M&P Shield has always been a great gun for self-defense and everyday carry. While the weapon in stock is perfectly fine as it is, upgrading has always been a drug to the gun community. I won’t blame you for that.
And one of the best upgrades for M&P Shield Plus is the optic. However, finding a compatible optic for a gun is not the easiest task in the world. Some gun shares identical base but most of them has unique characteristics.
So, what are the best optics for M&P Shield Plus then? That’s a very good question. Let’s find out, shall we?
1. HOLOSUN HS507K-X2 Red Dot Sight
The first sight I want to recommend to you guys is from Holosun. This is their 507k-x2 model. After the 507k was introduced back in 2020, Holosun soon followed up with a revision of it named the “x2”.
It’s a trend for Holosun to upgrade its sights each year. This one was no exception. The sight’s chassis is made out of high-quality aluminum. The aluminum has an anodization finish to it. The finish makes it look and feel premium. On the left side of the sight, you will find brightness increment and decrement buttons. Besides that, you will find the engraving of the serial number of the optic.
As for the lens, it’s made out of high-quality glass. The glass is extremely durable and scratch-resistant to a degree as well. Most importantly, it’s extremely bright. No matter the weather and the lighting conditions, this sight will not fail you.
The illuminated reticle with 50k hours of rated battery life is an insane thing to have in one’s possession as well. It also features a “shake to wake” feature. What it means is, that when you take your M&P Shield Plus out from the holster, the sight will automatically trigger and turn it on for you. You can then proceed to shoot immediately.
Pros
- Extremely durable.
- Extremely light.
- Compact.
- Long battery life.
- Great after-sales from Holosun.
- Water, fog, and shockproof.
- Multiple reticle options.
Cons
The price can be a bit high.
2. Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight
I won’t be surprised if you see this sight for the first time today. Vortex doesn’t advertise their Venom red dot sight that much. Their riflescope also named Venom, tends to take the spotlight. The Venom Red dot, however, is an incredible value.
The sight is made out of high-quality aluminum. The chassis has a hard anodization coating to prevent scratches from accidental drops and it also gives the chassis a texture that feels premium to the touch.
Vortex lenses have always been tremendously good. The lens on this sight is fully multi-coated and extremely bright. Paired up with the illuminated reticle, the shooting experience is flawless. The sight is also fog, shock, and waterproof as well.
Battery life is also incredible on this sight. If you are worried your battery may die in a week or two, don’t worry. It won’t die that fast.
Pros
- Extremely durable housing.
- Easy to control
- Adjustable brightness on the reticle.
- Great battery backup.
- Lifetime warranty from Vortex.
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy for some users.
- The brightness should have had a higher intensity.
3. Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Ultra Compact Open Reflex Pistol Sight
CTS-1550 is not a new sight. You probably have seen it before either in real life or in some weapon accessory sites. The Sight is made out of extremely high-quality polymer. It’s lightweight and extremely durable.
When it comes to affordable red dot sights, manufacturers tend to skimp out on the lens quality. Thankfully, Crimson Trace did no such things. The lens on this optic is coated with chemicals to eliminate all sorts of glare and enhance light transmission.
On top of that, the illuminated reticle is a nice feature to have. Unfortunately, there is no way of adjusting the brightness of the optic. That can be a bummer for some. But considering the price, this is one of those things I’m okay to overlook.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Durable structure.
- Multi-coated lens.
- Clear and bright.
- Illuminated 3 MOA reticle.
- Fast target acquisition
Cons
- Made out of polymer, not recommended for use with high-recoil weapons.
- The field of view is relatively small for a reflex sight.
- As brightness is not adjustable, it’s hard to see the reticle under bright sun.
4. Swampfox Sentinel Micro Reflex RED DOT
If you are looking for a lightweight and compact red dot that won’t break the bank, Swampfox Sentinel Micro red dot sight might be the one you have been waiting for. It’s an extremely light and small sight that fits on any pistol that has a compatible mount for it.
Lucky for you, it fits on the Shield Plus just fine. The sight’s chassis is made out of 7075 aluminum. Yes, the same type of aluminum that you often see on high-end gears. Surprisingly, Swampfox managed to land a chassis this hard (no pun intended) for such an attractive asking price!
The lens on this optic is one of the best you will see in this price bracket. It’s clear, bright, and extremely vivid. There is no color alteration or any fisheye effect present on the sight either. The reticle on this optic is also illuminated.
You can choose from manual or auto brightness option and you can also go for a green dot over the red dot if you want. The green dot and red dot both are rated to have a similar battery life. It’s super-long and changing the battery is simple and cheap as well. Water won’t get inside to ruin the sight either. Easily one of the best red dot sights for M&P Shield Plus!
Pros
- Affordable!
- Extremely durable sight!
- Water, fog, and shockproof.
- Suitable to use with rifles even!
