumination settings for both day and night visibility, the Primary Arms Classic Series Micro Reflex Dot Sight is your ideal optic for shooting and all-around hunting. It is compatible with standard micro mounts for added versatility and gives stated co-witness.
The reflex sight is built to be usable in any environment. It is waterproof to 6ft with turret caps on and water resistant with turret caps off. Moreover, the optics are fog resistant to ensure that you have a clear field of view even when you are shooting in cold temperatures.
Construction-wise, the sight has a compact body made from aluminum. It is light enough to be easy to mount on any pistol yet sturdy to weather anything you throw at it.
It also has fully multi-coated anti-reflective lenses that maximize the transmission of light and shield the glass from scratches.
Features
- 2 MOA red dot reticle
- Waterproof and fog-resistant
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 11 illumination settings
- Picatinny rail mount included
Pros
- Long battery life
- Easy to install
- Compatible with night vision devices
- Bright and crisp dot
Cons
- Fragile
3) Viridian RFX-35 1x22mm Micro Green Dot Sight
If you are looking for a red dot sight for your everyday carry pistol, the Viridian RFX-35 1x22mm Micro Green Dot Sight is your ideal option. It is ultra-compact, lightweight and very easy to shoot with.
The battery in this red dot sight lasts for up 40,000 hours. This makes it ideal for a wide range of shooting applications. Besides, it keeps the reticle optimally illuminated in different lighting conditions.
Furthermore, the sight has a crisp 3 MOA reticle with 10 brightness settings for you to customize it depending on the ambient lighting condition.
It also boasts a rugged aluminum construction that is shockproof to withstand recoil and impacts and weatherproofed to be usable even in adverse climatic conditions.
Features
- 3 MOA reticle
- Green dot illumination
- 10 brightness settings
- Rugged aluminum housing
- Shockproof and fogproof
Pros
- Great battery life
- Solid construction
- Budget-friendly
- Green illumination
Cons
- Tool Adjustable
4) Crimson Trace CT-RAD Micro Pro Red Dot Sight
As one of the best micro red dots for pistols, the Crimson Trace CT-RAD is a versatile optic suitable for a wide range of applications including self-defense and competition shooting.
It features a crisp 3 MOA green dot reticle that is easy to spot even for users with aging eyesight. The CT radiant sensor adjusts the reticle illumination automatically depending on the lighting condition.
The red dot sight is also equipped with Shake Awake technology that powers it up and down by sensing motion. Moreover, the sight features fully multi-coated optics that yield bright and clear views of both the target and reticle in different lighting conditions.
The body is made from aerospace-grade aluminum which maximizes durability without being bulky. To top it all off, the sight has a decent battery life ad an IPX-4 water-resistant rating to ensure unimpeded field use.
Features
- Shake Awake Sensor
- IPX-4 water resistant, fog proof and shockproof
- CT radiant sensor
- Aerospace-grade aluminum construction
- Low profile design
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 3 MOA red dot
Pros
- Quality construction
- Easy to use
- Crisp red dot reticle
Cons
- Poor battery life
5) Swampfox KingSlayer 1x22mm Micro Reflex Red Dot Sight
Next, up, we have the Swampfox KingSlayer 1x22mm Micro Reflex Red Dot Sight. This super compact optic is highly accurate and a perfect addition to virtually every handgun out there.
The true 1x setting allows you to shoot with your eyes open and enhance your situational awareness. Moreover, the sight has three reticle options that allow for rapid target acquisition in different situations. It also boasts 10 brightness settings that you use to customize your shooting.
For all-weather use, the sight is fully waterproof and fog resistant. When it comes to construction, it features tough aircraft-grade aluminum housing that is shockproof to withstand rigorous use and fierce recoil.
This red dot optical sight has a battery that lasts up to 1,500 hours. It also has state-of-the-art lens coatings that reduce glare and maximize light transmission.
Features
- 10 brightness settings
- Fully-coated lenses
- IPX-7 water-resistant and fog-proof
- Shockproof aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- Unlimited eye relief
Pros
- Multi-platform friendly
- Easy to use
- Bright and well-built optics
Cons
- The battery gets drained quickly
6) Atibal AT-MCRD Pro Micro Red Dot Sight
The Atibal AT-MCRD Pro Micro Red Dot Sight is built for every shooter looking for an optic that enhances their speed of target acquisition. It has a 3 MOA red dot reticle with 11 brightness settings to offer you the best balance between speed and performance.
The low-profile, compact and lightweight design makes this optic a good addition to every pistol. It will hone your accuracy without adding any bulk. Besides, it has multi-coated optics that provide bright and crisp clear views of both the reticle and the target.
Built from high-strength aluminum, the sight has an anodized finish that complements the durability by providing added protection from scratches and rust. The water-resistant housing makes it ideal for use in any environment. You also get to use it in any temperature ranging from 0-140℉.
