Red dot for a .45ACP

[Mulay El Raisuli]

I've decided to put a scope of some sort on one of my .45s. My .45 isn't highly accurized or anything, so driving nails at extreme distances isn't the goal. All I want is the ability to reliably tap zombies at 50-60 yards, & get close enough to frighten them at 100. A standard telescopic sight is likely too big, too heavy & too fragile. So, I'm thinking a red dot sight would fit the bill. The question is, which one?

My primary desire is for a sight that can stand up to what a .45 with full-power loads can dish out. I don't need multiple reticles or other fancy features. Just a simple, basic sight.

I found a thread here from 2009 that tells me that Barska isn't the way to go. That same thread mentioned that Bushnell might be. Are there any other decently-priced red dot sights out there? Is there anywhere in San Diego county I could go to actually see samples, or am I limited to mail-order?


The Raisuli

[WILDMAN442]

Price range?

Anything that says Aimpoint or Eotech (as long as their authentic) gets my vote.

Well worth the coin.

Justin

[dieselpower]

^ I disagree. Maybe a T1 would be ok...but and Eotech on a 1911? NO.

Either go with what professional competitors use, C-More Systems with the crazy rail system, or a C-More STS + mount, a Trijicon RMR, or a Burris FastFire. I don't think the Burris will hold up to a .45 slide. I know C-mores and Trijicons will that are designed to ride on a slide.

[Mulay El Raisuli]

Price range?

Anything that says Aimpoint or Eotech (as long as their authentic) gets my vote.

Well worth the coin.

Justin

Money is real tight lately, so I'm looking to spend as little as possible. The other thread had a comment that said that a Bushnell red dot selling for $80 worked. That's in my price range. I can go a little higher, but not a lot higher. I like the idea of EOtech, but they've got nothing I can afford. Same for Aimpoint.


The Raisuli

[Mulay El Raisuli]

^ I disagree. Maybe a T1 would be ok...but and Eotech on a 1911? NO.

Either go with what professional competitors use, C-More Systems with the crazy rail system, or a C-More STS + mount, a Trijicon RMR, or a Burris FastFire. I don't think the Burris will hold up to a .45 slide. I know C-mores and Trijicons will that are designed to ride on a slide.

The mount I have replaces the left panel grip & puts the scope over the barrel, so the sight wouldn't be riding the slide. Still, the 1911 does have a hefty recoil & so nothing real cheap will do.


The Raisuli

[ubet]

Op, how about just putting a set of adjustable iron sights on your 1911? You can dial them for the load you are shooting, and be on. Unless you are rested, the precision with a red dot, will be no more than with iron sights imo. With the iron sights you can still wear it in a holster.

50-60yds isnt asking a lot out of a GOOD pistol with hand tuned loads, even with iron sights.

[Mulay El Raisuli]

Op, how about just putting a set of adjustable iron sights on your 1911? You can dial them for the load you are shooting, and be on. Unless you are rested, the precision with a red dot, will be no more than with iron sights imo. With the iron sights you can still wear it in a holster.

50-60yds isnt asking a lot out of a GOOD pistol with hand tuned loads, even with iron sights.

Yes, but it is asking a lot of my (middle-aged) eyes. And, I'd like to be able to have at least a partial chance of reaching out to 100. Perhaps if I go back a bit I can explain better.

I originally started out trying to find a good .45ACP carbine. Something that would make a good companion piece to my 1911. An ideal companion piece would also use 1911 mags. I thought immediately of the Marlin Camp Carbine. But they're out of production & no one who has one wants to sell. At least, not at a price even close to what I can afford.

Then I thought of the Mech-Tech. It uses 1911 mags, of course. I could live with the price, but they're illegal in this state. Also, I can't any solid evidence as to how just how rugged they are. I of course want something just as tough as the 1911 itself & what I have read about the Mech-Tech gives me doubts.

I'm willing to give up on the 'uses the same mags' thing, but I'm not seeing anything out there that would do what I want. All effort seems to be directed at .40 or 9mm carbines.

Then it occurred to me. I have an extra 1911. With a 'scope, I can (probably) reach out to 100 yds. I have no worries about it being as tough as 1911 because it is a 1911. I lucked out & came across a 'scope mount for $5. Now all I need is the proper 'scope. My money situation has gone downhill in a BIG way lately so putting the cost of a carbine into the 'scope is something I can't quite do anymore. Still, with a little luck, I can have something that can reach out as far as a carbine, yet is easier to carry about. Finding a holster for a 'scoped 1911 isn't as easy as finding one usually is, but I think they're out there. Even if not, I think I can rig up something that would still be easier than carrying a carbine. While still having the other 1911 on my hip, ready to go quickly.

