R&R | Red Dots On Handguns?

This expert guide from Gun For Hire Range covers the best scope optics for 2026, focusing on handgun and long gun applications. It details the advantages of enclosed versus open red dot sights for concealed carry and duty use, highlights durable holographic sights like EOTech, and explores versatile long gun setups including LPVOs and magnifier combinations. The discussion emphasizes practical considerations like durability, mounting options, and specific brand features.

This short video from MuzzleBroke briefly touches on the debate between iron sights and optics for firearms, particularly mentioning AK platforms. It highlights the ease of use for iron sights on AKs and the speed advantages of red dot optics like the Primary Arms SLx. The video also briefly mentions night vision attachment capabilities with devices like the Star Strike Pro HDX.

This video provides an expert-level overview of the Mossberg 590R shotgun, specifically highlighting its configuration with a Chisel folding stock. The instructor, demonstrating significant expertise, details the stock's features, the shotgun's ergonomics, controls, sights, and barrel specifications. A live-fire demonstration with buckshot rounds underscores its effectiveness for home defense.

This video introduces an innovative revolver brace that replaces the stock grip with a metal wrap-around adapter, capable of holding ammunition. The brace significantly reduces felt recoil from powerful handgun cartridges by providing additional points of contact. It features an adjustable or removable comb, crucial for achieving optimal sight alignment with either iron sights or red dot optics, thereby enhancing shooting control for average users.

This video showcases three distinct target types commonly used in firearms training: cardboard, self-healing, and steel. It highlights the visual feedback and durability characteristics of each, demonstrating their use on an outdoor range. The footage also briefly features a handgun equipped with a red dot optic and weapon light, suggesting a practical application context for these targets.

This video showcases an impressive wall-mounted firearm and tactical gear display by Roger Barrera of QVO Tactical. The setup features a variety of accessorized long guns, including AR-style rifles with optics and suppressors, alongside a shotgun and a lever-action rifle. The display also highlights a collection of custom handguns, such as 2011-style and Glock-type pistols with red dot sights and compensators, as well as a black multicam plate carrier and a tactical helmet. The expert-level organization and extensive collection demonstrate a deep understanding of firearm and gear integration.

This head-to-head accuracy test compares the Ruger 10/22 and Marlin Model 60 .22 LR rifles. Both rifles demonstrated tight groups at 25 yards with various ammunition types. The Marlin Model 60 features a 17-round tube magazine and last-shot bolt hold-open, while the Ruger 10/22 is known for its extensive aftermarket support and 10-round rotary magazine.

This .38 Special ballistics gel test evaluated five different loads fired from a Smith & Wesson 642 snub-nose revolver. Only the Federal HST Micro and Hornady Critical Defense demonstrated reliable expansion, with the HST Micro showing a significant wound track despite shallower penetration. Lighter, expanding bullets appear more effective in short-barreled revolvers.

This ballistic gel test compares 9mm +P and .40 S&W HST ammunition. The .40 S&W demonstrated more dramatic expansion, while the 9mm +P achieved greater penetration. The host notes that .40 S&W offers superior terminal ballistics, but 9mm provides advantages in capacity and recoil management, especially in compact firearms.

This video provides a first look at the .50 Beowulf cartridge fired from an AR-15 platform rifle. It demonstrates the loading process, live fire, and the significant impact on steel targets. The footage highlights the rifle's side-charging mechanism and a Vortex red dot optic, showcasing the raw power of this big bore round.