Which Red Dot sight for plinking and target shooting?

I'd like to get a red dot sight for pistol plinking and recreational target shooting. 

For this particular application, a pistol scope is not what I want to use.

It will split its time between a Ruger Mark IV .22 and a .177 PCP air pistol. I doubt that it will ever find its way onto anything larger, nor will it ever be used in competition, just basic backyard stuff.

There are a million of them out there, and I have no idea what to look for.

Any suggestions?

I also own a Ruger Mark IV 22/45. I installed a rail on the top and installed a Bushnell TRS-25. All three were purchased in 2015 and has held up to hundreds, if not thousands of rounds. I've had to tighten the screw on the red dot sight a few times and change the batteries but it's been rock solid for nearly a decade.

https://www.bushnell.com/red-dots/shop-all-red-dots/trophy-trs-25-red-dot-sight/BU-731303.html

The TRS-25 isn't a bad one; I have one or two of those. For the price I don't think it will be easy to beat. 

Woody, you're really not going to want to swap optics between firearms unless you want to re-zero them every single time. Each gun will have a different point of impact.  Your best bet is absolutely to just get multiples, one for each gun.

In reply to stanger_mussle (Supported by GRM undergarments) :

In reply to brandonsmash :

It's listed as a "rifle scope" on Amazon. Is there a reason for that? I thought Red Dots were interchangeable between rifles and handguns.

Are the pistol slides cut for a dot and if so what cut do they have?  What is your budjet?  
 

brandonsmash said:

Woody, you're really not going to want to swap optics between firearms unless you want to re-zero them every single time. Each gun will have a different point of impact.  Your best bet is absolutely to just get multiples, one for each gun.

 

Came here to say this.

Romeo Zero Elite.

Mrs. p has one on a sig p322. Tack driver.

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

They are interchangeable, provided that each has the same Picatinny mount. Lately handgun-specific micro red dots have been gaining popularity (e.g. Vortex Defender); these generally mount in a cutout notch on the rear of a handgun slide. 

Come to think of it, how is your Ruger set up for rails/cuts? 

I'd be looking at one of the illusion dot holosights.  They are much smaller, lighter, and faster to dot acquisition.  There are a bunch out there and they are really affordable.  I'd love to hear what the team's best budget version is that folks like best.

How small a target. The big thing with red dots is the MOA size. 6-10 MOA is for self defense and quick acquisition. I like 2-3 MOA for anything closer then 25 meters that you want to have a few MOA at speed depending on skills. I really like the new 3x red dot combos that are popping up real cheap now. 

I really like Vortex low profile red dots on the 22lr especially if you have the rail to mount them on already. I have 10K++ rounds in full power on a few of them that are slide mounted and they are still kicking and hold zero. 

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-venom-red-dot+reticle-6~MOA~Dot?yoReviewsPage=6

brandonsmash said:

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

 

Come to think of it, how is your Ruger set up for rails/cuts? 

It's a Mark IV Hunter, so it came drilled and tapped to mount a rail. 

Something else to consider is that air guns have a different recoil than regular firearms.  I know that with scopes it is important that you get an optic rated for air gun use.  I don't know if this applies to RDOs but at least you should verify that the RDO can be used on an air-powered firearm.

I have found that Holosun has been my go to for RDOs.  You can get a 407k in the low $200's.  It is a good time tested optic.  I consider it good value for the money.  

https://www.amazon.com/HOLOSUN-HS407K-Optical-Subcompact-Pistols/dp/B08G6FBB86?th=1

dean1484 said:

Something else to consider is that air guns have a different recoil than regular firearms.  I know that with scopes it is important that you get an optic rated for air gun use.  I don't know if this applies to RDOs but at least you should verify that the RDO can be used on an air-powered firearm.

I have found that Holosun has been my go to for RDOs.  You can get a 407k in the low $200's.  It is a good time tested optic.  I consider it good value for the money.  

 

https://www.amazon.com/HOLOSUN-HS407K-Optical-Subcompact-Pistols/dp/B08G6FBB86?th=1

 

 

 

 

I have a 407K on my Mk IV 22/45 Lite. In fact, I've got 407Ks on a couple others, too. Holosun is my goto, for pistol red dots.