Handgun-mounted red dots used to be a “perk” for those people who really liked customizing their gun. Now, it’s more common for a handgun to have an optic plate for a red dot than to not have one.
As compact handguns for conceal carry grew in popularity, it didn’t take long for red dots to follow. After all, they were designed for quick acquisition of moving targets. So, why not have one on a self-defense handgun?
But when you start looking at optics to mount on your new conceal carry handgun, things get complicated. There are just about as many optics to choose from as there are handguns.
Red dots vary a great deal in price and quality. Some are made for occasional use, and others for combat. Today, we won’t be talking as much about the quality of the optics as the type of battery it uses, it’s location, and what makes it reliable.
Battery Location
How many times have you purchased an optic in the past and had no clue about the battery until you got home. When you’re eyeballing an optic and the price tag, it’s easy to overlook the placement of the battery. This might not seem significant at first, but it’s an important factor.
Traditional red dots often have bottom-mounted batteries. This requires the optic to be removed from the handgun each time the battery is dead. While this design works ok, it comes with several downsides.
The first is frequent removal wear on the screws, optic and mounting plate. When you re-install the optic, you also need to re-zero it. This turns a quick battery change at home into a trip to the range.
Another thing to consider is moisture and dirt penetration to the battery compartment. High-end optics have a seal between the optic and slide of the handgun. After using optics for years, I have come to prefer an all-enclosed compartment for a battery.
In most cases, this is done with a top-loading battery. Some companies like Holosun use a side mounted battery, but it’s not as common as a top loading battery.
With either design, however, you can change the battery in a matter of minutes without taking the optic off the handgun. This design allows for a much faster battery change, requires less tools, and is easier on your firearm and optics.
Some optics, like Trijicon, have an unbelievable battery life. To some, the longer battery life makes the battery location pointless. But even with a long battery life, I like to keep my batteries changing regularly. And it’s so much easier changing the battery without taking the whole optic off the handgun.
Battery size
Like I said above, when you’re buying an optic, it’s easy to focus on other things besides the battery. The brand, style, size, price, and programming options are all important. But don’t forget to include the battery on your list of things to check out before buying.
Over the years, I’ve purchased some optics I thought were cool. I only found out later the battery was so annoying to change, I found myself not using it much. Some optics I’ve purchased over the years also eat up batteries regardless of the “estimated” run time.
When it comes to small red dots for handguns, the most common is the coin cell CR2032. The CR1632 is another one you may see often. So, what do these numbers and letters mean?
CR stands for “lithium manganese dioxide,” and the number or name of the battery is the batteries dimensions. For example, a CR2032 is 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick, while a CR1632 is 16mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick.
The size of the battery obviously influences its capacity and, subsequently, its lifespan. Larger batteries like the CR2032 generally last longer because they hold more charge.
You also need to take into consideration the amount of power the optic needs in order to operate. When the optic uses very little power and you have a larger battery, life is great.
We are talking especially about compact red dots though. You may see more CR1632 batteries in compact optics because of the limited space. This is why it’s important to pay attention to the options the optic comes with.
More options = more power
While it’s not always the case, optics that have more “bells and whistles” often use more power. Even though some optics have the same features, the settings may be different and use more power.
A great feature that many options now come with is auto On/Off technology. This lets your optic go to sleep when it senses no movement and turn it on when it detects movement.
If you are buying a red dot sight with this feature, pay attention to the auto On/Off settings. One of my compact optics stays on for eight hours after sensing motion. That means when I get home and take my gun off, the optic stays on for another eight hours. On handguns, I prefer an optic that turns off after a few minutes of no movement.
Battery lifespan will also depend on other factors with the most important being the brightness of the dot. During the day, you need a brighter dot, which uses more power. An auto brightness feature can help preserve battery life by adjusting it for you.
Battery Maintenance
Once you find the perfect optic and determine how long the battery “should” last, it’s important to perform battery maintenance.
When using a red dot mounted handgun for self-defense, it should work when you need it the most. For any firearm I use for self-defense, I change the batteries long before the recommended lifespan.
Keep a notebook or log in your phone and swap the battery out on a regular basis. This will prevent unexpected failures at times when you need everything to work.
Some shooters use a simple method of writing the installation date on a small piece of tape attached to the optic. This can be a little harder on small batteries however, so I like to use a log book.
How often you change your red dot’s battery depends on usage. If you train frequently, especially with high-brightness settings, you’ll drain the battery faster. A good rule of thumb is to replace the battery every six to 12 months, even if it hasn’t died. For optics with extended battery life or motion-activated technology, a yearly replacement schedule is often sufficient.
Keep spare batteries
One of my biggest pet peeves is showing up to a training class and having someone ask me if I have an extra battery. A battery is the fuel tank of your red dot, it will need refilled!
Keeping spare batteries on hand is something you should always do for anything that uses batteries. Regardless of the impressive lifespan, a battery will die at some point. I have a large battery storage case that holds everything from large “D” batteries to small coin cell batteries for my optics.
Coin cell batteries are small, cheap, and easy to store, so there’s no reason not to have extras. I like to keep some in my range bag and at home. It doesn’t hurt to throw one in the glove box for emergencies as well.
The best places to purchase batteries are major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and any electronics stores. Online shopping often provides the most competitive prices, especially when buying in bulk.
Remember that extreme temperatures can impact battery performance. If you live in a hot or cold climate, store your batteries in a stable, moderate environment to preserve their lifespan. You also want to be careful about counterfeit batteries, which are more common than you might think. Stick with a name brand from a trusted retailer.
Does the brand of battery matter?
Renowned brands like Energizer, Panasonic, and Duracell are among the most popular brands of batteries. I like to use Duracell for my optics, and I buy them in bulk from Amazon. You can also get them from the battery station at Wal-Mart, Target, General Dollar, etc.
Don’t forget about the battery!
There are already a lot of things to consider when selecting a red dot sight for your conceal carry gun. Battery type, location, and settings on an optic are small details that can help you sort out your choice.
Regardless of what you end up choosing, it’s easy to perform battery maintenance and keep your red dot in tip-top shape. If you don’t shoot very often, it’s still important to swap out the battery regularly. Batteries will continue to slowly drain and at some point, can even corrode if left for too long.
The next time you’re shopping for a new red dot, don’t forget to pay attention to the battery type, size and location. Make sure you can easily replace batteries to keep that optic running strong.
