Good Inexpensive RDS for .22 Pistol

I'm wondering what a good inexpensive 30mm red dot sight for a .22 pistol would be, if there is such an animal. Is the $60 Bushnell worth considering? Obviously I don't need anything too rugged and once the gun is sighted in, I won't be adjusting it much, but, of course, I don't want the windage or elevation to wander. I want a 4 MOA size dot or maybe smaller. I'm not wanting to invest in an Aimpoint or UltraDot.

I have had good results with a couple of AT3 tactical rd-50 red dots.
They have a lifetime warranty and they do stand behind their products.
Mine is slide mounted on a 45 shot weekly plus matches for over 4 years. The dot went out at a match last fall.
Called them on Monday, brand new sight came on Friday. Great service. Replacement is still going strong for a year now.

https://www.amazon.com/AT3-Tactical-RD-50-Micro-Reflex/dp/B01M15X4H2/ref=sr_1_2_pp?crid=3VW1BLDK7SHR9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._9qqDe_4RHv26tsPMT18OkqILXPZ6SEkA_pTdGaRnTT8uEjR_s8JzBMzqEz0i76fKXyBqhVIinH8FAKVqS4wnOlJTkZJ9YJrafs88vLV-rtFI_JzXRlwgOvoW3TAmM7tISfcmxl_GT5ZB5abcUJeZm0OaU_Zw7bAREqdUigxPHgt5HTGgzetjFKDfc5584jDkSPP2N_9KUCaST__rcQxToXIb7LLEPsNQIJw7LqDiMEeSlxP5gzi7gzBgYxYa3Es6VTd0jFplDWfuxPTRhfphE4JOiroU0ZGaAwvoNuzpJo.rvi5tkxOuPKrz4_0c_xYOodOCDKD-WIHWxZ1jP0OvXI&dib_tag=se&keywords=at3%2Btactical%2Bred%2Bdot&qid=1729272227&sprefix=at3%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-2&th=1

I’ve used SIG Romeo5s on .22 and .45 after I had repeated issues with Ultradots.

No issues with the Sigs.  Good clicks, good glass, holds zero on the .45, and even remounts (for me) close enough to zero that it surprises me each time.

I've had good luck with Millet 30mm tube sights. I have 3 now and just have them on 22's and one air pistol. They sell for 60-80 dollars here. Another plus is the extended shades also fit Aimpoints

LenV wrote:I've had good luck with Millet 30mm tube sights. I have 3 now and just have them on 22's and one air pistol. They sell for 60-80 dollars here. Another plus is the extended shades also fit Aimpoints

Unfortunately, it looks like the Millet tube scopes are discontinued.

The Simmons 511006C tube dot is very similar (same?) to the Millett and is available. I have a couple of those and they work well.
Simmons 1X24 Red Dot

TonyH wrote:The Simmons 511006C tube dot is very similar (same?) to the Millett and is available. I have a couple of those and they work well.
Simmons 1X24 Red Dot

That looks like a good deal. I wish it had a 30mm tube.

djperry2 wrote:I have had good results with a couple of AT3 tactical rd-50 red dots.
They have a lifetime warranty and they do stand behind their products.
Mine is slide mounted on a 45 shot weekly plus matches for over 4 years. The dot went out at a match last fall.
Called them on Monday, brand new sight came on Friday. Great service. Replacement is still going strong for a year now.

https://www.amazon.com/AT3-Tactical-RD-50-Micro-Reflex/dp/B01M15X4H2/ref=sr_1_2_pp?crid=3VW1BLDK7SHR9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._9qqDe_4RHv26tsPMT18OkqILXPZ6SEkA_pTdGaRnTT8uEjR_s8JzBMzqEz0i76fKXyBqhVIinH8FAKVqS4wnOlJTkZJ9YJrafs88vLV-rtFI_JzXRlwgOvoW3TAmM7tISfcmxl_GT5ZB5abcUJeZm0OaU_Zw7bAREqdUigxPHgt5HTGgzetjFKDfc5584jDkSPP2N_9KUCaST__rcQxToXIb7LLEPsNQIJw7LqDiMEeSlxP5gzi7gzBgYxYa3Es6VTd0jFplDWfuxPTRhfphE4JOiroU0ZGaAwvoNuzpJo.rvi5tkxOuPKrz4_0c_xYOodOCDKD-WIHWxZ1jP0OvXI&dib_tag=se&keywords=at3%2Btactical%2Bred%2Bdot&qid=1729272227&sprefix=at3%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-2&th=1

I'm leaning towards this scope.

djperry2 wrote:I have had good results with a couple of AT3 tactical rd-50 red dots.
They have a lifetime warranty and they do stand behind their products.
Mine is slide mounted on a 45 shot weekly plus matches for over 4 years. The dot went out at a match last fall.
Called them on Monday, brand new sight came on Friday. Great service. Replacement is still going strong for a year now.

https://www.amazon.com/AT3-Tactical-RD-50-Micro-Reflex/dp/B01M15X4H2/ref=sr_1_2_pp?crid=3VW1BLDK7SHR9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._9qqDe_4RHv26tsPMT18OkqILXPZ6SEkA_pTdGaRnTT8uEjR_s8JzBMzqEz0i76fKXyBqhVIinH8FAKVqS4wnOlJTkZJ9YJrafs88vLV-rtFI_JzXRlwgOvoW3TAmM7tISfcmxl_GT5ZB5abcUJeZm0OaU_Zw7bAREqdUigxPHgt5HTGgzetjFKDfc5584jDkSPP2N_9KUCaST__rcQxToXIb7LLEPsNQIJw7LqDiMEeSlxP5gzi7gzBgYxYa3Es6VTd0jFplDWfuxPTRhfphE4JOiroU0ZGaAwvoNuzpJo.rvi5tkxOuPKrz4_0c_xYOodOCDKD-WIHWxZ1jP0OvXI&dib_tag=se&keywords=at3%2Btactical%2Bred%2Bdot&qid=1729272227&sprefix=at3%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-2&th=1

Does this sight have discernible clicks?

