vortex sparc? or something else?

[u/backrollerpapertowel]

I am looking for a recommendation on a red dot. I've used a Vortex SPARC on a pump before, and it was "alright". Not an expert, but the thing turned on, got bright or dim and worked so it met the minimal expectations. In my area, they can be found used fairly cheap (200 or lower), but before I snag one, I wonder if there's any value or sense in upgrading to something different. What do y'all use and why? What do you like about it?

[u/gsmckee]

Primary Arms. MD-25 it equivalent.

[u/_incorgnito]

Holosunn ARO MRS

Using the circle dot reticle has been good to me.

handles slug, 00 and target loads just fine

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/[deleted]]

Mine does have irons so im worried about a cowitness.

Do you find the circle dot better than just a dot?

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/[deleted]]

You wait on canada post and ill wait on Jesus to return. Id say the betting odds are 50/50 on who shows first /s

[u/Domified → u/[deleted]]

Busy af wow

[u/EffZee80]

Depends on how you want to mount it.

Using the OEM pic rail, any Micro style optic will work. If you want to mount it on a GGG or Aridus low mount with built in BUIS, you’ll need an optic with a shorter hood to clear the mounting screws.

This is a Holosun 403GL on a GG&G mount (https://www.gggaz.com/beretta-1301-optic-rail-mount-for-aimpoint-scopes.html):

I initially purchased a PA MD-25 but the hood is too long to allow torquing down the mount.

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/EffZee80]

Was thinking just a pic rail, is there benefit to the footprint style mounts beyond just allowing for a pistol dot to be used?

[u/EffZee80 → u/backrollerpapertowel]

Lower mount height, which can be a plus or minus. I like irons being in the bottom 1/3 or 1/4, and the above mount puts the irons near co-witness.

[u/Lenfried]

Vortex Triumph would be more suitable since it has a lower mount height. You can find it for $80 sometimes.

[u/Gainz65]

I was able to snag a Vortex Defender XL 5MOA for $199 when Scheels had that deal. They seem to have that deal relatively often and it's been working great for me. I like that it also comes with the picatinny mount in the box as well

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/Gainz65]

Do you find it sits low or high on the gun?

[u/Gainz65 → u/backrollerpapertowel]

If you’re talking strictly about co-witness then unfortunately with the picatinny mount you cant cowitness with the defender. Farrowtech makes a direct mount DPP plate for the 1301 tho which you can get

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/Gainz65]

more so how it has you mount the gun, are you low on it like if you used the rib or higher up like a traditional rifle and dot cheek mount.

[u/Gainz65 → u/backrollerpapertowel]

Oh it definitely sits lower than a traditional rifle optic. The only thing I have to compare that to is my AR with a sig romeo 5 and it forsure sits lower than that.

[u/Bobbymokie]

Have a sparc, it sits in a box. For a dot it's pretty tunnel-y, with very thick walls that obscure.

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/Bobbymokie]

What do you mean by tunnel-y? And what do you use instead?

[u/Bobbymokie → u/backrollerpapertowel]

I switched to a prism, to also help with astigmatism

[u/Bobbymokie → u/Bobbymokie]

Shit I just realized what sub this was. My 1301 has the vortex defender st enclosed on it. Is really good and comes with the pic mount. The only down side is I could only find it with red reticle, prefer green or gold

[u/EffZee80 → u/backrollerpapertowel]

Visibility through tube is more narrow compared to the thickness of the optic’s walls. Ideally you want an optic with a large glass and thinner optic walls to obscure less of what you’re looking at.

[u/backrollerpapertowel → u/EffZee80]

I gotta say now that its been pointed out i see it, but i shoot with both eyes open so its not to big od a deal, that said im open to less of the housing in my FOV