The RMR footprint is one of many red dot footprints we have available. Optics featuring this footprint are generally highly versatile, with a rugged and reliable design. They also provide a wide field of view and have some of the best battery life performance in the red dot sector.
In this article, we discuss the five best red dots with RMR footprint based on our own experience and the rating standards we employ at HuntersHalt. We also look at the ease of mounting RMR footprints and discuss some alternative red dot footprints.
HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
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Most Durable Optic
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Most Accurate
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Description: Includes: CR1632 Lithium w/ Free S&H |
Description: Includes: CR2032 Battery w/ Free S&H |
Description: Includes: CR2032, Up to 32% Off w/ Free S&H |
Includes: CR1632 Lithium w/ Free S&H
Includes: CR2032 Battery w/ Free S&H
Includes: CR2032, Up to 32% Off w/ Free S&H

1. Holosun 507C
- Unique Advanced Features
- Fantastic Battery Life
- Best Value For Your Money
- Beginners Can Find Cheaper Options
When it comes to pistol red dot sights, few can compare to the Holosun 507C. This red dot is renowned for its pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that where the dot is, the bullet will follow.
The Holosun features quality craftsmanship – built from CNC-milled 7075 aluminum, you know this rugged red dot can withstand any harsh test.
Holosun’s innovative battery solutions have to be one of my favorite features of their pistol red dots. This optic, for instance, has a solar panel backup feature, ensuring you can rely on your optic when you need it the most. This red dot offers a battery life of up to 50,000 hours on a single CR2032.
I also like Holosun’s multiple reticle system (MRS), allowing you to aim with a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle dot, or a combination of both. The scope is also very adept at tackling any ambient lighting condition – boasting ten daylight settings and 2-night vision compatible settings.
Overall, at $364.69, the Holosun offers the best value considering all the features you get. Plus, it comes with the Trijicon RMR footprint, so there is no need for an adapter plate.
2. Trijicon RMR Red Dot Sight
Includes: CR2032 Battery w/ Free S&H
- Most Durable Red Dot
- Very Versatile
- Elite Battery Life (4 years)
- Premium Pricing
Trijicon has long been one of my favorite pistol red dot sight manufacturers. Their sights are extremely versatile; I even use them on my ARs because of their spot-on accuracy and on my shotguns because their forged aluminum housing can withstand a pounding.
While I have yet to experience the end of the RMR’s single CR2032 battery, I am told it can last over four years, which is really impressive!
Unfortunately, the RMR only comes with a set MOA size. You can either opt for the 1 MOA, 3.25, or 6.5 MOA dot size – the 3.25 is my favorite, perfect for both close-range and long-range shooting! That is also why I rated the RMR as one of the best red dots for Ruger Mark IV as well.
The Trijicon RMR also has an impressive array of brightness settings. You have 8 for daytime use and 2 for night vision-compatible devices, and in my opinion, you don’t need much more brightness settings than these 10.
One thing that really stands out for me is the crisp, unobstructed view the RMR provides. I have astigmatism, and the more clear the red dot is, the better. Overall, the RMR has quality written all over it. It’s more durable than the Holosun 507C, but it will cost you a pretty penny.
3. Trijicon SRO
Includes: CR2032, Up to 32% Off w/ Free S&H
- Great For Competitive & Target Shooting
- Huge Field of View
- Adjustable - 8 Different Brightness Settings
- Not All Shooters Like Round Shape
The next addition on our list we have another Trijicon optic. The SRO features a larger lens than the RMR, providing faster target acquisition without sacrificing accuracy. It also allows you to remain more aware of your surroundings – a must for tactical applications.
The SRO has a shorter battery life of three years on a CR2032 battery, but three years is still very impressive. This red dot sight is available in 1, 2.5, and 5 MOA dot sizes. It has the same footprint as the RMR, so there is no need for adapter plates if you have a pistol with an RMR slide.
The SRO has eight brightness settings with manual and auto-adjust options, allowing it to adapt to any daylight shooting situation. At a price point of $771, this red dot sight is one of the most premium red dots on the market. Nonetheless, if you can afford it and want a larger FOV red dot than the RMR, then this is the red dot for you.
4. Holosun 508T
Includes: Battery Type: CR1632 w/ Free S&H
The Holosun 508T is one of the most durable red dots I’ve tested. It’s crafted from titanium, allowing for a lightweight and extremely rugged design. It features a battery life similar to the 507C – 50,000 hours on a single CR1632 battery with a solar fail-safe feature.
The Holosun 508T has a 2 MOA dot and 32 MOA ring options. It also has 10 daylight and 2-night vision compatible brightness settings.
