Roundup: Enclosed Emitter Red-Dot Sights

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about enclosed-emitter red-dot sights. In that piece, I described what set enclosed-emitter red-dot sights apart from open-emitter models and why many defensive-minded shooters prefer them. Given that I’ve been shooting a lot through enclosed-emitter sights through the end of this summer as we enter to the fall, I figured that a round-up cataloging a few of the models with which I have experience would be warranted. My list isn’t comprehensive, nor have I had the chance to shoot every enclosed-emitter sight currently available, but the list covers all my bases for enclosed-emitter use cases, be they for concealed carry or for duty or competitive use.

Trijicon RCR – MSRP: $1,019

The Trijicon RCR is the newest unit listed here, and it first saw the light of day in 2023 as a mid-year release. The RCR marked Trijicon’s first entry into the enclosed-emitter world, and the best way to describe it would be to call it an RMR with a tortoise’s shell. The RCR uses the signature blue Trijicon tinted glass and a crisp 3.25-MOA red-dot while its external housing is extremely ruggedized. To remove bulk and heft from its sides or bottom, the Trijicon RCR uses a top-loading battery tray. Furthermore, each of its top corners are thoughtfully dehorned to not poke into the body of someone carrying a pistol mounted with an RCR. Probably its most remarkable feature is its capstan screw system which allows the RCR to use the established Trijicon RMR/SRO optics footprint—one of the most popular in the world of red-dots.

Aimpoint ACRO P2 – MSRP: $599- $649

The Aimpoint ACRO P2 is one of the best-known and most popular enclosed-emitter red-dot sights on the market today. The P2 follows the shorter-lived first generation Aimpoint ACRO P1, and it didn’t take too long for the Aimpoint ACRO P2 to catch on and become one of the definitive duty-grade red-dot sights currently available. Aimpoint, a Swedish company, became well-known in the industry for being one of the first purveyors of electronic reflex /red-dot sights. Early on, the company cemented its reputation for building hard-use, “bomb-proof” red-dot sights and Aimpoint continues this tradition with the Aimpoint ACRO P2. In my opinion it uses the best and most “seamless” mounting footprint, its own, to attach to slides or plates. The 3.25-MOA Aimpoint ACRO P2 is designed to directly clamp over a surface with a single side-mounted screw coming in at 90-degrees. Glass found in Aimpoint ACRO P2s is of very high quality; it has no real distortion, even beyond “traditional” handgun distances.   

Steiner MPS – MSRP: $632.99

Even though Steiner is from Germany, not Sweden, I consider the Steiner MPS enclosed-emitter red-dot sight a kindred spirit of the Aimpoint ACRO mentioned above. In addition to also being enclosed, the Steiner MPS uses the same Aimpoint ACRO mounting footprint that has a single 90-degree screw. The similarities end there, because the Steiner MPS isn’t an Aimpoint ACRO clone. Its internal 3.3-MOA emitter array is configured different and beams down from the top of the unit (where the battery tray also lies), and more importantly, this red-dot sight has a wider field of view. Whereas the Aimpoint ACRO P2’s window is practically a perfect square, the Steiner MPS’ window has a widescreen feel to it. Of all the enclosed-emitter red-dot models listed here, the Steiner MPS has the widest screen.

Holosun EPS/EPS Carry – MSRP: $388-$529.40

Holosun had a chance to do their homework on their EPS series and it shows. Both the Holosun EPS or EPS Carry sights are designed to sit lower on the slide compared to other models, for example. EPS models use the Holosun-K optic footrpint, which is an offshoot of the Shield RMSc pattern, the most popular for the smallest pistol-mounted red-dot sights. Holosun intelligently offers customers the smaller EPS Carry meant for ultra-compact pistols and the slightly larger EPS meant to be mounted to larger carry guns while still not being a hindrance to ease-of-carry. In addition to being designed with a low-deck for easier concealed carry, the Holosun EPS family is the most competitively priced amongst within this list. Due to the similarities between the Holosun-K footprint, the Shield RMSc, (and the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro by extension) the low-deck height and “skinny” base of the EPS family also lends itself for 1911 and double-stack 1911 use, as these pistols tend to have narrower slides.