Okay, so my current carry pistol came with a Swampfox red dot…
It’s one of the less expensive brands and it worked adequately. It stopped holding zero but that wasn’t the optic’s fault. Slamming back and forth destroyed the adapter plate’s cheap plastic zeroing lugs and an optic hand carved from solid platinum and personally blessed by GOD wouldn’t have held zero. My new adapter plate machined from an actual metallic substance will probably permanently fix that problem. BUT – over time the Swampfox did the same thing the Vortex Venom I put on the M69 did: the reflection (refraction? Don’t know) of the laser against the glass gradually became indistinct and fuzzy. It was okay in most light conditions but it was very fuzzy against a dark background and aiming up a hill toward the sun it wasn’t usable at all.
I wanted to try a closed-emitter optic, and bought a Holosun that, despite the manual’s promises, didn’t fit. So I sent that back and moped. That was also when I noticed the problem with the old adapter plate so it wasn’t a completely useless exercise. Remember that I’m a old hermit: This stuff is after my time and I’m learning as I go here.
Anyway: I got the new plate, learned that it would fit a Trijicon RMR and that they’re well spoken of. They’re stupid expensive, but I really wanted this to work. So…I girded my financial loins and did something ridiculous…
How’s that for presentation? Makes you think you’re getting something for your money, no? But when I opened the case, hopefully with an air of proper respect…
Well, that’s disappointing. You could at least put it on a little throne or something. Or display it upright? I wasn’t even sure it was a complete unit.
Turns out it was…
Took it out with a screwdriver to zero it. First shot at seven yards just to get it on paper, and…
Okay, that was encouraging. Turned out it didn’t need any tweaking at all.
So that seems to have worked. Let’s see if it wears any better than my other two much cheaper optics.
Everything I’ve ever heard about Trijicon claims it’s the best. I’ve never convinced myself to turn loose of the money for a Trijicon. I’m interested in your reviews after carrying it for a few weeks.
I have that issue with red dots so I went with Eotech for AR rifle. Loved the reticle so I went with I went with the Holosun 507X2, it has the same EoTech circle dot system that’s on my Eotech EPS on my AR. Love it so far and was less than the Trujicon prices. They think everyone is a govt contract.
But still like the ACOG and if I get another one I will mount the Holosun on it as backup.
Buy once cry once.
I too am interested in a review 6 months down the road.
If it ends up saving your life, it wasn’t financially irresponsible. I’d argue that even the potential for saving your life makes it a responsible purchase.
Hot damn! That’s encouraging!
My son worked for Trijicon. They are a wonderful company to their employees
Very nice, color me envious. I’m looking forward to the one year of hard use review.
I finally switched to a Trijicon on one of my Glocks ( https://www.commanderzero.com/?p=11188 ) and like it a lot. Takes some getting used to, but there’s no argument about it increasing your speed.
I have 3 RMRs and 3 SROs (competition use only). Been carrying an RMR on my G19 for about 5 years. I change the battery on my carry gun annually on my birthday, just because. Yes, the RMRs are on the high end (I get a mil discount as a retired guy), but they are great. Never had a problem and trust to work when needed most. Had an interesting encounter with a wounded feral pig this weekend and the G19/RMR worked as expected. Read it here if you want! https://sheepdogmarksmanship.com/2025/01/12/sunday-morning-excitement/
RMR’s on my carry stuff and Holosun 507comp on the play toys.
So far they all have been perfect.
The only RD fail I’ve had was the cheap Dragonfly that came with a SA Prodigy. It died the first trip.
Good on you for treating yourself to something nice.
Do ghost ring sights work for you? I’m slowly blinding via age, and am trying to find lowest tech solutions…they break slower and are cheaper.
I think I will stick with Holosun. I like the ones with solar panels to top up the battery. And I like the green circle. Seems to come into view better. But I can be convinced I’m wrong as well. Lol
I have a holosun on my rifle and like it a lot. The little solar panel really does work when the battery is dead – but that turned out to be a disadvantage. One time I needed the rifle at night: It’s my “bump in the night” gun. And THAT’S when I found out the optic battery was dead. Since then I periodically test it by covering the panel just to see if the Circle of Doom stays lit.
I had a ghost ring on my M1A, and the aperture turned out to be my first clue that I was getting cataracts. I stopped being able to see through it. When I had lens implants I had a choice of being nearsighted or farsighted for the first time in life, and impulsively chose farsighted just for the novelty. That has mostly worked out well but it made iron rifle sights impossible without glasses. It’s a funny old world.
Ian had a recent video on Aimpoint, with a A cut into the frame.
Joel: “When I had lens implants I had a choice of being nearsighted or farsighted for the first time in life, and impulsively chose farsighted just for the novelty. That has mostly worked out…”
That cracked me up whether you meant to or not!
You might want to contact Swampfox and see if they can do something about the failing red dot.
They have been really good to me
“And THAT’S when I found out the optic battery was dead.”
Should you have the opportunity to pick up a new red dot for the bump in the night rifle, you might want to check out the Microlight M22, no batteries needed.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/meprolight-m22-3-5-bullseye-reticle-red.html