Having a red dot sight on your pistol is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to improve acquisition speed and follow-up accuracy. We’re going to take a look at two great sights from the red dot leader, Holosun, and dig into which one may fit your needs best.
Holosun 407k VS Holosun 507k
In our quest to dig out the differences and similarities between these two sights, we had to set some criteria that we could use that would help illustrate how they compared. While you may not need to consider all of these factors for your eventual choice, you should understand all the variables that we considered that eventually led us to our recommendation. The 7 categories we evaluated these sights in are:
- Durability
- Lens & reticle
- Ease of use
- Weight & dimensions
- Battery life
- Eye relief
- Price
In each category, we made an effort to highlight not only how the sights differed, but to show how they may be similar as well. This can help you out if you really only care about a few things, and just need the other boxes to be checked so you can narrow down your choices, assuming all other things are relatively equal.
In the end, we’ll make our recommendation of which sight is preferable in which situations. Frequently with quality sights like Holosun, it’s not just a question of “which one is better”, it comes down to “which is better for what scenario”. This can help you make a more informed decision, no matter what your shooting goals are.
Durability
Holosun has made a name for themselves by producing some of the most rugged and durable projection sights on the market, and both the 407k and 507k are no exception to this. They are both made from the same 7075 T6 aluminum alloy that is full aircraft-grade.
This gives them a robust construction that can stand up to just about anything. They are waterproof and shockproof, so they can take weather, drops, and recoil from big caliber rounds without flinching. The housing features recessed windage and elevation dials that effectively prevent any accidental changes.
Lens & Reticle
While the 507k and 407k are made by the same company and have very similar specs in a lot of areas, one category in which there are some considerable differences is the reticle appearance. Both models have exceptionally clear imaging and a nearly invisible blue tint to the coated lens, the protective coatings are far clearer than many other manufacturers.
The 507k has the Holosun Multiple Reticle System, which is one of the best things about it, in our opinion. The Multiple Reticle System gives you 3 different options for the reticle that is displayed, each available at the flick of a switch. You can choose from a 2 MOA red dot, a 32 MOA circle reticle, or a combination of the two that gives you a beautiful circle-dot reticle.
The Multiple Reticle System is not present on the 407k, which only leaves you with a red dot reticle. That’s also not the only difference, as the dot reticle on the 407k is significantly larger, at 6 MOA. This larger dot is easier for the eye to pick up than the 2 MOA dot on the 507k, which is a good compromise for lacking the circle reticle present on the 507k.
Ease of Use
These sights are incredibly easy to mount and use. They both feature windage and elevation adjustment turrets that are recessed into the housing, and while this means you’ll need a small screwdriver or similar field adjustment tool, it’s a small price to pay for keeping your zero.
The batteries are also very easy to change, not that you’ll be doing that very often, but both models feature a side-mounted battery tray that slides out. This means you’ll never have to dismount and lose your zero to swap the battery. To suit your shooting in any light level, there are 12 daytime brightness settings, as well as 2 settings compatible with night vision.
Weight & Dimensions
Here’s another category where these two red dot powerhouses stack up equally. They have the same dimensions and weight.
They weigh in at exactly an ounce and measure 1.60” long, 0.98” wide, and 0.95” tall. This makes them both ideal for concealed carry pistols that you want optics on, as well as for single-stack pistols. You may find them a little small for beefier, double-stacked pistols.
Battery Life
The battery life and power-saving features of these two sights are second to none. They both use a single CR1632 battery to pump out 50,000 hours of brightness, 5.7 years of continuous use, on intensity setting #6.
To extend this battery life, even more, both the 407k and the 507k feature the Holosun Shake Awake technology that turns off the reticle after a period of non-use and back on again when you pick up the pistol. They also both feature the Lock Mode that prevents illumination level changes when active.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is an important factor when shopping for any optics, but it can be frequently overlooked when browsing red dot sights. The Holosun 407k and the 507k both feature unlimited or infinite eye relief. This means you can confidently hold your weapon most comfortably and effectively, without sacrificing any image quality or viewability.
Price
With the supply chain and economy what they are currently, it’s nearly impossible for us to give you hard prices here. However, there are some big differences in price between the two models, which will likely remain in place. The 507k will be more expensive than the 407k, and not just by a few bucks, either.
You’ll be looking at spending an average of $60-$80 more on the 507k, so keep that in mind when weighing the other factors important to you. For some, the price of getting a sight with the Multiple Reticle System is worth that, while for others, not so much. The weight of this factor will depend highly on what you want out of your optics.
Our Recommendation
This matchup is a relatively difficult one, and there are a lot of instances that see these two models on relatively equal footing. They are both incredibly durable, and since they are both constructed from 7075 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, and held to the same unyielding standards, durability isn’t a factor.
With the reticle and image quality, the 507k has the lead, since it has the Holosun Multiple Reticle System, allowing you to pick from 3 equally nice reticles. The 407k on the other hand only has the red dot and while it’s 4 MOA larger, just isn’t what some people are looking for. The circle-dot has been an incredibly popular reticle choice since it was introduced.
Surprisingly, with nearly all other things being equal, one of the biggest differences between the two sights was the price. No matter the variance day-to-day in optics prices, the 407k averages about $70 cheaper than the 507k, and if you catch it at the right time, you could get closer to saving nearly a hundred bucks by going with the 407k.
That being said, it comes down to the reticle and what you prefer.
For shooters who either prefer the Multiple Reticle System or need a more precise red dot, if you can afford the extra expense the 507k is the sight for you. If you only need a red dot and tend to shoot at closer ranges where the larger dot won’t affect your shot, or if money’s tight, you can’t go wrong with the 407k. Either way, you’ll be getting an impressively high-quality red dot sight.