I could really use some help from the Forum on this. I realize that this could be a very intense discussion because a lot of this can come down to personal preference. But a relative and I are getting up in years where eyesight isn't what it used to be and we think it is time to try a red dot or RMR.

In days gone by I would just research the heck out of something like this and probably buy several to try. But at this point in my life I just don't have the time, or the money, to take that approach.

I tried doing some research first before asking and it honestly seems overwhelming with brands, mounting plates and colors (red versus green).

So I'm asking the Forum for help here. Can anyone give a recommendation for a red dot (RMR) for a Sig Sauer P226 9mm? I bought a Legion slide that is already cut directly from Sig Sauer. So that would be the base for the setup. Thank you.

My old standby is the Holosun 507C.

The Sig “pro cut fits any DPP cut optic.

The vortex defenders are pretty good, cheap, and bolt directly to the cut you have

The sig Romeo x pro, or a Romeo 2 will also be direct fit.

To go to an RMR cut optic, you can get a filler plate and convert to put a holosun 507C, 507 comp etc (screw locations are the same but the body is a little shorter. A plate like the one in below would be capable of converting the Sig slide to an RMR pattern optic

https://chpws.com/product/sig-...407c-507c-508c-508t/

Thank you. Is an RMR different from a red dot?

Is there any reason going with a red dot over a green dot?

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
Thank you. Is an RMR different from a red dot?

Is there any reason going with a red dot over a green dot?

RMR is really a brand name for Trijicon red dots. The are really the OG in red dots, tried and true.

Green over red is a preference. I have found that green washes faster using white light.

quote:

Originally posted by Pete K:
My old standby is the Holosun 507C.

Pete K can you elaborate on this please? Thank you.

Holosun is a Chinese company that makes excellent dots for the money. If you can come to terms with the manufacturer I don’t think you will be disappointed with the product across the board.

If you want a truly bomb proof duty rated dot you are looking at Trijicon or to a lesser extent Aimpoint.

Vortex has some good offerings but has its share of detractors. I have a CCW defender on a pistol and I’ve been pretty happy with it.

The SIG branded dots seem to vacillate between good and shitty. I’ve talked to some of the local cops who use them and they have indicated lots of issues (anecdotally). There are folks on the forum who run them on duty guns to good effect.

Meprolight has some options that aren’t Chinese but I have no real insight or experience with them.

Leupold has the Delta Point Pro which seems like a solid offering but seems huge to me.

There are a ton of cheap dots out there but I’m not sure I’d put my trust in them but I don’t have personal experience.

Olight has a couple options but just like I’d not trust their flashlights for heavy duty/serious tasks I’m not sure I would personally give there dots a second thought. There is a member or two here running them though but I am not sure what there experiences are.

Honestly the way I see it and I am only speaking for me and I certainly don’t have a ton of experience, you have a few tiers.

Hobby tier- cheap Chinese lights, Gideon, maybe Olight etc.
Shooter tier - Holosun, some Vortex stuff, maybe Meprolight, Steiner etc. these are good proven, durable dots that I would trust for self defense.
Duty Tier - Trijicon, Aimpoint, Leupold, some SIG optics are what jump to mind.

Again not exhaustive and all personal opinion and I really don’t know shit about shit.

quote:

Originally posted by car541:
A plate like the one in below would be capable of converting the Sig slide to an RMR pattern optic

https://chpws.com/product/sig-...407c-507c-508c-508t/

Even so you still might need a shim to get the angle right. I tried using an SRO on my P226 SAO I just bought and can't get the optic turret to go low enough.

However, I have nothing but great things to say about the new generation of Vortex Optics. If you want durability, the Defender ST enclosed is tougher than most optics and if you want a big window, the Defender XL is larger than the 507 Comp or the SRO.

And with these Amazon links, you're buying direct from Vortex AND get Amazon's return policy and network.

https://a.co/d/0eAHI3Fi
https://a.co/d/0gjChTUO

If your P226 is factory cut for an optic, it's going to be set up for the DPP footprint. I'm a big fan of direct mount. I don't like plates, and that has been my deciding factor for optic selection on most guns. In your case, I'd get a Romeo X Pro Enclosed. I have the open compact version (RMSc footprint) on my custom-milled P229 and have been very happy with it. We recently got the enclosed version on some duty guns, and it's even better, if just because it's easier to clean and keep clean.

Another advantage of the RomeoX line is that their deck-height is low enough to co-witness with standard height backup sights, so you won't need to buy and install big, snaggy, expensive supressor-height sights. You won't use the irons to shoot with the dot, but IMO functional backup sights are a necessity on any defensive gun with an optic. The Leupold Delta Point Pro sits super high and requires huge backup irons. I've never heard a lot of reliability complaints about them, but from a shooting perspective I've not been a big fan of the ones I've shot just from the form factor alone.

The Holosun stuff is fine, but it's mostly RMR or Holosun K footprint (a modified version of RMSC), so you'd need adapter plates.

I think I'm the guy cslinger was talking about with the Osight optic. So far it's been good, but I haven't had it long enough to feel comfortable endorsing it yet, and I believe their larger versions are RMR footprint, so you'd need plates with them as well.

Some of the newer Sig slides are coming with mounting holes for both the DPP footprint and RMR. If that's the case with yours that would open up your options some. What does your slide look like under the cover plate? If it has both sets of holes and you decided to go the RMR route, you'll probably need a filler plate to support the optic so the recoil force doesn't shear your screws.

Thank you everyone for the great information so far. And anyone else who wants to comment please do so. Thank you.

quote:

If your P226 is factory cut for an optic, it's going to be set up for the DPP footprint. I'm a big fan of direct mount. I don't like plates, and that has been my deciding factor for optic selection on most guns. In your case, I'd get a Romeo X Pro Enclosed.

