I've been evaluating the armory lately and trying to round out my options. One thing I'm currently missing is an optic-equipped DA/SA carry pistol. I've got a P226 with a 407K on it that lives in my nightstand, and compact/carry and full-size P320 setups, but my regular carry gun is a really nice P229 SAS that I didn't want to cut up for a dot. Last night I ordered this:



I have a couple of P228/P229s that I could swap this slide onto for now, but long-term I'm probably going to watch for Matrix Precision to have a Revenant P229 blem frame sale, probably one with a rail since I don't currently have one of those. I absolutely love my Revenant P226 build, and since this slide comes with a full parts kit it's going to be impossible to resist the urge to do the same thing for the P229.

As for the optic, I'm planning to go RMSc footprint, as I want the smaller profile for more comfortable carry and better concealment, and most optics in that footprint will be flush with the sides of the slide and won't hang over. The problem is there are a ton of good options:

1. Holosun 407K. Simple, affordable, durable, and I've been very happy with the one on my P226. Deck height is low enough that I can get a tiny bit of co-witness with stock irons. ~$200

2. Holosun 507K. Basically a more expensive 407K with reticle options I won't use. ~$300

3. Holosun EPS Carry: Basically an enclosed 507K. I like the idea of an enclosed emitter on a carry gun, but it's quite a bit more money than the 407k and to-date I've only ever owned open-emitters and have never had an issue. ~$330

4. Sig Romeo-X Compact (open emitter): I've handled these and they're nice. Reportedly very rugged, assembled in the US (although with Chinese parts), and true co-witness with standard-height sights. Almost double the money of a 407k, but I've seen some deals lately. I think Sig may be trying to close them out in favor of the closed emitter version. ~$350

5. Romeo-X Compact closed emitter. Basically the same as the above, but with a closed emitter for more money. ~$475

6. Trijicon RMRcc. Trijicon has a solid reputation for reliability and durability and it's made in USA. Other than that it has nothing going for it. Open emitter, high deck height (needs full suppressor-height sights), and stupid battery compartment underneath. ~$500

7. Some other option I haven't considered.

I'm currently leaning towards trying to find a deal on the RomeoX Compact open emitter, mainly due to the ability to co-witness with the standard-height sights. Second choice is probably a 407K.

I'm not in a big rush as I have to build the gun fund back up before I can buy, anyway. Figured I'd put it out here and get input from you guys while I'm waiting. Please feel free to suggest options that I haven't considered, too. Keep in mind this is going to be an IWB carry setup, so compact-ness and comfort is an important factor.

407K. Good bang for the buck and works great on my Echelon.

I've had good luck with Holosun products. I have a 507 and an SCS (Glock MOS pattern) and both have given me no issues. I quite like the SCS and that fact that once in a blue moon I put it in the sun or under a bright lamp and be done with it. I have had no issues with it over a couple of years. So maybe give the SCS carry a look. The EPS carry seems solid as well.

I also have a Vortex Defender CCW. I have the latest revision with the higher refresh rate and 10 minute???..ish auto shutoff vs. the originals insanely long time to shut off. I've had no issues with it and quite like it, especially for the money. I think I paid like $165 bucks or something in that realm.

If I were to buy another dot right now I THINK I would go six MOA.

Now please take everything I say with a grain of salt as I am certainly no fountain of knowledge on anything and MRDS' are still fairly new to me and I still tend to shoot more iron sights.

I have had good fortune with Holosun optics and for the price, they are a good opportunity to see of you like an rds on your handgun without spending a lot.

On a side note, with certain RMSc cuts, brands, etc., the 407k and 507k might not be able to mount directly to the gun without an optic plate, due to the rear recoil lugs on the RMSc pattern. I have noticed that on some pistols I have owned and some gunsmiths optic cut options.

I hate to say this-

We got a box full of T&E Holosuns at work. I put the EPS Carry on a 43x. I’m getting close to 3k down range with it.

I like it better than the RMRcc, particularly in shooting low light with a WML. The RMRcc flickers at the instant the light comes on. The EPS Carry does not. I had an early problem with it coming loose from the gun but I changed screws, and retorqued it and hasn’t been an issue since.

The only thing I do not like about it is the adjustment knobs. They take a smallish tool and I can’t use a piece of brass off the ground to make an adjustment.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I hate to say this-

We got a box full of T&E Holosuns at work. I put the EPS Carry on a 43x. I’m getting close to 3k down range with it.

I like it better than the RMRcc, particularly in shooting low light with a WML. The RMRcc flickers at the instant the light comes on. The EPS Carry does not. I had an early problem with it coming loose from the gun but I changed screws, and retorqued it and hasn’t been an issue since.

