5 Best Red Dot Sights For Pistols

We have used many optics on different brand optics. Here are the 4 best Vortex red dot sights

We rank them based on popularity, durability, battery life and cost to save your time researching. 

So let's check them out:

Top Rated Vortex Pistol Red Dot Sights

Vortex Venom - Best For Beginners

fn 509 with venom

The Vortex Venom is a popular open emitter micro red dot sight mostly used for competition rifles and pistols. It's a affordable small red dot sight for beginners.

3 or 6 MOA - Pick 6 MOA for users with astigmatism

Top Battery Access - Easily access the battery or replace them without having to remove the sight off the firearm

Wide FOV - The thin lens glass frame makes the sight picture less obstructive when shooting with both eyes open.

Pros

  • Top battery access
  • Super clear glass
  • Much tighter battery grip than GEN 1 models
  • Co witness with iron sights

Cons

  • Open emitter attracts debris easily

Vortex Viper - Smaller Size

vortex viper micro red dot sight

The Vortex Viper line red dot sight is durable and functional in any weather or environment with waterproof and shockproof sealings. Its hard-anodized finish is exceptionally durable and reduces glare, preventing the optic from flashing and giving away your position. 

Additionally, it reduces corrosive damage making it suitable for watery or rainy environments (but still not a enclosed red dot sight for what it is)

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Great for plinking with 22 LR

Cons

  • Difficult to adjust turret in the field without a small flat head screw driver
  • Small FOV than Vortex Venom
  • Bottom battery access

Vortex Razor AMG - Best Holographic Sight

Vortex amg uh 1 gen 2 kriss vector

Even through the Vortex Razor AMG is a holographic sight, but it works and function like a red dot sight. This is the top alternative to something like an EOTech. The Gen 2 version is built with a larger rear FOV window and it still comes with the open section 68 MOA ring reticle for fast target acquisition up close.

Great For CQB - Fast to get on target, fast follow up, and never lose the reticle inside the window even if the eye is slightly off center

Full Weatherproof - Fully enclosed body design keeps away debris and other foreign objects

Recoil Damper - The sight functions like the ELCAN SpecterDR, which damps out recoil impulses using spring tension 

No Glass Tint - No visible glass tint this time for better clarity during day and night

NV Mode - Works with night vision goggles

Pros

  • Slick aesthetics
  • Target ranging reticle
  • QD mount
  • Motion activated reticle

Cons

  • Battery runs out faster than a true red dot sight because the reticle is projected using a laser emitter

Read Review: Vortex AMG UH1

Vortex Crossfire II - Best For The Money

Vortex Crossfire 2 red dot sight on ar15

Referenced Vortex

The Vortex Crossfire II red dot sight is mimicks the Aimpoint Micro but under $150. This optic has the same feel as an Aimpoint Micro or Sig ROMEO5. The Crossfire red dot's 2 MOA dot allows for swift targeting at close range, as well as precise aiming at longer distances. Its 50,000 hour battery and night-vision compatibility on the lowest two settings make it suitable for use in various environments

2 MOA dot - Standard for most mid range and CQB carbine red dot sights

Battery Lasts A Long Time – 50K hours is plenty

Aimpoint Micro Mount - Use any aftermarket Aimpoint Micro mount with the Vortex Crossfire red dot

Titanium Durability – Increased main body durability to handle heavy recoil impulses and rough slide racking against hard surfaces. 

Pros

  • Closed emitter design to keep debris away
  • Very affordable
  • Longer battery life than SPARC
  • Uses Aimpoint Micro mounts

Cons

  • 1 MOA / click instead of 0.5 MOA / click

Vortex SPARC AR

Vortex Sparc AR and Vortex Crossfire share many external similarities, including 2 MOA reticles that are the ideal size for quick acquisition at close to mid ranges without obstructing the target.

However, the Crossfire offers wider adjustment ranges and multiple brightness settings, making it more versatile. Additionally, it is smaller and lighter than the Sparc AR. Both sights are night vision compatible and feature similar body designs. 

Pros

  • Comes with protective cover
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Non removeable optic mount
  • Shorter battery life than CR2032

Vortex Red Dots Buying Guide

Which Vortex Red Dot Sight Features ShakeAwake Technology?

Vortex red dot sights that feature ShakeAwake motion sensor technology are:

  • Vortex RAZOR AMG UH1
  • Vortex SPARC