92fstech - was just looking at this on Sig's website. I see that there are several reticle options. Any suggestions for which would work better? This would be for shooters with aging eyes.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

If your P226 is factory cut for an optic, it's going to be set up for the DPP footprint. I'm a big fan of direct mount. I don't like plates, and that has been my deciding factor for optic selection on most guns. In your case, I'd get a Romeo X Pro Enclosed.

92fstech - was just looking at this on Sig's website. I see that there are several reticle options. Any suggestions for which would work better? This would be for shooters with aging eyes.

Honestly, unless you're colorblind, I don't think it matters. I'm turning 41 soon, so I don't think that qualifies me as aging (unless you ask my kids, lol), but my eyes have been crap my whole life. I'm nearsighted and have astigmatism. I've tried most of the fancy reticle options, and always just come back to a red 2 or 3 MOA dot.

When I'm shooting with the optic, I'm not looking at the dot. I'm focusing on the target and letting the dot come between me and the target. For any kind of practical shooting (90% of what I do), all I need is a glimpse of confirmation that the dot is where I want it, and I can break the shot. As long as the dot is bright enough that I can see it, the size and shape of the reticle is totally irrelevant. The smaller dots are perfectly adequate for this, and if I want them bigger and easier to see I just crank the brightness all the way up until the "bloom" out from my astigmatism, and makes it quick and easy to acquire.

On the other hand, if I'm slow-fire precision shooting, it's nice to have a small, clear and precise dot. Turn the brightness down on a 2 or 3 MOA dot and you have exactly that.

Some guys like the bigger reticles for gun games and practical shooting, but IMO if they're taking the time to see a reticle that big clearly defined in the window they're probably taking more time than they need, and they'd be just as well served by a basic dot.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by Pete K:
My old standby is the Holosun 507C.

Pete K can you elaborate on this please? Thank you.

I have been using the 507C since about 2018. Cost is good, reliability is excellent, long battery life, decent quality glass and an average or better dot quality.
But, Holosun isn’t the only option out there. They are my first look when buying a new optic because they have served me well on both pistol and rifles.

Here's something worth watching on red dots from the angle of a competition shooter. It also provides a nice introduction to using a red dot on a handgun.

The rest of TheHumbleMarksman's channel is worth watching as well, but start with this:

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
If your P226 is factory cut for an optic, it's going to be set up for the DPP footprint. I'm a big fan of direct mount. I don't like plates, and that has been my deciding factor for optic selection on most guns. In your case, I'd get a Romeo X Pro Enclosed.

I agree with this sentiment.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
I could really use some help from the Forum on this. I realize that this could be a very intense discussion because a lot of this can come down to personal preference. But a relative and I are getting up in years where eyesight isn't what it used to be and we think it is time to try a red dot or RMR.


In days gone by I would just research the heck out of something like this and probably buy several to try. But at this point in my life I just don't have the time, or the money, to take that approach.

I tried doing some research first before asking and it honestly seems overwhelming with brands, mounting plates and colors (red versus green).

So I'm asking the Forum for help here. Can anyone give a recommendation for a red dot (RMR) for an Sig Sauer P226 9mm? I bought a Legion slide that is already cut directly from Sig Sauer. So that would be the base for the setup. Thank you.

When you say older, can you define? I’m 56 and still only use iron sights. I’m wondering if a day comes where I have to go red dot. For those at that point, how did you know? Should I just be happy to hear the metal target still ting when I shoot

quote:

Originally posted by Vaftocr:
When you say older, can you define? I’m 56 and still only use iron sights. I’m wondering if a day comes where I have to go red dot. For those at that point, how did you know? Should I just be happy to hear the metal target still ting when I shoot

I’m the same age as you, Vaftocr. I have astigmatism, far sighted and presbyopia. My vision is correctable to 20/20. But dealing with precise things up close, like iron sights, is challenging and it just gets worse every year.

My relative is in his 80’s and has always had better vision than me, especially after cataract surgery. But his vision is starting to change as well. Could be he is just too stubborn to wear readers.

I have always worn glasses and had an astigmatism. I can still shoot irons just fine and prefer them with my glasses That said I run some dots because of 4 primary reasons.

1-I’m a gun geek and want to have practical experience with things.
2-They 100% make for faster transitions from target to target as well as really help at distance.
3-They are the best damn night sights you will ever have.
4-Without glasses I can still pick up that giant red or green nebulous blob in an emergency. I ain’t seeing any sights.

There's plenty of dots out there with quality features, the big three being Trijicons, Holosuns, and Delta Point Pro by Leupold. Though I should say since its a Sig gun, consider a Sig optic, they are also a VERY solid choice If you go enclosed the Aimpoint Acro, the Steiner MPS, and again offerings from Sig are good to go.

I recommend going with the Trijicon Type 2 RMR that's adjustable with a 3.25 MOA red dot, though you can get them with green dots. This is the set up on my guns mounting an optic. It's simple and it works, as others have said, bomb proof. The downside is you'll pay at or over 500 credit$ for one, though sometimes you can find them cheaper on sale. At the least I wouldn't consider any optic that was under 300 credit$, with 350 to 400 being my base line.

Good Luck.

I have quite a few. DPPs, Sig Pros and Pro X, Holosuns and Eotech. I like all as there is not a noticeable difference in quality. They have all been durable. But they are not duty guns. I prefer the larger window of the DPPs or the low deck height of the pro X. Find the one you like with the features you need and a price you’re willing to pay and go for it. I prefer red as that is what I am used to.