Any particular reason why you are looking for a 30mm? Most folks recommend a 1" which is pretty close to 24mm. I have a few Ultradot 30mm Matchdots, but end up using Photoescape's Aperture Ring Kits to reduce the field of view.....helps me a whole bunch, YMMV.

Does this sight have discernible clicks?

Yes, it has very discernible clicks. The adjustment screw will take a normal size flat screwdriver, coin, or probably even a key head. No special tool or odd size screwdriver needed.

Darrell

Doing some research it appears all my choices for inexpensive red dots are gone. Busnell bought out Millet and retired the line. Simmons which was very similar if not identical is no longer making that sight and Adco another producer of good tube sights is also no longer producing that line. I still have a few of each and can still find them on Ebay but you won't find them on optics planet anymore. There are still cheap ones out there. But in my opinion no good/cheap ones.

TonyH wrote:Any particular reason why you are looking for a 30mm? Most folks recommend a 1" which is pretty close to 24mm. I have a few Ultradot 30mm Matchdots, but end up using Photoescape's Aperture Ring Kits to reduce the field of view.....helps me a whole bunch, YMMV.

I started shooting red dot sights with 1" UDs. I observed and payed attention to better shooters, most of whom preferred the 30mm. Before I tried a 30mm, I thought the extra field of view would be a distraction, but after I switched, I really preferred it. I still do.

I notice that the Simmons RDS are still available from this store:-

https://www.reedssports.com/hunting-trap/simmons-1x24-red-dot-35810-moa-dotrings-511006c-046162511008

I have never done business with them and don't own a Simmons. But based on Len's comments above - for ~$40 they are a bargain. YMMV

I don't think the red dot scopes that are $100 or less are worthwhile investments for bullseye shooting. You might get lucky and get a good one, but the odds are not in your favor. In my opinion spending a little extra money will get you a lot better scope. I don't think it's necessary to spend $700 on an Aimpoint, although they are great scopes and worth it if you can afford it. The Sig and Holosun red dot scopes look good to me. There are probably others out there in the same price range that I haven't seen.

I don't have experience with the Simmons scope, but from the Barska, Konus and various other off brand scopes I have seen, they do not have quality glass and are not built as well as the better scopes. I doubt they will be reliable long term with regular use. 

For the record, I shoot Aimpoint Micros on my primary guns, I have a Holosun on a backup 22 and a few Ultra-Dots on various guns. I prefer a knob to the  button controls on the Holosun, but I could get used to it. I've never owned a Sig, but have seen a couple. I bought a Konus and a Barska red dot scope a few years ago just to see if they were any good. IMO they weren't.

I really like the Sightron S-30 for a 30mm tube style red dot.  It is made in Japan. It has a nice dot and the clicks are good.  It’s a little over $200.  It says it’s a 5 mm dot, but it doesn’t look that big.

I also like the Sightron. My last couple of dots I purchased were Sightrons. I did trade Roy some Aimpoints for Aimpoints but that's just trading horses. I stand behind my recommendation of the Millets because they have held up for me on my 22's. I really have tried most if not all major brands out there. You will never hear me recommend BSA, Tasco, Bushnell, Barska, Truglow or Konus. I still have some Millett, Simmons and Adco scopes. Not on my take to match pistols. I found out a long time ago I couldn't afford Aimpoints on every pistol. Someday I may have to do another spring cleaning. 

Sig Romeo5 (not Gen 2) can be had with the low picatinny mount for less than $150. Pretty reliable dot with motion activation. Photoescape H1 shades can be fit to it if desired. A few online suppliers have them available now for 119.

Wasn't there an issue with counterfeit Romel 5's that were less than desirable?

DA/SA wrote:Wasn't there an issue with counterfeit Romel 5's that were less than desirable?

As far as I’m aware, yes. The counterfeit ones (some Amazon and EBay offerings) are less than comparable to the real Sig. Always buy from a reputable source. Palmetto State Armory has them available for $119. I would assume those or original and not counterfeit.

I've never seen one in person, but the Sig Romeo 7 looks interesting for $200. The weight is an ounce heavier than the a MatchDot II and it uses AA batteries. It looks like it can be mounted low. Does anybody have any experience with it?

A 22, most likely barrel mounted and subjected to basically ZERO recoil. Anything you can see thru and find a dot inside should be just fine.

Start rattling it back and forth on a 45 ... whole nother story ...

WesG wrote:A 22, most likely barrel mounted and subjected to basically ZERO recoil. Anything you can see thru and find a dot inside should be just fine.

Start rattling it back and forth on a 45 ... whole nother story ...

I agree. I've had good results with UD scopes, slide mounted on my .45 ACP 1911's over the years. Now that I'm long retired from competition, I'm just looking for something that will do on one of my un-scoped .22 pistols.

Cheap red dots have parallax. Buy once, cry once.

Millett on my 52 no dash. Good enough for cheap scope.