Pistol Red Dots 3 MOA vs 6 MOA

[DaBull]

Looking into pistol mounted red dots and I noticed that some are 3 MOA and others are 6 MOA. I read/heard that 3 MOA is for more accurate shooting at distances as you can get a smaller dot that doesn't obscure the target, while the 6 MOA is for close in, rapid target sighting since the dot is so big and easy to see. But then Sig sells the P365 with a 3 MOA red dot. Sure, its accurate, but isn't it more for concealed carry, rapid deployment? :confused:

What do I need to consider when buying a red dot for a 365/Hellcat/Max 9 sized pistol? Brand and model recommendations welcome as well.

[Little Dutch]

I suppose if they anticipated people wanting it for Bullseye shooting instead of Plates, then a 3 MOA red dot would make sense. It seems like, as you suggest, it may be more suited to conceal carry than competition. So...Marketing? <shrug/>

No suggestions on what to buy. Interested in what others suggest though.

[Tim K]

My pistol wears a 10 moa red dot. I could live with 6, but wouldn't consider 3 for a carry gun.

[Fromk]

I have a 3 MOA dot on a Sig X Carry. Never had any trouble picking up the dot after training with it. If you haven't shot a pistol with a red dot be aware that it DOES require training and a different way of picking up the sight. It has even been to some 3-gun matches which demand getting on target quickly along with some accurate shots. My experience comes from a little more than static shooting.

To me the bigger dots just seemed too big and I didn't like so much of any target being obscured. Maybe it's because those were just standing around having too much time to think about what I was looking at.

Holosun's reticle sounds interesting, though. If I were to do it over I would take a good look at what they're doing. https://holosun.com/index/product/detail/id/104.html

EDIT: The Holosun link wasn't what I intended. Google the ACSS Vulcan reticle.

[bradbn4]

The big two things are - speed to find the dot - where bigger is better...and the size of the dot too large in relationship to the target...where smaller can be better.

I was shooting an Appleseed project event and found the size of the dot was fine for close targets; at distance, the dot pretty much covered 100% of the target.

My guess is 6 moa might be a good size to look at.

Choice of optics will be driven hard on the method used to mount said optics.

[DaBull]

Thanks all. I think I might have to test drive the two options at a range before I decide.

[Irving]

I just looked through a 3moa red dot (with a green dot) yesterday, and it seemed like anything larger would be annoyingly large.

ETA my impression is that if it's bright enough, the dot size won't matter much, especially with properly practiced presentation. I prefer green over red for daylight applications.

[DaBull]

That's a great point. Green is good for day or night and the added brightness should make up for the smaller MOA. Might cost a little more though...

[XJ]

How old are OP's eyeballs, and do you currently have prescription lenses?


I do not care at all about competition stuff, but instead focus "hehe" upon real-life stuff.

[DaBull]

Up close, my right eye is able to see a 3 MOA dot well on a PC Charger Pistol, and iron sights are crisp. At distance it is a little fuzzy due to astigmatism. My left eye is crisp at distance but really needs reading glasses up close; it sees fuzzy 3 MOA dots.

This is all after I got PRK. Before PRK, I was right handed/left eye dominant, but now I am training myself to shoot right eye since it is crisper with sights.

[Erni]

Check Warrior Talk for RDS recommendation.

[eleveneightnate]

If you have astigmatism like me, go for the 3moa because a 6moa is going to starburst an awful lot. If you get a 3moa with good brightness, you'll be able to see it no problem and don't need any bigger.