No rundown series of interesting stuff on display at any convention like SHOT would be worth watching if it failed to include something about pistol optics; that’s why we’re discussing the red dot sights of SHOT 2025 here.
Now, we’ll admit; there are a few people who still argue about the impracticality of a handgun Red Dot Sight (RDS). For the most part, however, that number is limited to a curmudgeonly or technophobic few and a handful of those who still buy those “shoot-me-first” photographer vests in bulk packages. Because real gunfighters use sights of iron, not wobbling red dots of digital magic!
This video runs down the following SHOT 2025 Red Dot Sights:
- Primary Arms PLX HTX-1 (a fully enclosed reflex that is legitimately Made in the USA)
- Primary Arms GLX RS-10 and RS-15
- Apex Ion RMSC footprint RDS (red and green options available)
- High End Defense (HEDS) Direct Strike Sight
- Aimpoint Inc. “COA” collaboration directly with Glock
- Meprolight Pistol Optics (MPO) series MPO-DS, MPO-S and MPO-Pro-S, MPO-DF, MPO-F, and PRO-F
Give a watch.
Now, in case you’re wondering…
Optic Footprints
The footprint of an optic is the combination of holes that screw onto the gun’s slide, and pins (or bolts) the optic rests on.
Optic manufacturers must use a footprint on the bottom side of the optic so it will attach properly to a handgun. Firearms manufacturers must cut out an area on the slide for the red dot to connect to.
Both the cutout on the slide and the bottom of the optic must match. This matching combination is the footprint.
More on footprints in the article Mounting Standards.
