Red Dot Sights, Scopes & Optics

Red dot, holographic or scope?

A red dot sight projects a single dot on a lens with no magnification and unlimited eye relief, which makes it the fastest sight for a rifle, SMG or shotgun and the standard choice for CQB. Holographic sights do the same with a larger window and a reticle that stays sharp under magnification. A flip-to-side magnifier behind a red dot gives 3x for outdoor shots and swings away indoors. A rifle scope with 3-9x or 4-16x magnification belongs on a sniper rifle or DMR; a 1-4x or 1-6x low-power variable optic is the all-rounder for a rifle that does both.

Mounts and footprints

Most optics clamp onto a Picatinny rail; pistol red dots use an RMR or Docter footprint on a cut slide or an adapter plate. Scopes need rings or a one-piece mount in 25.4 mm or 30 mm to match the tube. Use the mount filter to make sure the sight fits, and remember that a rail on an AEG receiver sits higher than on a real rifle, so a riser or lower mount may be needed for a proper cheek weld.

Zeroing and protection

Zero at 20 to 30 metres with the BB weight you play with, then adjust the hop-up before touching the turrets again. A BB on the lens cracks cheap glass, so fit a lens protector or kill-flash and store the optic in a padded case. Optics are unrestricted gear.