The only thing I do not like about it is the adjustment knobs. They take a smallish tool and I can’t use a piece of brass off the ground to make an adjustment.

Good to hear. I just mounted an EPS Carry MRS to my P365XL but haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet.

I have #2 and #3 in the OP’s list of optics.

I just automatically order better screws for the holosuns just as a preventative measure

I like the 507c

Well, today was a disaster. A tree came down on a co-worker's house so I went and cut that up after my three hour off-duty detail. Then I got home and my wife told me the washing machine flooded the laundry room and the basement stairwell. While I was looking into that, I discovered that the water heater died (totally unrelated). So I spent $1300 and all day replacing a water heater and we may need a new washer, too. On the upside, the tornado missed us and I was already in the basement working on the water heater when the siren went off, so I didn't have to go down there. What a freaking day.

So the optic project is going to be waiting even longer now, and I'm kinda wishing I hadn't even spent the money on the parts kit .

Just for when you come back to it...

I would do the full-size EPS as long as the slide is wide enough (which this one is). The EPS's low deck height already gets you a pretty low optic and the larger window is worth it if you can get away with it.

I actually had a full-size EPS on a 43X slide for a while, but it tended to rub when carried AIWB.

I also used to carry an RMRcc on a 43x, which I didnt like, something about that window didnt really work for me.

Currently carrying Glock 48 with EPS carry, I like that optic much better. I think the EPS carry is a winner in that size.

I have a 407k, 2 507ks, and a Romeo1Pro on a 226. The Romeo1Pro has the biggest window and best glass of those optics, but its for a full sized gun. I have the 2 507ks on a P365xl and a G19 and I really like that setup on both those guns. I am thinking of ordering a Romeo X Compact to round out my guns with optics.

Try the 507 Comp. It has a large glass and is durable.

quote:

Originally posted by DTREND75:
Try the 507 Comp. It has a large glass and is durable.

I have a 507 comp on a full-size P320, and it's very nice, but not what I'm going for here.

quote:

I would do the full-size EPS as long as the slide is wide enough (which this one is). The EPS's low deck height already gets you a pretty low optic and the larger window is worth it if you can get away with it.

The full-size EPS uses an RMR footprint, correct? I know every slide cut is different, but is the deck height on the EPS low enough to provide any amount of co-witness with standard sights, or would you need suppressor-height irons?

EPS and SCS models both should be low enough to provide some form of co-witness with even stock height sights. You certainly won’t need true suppressor height sights for them to work.

I really, really like the Holosun SCS. Its as low profile as you can get and you should not need to change the height of your sights.

The SCS has also been, by far, the best auto dimming optic I owned. I really adapts well to changing light conditions.

My understanding is that the Glock version of the SCS (native MOS cut) is low enough to co-witness with standard sights, but the Sig P320 version is not (I assume that's a DPP footprint). Since I'm having this one milled, I have the ability to pick, but I'm not a huge fan of either of those two footprints, plus I don't know anybody who would mill an MOS cut into a non-Glock slide. Is there an RMR footprint version of the SCS?

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by DTREND75:
Try the 507 Comp. It has a large glass and is durable.

I have a 507 comp on a full-size P320, and it's very nice, but not what I'm going for here.

quote:

I would do the full-size EPS as long as the slide is wide enough (which this one is). The EPS's low deck height already gets you a pretty low optic and the larger window is worth it if you can get away with it.

The full-size EPS uses an RMR footprint, correct? I know every slide cut is different, but is the deck height on the EPS low enough to provide any amount of co-witness with standard sights, or would you need suppressor-height irons?

509T or an SRO?

One is enclosed and one is open. Both have been durable enough for road work for me.

quote:

509T or an SRO?

One is enclosed and one is open. Both have been durable enough for road work for me.

Like the 507 Comp, those are both pretty big. I'm going for compact, comfortable, and concealable here as this is going to be an IWB carry gun. Bigger windows are awesome on a duty, home defense, or competition gun, but there's a point where they get too bulky for CCW.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

509T or an SRO?

One is enclosed and one is open. Both have been durable enough for road work for me.

Like the 507 Comp, those are both pretty big. I'm going for compact, comfortable, and concealable here as this is going to be an IWB carry gun. Bigger windows are awesome on a duty, home defense, or competition gun, but there's a point where they get too bulky for CCW.

Not sure of your build...

I'm 6'4 and about 250 lbs of former muscle.

I comfortably carry a 4.5" Walther PDP with an SRO or a 3.5 Walther with a 507 Comp in an AIWB holster all shift. I think a lot of the time it comes down to the holster. If you have a claw or a wedge attached, it can make a huge difference.