Its a good plan, I think. All I need now is a decent 'scope.


The Raisuli

[ubet]

OP, Hmmmm, Dont know what to tell you, other than good luck.

[Mulay El Raisuli]

OP, Hmmmm, Dont know what to tell you, other than good luck.

Which I'm sure to need.

Thanks.


The Raisuli

[Aldemar]

Yes, but it is asking a lot of my (middle-aged) eyes. And, I'd like to be able to have at least a partial chance of reaching out to 100. Perhaps if I go back a bit I can explain better.

I originally started out trying to find a good .45ACP carbine. Something that would make a good companion piece to my 1911. An ideal companion piece would also use 1911 mags. I thought immediately of the Marlin Camp Carbine. But they're out of production & no one who has one wants to sell. At least, not at a price even close to what I can afford.

Then I thought of the Mech-Tech. It uses 1911 mags, of course. I could live with the price, but they're illegal in this state. Also, I can't any solid evidence as to how just how rugged they are. I of course want something just as tough as the 1911 itself & what I have read about the Mech-Tech gives me doubts.

I'm willing to give up on the 'uses the same mags' thing, but I'm not seeing anything out there that would do what I want. All effort seems to be directed at .40 or 9mm carbines.

Then it occurred to me. I have an extra 1911. With a 'scope, I can (probably) reach out to 100 yds. I have no worries about it being as tough as 1911 because it is a 1911. I lucked out & came across a 'scope mount for $5. Now all I need is the proper 'scope. My money situation has gone downhill in a BIG way lately so putting the cost of a carbine into the 'scope is something I can't quite do anymore. Still, with a little luck, I can have something that can reach out as far as a carbine, yet is easier to carry about. Finding a holster for a 'scoped 1911 isn't as easy as finding one usually is, but I think they're out there. Even if not, I think I can rig up something that would still be easier than carrying a carbine. While still having the other 1911 on my hip, ready to go quickly.

Its a good plan, I think. All I need now is a decent 'scope.


The Raisuli

Check out Dawson Precision

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHT+SETS

I'm 58 and put a set of the fiber-optic sights on my Kimber TLE/RL and it made all the difference in the world.

[zfields]

Have you looked at the ballistics and holdover for .45 at 100 yards even? 7" drop,Its a pretty low FPS round ya know.

[Mulay El Raisuli]

Have you looked at the ballistics and holdover for .45 at 100 yards even? 7" drop,Its a pretty low FPS round ya know.

Which means aiming at the top of the head will still deliver a slug to the kill zone. Which is all I'm looking for.

Check out Dawson Precision

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHT+SETS

I'm 58 and put a set of the fiber-optic sights on my Kimber TLE/RL and it made all the difference in the world.

Not a bad idea, but not going to take me to 100 yds either. Still, now that you have me thinking of it, I'm going to think on it some more.

Thank you.


The Raisuli

[IPSICK]

^ I disagree. Maybe a T1 would be ok...but and Eotech on a 1911? NO.

Either go with what professional competitors use, C-More Systems with the crazy rail system, or a C-More STS + mount, a Trijicon RMR, or a Burris FastFire. I don't think the Burris will hold up to a .45 slide. I know C-mores and Trijicons will that are designed to ride on a slide.

I'd go with these suggestions. Not sure about the Burris, but similar designs such as the Docter and the Jpoint have been mounted on 1911 slides. I wouldn't mount a C-more to a moving slide.

I wouldn't put budget (.22/airsoft) optics on my 1911 either.

[Justintoxicated]

Just FYI, I got one of those primary arms red dots for my buckmark, I used it once. I'm just as accurate with the iron sights, maybe even more accurate due to the 4moa size dot. Even with my middle-aged eyes. It's much more fun to shoot with irons on a pistol. The optic was fine, just ended up not using it.

However if your set on a scope I would get something with magnification, not necessarily a red dot, at least then you can see the target better.

Or if you want to buy my red dot sight....It was kinda cool the way you can see the dot so easily with both eyes open, and the gun kinda just fades away, just not my style.

[sniper4usmc]

bushnell tlr-1