In my view (pun intended), red dot optics — to include emitters, holographic, enclosed, plain dot, circle reticle, and green or red options — are ideally suited for carbine-type weapons, such as ARs, AKs, PCCs, tactical shotguns, and similar platforms.
It's uncommon to see a carbine without a dot optic, confirming its widespread acceptance. Legacy weapon platforms designed before red dots’ widespread adoption have been modernized to include Picatinny rails, enabling the mounting of red dot optics.
A non-magnified red dot’s large field of view, independence from eye relief requirements, and fast target engagement — especially from non-standard shooting positions — make red dot sights perfect candidates for use on weapons intended for close to mid-range work. Both eyes open, the aiming point is there! Red dots are superior due to iron sights because they don’t require shooters to align small pieces of steel/plastic over a foot away from each other and focus on the target.
With a red dot, a user can now do as nature intends: focus on the target/threat. Moreover, because the indexing of a red dot is far easier than aligning multiple pieces of steel, shooters find they can perform beyond what was considered possible with iron sights in terms of both effective range and engagement speed. All simply because the concept deploys the eyes in a more normal manner.
A non-magnified red dot is surprisingly effective up to 250 yards. But, how do you improve a good thing? Magnify it!
It's easy to add a magnifier behind your red dot if you want more precision or longer-range accuracy. Most magnifiers are stationed on tilt-up mounts, keeping them out of the way and not blocking viewing access to the red dot until needed. Red dots on rifles are not frail and offer battery duration that last tens of thousands of hours, and you can always keep backup iron sights mounted for SHTF scenarios. Magnifiers don’t use batteries and do not need to be sighted in per se. The red dot in front, which should already be sighted-in, takes care of that. Magnifiers do offer adjustments for centering the red dot inside the magnifier.
One word of advice here is to make sure the dot/reticle chosen does not “flare up” when magnified. Similarly, if a large dot, say in the 6 MOA range, is used, the magnifier turns the dot into a first focal plane affair, meaning 6MOA turns into 18MOA at 100 yards. Be mindful that both the dot AND the target are magnified, lest you think the target is totally obscured.
As with most things in life, moderation is key. Magnifiers are best kept to 3x or 4x boost limits. This is due to higher magnification causing an increase in size, not to mention light transfer challenges as magnification increases, impacting image clarity. Also, eye relief decrease as magnification increases. Frankly, if you need more than 4x enhancement, it would be best to check out a low-powered variable optic.
Though by no means a complete list, my use of red dots and magnifiers over the years has consisted of EOTECH HWS EXPS2 & G33.STS, Meprolight TRU-VISION, and MCO Pro & MMX3, SIG ROMEO4 or 5 & Juliet4, Trijicon MRO HD & 3x Magnifier, and Sightmark Ultra & XTM-3, to name a few.
NOT IDLE SPECULATION
The EOTECH HH II holographic magnifier combo consists of the EXPS2 holographic red dot and G33.STS 3x magnifier. I have used this setup on multiple platforms, the last being on the HK MR556 A4. Sight and magnifier combine to add only 22 ounces to the rifle.
The G33 3x magnifier mounts behind the EXPS2 on a tilt mount, allowing it to be swung out of the way until the situation calls for its use. The G33’s mount provides fast transitioning back and forth from 3x to 1x. Not to drop names, but the G33 3x is the magnifier of choice for USSOCOM.
The EOTECH holographic magnifier combination is worthy of consideration by offering a laser holographic reticle — nothing better for fast close-range target acquisition, and quick magnification enhancement as engagement distances increase. Typical accuracy is 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with the EOTECH red dot and magnifier combo. That’s pretty impressive, providing proof of concept of the precision possible with a magnifier behind a red dot optic. The MR556 A4 exhibits true AR versatility, performing within the 100-yard bays at EVTC as well as HESCO Shoot House. Clay targets were shattered with regularity out to 245 yards from the supported prone position.
Another red dot magnifier combo I frequently turn to is the Meprolight TRU-VISION and MMX3 slide flip magnifier. I’ve used this combo on an IWI Galil ACE 5.45 as well as Stag Arms STAG 15 SPCTRM AR. The adjustable intensity of the TRU-VISION red dot sight allows me to tune the 2MOA dot reticle as needed, either in low light or bright conditions. The ability to boost to 3x with an MMX3 magnifier extends my effective engagement range.
It seems a carbine's adaptability is also its most abused quality, with individuals and manufacturers hanging all sorts of paraphernalia on their ARs. What I advocate is lightweight, great-handling rifles with potent firepower. This especially applies to civilians and even most law enforcement personnel outside of specialized tactical teams, who do not require the plethora of accessories we’re so fond of hanging on our AR carbines. The Meprolight red dot/magnifier combo maintains this minimalist quest, adding only 19.5 ounces to the weapon.
My drills involving the Meprolight TRU-VISION and MMX3 quickly moved past “stand and deliver” drills to more dynamic drills involving movement, magazine reloads, and firing from behind cover. Scenarios involving team tactics and patrolling-to-contact through Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) 360, MOUT Village, and “Jungle Walk” ranges highlight the versatility of the Meprolight red dot/magnifier combo. In moving-to-contact drills the MMX3 was kept to the side, allowing the red dot to “shine” with quick target engagement. If targets appeared further away, obscured by cover, or “hiding,” I flipped the MMX3 into place, enabling precision fire.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Red dots with magnifiers are not just for self-loading blasters. My affinity for the configuration has spilled over into bolt-action rifles, including my Ruger American G2 Ranch. A compact, lightweight bolt-action rifle like the Ruger G2 Ranch is an ideal candidate for those out and about working property for a living. It is a true “jack of all trades” ranch rifle, easy to bring along and able to deal with most anything encountered on the back 40.
I mounted the EOTECH EXPS2-2 with a G33.STS 3x magnifier on the Ruger American G2 Ranch receiver’s Picatinny rail and zeroed at 100 yards. My case-uses included pulling up to an animal caught in a snare that needs final dispatching or coming around the corner and spotting a coyote or fox in the open. Roughly speaking, a 100-yard zero with 110-125 grain .300BLK loads drops only 2.6 inches by 150 yards. Users can judge if a 200-yard zero is more practical for their particular situation.
Three-round groups at 50 yards were in the .75-inch to 1-inch range with the EOTECH combo. The EOTECH sight allowed for a wide field of view and quick target assessment/engagement. A quick flip down of the magnifier is utilized for longer-range targets, including small ones. I easily broke clay pigeons out to 150 yards.
LAST WORD
The quick attach/detach capability of magnifiers makes it hard to resist if you’re already using a red dot. If you’re concerned over the minimal added weight or footprint increase of the magnifier when tilted from behind the red dot, you could just have it in your pack or pocket until needed.
Ultimately, you should keep a magnifier of choice around, even if just for sighting in your red dots. I bet most will of you will just decide after some practices to just keep the magnified goodness mounted on the weapon of choice.