Micro Red Dot Sight Options for Double Rifles

Scrumbag · Dec 12, 2020

With a semi auto pistol what makes the big forces is the sudden stop at the end of the slide travel and that's what kills the reflex sights.

Rare Breed · Dec 12, 2020

mikecatt13 said:
I wouldn't dismiss them, but I'd be very careful and I wouldnt be trying the lower budget ones.

I shoot 3 gun (quite a lot, and seriously), these reflex sights are very very popular in certain divisions in the sport. Without wanting to learn how to calculate it exactly, I can tell you with a fair amount of certainty that a big bore rifle is harder on then than a semi automatic pistol. Even in a slide ride configuration, with light springs and therefore fast slides, as well as hot loads (124gr 9mm going like 1400fps+), it doesn't come close to the abuse of a big bore.

There are reflex sights that are fairly durable on our pistols but will fail commonly on a semi-auto shotgun. This also tends to support my educated guess on a big bore being more violent than a pistol on the optic.

Regardless, however, I have seen many of them fail and have killed quite a few personally. The aimpoints arent popular in the sport so no data there, but the RMRs are very much so and I've never seen one fail. The Leopold's and Holosun have proven very good as well but again, just personally, I trust certain things for national championships but with my life I go with the largest amount of data. I know these are commonly used for self defense pistols too but let's be honest, if you hunt much DG you're more likely to use your big bore to defend your life than a pistol (thankfully)

I'll reach out to my friends at Trijicon and get their thoughts on big bores vs aggressive pistols on abusing the sights out of curiosity.

Thanks everyone. I bought a Holosun sight. It has a titanium base and hood and saw rifle test video. It looks indestructible with with vision both eyes open for fast shots. $300 Brownells

mikecatt13 · Dec 12, 2020

Rare Breed said:
Thanks everyone. I bought a Holosun sight. It has a titanium base and hood and saw rifle test video. It looks indestructible with with vision both eyes open for fast shots. $300 Brownells

I switched to Holosuns on my competition shotgun and have so far been rather impressed. Which model did you go with?

Keep us updated on how it holds up on the big bore, I wouldnt expect any issues but first hand experience would be appreciated

Opposite Pole · Feb 22, 2021

I have recently purchased a Leica Tempus sight (2MOA) for my non-hunting, pump-action shotgun. However, I'm not convinced it's the right sight for the intended use. Since I wasn't able to return it, I spent another 70EUR and purchased a Recknagel mounting base for my DR. Total installation time under two minutes, on and off in a matter of seconds. I haven't had the chance to zero it yet, but I'm impressed with it so far.

Scrumbag · Feb 22, 2021

Opposite Pole said:
I have recently purchased a Leica Tempus sight (2MOA) for my non-hunting, pump-action shotgun. However, I'm not convinced it's the right sight for the intended use. Since I wasn't able to return it, I spent another 70EUR and purchased a Recknagel mounting base for my DR. Total installation time under two minutes, on and off in a matter of seconds. I haven't had the chance to zero it yet, but I'm impressed with it so far.

View attachment 390169 View attachment 390170

Looks great! I like the Tempus. I also have 2 of those Recknagel dovetail mounts which I use for cheap running boar range practice on my .22lr and my .223 Rem

Scrummy

Opposite Pole · Feb 22, 2021

Scrumbag said:
Looks great! I like the Tempus. I also have 2 of those Recknagel dovetail mounts which I use for cheap running boar range practice on my .22lr and my .223 Rem

Scrummy

This sight is really nice with big window and very clear glass. I’ll get something for the shottie, something with 5 or maybe 7 moa dot.

Scrumbag · Feb 22, 2021

Opposite Pole said:
This sight is really nice with big window and very clear glass. I’ll get something for the shottie, something with 5 or maybe 7 moa dot.

Interesting you are wanting a bigger dot.

My Benelli pump is mainly used for shooting turning targets at 25yds and in with slugs and I think the 3.5MOA Burris I have on their works well.

Scrummy

Opposite Pole · Feb 22, 2021

Normally, I prefer fine reticles and small dots but this is for 11” barrel 12g pump for home defence scenario. I was actually surprised that the 2moa dot was too small but I did some night time drills and for that I want a bigger dot, having said so 3.5moa is significantly bigger that 2 so it might indeed be sufficient.

Scrumbag · Feb 22, 2021

Opposite Pole said:
Normally, I prefer fine reticles and small dots but this is for 11” barrel 12g pump for home defence scenario. I was actually surprised that the 2moa dot was too small but I did some night time drills and for that I want a bigger dot, having said so 3.5moa is significantly bigger that 2 so it might indeed be sufficient.

I understand. An interesting compromise might be the Burris Fastfire IV. Various reticles from a 3MOA to other crazy stuff.

mark-hunter · Jun 18, 2025

Gents,
A question for fitting a red dot on double rifle.

Is there any solution to install mount + red dot, directly on the rib?
Or in any case, gunsmith work is required?
Merkel 140 double, in 416.

I would appreciate any comments, especially suggestion or mount + red dot details.

AN.87 · Jun 18, 2025

mark-hunter said:
Gents,
A question for fitting a red dot on double rifle.

Is there any solution to install mount + red dot, directly on the rib?
Or in any case, gunsmith work is required?
Merkel 140 double, in 416.

I would appreciate any comments, especially suggestion or mount + red dot details.

This can be done by milling away a piece of the rib and mounting a base plate in the slot.

Similar to post #3 of this topic, however there a rail is inserted.

I prefer an insert of a rail on which a quick mount can be placed.

Mark A Ouellette · Jun 18, 2025

mark-hunter said:
Gents,
A question for fitting a red dot on double rifle.

Is there any solution to install mount + red dot, directly on the rib?
Or in any case, gunsmith work is required?
Merkel 140 double, in 416.

I would appreciate any comments, especially suggestion or mount + red dot details.

A gunsmith or skilled machinest is required for these mounts.

Henneberger HMS Trijicon RMR Mount for UNI 6-10 mm Rail from: https://www.optics-trade.eu/us/henneberger-hms-trijicon-rmr-mount-for-uni-6-10-mm-rail.html
Delivery to USA is 3-4 weeks.

Hennenberger rib mount for Aimpoint - The RMR and Doctor footprint mounts are very similar

For the above, the bottom of the mount must be milled to the fit the width of the rifle's rib.
The rib must be drilled and tapped for two threaded mounting screws.
This provides a very low reflex sight mounts.

Trijicon SRO (RMR footprint) mounted on Heym 88B with Hennenberger mount

Close up of above Hennenberger mount

For comparison, Trijicon SRO mounted on Heym using the Trijicon RM58 quick release mount
Note: Angle difference in photos makes the SRO on the Hennenberger mount above appear not as tall.

The quick release mount require grooves milled on both sides of the rib.

Trijicon RM58 RMR Custom Rifles Mount, with 14-16mm Ribs, Black
Available from Trijicon or Amazon.com
There is also a RM57 for wider ribs

Trijicon RMR mounted on QR mount on a Merkel double rifle.

Note: Africa Hunting sponsor Euro Optic sells the Trijicon RM58 mount. These are currently on backorder from them. I've found that RM58 mounts are often on backorder so one should buy them when they are available.