A while back I posted about how I was rather taken with the Olight weapons light I picked up for my bedside Glock. As it turns out, the one that I got and liked so much, the PL-Pro Valkyrie, has the same footprint as the popular Surefure X-300 series of lights…which means that it fits juuuuuuust right into any holster that accommodates the Surefire.
I mention it because I picked up a Safariland holster a few weeks back that was made to accommodate a Glock with the Surefire light and my Olight-equipped Glock fit it perfectly. Logisitically, its a nice touch.
Speaking of upgrades, I’ve finally decided that, as age comes on apace, it might be time to look into some red dot optics. I like iron sights as much as the next guy but in this age of technology, why not take advantage of the plethora of fast-to-acquire targetting accessories out there.
To that end, I picked up a Sig Romeo4 XT Pro. Its a red dot scope that has a couple nice features and some very good reviews. Notably, there are several different sight images…dot, circle, etc, has a battery life measured in years, and has the nice feature of the dot turning itself off if the gun is motionless for a certain amount of time but then ‘wakes up’ when you pick up the gun. Nice not to have to fumble with turning the sight back on when you need it in a hurry.
I’ll be mounting it on my PTR9 MP5. For my G3 clone, I’m leaning towards the Aimpoint Comp M4 which is what some militaries have done (as well as swapping out the stocks for something more optic friendly).
Ah, I remember those days when iron sights on the AR15 were crisp and clear. Seems a million years ago. Getting old ain’t for sissies. Sure, I can still use the iron sights but theyre just a tad fuzzier than they used to be.
Anyway, I’ll take the 9mm PTR to the range this weekend and see if I can hit the plates faster with the dot than i can with the irons. Should be interesting.
Looking forward to the report. Anybody have real world experience with aging eyes and red dot style sights for 22’s rifles and AR carbines?
My aging eyes prefer Trijicon ACOGs and Accupoints without any of the electronic nonsense. I do have several Aimpoint PROs that are fantastic with superior battery life – 7 years of use and still going strong with original battery. Uncommon battery so stock-up. If you go red dot, get one with an etched reticle in case the battery/electronics fail. Someone once said “when the balloon goes up, iron sights and ACOGs will rule the battlefield” and I believe it.
This blog is costing me a lot of worthless fiat – thanks.
Not nearly as much as its costing me.
I learned the hard way there are batteries for RDS’s, and then there are batteries for RDS’s. The cheap (Chinese) ones on Amazon have life spans measured in months, not years, when used in the Sig sights.
I specifically chose the XT Pro for its ability to use common and cheap AAA batteries rather than the harder-to-find coin batteries. And, I can find AAA lithiums.
Yup! I have that unit in my A-zon basket for when enough pennies clink together. The battery choice is a big part of that.
Be careful buying optics on Amazon – many are fake and Amazon admits it. Better yet, buy from a reputable dealer that has better prices than Amazon and won’t use your ‘money’ to suppress your freedoms and promote their globalist (WEF) agenda.
I bought three Sig Romeos years ago when they were on sale for like $100. The one I have on the AR still works with the original battery! Good piece of kit.
Primary Arms products are way better quality, as well better priced.
For chinesium, PA makes a nice product.
Might indeed be Chinesium, but I’ve beat the hell of them on ARs and AKs, still going strong. Might be a button battery to illuminate the reticle at night (which is the only time I’ve needed it on) but the new shake awake turrets make it last even longer (all the new shake awake turrets are backwards compatable with older PA scopes.) Intuitive ETCHED reticles don’t usually need the illumination.
Takes the recoil from my AR-10 and holds zero as well.
I, too, like Primary Arms red dots and have several on rifles and carbines thaty have performed well for several years. For pistols, I went with Holosun and have been pleased with the results
I grew up with iron sight sand did not expect to be a fan of red dots, but as my eyes aged and the front sight became blurry and my group sizes increased as a result, they became a requirement.
Can I hit center of mass with a pistol at 25 yards with iron sights? Yes. Can I hit a head at 25 yards? Not so well any more. A holosun green dot on my carry Glock solved that problem.
I, too, need something other than irons, but I have astigmatism and the red dots I have bought yield an image that looks like a plate of spaghetti thrown on the wall. Do any of you know of a red dot type sight that will work with my eyes? Thanks, Gray Fox
I’ve been using Primary Arms products for a bit. Sturdy and get the job done for me. I have a couple of their red “dots” with 1 having the ACSS reticle. Need a magnifier for that one. I have 4 of their Prism sights because they are etched and I can use the reticle with my astigmatism. My G34 has one of their RDS and it’s a little odd with the astigmatism making a clump of grapes but I have been training to work through that. I’m 61 and the eyesight issues are most pronounced in low light. I still have some irons and in broad daylight I’m fine. Unfortunately most defense issues seem to crop up in the night time. Good lights are also helpful for ID
the 1500 lumens is overkill on that olight but it is a good light…tested one a few years ago…used it on an ar15 and a pistol for about 500 rounds leaving it on the entire time…had to use gloves to take it off it was so damn hot…never once stuttered on/off…and yes, it fits holsters that are made for the x300