RMR or Red Dot

anthony_bozarth · November 22 2019 01:52:36 PM MST

I'm considering putting either an RMR or a red dot optic on my 10MM Springfield XDm. I'll be carrying it as a back up while deer hunting. I have never really considered optics for pistols before, but really like them on my modern rifles. Any suggestions?

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jazzsax8 · November 23 2019 07:48:41 AM MST

I like and use several of the Burris Fastfire III's for the low end price around $180. Have never needed service but Burris is one of the best in both action and written warranty that is not restrictive like some others I know. As long as you get some taller sights that co witness you could even consider it combat worthy although the RMR costing over twice as much is battlefield proven. Not sure its needed for a backup pistol against furry critters.

AmmoHouse · November 23 2019 07:50:02 AM MST

I love red dots and have them on most of my guns, carry and hunting.
The RMR is great, I'd also look at the Holosun 507.

Velvetant · November 23 2019 10:22:03 AM MST

My older eyes need a RDS, I can't pick up irons anymore very well.
RMR is one of the toughest RDS out there.
I run a RMR on my G19, G20 and G21.
If you have time check out the torture tests on the various RDS out there.
I have a couple Vortex venom, one on my Ruger MK1 and another on a G21.
A Sig Romeo1 on my P320.
They all work great, I just trust the RMR the most.

Mike D · November 24 2019 12:26:49 PM MST

I do far have 2 pistols with an RMR on them. My eyes can no longer pick up the traditional pistol sights.

I don't use the electronic ones, I buy the dual source fiber/tritium.

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anthony_bozarth · November 25 2019 02:42:26 AM MST

Quote from: Mike D on November 24 2019 12:26:49 PM MST
I do far have 2 pistols with an RMR on them. My eyes can no longer pick up the traditional pistol sights.

I don't use the electronic ones, I buy the dual source fiber/tritium.

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Thanks for your ideas, I ended up going to a gun show this weekend and looked around. After searching, I landed on the Swapfox Kingslayer. It's has a 3 MOA reticle and is rated up to a 12 gauge shotgun. I'll let everyone know once I get it mounted and have a chance to put it through it's paces.

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Paul James · January 11 2020 07:57:41 AM MST

Quote from: AmmoHouse on November 23 2019 07:50:02 AM MST
I love red dots and have them on most of my guns, carry and hunting.
The RMR is great, I'd also look at the Holosun 507.

I will 2nd the Holosun love my 508T

Mike D · January 11 2020 09:05:22 PM MST

Quote from: anthony_bozarth on November 25 2019 02:42:26 AM MST
Quote from: Mike D on November 24 2019 12:26:49 PM MST
I do far have 2 pistols with an RMR on them. My eyes can no longer pick up the traditional pistol sights.

I don't use the electronic ones, I buy the dual source fiber/tritium.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Thanks for your ideas, I ended up going to a gun show this weekend and looked around. After searching, I landed on the Swapfox Kingslayer. It's has a 3 MOA reticle and is rated up to a 12 gauge shotgun. I'll let everyone know once I get it mounted and have a chance to put it through it's paces.

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Never heard of that one. Hope it serves you well.

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sqlbullet · January 12 2020 08:36:24 AM MST

You will have to let us know how you like it. Especially interested in hearing about battery life as this is the one spec it definitely seems to come up a bit short.

pacecars · April 05 2020 07:58:35 PM MDT

I sent my stainless Fusion slide to Fusion to have it milled for a Holosun and refinished in Black Diamond Coat. It will be my first optic on a semi auto. Should work well for deer and hogs. Might try it on pin shooting too

pacecars · May 26 2020 05:12:19 PM MDT

Got it back and it looks pretty good. Now to shoot it some and decide if I want the frame bobtailed or not.

Muskrat · July 23 2020 10:03:54 AM MDT

The Docter Optic red dot sight on my Glock 35 started cutting in and out (during a match, of course). It might be the battery, but it's a newer battery, so that would be unusual. I could send it to Docter USA to be "bulletproofed" for $195, which I might do. Perhaps because they were the first high-quality optic that could be slide mounted, Docter's have something of a cult following in the practical/tactical shooting world, but unfortunately they require some after-market modifications to hold up to the round-count of competition.

While contemplating my options, I wandered into the local gun shop and saw that they had a Trijicon SRO in stock for $500, so I grabbed it.

Haven't mounted it yet as I'm waiting on a mounting plate. I was using a DPP titanium plate with my Docter, and I love it. No milling...just remove the rear sight and use the dovetail for the connection. It's bombproof, very low profile, lightweight, and inexpensive. Unlike some other options this mount doesn't interfere with the slide cover plate...something I can't fathom, but maybe the people who buy those mounts don't clean their guns.

I can't co-witness iron sights with this mount, but since this is just a match gun I don't care. Milling the slide would result in a closer match of dot and bore, but it's expensive, and had I milled my slide for the Docter, I'd have to re-mill it for the SRO...then modified again for the next optic, etc..

It will be interesting to see how much the larger window helps with dot acquisition, which seems to be the weak link with red dots. Once the dot is acquired it's easy to keep, but finding the dot in the first place can be slower than irons. I've found that the dot appears magically during dry-fire practice on the porch, but it's a little shy when the timer goes off.

The SRO is only warranted for 30,000 rounds, which isn't much for a gamer-gun, and I'm pretty sure they were not thinking 10mm when they chose that number. If I decide to put a optic on one of my 10's it'll be the Trijicon RMR that uses fiber optics and tritium to produce a green dot. I like green better, and while the RMR is undisputedly the toughest optic on the market, removing the electronic components should make the mechanism even more reliable.

Jim Bridger · July 29 2020 10:23:50 AM MDT

I installed the Vortex Venom 3" dot on a SPFLD XDM pistol. The accuracy capability was amazing shooting paper. Test firing the XDM at many different ranges using the Venom was very pleasing. Will I carry this set up in Bear country? No, I prefer open sights in the dangerous Realastate. ${$default_cool_smiley}$

Alabusa · July 29 2020 11:14:12 AM MDT

Quote from: Jim Bridger on July 29 2020 10:23:50 AM MDT
I installed the Vortex Venom 3" dot on a SPFLD XDM pistol. The accuracy capability was amazing shooting paper. Test firing the XDM at many different ranges using the Venom was very pleasing. Will I carry this set up in Bear country? No, I prefer open sights in the dangerous Realastate. ${$default_cool_smiley}$

I was very surprised at how well I could do with my XDm10 4.5 OSP at 50 yards. I also have a 3moa Vortex Venom on mine.

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tcecil88 · July 29 2020 04:03:37 PM MDT

My Glock 40 came with a Vortex Venom RDS that would not hold zero. I replaced it with a Trijicon RM07 w/ waterproofing kit and that sighted in well and held zero, but would cut in and out at times. I shimmed the battery with a piece or the battery packaging and it has been 100% ever since. I put the Vortex venom on one of my AR's and it has held zero fine on that. Evidently the Vortex did not like the slide reciprocating.