What MOA is best for AR pistol?

If you're looking for a sight that's quick and accurate at closer ranges, that you can adjust to your lighting and ballistic conditions, the Trijicon's RMR 6.5 MOA is your best bet. It's perfectly suited for home defense, self-defense, and close-range hunting.

scopesfield.com - The Best Optics for AR Pistol in 2022 - Scopes Field

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I own multiple AR-15 pistols including the 5”, 7.5” and 10-11.5” models.

I’ve used all the sights: iron sights, red dots and even LPVOs. And after all my testing, the best optic for AR pistol needs to match the following criteria:

First, reliability. It needs to work on the fly every time.

Second, wide field of view (FOV). AR-15 pistols are used for close quarter combat (CQB) which requires fast target acquisition. Finally, it needs to be rugged and light. Out of the 15 optics I’ve tested, I believe the Aimpoint PRO fits these criterias and is the best AR-15 pistol optic on the market. The Aimpoint PRO is the only combat-proven red dot that is used by law enforcements and Navy SEALs. It’s also one of the best AR-15 optics. And for a good reason: it’s super durable (pretty much bomb-proof), has clear glass, wide field of view, and three years of battery life. Plus, the reticle is always on so my rifle is ready for use at moment’s notice. This is the optic I’ve personally been using for the past 4 years. Runner-up 11,225 Reviews Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight, Black 2 MOA Red-Dot provides 10 illumination settings (8 daylight plus 2 NV) for visibility in all light conditions MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not. Provides for optimum operational safety and enhanced 40,000+ hour battery life Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides industry-standard mounting options for a wide range of applications If you’re on a budget and can’t spend more than $150, then I highly recommend the Sig Sauer Romeo 5. This thing is a beast: it has clear glass, great battery life and it’s super durable. What I love about this optic is the MOTAC system. Just like the PRO, the red dot will automatically turn on when it senses motion. But where it differs is after 2 minutes of idleness, the optic will turn off. As a result, battery life is extended to about 40,000 hours! That’s crazy good, and one of the many reasons why the Romeo 5 is my back-up optic. Most Compact Sale 1,077 Reviews Trijicon RM06-C-700672 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight, 3.25 MOA Red Dot Reticle, Black 3.25 MOA ADJUSTABLE LED RMR: Features an automatic brightness mode and easy push buttons for eight adjustable brightness settings including 2 nv and 1 Super bright DEPENDABLE ELECTRONIC DESIGN: Ruggedized Battery contacts and electronics ensure performance and survivability in harsh environments UNIQUE PATENTED HOUSING SHAPE: Military-grade aluminum alloy forged housing shape diverts force of impact away from the lens, greatly increasing its durability The Trijicon RMR is one of the most compact and smallest red dots I’ve ever used. It’s perfect for a low-profile setup that values quick target acquisition, accuracy, wide FOV and most importantly, weight (only 1.2 oz). However, it’s the most expensive red dot on this list. If you can’t afford it and need a compact red dot, then I’d recommend getting the Vortex Venom (only 1.6 oz). Best Budget Sale 14,485 Reviews Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope, 1x20mm, Black Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness settings; Mounts easily on most picatinny rails and is compatible with pistols, shotguns, rifles and muzzleloaders.Adjustment Range : 70+... Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry inside, even when totally immersed in water. Parallax - 50 Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the rough and tumble environment of the field Not everyone has deep pockets, and that’s where the TRS-25 shines: it’s only $70 and performs just as good as optics twice it’s cost. Although the glass isn’t as good as the Aimpoint PRO, the TRS-25 is super durable, reliable and has 11 brightness settings that last anywhere from 3,000 – 6,000 hours (250 days). Not a bad choice for plinking or target shooting if you’re on a budget.

Why you should trust me

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I own several AR pistols.

I’ve hand-tested most of the sights online: red dots, LPVOs and micro sights. I’ve even tried all the brands from Vortex to Leupold. As a result, I know what makes a good optic.

In fact, my work has been featured on big firearm publications like:

SOFREP

Daily Caller

The National Interest

The Truth About Guns

I’ve bought all of the optics recommend down below at retail price from Amazon. No reviewer scopes or outside contributions were accepted for this review. In fact, I do not accept any sort of advertising on my website. This allows me to write the most honest review without answering to some corporate head. I do not charge readers a single cent to access my review. But I do make a very small commission (typically 2-4%) if you make a purchase through my link. I don’t see what you purchase, nor does it affect the price you pay. With the money I make, I use it to keep the reviews unbiased, put food on my table, and keep those annoying ads off my site.

The 4 Best AR Pistol Optics

1. Aimpoint PRO: Best Red Dot for AR Pistol

If there’s one red dot sight the law enforcement uses, it’s the Aimpoint PRO.

The reason?

It’s versatile, reliable and accurate. But that’s not all.

Let’s take a more in-depth look…

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Very good clarity with a slight blue tint.

The reticle has 10 settings for brightness.

Levels one through four are night-vision compatible, then five through ten are for naked eye/daylight use. Level 10 is extra bright, causing a bit of halo inside the body of the optic. However, you shouldn’t need to use the highest brightness setting, unless you’re shooting in an extremely bright environment. If you need a dedicated scope for night time shooting, check out my best night vision scope guide. The battery life is also REALLY good — lasting up to 3 years.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Unlimited eye relief.

Which means:

You could mount the Aimpoint PRO anywhere on your rail and you’ll still get a clear sight picture.

The eye box is also quite forgiving.

Durability & Weight

This thing is durable, easy to mount/unmount, and is super easy to sight in. It’s argon purged and O-ring sealed, making it completely waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.

In short:

The Aimpoint PRO isn’t going to break. Nor will it freeze or fog up.

The best part?

It weighs 7.8 ounces. That’s much heavier than the RMR. But again, 7 ounces is light.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The windage and elevation caps each have their own keeper straps.

(In fact, they’re the same ones that they put onto the military Aimpoint versions). The adjustments for windage and elevation are easy and do not require tools. The on/off knob is large and has a solid detent. It also holds zero very well. I’ve fired hundreds of rounds through my ACP carbine and still haven’t lost zero to date.

Magnification & Parallax

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Although not used for long-range shooting, the Aimpoint PRO could shoot up to about 300 yards. It’s easy to fire accurately with both eyes open whether or not you have the protective caps on. This allows for the faster recovery from recoil for quick, follow-up shots. It even shoots like my best scout scope. However, when you have the front cap off, the housing disappears after a while when you have both eyes open, sort of like wearing a pair of glasses.

Summary

If you’re looking for the best pistol red dot sight that professionals use and won’t break the bank, get the Aimpoint PRO.

It has:

Strong durability

Bulls-eye accuracy

Unlimited eye relief

Variable brightness settings

Three year battery operation

Military version windage and elevation caps

Plus, you’re backed by Aimpoint’s 2 year warranty. Although I’d prefer it to be lifetime warranty, I’ve never actually had to use the warranty. That said, if this tactical red dot sounds like it’s for you, then give it a go. Alternatively, you could check out my post on the best rimfire scopes for the 22LR.

2. Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Red Dot: Best Optic for the Money

The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 is the best budget AR pistol red dot.

In fact:

It performs very similar to more expensive red dot sights at a fraction of the price.

Interested?