mini red dot sights?

[lx2008]

hi,

i`m looking to purchase a mini red dot of some type to mount on my
s&w mp9. i never have used one of these sights for a hand gun.

i`m not sure what i should be looking for in one.
i started browsing the web for them & saw these manufacturers:
Doctur, JPoint , Burris - Fastfire ii & iii ; Vortex - Razor, Viper, Venom.

they all seem to be quality optics.

i saw a Sightmark mini that was around 80-90 dollars, but compared to the others in price....i`m sure there is a reason its cheaper, probably "not so"
much quality as the others mentioned.

appreciate any help you guys can tell me on the purchase of one.

like i said, its going on my mp9 full size & i plan on using for competitive matches, not just recreational target shooting.

thanks for you help!

 

[wally]

Nothing cheaper than the Burris Fastfire has held up for me -- even on .22lr pistols. The J-Point is the lightest but is a PITA to zero, although mine has held up very well.

IMHO at the low end you want the Burris Fastfire III for the better zero adjustments and top loading battery. Their "No BS" warranty is for real, they replaced my oldest one when the LED just mysteriously quit working after several years of range use banging steel plates.

The Trijicon RMR dual illumination (no batteries!) are my favorite but at $450+ I don't have as many as I'd like -- only on my carry pistols. Personally I rule out anything more expensive than the RMR. Depending on your price range, I'd recommend either the Trijicon RMR dual illumination the Burris FF3.

 

[lx2008]

thanks wally,

seems to be a consensus on the RMR from a couple of other forums i posted this on. FF3 is also getting the same return as your thoughts.

if i go w/ the RMR, where might i go to buy one on the internet?
what seems to be the going price on these?

may have to check classifieds in the forums to get a used one.
really can`t afford more than $400. plus, i`ll have to buy a mount for around $40.

 

[lx2008]

i just checked with burris. c.s. said they will stand by their product 100%.
i told them what its going on top of & how much shooting would be done.
if for ANY reason it fails, they WOULD replace it, NOT just see if it could be repaired.

i also got this in an email back to me. now, i`m not much for constantly returning something
just because it can be replaced. if that was the case i don`t know how they can make a profit it they would keep sending out another sight. i am still going to see if i can get my hands on a used RMR, but $587+ is a llittle too much for what i plan on using it for.

if i was on tour competing for $, that would be a different story. i`m just shooting local matches for hardware and the fun of it.

 

[wally]

i just checked with burris. c.s. said they will stand by their product 100%.

I have verified their warranty with actual experience, they replaced my dead LED sight with zero hassle, no questions asked. I suspect not very many break. I've four others that have been trouble free. I believe the one that broke was the original Fastfire model, they replaced it with a Fastfire II. But I recommend spending a bit more for the III to get the better zero adjustment system and top loading battery.

The Burris mounts are more reasonably priced than are the Trijicon.

 

[susieqz]

the burris holds zero over thousands of rounds thru my 22/45. i got ff2 because i got a mount with it n saved $70.
i love my burris.
i can do things with my pistol i thot you needed a rifle for.
i am very accurate with it.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I would say the FastFire III would be where you want to start. The RMR would work perfectly for you as well but I would mirror the opinion that the Burris would work for you just fine.



Michael C.

 

[Gordon]

tried most but think a J point melted in really is the bomb, at least on my 1911 Custom it seems so. If a new generation would unlikely fail they are cheap relatively to replace and you can see the rear sight thru a low enough one

 

[Pete D.]

$

Trijicon sights are the berries. Expensive. The RMR dual ----going rate online with a mount is well into the $500 arena. The lowest price that I saw - just now - was $461/no mount.
My 1911 wears a FF2. Quite a few thousands of rounds with that sight. Works just fine.
Pete

 

[jmorris]

I have a Jpoint, would suggest the Dr.

 

[jlr1962]

I went through a couple of $80.00ish red dots that failed before spending $150 or so on a Bushnell First Strike high rise. I use it on a Buckmark without the riser, and it works just fine.

Sears has the same sight without the high rise base for $84.00 as of today.

 

[wally]

Sears has the same sight without the high rise base for $84.00 as of today.

Actually Natchez Shooters Supply has the First Strike HiRise on sale now for $70, good through 8/16/15, but these assume you have a Weaver rail to mount them on (most .22lr pistols do, or one can be easily added), The M&P, Glock, 1911, etc. will generally need a mounting plate that replaces the rear sight, unless the slide has been milled and drilled to mount the optic.

 

[chiltech500]

I have a Burris Fastfire 2 and Fastfire 3. You will be spoiled after using these. I don't like the 2 as much because you can't change light settings, it judges available light, but if you are in an area not as well lit area as the target, example bright sunlight target and you in the shade, the dot may not be bright enough. Low $300 should get you in the ballpark.

The cheaper stuff will probably not hold up, but if you mount the burris on the slide and use high power 9 ammo you better locktite red the screws. Otherwise you can have a flying sight hit you in the head ask me how I know!

 

[chiltech500]

Their "No BS" warranty is for real,

I can second Wally's info here. They have replaced the entire sight without question and very quickly when I said the batteries didn't seem to hold a charge long.

 

[lx2008]

hey guys,

i appreciate all the replies and advice. after considering the options, and the fact that i just priced a mount( trijicon ) for the mp9 that was near $100!, i decided to go w/ the FF3. not because i think the burris is better its just for the shooting i`ll be doing i just can`t seem to to grasp the price of the trijicon. i`m no pro shooter. its basically for fun & trophies.

and since i talked to c.s. @ burris, and they will replace the sight w/ no questions asked, that is the way i`m going. if it would fail during a match,
no big deal to me. i`m only out my own time. no money lost.

thanks again for your advice!

 

[Blue Thunder]

I have a J-Point on one of my Twin G-19's. It is great and fast to pick up and align to target. A few hundred dry fires with it will do you good so you can get the dot into the field of view. I go thru a battery every 9 months or so. No mods to the pistol, just get the right dovetail adapter and it slides on and stays put.

 

[jlr1962]

Actually Natchez Shooters Supply has the First Strike HiRise on sale now for $70, good through 8/16/15, but these assume you have a Weaver rail to mount them on (most .22lr pistols do, or one can be easily added), The M&P, Glock, 1911, etc. will generally need a mounting plate that replaces the rear sight, unless the slide has been milled and drilled to mount the optic.

Thanks.