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Need PDP Compact Red Dot Recommendations

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33K views 53 replies 22 participants last post by  eric byrd  
#1 ·
The Red Dot sight market has been evolving nicely with new stuff offered every year if not more often. And, I've never owned a pistol red dot. I have one on my Ruger Mini-14 and really like it, but it is not a pistol type design.

I would appreciate any recommendations of current red dot products for my PDP Compact. I want small, micro, light weight. I also want easy battery access, and if possible, a sight that would co-witness out of the box without having to replace my iron sights. That latter wish is not a deal breaker, though. I'm not planning on going into combat, don't play "G.I. Joe", and I'm not law enforcement, so I don't need really high end, expensive sights, but I'll go up into the $300 range if I find the right product.
 
#2 ·
Holosun SCS. Custom fit for a PDP.

No question. Sits low enough cowitness without anything else needed. No plates needed. Direct mount to a PDP cut styled 2.0.

Solar powered, no battery to replace. 20,000hrs without a recharge. I

Mine has been flawless up to this point.

Best place to buy it is freedomgorilla, imho.
 
#5 ·
If I'm not mistaken, the Holosun SCS will ONLY fit the later PDP model's updated "2.0" slide cut, so if the OP's Compact model has the 1.0 slide cut then the Holosun SCS is out of the question - unless they want to mill their slide, which is a service that's available.

I opted for a Holosun 507 model to mount on my early 5" Compact model, and couldn't be happier. At the time there were no better options, and looking at the features of the SCS I'm not convinced it's something I'd want today (even though they're designed to work with standard factory sights), nor would insist upon owning only 2.0 slide cut models if I were to be interested in another PDP model in the future.

The BUIS' are Walther's blacked out suppressor height sights, and the trigger is the Walther DPT...the combination of which makes for an amazingly reliable, accurate, and comfortable shooting platform for me...
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#6 ·
While the Holosun SCS meets most of your desires, I'd strongly suggest considering a Holosun 507c with the ACSS reticle. This is specifically because you say you don't have experience with handgun optics. It takes a LOT of practice to get used to a red dot, if you've never used one before. If this is a carry gun, then that's something you need to be absolutely comfortable with before carrying it. The ACSS reticle will help with training as the super large outer ring makes it easy and fast to index to the center chevron when your draw isn't perfect, or when you're in awkward positions. Once you have tons of practice and can index a dot perfectly every time, then consider any of the other options out there.

I would actually NOT recommend the SCS to a new shooter, unless they are willing to put in the enormous amount of time dry firing to perfect their draw. The window on the SCS is the same size as the 507k which is a micro red dot intended for subcompact carry pistols. It is not a large window and, without practice and experience, new shooters will almost always have trouble finding the dot. This is NOT what you want on a tool you plan to use for defending your life.
 
#7 ·
How can I tell if my PDP compact is a "2.0" slide cut?

Good info, everyone. Thanks. I had already short-listed Holosun but didn't really know the pros and cons.
 
#13 ·
Ok, now I get it. Thanks very much.....excellent! Quite a big difference. Must have corrected some problem.
 
#14 ·
It's definitely a big difference. I remember when the PDP first release, alot was said of the 1.0 cut lacking the recoil bosses, huge concerns were made about the only thing holding the plate to the slide were the optic screws with no lateral support. I agreed with that concern. Glad to see Walther make the change, kinda like how Glock added front serrations and got rid of the front cut out in the magwel on the first run of gen 5s.
 
#17 ·
Here's a picture of my slide cut, which is the 2.0 version. Figures, because the gun is new.

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#19 ·
It seems the Holosun SCS only comes with green dot and circle. Users: how do you like the green vs. red?
 
#21 ·
I'm about to put one of my 507 Comps on mine, but the SCS is intriguing. I've discovered I really like the larger window, though I also prefer optics that mount as low as possible. It'd be perfect if the SCS had an option for a slightly taller window. Also not sure why they only offer it in green; Red works much better for my eyes and is pretty standard from my experience.
 
#23 ·
I'll be installing a Holosun 507 Comp on my PDP Pro SD that's coming in Monday. I also have two other Holosun 407C's on two Glocks. I have a greed 407C and find that it doesn't really matter to me if the dot is red or greed. I've shot 2000 rounds with Holosun's on pistols and have over 6k rounds through a Holosun 512C on a 5.5" AR9. Every bit of my experience with Holosun has been excellent.

My issue with the SCS is the small window and that you cannot adjust the brightness. One of the features I originally really liked with the Holosun was the auto-brightness. It's a neat feature but I've gotten in the habit of adjusting it manually to satisfy various lighting conditions. One or two clicks up or down normally makes the dot ideal for me. I probably need to give the auto adjust another try.
 
#24 ·
I had a 19 with an SCS on it. I love the low profile but hated the small window and lack of adjustability.

What it was doing under stress was causing me to look at the dot, and not the target and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. It is a slightly better option of looking at the front sight of iron sights

I've come to appreciate the 407c/507c manual adjustability. My next G19 or G45 will have one of those mounted on top
 
#27 ·
Just so I'm not confused: are we saying that all Holosun models will mount directly to a Walther PDP v. 2 without an adapter plate?
 
#30 ·
Just ordered a Holosun SCS PDP-GR from Midway USA. They had it marked down to $297, from a "list" price of $411 and their "Our Price" of $349. I'm looking forward to shooting my PDP compact with this sight. The only red dot (this one is green) I've ever shot with is mounted to my Ruger Mini 14 and it made a big positive difference in my accuracy.
 
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#33 ·
Just received my new Holosun SCS (green dot) for my Walther PDP 4 Compact, from MidwayUSA. It had to ship ground because of its lithium battery (apparently that is considered a fire hazard. Glad I don't own a lithium powered vehicle).

Happily, this is the updated version with the "scalloped" front
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corners to match the pistol. It surprised me with how small it really is. Picture attached. Will post a range report once I have it mounted and have given it a workout.

Image
 
#35 ·
Just received my new Holosun SCS (green dot) for my Walther PDP 4 Compact, from MidwayUSA. It had to ship ground because of its lithium battery (apparently that is considered a fire hazard. Glad I don't own a lithium powered vehicle).

Happily, this is the updated version with the "scalloped" front View attachment 118534 corners to match the pistol. It surprised me with how small it really is. Picture attached. Will post a range report once I have it mounted and have given it a workout.

View attachment 118534
Mounted the Holosun SCS Green on my PDP 4 compact this afternoon. Pictures attached. It looks great. We'll see if it shoots great.
 
#37 ·
A lot of talk on here about the size of the window, but the reality is that if you are training with your red dot - and you need to regularly - and your technique is good, that dot is always going to be there regardless of the size of the window. In fact, all you should be seeing is the dot, the frame of the window should be a non-factor.

I whole heartedly recommend a good red dot training course. I’ve trained with Scott Jedlinski’s guys and it was invaluable.

 
#39 · (Edited)
I also have a astigmatism and have red dots on HG's, 9mm carbines, Ar-15's and dedicated turkey shotguns and yes the dots "starburst" but they work well enough to kill turkeys at 60+ yards and hit 3" clay birds at 25 yards with my MK IV's and hit 8" and 10" steel plates at 100yds with my 9mm carbines and AR's.
I put an Ameriglo Haven 3.5moa RD on my 4" PDP C and like it very much. Paid under $200 for it they are on sale now at Buds.
Here is a link and pic of today's target. This is only my second group I have shot with this gun and sight.
 

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