How Do I Sight in a Red Dot on a Pistol?

Sighting in a pistol Red Dot can seem like a daunting task. A lot of folks knew to carry Optics on a pistol, have no clue where to start. It is not too different from during a rifle if you have experience with that. We will simply skip this step about mounting your optic. Please follow the steps on the manufacturer’s handbook to Mount Your optic to your pistol and utilize the correct torque specifications on the screws. You do want to ensure that your optic is mounted correctly to the slide and as mechanically on Center as possible.

Getting Started Sighting in a Red Dot on a Pistol

There are a couple tricks to getting on paper. If you are running a pistol slide with suppressor height sights that have been confirmed mechanically on center, you can slave your dot to the iron sight profile. I typically like to apple-on-a-post, or split the apple with the front sight post.

Sight Picture of Suppressor Height Irons co-witness to the Optical Window and Corresponding Red Dot Placement.

Using a Bore-Sighter to Sight in a Red Dot on a Pistol

If you do not have iron sights that co-witness through your optic, the next best practice to getting on paper is to use a laser bore sighter. I personally like the LaserLyte Bore Sighter. I use this product for both rifle and pistol. Our workshop is exactly 50 yards long so it’s great for getting on paper with a rifle. The width is about 25 yards which is perfect for getting my red rot zero to point of impact that roughly 15 yards. LaserLyte LaserLyte Bore Sighter.

Insert the laser bore sighter into the muzzle, and give it a couple spins clockwise to flare the rearward barrel plug. I make sure it’s tight and fully seated and I move my optic red dot to converge on the laser dot on the wall at about 20 yards.

This is good enough to get on paper at the range. I’ve had great success with this style of acquiring a pistol red dot zero with almost no adjustments at the range. Pictured, is a Holosun EPS 2.0 MOA Optic on a CZ SP-01 Tactical with Impact Machine ICM Slide.

LaserLyte Bore-sighter on the wall and the Holosun EPS red dot POA/POI at 5 yards for reference.

The Daishō AIWB & Mag Holster Combo Holster

What to Bring When Heading to the Range to Sight in a Red Dot on a Pistol

Sandbag
Tripod
Laser Bore Sighter
Red Dot Optic Adjustment Tool
B8 & Smaller Targets
Steel targets for 25-50 yard confirmation of zero over distance
Target Ammo
Defensive Carry Ammo

Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Carry Comp with Trijicon SRO

Tripod & Bag for Sighting in Pistol Red Dots

Zeroing your red dot at the range should be very simple at this point. The most suggested range you should zero your red dot is 15 yd. This is subject for debate depending on what you are trying to achieve with said pistol. But typically for a defensive carry pistol, 15 yards is the suggested distance you zero your red dot.

Once you have your paper target placed at 15 yards, the number one most recommended practice of zeroing a pistol red dot is the tripod and bag method. The goal is to set the tripod and bag up at the exact same height where you would be presenting the firearm at your target. Standing with a neutral stance, you want to be able to rest your knuckles of your grip into the sandbag resting on top of your tripod. You don’t want the tripod higher than you normally hold the gun and you do not want the tripod lower than where you normally hold the gun. You want this to be absolutely perfect. This will simulate how you shoot the firearm standing unsupported, in this case, you will be supported. This creates maximum stability when pressing trigger and shooting a five shot group. Preferred tripod is the RRS SOAR TFCT Tripod and bag being the Armageddon Gear Pint-Sized Game Changer with Sand Fill.

I do not shoot pistols the traditional way that is taught in firearms classes. Historically they suggest you put the trigger in the middle of your finger. This is not necessarily the case anymore. The best place to place the trigger on your trigger finger, is a little bit right of center where the bone of your digit starts to stiffen up the tissue in your trigger finger. This allows for a more consistent trigger press every time the trigger is pulled. When your trigger is in the middle of your finger, it is making contact with the softest and squishiest portion of your finger. This is not the most consistent location because of the squishiness.

You want to shoot a five shot group aiming at the same location on the target, preferably a bull’s eye like a B8 Target. Most pistol red dots elevation and windage adjustment is moving your point of impact, not moving your actual Red Dot the direction on the notations on the pistol red dot. So if the point of impact needs to move up move it up. The graduations on the adjustments are typically specific to the optic and MOA of the red dot. Make sure you know the MOA adjustment of your pistol red dot before making adjustments. The manual will tell you what the increment of measure is at what distance. If you need to move the dot up one inch, you may need different click adjustments on different red dots. Or simply make small adjustments one or two clicks at a time, gradually moving your red dot to the point of impact. Every time you make an adjustment to your red dot, you want to shoot a new five shot group. After you have shot your five shot group you should Mark the holes that were placed by your previous shot string so you don’t confuse your adjustments. After you believe you have zeroed your pistol, make sure you post up a couple fresh targets and now shoot it unsupported. Is it consistent with your supported shooting? Is your point of aim and point of impact identical or very close to your supported shooting? It should be. If you have steel targets at disposal, it’s always good to stretch your gun out to about 50 yards and confirm that you are hitting smaller targets, such as a 1/3 IPSC at 50. This will confirm your zero is accurate. Whether