#CarryOptics

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about how to carry a concealed firearm no matter what. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to go over a subject I have tried to tackle for the last couple of years. With the market of aftermarket concealed carry lights, lasers, and red dots exploding, it can be overwhelming to decide what’s right for you. Over the last few years, I have gone from various setups to my setup currently and learned things along the way. Let’s go over an accessory guide for summer carry.

One of the biggest pet peeves of mine when it comes to optics-equipped firearms is the sheer amount of different mounting footprint options on the market. Although it can be largely distilled down into maybe 4 or 5 different core patterns that all optics use, it’s still extremely frustrating to have to limit yourself artificially based on the type of pistol or optic you have. C&H Precision Weapons has just announced the introduction of a new full line of adaptor plates for select pistols, and pistol-mounted red dots.

Polymer80 has announced the option to purchase their complete PFC9 and PFS9 pistols with an optics-ready slide straight from the factory. What’s great about this announcement is that P80 is also announcing that the optics-ready slide option will not come with an increase in price for the option. Polymer80 pistols are popular options on the market for those who want a slightly more affordable option, or who just want to start off with an affordable and reliable pistol they can customize on their own.

This is a review of the new Shield Sights RMSx Red Dot. The abbreviation stands for Reflex Mini-Sight XL Lens, and TFB are one of the first to get them. It’s available in either a 4 or 8 MOA dot configuration and we have used both. Last year I used the SHIELD Reflex Mini Sight (8 MOA) for all of my IPSC Production Optics competitions, both on a Glock 17 and a Tanfoglio Stock III Xtreme. This division is now the second-largest, if you wonder why it caught up manufacturers’ interest. Apart from cleaning the lens, I didn’t even change the battery. Could the new Shield Sights RMSx be equally reliable? I’ve tested it for a few weeks, so most of the reliability part remains to be seen but in my world, Shield sights have a really good track record.

The single stack 9mm market hasn’t completely gone to the wayside yet. Springfield Armory recently introduces new optics-ready versions of their XD-S MOD.2 pistols in an effort to meet the demands of modern concealed carriers. I was able to receive a copy of the Springfield XD-S MOD.2 OSP pistol in 9mm and in their 4-inch barrel configuration and with this review, I wanted to set out into a realm of handgun performance I hadn’t really spent all that much time with in the last couple of years. Why? Well with the introduction of modern micro-compact 9mm pistols, there really hasn’t been a need for me to pick up a compact single-stack 9mm in a long time but I had the feeling that many people still probably preferred their older single-stack 9mm pistols and might want to have carry-optics capabilities but keep largely the same gun.

In 2021 the handgun competitions started again after a fairly quiet 2020. During the year I must have shot almost 100 stages with good quality IPSC dynamic shooting. I started out with a Glock 17 and then changed (read upgraded) to a Tanfoglio Stock III Xtreme in IPSC Production Optics. This division is now clearly the second largest after production, and I think it will continue to grow as competitors get older (poor eyesight) and discover the increased fun factor with red dots.

With the increasing popularity and availability of optic-ready concealed carry options, many companies have started to work to accommodate the new style of carrying. 1791 Gunleather has announced that they will be introducing a new lineup of Optic Ready Holster options that will cover a good majority of their current lineup. The new Optic Ready Holster options will still carry the same comfort and quality that you’ve come to expect from 1791 Gunleather and will also still be made from 100% American certified steerhide leather.

Another win for SIG Sauer and their P320 pistol with a Romeo1PRO red dot sight on the slide as the Delaware State Police with over 700 troopers adopts the system. Half a decade ago this kind of solution was almost unheard of, apart from some competition shooters using it. Now an entire Police force can adopt the electro-optic solution together with a striker-fired handgun. It makes me wonder what will the next generation of handguns and optics look like?

Rapid Defense Package – That’s the Springfield Armory Hellcat‘s name in its latest edition. Paired with the brand new HEX Micro Red Dot, a Gen 2 trigger, a threaded barrel with a self-indexing compensator to tame the muzzle rise, the package looks quite interesting. There is also a version with an ambidextrous manual safety for those who like that.

The interest for mounting optics on handguns continues to increase, and as a result,  Smith & Wesson is expanding their line of M&P M2.0 Compact pistols to include optics-ready versions. Chambered in 9x19mm the two models feature a slide cut for optics and co-witnessed white-dot front and rear sights. There are also enlarged forward slide serrations.

Galco Gunleather has often been at the forefront of this year’s new firearm releases. This time they’ve taken the old and mated it with the modern by introducing a new holster that is compatible with 1911’s that are equipped with red dot optics. The new 1911 Holster is on sale now and is only $49 from Galco’s website.

On the Heels of their CPX-4 release, SCCY Firearms just unveiled their latest update to the CPX handgun series. The new series includes an already mounted Crimson Trace red dot to the CPX-1/CPX-2 or CPX-3/CPX-4 handguns. The new CPX Red Dot line will still retain the iron sights for those who want the option.

I am on the lookout for a new competition handgun, and the “new” CZ Shadow 2 for Production/Carry Optics looks like the hottest choice at the moment.

TFB has covered the Laugo Arms Alien Pistol several times, and I had my first look at it at IWA in Germany this spring. Unfortunately there was no opportunity to shoot one, but a few friends ordered one and are waiting for delivery. I am looking forward to try and evaluate one, the concept looks really interesting but comes with a price of course. The local European dealer lists it at 4.500 USD (Alien 500 without VAT/tax).

With the entry of Optics in a lot of Divisions in both USPSA and IPSC (Production, Production Light and Open) more and more shooters are following the red light.