As I already mentioned, my astigmatism can definitely be a disadvantage in many shooting scenarios and lighting conditions, and many would agree. Therefore, I often prefer green dot sights over red dots because the green reticle doesn’t appear as distorted as the red one. However, it is important to note that the green dot sight version costs $470.5, which is $35 more expensive than the red version.
Overall, the Holosun 508T is one of my favorite red dot sights, providing a more premium design than the 507C with the titanium build.
5. Swampfox Justice
Includes: CR1632, Up to 16% Off w/ Free Shipping
Swampfox has given us a lot of quality red dots, such as the Sentinel and Justice. These sights are perfect for people who want an extremely compact and durable red dot that won’t break the bank.
The Justice has 10 brightness settings, and its CR1632 battery can last up to 4,000 hours. I also like Justice’s inclusion of Shake ‘N Wake technology, helping conserve battery life even more.
Swampfox is known for building sights with quality lens coatings and smart housing design – providing a clean and wide view, perfect for rapid target acquisition.
At a price point of $239, this is the perfect budget-friendly red dot that also meets all the criteria of a quality RMR footprint red dot sight.
How Do We Rate RMR Footprint Red Dot Sights?
When it comes to assessing the quality and utility of RMR footprint optics, various factors come into play before the sight can receive the HuntersHalt approval.
Durability, clarity, field of view, battery life, and ease of adjustment are just a few. The sight should be reliable – capable of excelling in any environmental condition. It should also have a crisp view, with multiple lens coatings to block out glare and ensure the reticle is as bright as it can be for the ambient lighting.
Additionally, the sight should cater to the general consumer, meaning it should offer great value. It should be priced competitively with the rest of the market and provide a feature-rich aiming platform.
Most importantly, the RMR footprint red dot must be compatible with an RMR slide.
What Is The Biggest Factor To Take Into Account Before Buying an RMR Footprint Red Dot?
Above all, compatibility is key. While many handguns and even some rifles come with pre-cut slides to accommodate RMR footprints, it’s essential you make sure the chosen sight aligns perfectly with your weapon. This will ensure a smooth installation as well as optimal accuracy and stability during use.
Therefore, always double-check that the optic is, in fact, an RMR footprint optic, allowing you to utilize all the advantages of using an RMR footprint optic.
What Are The Main Advantages Of Using RMR Footprint Optics?
RMR footprint optics has a lot of advantages. In my opinion, the main advantages of using this sight include user-friendliness, accuracy, versatility, and battery life.
RMR sights are extremely user-friendly. Users only need to line up two objects in their FOV – the dot and the target – rather than three, which is the case using a front and rear sight aiming platform. This makes it more accurate and quicker, and easier to use.
Additionally, the RMR footprint is a popular mounting pattern, meaning many different sights can be mounted on the same firearm.
Most RMR sights also have an intuitive battery system. For instance, the Trijicon SRO has a top-loading battery compartment – avid readers of HuntersHalt know how much I appreciate this feature. The Holosun also has an impressive battery life of 50,000 hours with a solar fail-safe – not a lot of red dot companies can even come near this impressive achievement.
Finally, RMR red dot sights are also very easy to mount, adding to the user-friendliness of these sights.
Are RMR Red Dot Sights Easy To Mount?
Yes, RMR red dot sights are very easy to mount. It has a very distinctive mounting pattern consisting of two screw holes and two sockets in which the pins on the mount fit. All you need to do is align the sight’s footprint with the firearm’s slide and mount it – it’s as easy as that!
This is just one of many reasons I enjoy RMR red dot sights so much – they just mount much easier than most other red dot footprints.
What Other Red Dot Footprints Are There?
While the RMR footprint is popular, other footprints like the DeltaPoint Pro, Vortex Razor, Docter/Noblex, and Shield RMSC footprint have also made their mark in the optics world, each with its own set of features and benefits.
Which RMSC Footprints Are The Best?
RMSC footprint red dot sights are a subset of the RMR family. They have gained a lot of traction for their compact design, suitable for slimmer handguns in concealed carry use cases. Brands like Shield Sigths and Holosun have perfected the compact design, offering durable, clear, and efficient optics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do RMR Red Dot Sights Have A Wide Field Of View?
What Is The Biggest Downside Of Using A Red Dot Sight With RMR Footprint?
How Can You Tell If Your Handgun Is An RMR Cut?
The Bottom Line
RMR footprint optics offer a fusion of durability, clarity, and user-friendliness that few other red dot footprints can match. This footprint provides a reliable and effective aiming solution to elevate anyone’s shooting experience, regardless if it’s self-defense, tactical, or competition shooting. To conclude, the RMR footprint offers a lot of advantages, but always make sure you buy an authentic RMR footprint optic, like one of the five mentioned in this article, as this will ensure optimal compatibility and performance.
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