If you’re looking for a better sight picture on your self-defense handgun, an EDC red dot can give you the reliable accuracy you need when every shot counts. Everyday carry optics need to provide a sight picture that makes aiming easier and more intuitive when a split-second self-defense situation happens. They also need to actively support your carry style because uncomfortable or bulky optics too often result in guns left in the safe, where they can’t protect anyone. Before we offer our recommendations for the best EDC optics, let’s take a look at what an EDC red dot sight should have going for it.
Make sure before you carry a firearm you know the laws that cover everyday carry in your jurisdiction. Our nation has a patchwork of rules and regulations from federal, state, and local governments, so before buying an EDC red dot, make sure you’ll be able to get the full legal use of it on your preferred weapon. This currently means verifying any jurisdiction you’ll be in or traveling through, but recent legislative actions seek to expand your Second Amendment protections, so keep an eye out for legislative alerts from a trusted firearms news source.
When designing an EDC red dot, we start by looking at what gun owners who carry a weapon for duty or self-defense need the most from their optic. This includes putting ourselves in their shoes as proud gun owners as well as listening to the broader Second Amendment community about their shooting needs. Here are the features most important for better aiming with your everyday carry weapon:
You want an EDC red dot that gives you intuitive aiming that puts your shot placement on target and makes it easy to get back on target for tight groups. That means a clear optic lens, bright red dot, and reliable accuracy even under adverse conditions. A high level of accuracy is all the more important because defensive situations occur in real-world environments where stray shots can be dangerous or deadly.
Intuitive aiming is so important because it allows users to acquire targets in a fashion. EDC red dot sights use powerful LED emitters to project a reticle onto a specially coated lens that allows for unlimited eye relief and parallax-free aiming at close ranges. That means aiming is as simple as moving the reticle onto your target and pulling the trigger.
The real world isn’t always gentle, especially in self-defense situations. Bumps, drops, scrapes, and scuffs happen. You need an everyday carry sight that can take a beating. That means rugged housing and a shockproof design. It also needs to stand up to the elements, fending off rain, snow, and other liquids with a waterproof design that protects the electronics inside.
You need an EDC red dot that’s ready to go when needed. The last thing you want to see when aiming your weapon is an empty lens. Your sight needs an energy-efficient design that lets your LED emitter get the most from the tiny Lithium Ion battery powering it. You also want energy-saving features built into it, like shake-to-awake technology that puts your optic to sleep after a period without movement but brings it back in milliseconds on the draw or a slight wrist twitch. With the proper brightness settings and a good design, a single battery can provide a service life stretching into tens of thousands of hours,
Finally, you need an optic that doesn’t add a lot of weight or bulk to the gun. This keeps your weapon more comfortable to carry and less likely to end up being left at home. This also reduces the risk you’ll end up banging it into other people or objects. Finally, smaller, lighter weapons are easier to wear discreetly, so adding as little bulk as possible makes good tactical sense if you’re carrying concealed.
The Judge gives you big performance in a small RMSc-compatible package. Weighing less than two ounces with its battery installed and sitting just 24mm high, the judge is the perfect complement to Slimline Glocks and smaller subcompact pistols, like the Canik Elite SC. It still offers the adjustable windage and elevation needed to get your EDC red dot zeroed, ten brightness levels for daylight or night vision use, and shake-to-awake power-saving that helps extend your battery life up to 40,000 hours. The bright 3 MOA dot reticle is available in red or green and provides a crisp, clear aiming point that’s ready for precise shot placement.
The Rock offers many of the same benefits as the Judge but with an RMR-compatible footprint that’s perfect for full-sized or compact pistols, including the standard-sized Glock. It has the same practical features and still weighs in under two ounces, and the 26.4 mm total height keets down bulk while still allowing a 22 mm wide by 15 mm tall lens. You can choose either a red or green LED emitter that projects a static reticle in either a 3 MOA dot or a 45/3 MOA circle dot to suit your aiming preference.
Enclosed emitter reflex sights are increasingly popular for everyday carry, and the new Valor Mini is built to be your go-to EDC red dot for RMSc-compatible pistols. This fully enclosed micro reflex sight is just 24.5 mm tall and protects your LED emitter and reticle image between two precision lenses. This fogproof design keeps out dust, snow, and lint for a clear sight picture under any environmental conditions. This powerhouse EDC optic may be the most carry-friendly and discreet closed red dot on the market.
When you need an optic for your everyday carry sidearm, we’ve got the sight picture and carry profile you’ve been looking for. Be ready. Order your EDC red dot from Gideon Optics today.
