Best Combat Pistol Optics: Trijicon vs Aimpoint vs Holosun vs Vortex vs PA Vulcan Head to Head

So you have decided to finally put an optic on that new pistol? Cool. Running an optic on a pistol, or a rifle, has certain advantages & disadvantages over iron sights. However, for combat shooting, the advantages out weigh the disadvantages, allowing you to stay focused on the threat.
That said, not all pistol optics are created equal. All have advantages and disadvantages on their own; some more than others.
Pros & Cons: What to look for? For us, at Tactical Rifleman; first we need reliability. You can't have it "shit the bed" in the middle of a gun fight or competition. We need a bright clear reticle. Battery life is important. Having an enclosed emitter is very big for us, because "combat" might mean rain, snow or mud. Lastly, some reticles are better than others. Everyone wants the Vulcan reticle.
The tests: All of these optics were "free" for various reasons; some from vendors, some donated by people wanting them included in the test. All have had "the snot kicked out of them." Some more than others. Example, at time of filming this video, we just started playing with the "new" Vortex Defender CCW, and only had a few hundred rounds through it. Still it performed well enough that I felt I needed to include it.
There are lots of other pistol optics out there. EOTech, for example, has a new open-emitter pistol optic that is supposed to be great. I haven't shot one yet, and don't believe it is fair to talk (good or bad) about something that you personally don't have any experience with. If your favorite optic wasn't included, I'm sorry. That just means I'm not going to talk bad about them.
Here's the Line Up:
Trijicon RMR (Open emitter "Standard" to measure all optics against)
Aimpoint ACRO (Enclosed Emitter and "bomb proof")
Trijicon SRO (Open emitter with largest objective lens)
Holosun 507 (open emitter with shake awake)
Holosun 509 (Enclosed emitter with shake awake)
Primary Arms H509 with Vulcan Reticle (Enclosed emitter)
Vortex Defender CCW (Open Emitter with rugged construction)
Keep an open mind.
Listen to my comments and then develop your own opinion.
TR

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[sherizaahd]

9:01 Trijicon RMR, 12:56 Aimpoint ACRO, 16:20 Holosun 507, 20:47 Trijicon SRO, 25:39 Holosun 509, 30:29 Primary Arms Vulcan Holosun, 36:44 Vortex Defender CCW

[WolfAnnihilatorX]

Karl mentions racking a pistol off someone’s eye socket so often that I’m starting to believe he’s done it in for real in his previous life hahaha

[essaarif]

As an Iraqi living in the USA, seeing all the photographs in the back and the AK makes me happy. Thank you for your service

[GetMeThere]

I watch a shit ton of gun channels on youtube. This is the ONLY ONE where I let the info go straight into my brain without inhibition. You ALWAYS provide well-considered information and insights -- much of which is never even considered by others. You're an awesome resource of valuable information, and I thank you for it!

[jonwilliams]

A 50 minute Christopher Walken impression

[alexanderhaile]

For the record, you can turn off the giant outer ring on the Holosun 509R ACSS to save on battery life. Then you just have the chevron reticle. For those shooters who appreciate the outer ring but hate the battery life being so greatly reduced, they've found that the outer ring helps with training. It teaches you to find your reticle faster and maintain consistent presentation, but then during serious use it can be turned off when you're confident enough to use the chevron alone. You can also turn off the adaptive brightness feature so it's totally manual brightness only. The shake awake feature can be turned off too, but it's a nice feature. It takes almost no movement to activate the reticle, so don't worry about using this feature on a duty weapon.

[jeffparcel]

I had a rear glass break on my Acro after about 9 months of duty use. Still worked but sent it back to Aimpoint and they had a new one to me in a week. Excellent service from Aimpoint!

[bandanabanana]

I don't have any pistol optics yet but I have to thank you for making this video! I got to see the top tier and the knowledge of what to look for in an optic. Thank you so much!

[benjaminbodsford]

newbie here. I am about 12 minutes in and your demonstrations are leaps and bounds of what I have been watching for the past three hours. You sound legit. OK going back in TY

[awokeone]

Former owner of RMR, sold it, got Holosun 507c, love it. Had it for about 5 yrs now and no issues. Also have 2 509t and recently sold a 508t V2 big buttons so I can try out the EPS MRS. No complaints and highly recommend Holosuns.

[Victor-hbhj]

Karl, continuing to pray that you heal quickly with little or no pain. To be honest you look better after the procedure than I feel most days.

[mmARman]

I'm not going to lie, I was one of those "old guys" that thought optics on carbines was a mistake. I was never in the service, so my opinions came from a law enforcement background.

I've used optics on my competition handguns since the mid to late 1980's. Back then the battery life and durability of the then new Tasco ProPoint tube dot sights. We all had two for every handgun because one was usually back at Tasco to be repaired under warranty. I would have never considered one for serious use.

Fast forward, all my working carbines has a quality optic, and in the past few years I've even been carrying with an optic on my carry guns, now that it's been proven we can rely on them.

I'm old and stubborn, but I'm willing to accept new technology, sometimes. I still like my flip phone!

Just kidding.

[willyb]

Carl is a great presenter, explains things very well. But the addition of the animation graphics really brought it to the next level.

Currently using a MOS G19 RMR but after this I have some good choices to make when I get a new pistol.

[reekgoesoutside]

Holosun has been pushing the envelope for the past few years. I have an EPS and SCS and they have both been flawless.

[SpartanB]

I have the 509 Vulcan on a G45 and the RMR on my Sig XTen. I like both quite a bit. My last department required us to run ACROs on G17s. I had a P-1 that I destroyed during a training. The P-2 was a huge improvement, but it still had such a super narrow window box that under stress it made it had to find the dot. I also shoot guns that aren't glock and if you get used to presenting other grip angles, like the Sig for example, the Glock doesn't immediately line up on presentation when you transition back to using that platform.

[patrickseaman]

I have both Acro and Holosun EPS & the EPS Carry MRS. A big difference for me is the option for a green reticle version. This works better for my eyes than red --- as well as my preference for the ring of death reticle variants on the Holosun.

[DANIELRODRIGUEZ-yret]

Thank you for everything you do Carl. Your opinion is valuable to us.

[clockworknunez-dvyh]

Every day is “bring your dog to work day” at the Vortex HQ in TX. That’s why I love Vortex

[susanbritcher]

I love my Vulcan and struggle when I go back to a regular red dot, might just be what I’m used too but I definitely think that outer ring plays a huge part. I get a bit of smack talk at the range for it….until they try it!!

[ToddEPatterson-TLP]

I’m glad you discussed the value of the VOTEX coming with all the proper Hardware for the proper frame. I was looking to Move a Nikon P223 from one Rife to the next and the 6X48 screw on the rail clamps were worn past being perfect. I never realized how rare these type of Hardware were to come by. When I finally find a supplier I by a “BOX” of them. I’m not going to let a $.50 Screw stop me from do the job right…. Thanks for share your knowledge and Thank you for your Service!