Unless your optics-equipped concealed carry handgun is a safe queen and rarely sees real-world use, your optic is going to be subjected to some abuse. It’s gonna get wet and dirty. It’s gonna be exposed to corrosive sweat, and it’s gonna get grimy and gross with lint buildup and other crud from daily carry.
Well, it will if you’re using it right. But that doesn’t mean it can be left to fend for itself without proper care and maintenance. Just as you would clean and maintain your pistol after a match or training event, your red dot sight needs a bit of love from time to time as well.
No, you don’t need to remove the optic from your handgun and submerge it in a bath of the toughest solvent you can find (please don’t do that!). Nor do you need to handle your optic with white gloves and a silk cloth like it’s the crown jewels, though that’d be kinda funny to watch.
However, there are a few things you can do to keep your optic clean, protected, and running strong for reliable performance when you need it most. The good news, though, is that it’s super simple to keep your optics clean and free of rust without breaking the bank or changing your gun cleaning routine. That said, let’s get into it.
Why Clean and Maintain a Red Dot Sight?
Most red dot sights feature a metal housing, a glass lens, and a rubber O-ring-sealed battery compartment. As we all know, metal can and will rust if left to the elements, and glass can be easily scratched by the smallest grain of sand, dirt, and other debris.
And, those rubber O-rings are fairly brittle, especially if rust and corrosion start to take effect. The O-rings protect the battery compartment and vital electronic components from moisture and dirt intrusion, and if the O-rings fail, it could spell trouble as water and electricity (yes, that includes batteries) don’t mix.
So, to ensure your optic remains in tip-top shape, you want to take care of those surfaces. Plus, no one wants an ugly, rusty heap of metal, glass, and plastic on their handgun, right? I mean, to each their own, but I like my guns to look clean and ready to go.
Even those new-fangled polymer-housed red dot sights with enclosed emitters are subject to tarnishing, corrosion, abrasions, and other performance-inhibiting factors. While polymer is admittedly less susceptible to the elements, don’t think for a moment that polymer red dots are 100% maintenance-free. They, too, require a bit of routine maintenance and cleaning from time to time to ensure they’re ready to go when you need ’em most.
So why clean and maintain your red dot? Because it’s a critical handgun performance investment, and you’re not a dummy.
Necessary Tools, Chemicals, and Other Bits & Bobs
Now that we’ve established the importance of keeping your handgun-mounted red dot sight clean and in proper working condition, let’s start with a short list of the tools, gear, and accessories you need to properly clean and maintain your red dot.
A Microfiber Cloth or Lens Cloth
Available at any hardware store, gun shop, or your local Wal-Mart, a microfiber cloth is great for wiping away dust and fingerprints without scratching the lens.
Do NOT use a washcloth, old T-shirt, or standard shop towels. While they may feel soft, they contain abrasive fibers that will wreak havoc on glass lenses and some metal finishes. Most quality red dots feature some sort of anti-scratch lens coatings and hard-coat anodized finishes, but I’d still advise against relying solely on those lens coatings and using anything that could damage your optic.
One word of caution, though: Avoid those “microfiber” cloths you might find at the dollar store. They’re garbage, and I wouldn’t trust them. Again, to each their own, but that’s just my two cents.
Lens Cleaning Solution
Use a lens cleaning solution (not a hardware store-bought ‘glass’ cleaner). You can often find these at a local gun shop, eyeglass store, or Amazon.com.
Do NOT use household cleaning products, like Windex, as they contain harsh chemicals that can damage lens coatings, leave unwanted residue, and underperform overall. You can also use a spray with a microfiber lens cloth, or you can use fresh, unused lens wipe towelettes.
Cotton Swabs
Man, when it comes to cleaning my guns, I use Q-tips and cotton balls more than an elementary school nurse. They’re just so handy for cleaning those hard-to-reach areas, easily removing dirt and grime.
Some folks recommend a soft-bristle brush for this, but I find that cotton swabs are a bit less abrasive and easier to maneuver for a more thorough and precise clean. That’s just me, though.
A Can of Compressed Air
Loose debris can still scratch your optic, but a can of compressed air does wonders in removing loose dust and debris. A quick spritz here and there removes potential hazards and speeds up the cleaning process a bit. You can thank me later.
CLP or Other Chemical Protectant
Lastly, optics enjoy a frequent bath in chemical protectants as much as their host firearms, and I always suggest applying a thin coat of your favorite gun oil or a CLP to the metal surfaces of your optic. It’ll protect the optic from moisture and corrosion, especially during prolonged storage.
A Proper Clean is a Good Clean
Now that you’ve collected your cleaning essentials, let’s dive into the relatively quick and painless process of properly cleaning and maintaining your red dot sight without ever having to remove it from your concealed carry handgun.
Remove the Loose Stuff
Before you start manhandling your optic for a deep, intimate clean, start by removing what’s already loose with a can of compressed air. Using short, quick bursts, spray all surfaces to whisk away dust, dirt, and other small particles.
Mechanical air compressors are also a great tool if you have one on hand. Just be sure to use short bursts of air and wear proper eye protection.
If you don’t have access to compressed air, you can use good old-fashioned lung power. It gets the job done in a pinch.
No matter what you use, removing the loose crud can eliminate the risk of accidental scratches and other damages caused by loose debris getting trapped and dragged across sensitive areas with your cleaning cloth.
Wipe ‘er Down
With the loose stuff removed, I like to use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the optic. This includes all surfaces including the lenses, mount, and hardware. This will remove any lingering dust that was a bit too stubborn for the compressed air blasts.
Go ahead and use your cotton swabs and get into those nooks and crannies. Gently wipe and scrub away gook and grime. Use the swabs liberally, and feel free to use more than one instead of using worn and dirty swabs as you’ll start just moving the dirt around instead of removing it. That kind of defeats the purpose, right?
Once you’ve given your optic the proper clean it deserves, it doesn’t hurt to wipe it down with a thin coat of your favorite oil, CLP, or other protectant. You don’t need much (it shouldn’t be dripping in the stuff!), and just a light coating on all metal surfaces will do. Use a lens cleaning solution for the lenses, but do NOT apply oils to them.
Simple as that! Now, your optic should be clean, refreshed, and protected until your next clean.
Storing and Protecting Your Red Dot Sight
When not in use, store your red dot sight in a safe, dry place to protect it from rust, corrosion, and other potential hazards.
If you’re not planning to use your red dot for an extended period (like, more than a few months), I recommend removing the battery. Batteries are corrosive and aren’t exactly designed to sit dormant for extended periods. They tend to leak or lose their charge, both of which are less-than-perfect situations to find yourself in when you need the optic to perform.
I’d also recommend periodically checking the battery compartment and any O-ring seals to ensure everything is in good working condition and corrosion-free. If batteries look swollen, corroded, or otherwise suspect, replace them immediately and gently remove any battery acid leakage. If O-ring seals are broken, missing, or in poor condition, replace those too. You can usually find replacement OEM parts on manufacturer web stores or through warranty claims.
I also recommend using a protective cover or lens caps to prevent scratches or dust buildup during prolonged storage or while transporting your firearm in a gun case. This isn’t an absolute must and is probably more of a personal preference, but it’s certainly served me well in keeping my optics clean and clear of debris.
All set? Give it a whirl. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how easy it is to keep your EDC optic clean, clear, and running strong.
For many shooters, cleaning guns is relaxing, fun, and even therapeutic. Cleaning and maintaining your red dot should be the same. So, get to it and have fun while protecting and taking care of your investment! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with some lead, a few paper targets, and a polished Beretta 92.