Features
- Unlimited eye relief
- Multi-coated lenses
- 11 brightness settings
- 3 MOA red dot reticle
- Durable and anodized aluminum body
- Water resistant to 2ft
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Wide field of view
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to install and use
7) Steiner MPS Micro Pistol Sight 8700-MPS
Steiner prides itself in making premium-quality optics and the Steiner MPS Micro Pistol Sight 8700-MPS is not an exception. The red dot sight is built for quick target acquisition and engineered for durability making it one of the best micro red dots for pistol.
With 1 MOA impact point adjustment and parallax-free design from 11 yards to 164 yards, the sight delivers stunning accuracy even in the most challenging shooting conditions.
The 1x magnification offers a large field of view for both eyes open shooting and completes situational awareness. Moreover, the sight is built to last. It has an all-metal housing designed with an overhang that shields the lens from damage and elements.
This lightweight housing is also waterproof, submersible to 33’ and suitable for use in broad -40 to 140℉.
Features
- 1x magnification
- 3 MOA red dot
- 1 MOA impact point adjustment
- All-metal housing
- Fog proof and waterproof
- 8 manually controlled brightness levels
Pros
- Wide field of view
- Lightweight and robust construction
- Good battery life
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not night vision compatible
8) SightMark Mini Shot A-Spec M3 Micro Reflex Sight
The SightMark Mini Shot A-Spec M3 Micro Reflex Sight is a great pistol optic for home defense as well as short and medium-range shooting endeavors. It is compatible with all pistols that have a Shield RMS-C footprint.
This compact optic has an outstanding battery life of up to 100,000 hours. It keeps the red dot reticle optimally illuminating at any time of the day or night. Besides, it is built to be operable in vast temperatures ranging from -22 to 122℉.
Another feature that makes it shine is its solid construction. It has a rugged, lightweight aluminum alloy housing that is shockproof and able to withstand the high recoil of .375 H&H caliber. Besides, it has an IP55 water-resistant rating for use in rain, fog, and mist conditions.
Features
- Durable aluminum alloy housing
- Auto-brightness control reticle
- Red reticle illumination
- Shield RMS-C footprint
- Low-profile mount
- Shockproof and water-resistant
Pros
- Great battery life
- Ultra-lightweight
- High build quality
- Easy to install
Cons
- The brightness of the red dot is wanting
Further Reading
- Best LPVO Scope
- Best Red Dots for Ruger SR9
- Best Red Dot Sights for Shotguns
- Best Ruger 10/22 Red Dot Sights
How to Choose the Best Micro Red Dots for Pistol
Precision and Accuracy
The primary reason why you are getting a red dot for your pistol is to fine-tune your accuracy and make target acquisition a breeze.
This calls for an optic whose accuracy is constant and reliable in different conditions. The red dot sight should also have adjustments for both windage and elevation to increase precision.
Durability
A good-quality micro red dot pistol should be durable enough to offer reliable performance in any condition and give you innumerable years of use.
The best micro red dots for pistol are completely shockproof to withstand the vibrations of recoil and any other punishment you subject it to.
Lens Coatings
The lens in the red dot sight should have solid lens coatings to improve the optical performance in different light settings.
Red dot sights with fully-coated or multi-coated lenses are the best as they offer an unmatched light transfer.
Weatherproof
Irrespective of the application that you plan to use the micro red dot sight for, ensure that it is built to be operable under any weather condition.
The best micro red dots for pistol are waterproof, dustproof and fog-free to guarantee greater durability and unimpeded use even in the most adverse weather conditions.
Read: Best Red Dots for MP5
Battery Life
Look for a micro red dot sight that is powered by a high-capacity battery. It will offer reliable reticle illumination when you need it the most and keep you using it for as many hours as you want.
Another thing to consider concerning the battery is its placement. The best models have a side or top-loading battery compartment that allows for effortless battery change without removing the optic from the pistol.
Best Micro Red Dots for Pistol: FAQs
Q: Is a Red Dot Sight Worth it on a Pistol?
Absolutely. Adding a red dot sight on your pistol will change how you shoot with your pistol for the better.
It will hone your accuracy and increase your speed of acquiring targets in different environments or changing lighting conditions. Besides, red dot sighting tools work exceptionally well when you are shooting at night.
Q: Does a Red Dot Improve Pistol Accuracy?
Yes, it does. Many shooters find that they can shoot a pistol more accurately with a red dot optic compared to when they use iron sights. This is particularly the case when they are taking shots at close and medium ranges.
Q: How Far Are Micro Red Dots Accurate?
It depends on several factors including the lighting and weather condition you are shooting at and the type of red dot that you are using.
Normally, a quality red dot is accurate to about 100 yards when all other conditions are in your favor.
Conclusion
Red dot sights are extremely easy to use for all users irrespective of whether they are seasoned shooters or beginners. They simplify your aim while shooting and make target acquisition quick.
Choosing the best micro red dots for pistol requires you to do your homework so you can find the right tool for your needs. Whatever your budget is, there is a sighting tool out there waiting for you.