- Automatic brightness sensor (if you opt for it)!
- Wide field of view.
- And extremely long battery life.
Cons
- The maximum brightness is not suitable for use under a bright sun.
- Not compatible with NVD either.
5. Sig Sauer Romeo Zero Red Dot
I know you have heard of the Romeo 5 already. That’s a famous sight for its accuracy and price-to-performance. But that sight is not suitable for pistols. This one, however, is suitable with pistols and specifically made for weapons like the Shield Plus.
Due to its polymer construction, it’s not recommended to use it with a magnum-caliber weapon that kicks back harder than a horse! That doesn’t mean it’s poorly made. That’s far from the truth!
You will have a hard time finding a better sight for the price that offers more durability and longevity. As for the rating, it’s rated to be shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof. It’s lightweight also and holds a perfectly lit lens.
The light transmission capability of this optic is really good. Sig Sauer spared no expense to make it a great sight for the Shield Plus. If you are on a budget and don’t want to spend much for an aluminum-made sight, this is a perfect option for everyday carry.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Compact and easily concealable.
- Rugged polymer housing.
- Parallax free.
- Wide field of view.
- Highly accurate.
- MOTAC is available.
- Adjustable brightness setting.
Cons
- While it’s affordable, it’s pricey for a “plastic” made sight. If that makes sense.
- Not compatible to use during the night.
- Low-light performance is nothing to write home about.
6. Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight
You thought Leupold wouldn’t cut? Well, you thought wrong. Leupold makes extremely good performing sights. It wouldn’t be right of me to not include one of them. The DeltaPoint Pro is the perfect sight for your Shield Plus if you are a more avid target shooter.
The accuracy of this sight paired with the extremely clear lens, makes this sight one of the best if not the best options for target practicing. The chassis of this optic is made out of high-quality aluminum. The same type of aluminum that Leupold uses in their high-end riflescopes as well.
As for the lens, it’s fully multi-coated. It gathers light well and transmits it into pictures well. Like always, Leupold didn’t disappoint when it comes to low-light performance. Due to Leupold’s light management system, it’s an excellent sight for any weather and any given lighting condition.
It also has MOTAC. It can turn on when it senses activity and turn off when it doesn’t sense any movement for a while. Thanks to this, the battery backup of this optic is extremely good. Yet, I would have loved to see a solar failsafe here, maybe Leupold will consider that request for their future products.
Pros
- Extremely rugged and durable housing.
- Lightweight chassis.
- High light-transmission rate.
- Bright and crisp images.
- Adjustable brightness settings on the reticle.
- MOTAC.
- Easy access to the battery compartment.
- Water, fog, and shockproof.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Mounting can be hard for a beginner.
7. HOLOSUN EPS Carry MRS Circle Reflex Pistol Sight
Last but not least, a unique red dot sight with a closed hood. The similarities between EPS carry and 507k are uncanny. They are a similar sight that offers the same 3 reticles on both variants. Yet, they are not the same.
Despite looking like it has a polymer housing, it doesn’t. It has an aluminum housing rated for IPX8 Waterproofing. A splash of rain won’t damage the sight at all. But I don’t recommend you to use it under heavy rain or submerge it under water.
The lens is extremely bright and clear. What makes this sight unique is the hood that protects the laser emitter from all sorts of dust, debris, and oil residue. Thanks to the hood, your reticle will stay the same at any given moment.
It also has another feature that makes it arguably a better option than 507k. That is the Holosun’s signature solar failsafe. If by any chance, your battery runs out in the middle of a shooting adventure, you still can continue your journey thanks to the solar failsafe that converts the sunlight to electricity on the spot.
Pros
- Shake to wake feature.
- 50k hours worth of battery life.
- Solar failsafe.
- Hood to protect the lens.
- Extremely durable housing.
- IPX8 waterproofing rating.
- Comes in green and red reticle options.
Cons
- Expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the best red dot for Shield Plus?
The choice of the best optic will depend on the type of shooting you do. If you are into competitive shooting or even target practice, then you will need to go for sights that are known for accuracy and offer a wider range of adjustment for the perfect shot. A sight that is also durable enough to withstand rapid-fire action.
The next way of choosing would be going with a budget in mind. If you know how much you want to spend, then the options will thin down in moments.
Is red dot better than night sight for M&P Shield Plus?
In my opinion, it is. Red dot offers versatility and illuminated one also works during the night. Their target acquisition is faster than night sights and they are less distracting as well. They are also easier to mount and remove if you want to go back to a night sight or the iron sight.
Overall, the best optic for M&P Shield Plus is a red dot.
Why are red dot sights expensive?
I used to ask myself this question all the time. Red dots are small and doesn’t take much material to craft, Why are they so expensive then? Well, it’s due to the precise machining and craftsmanship that is required to make these.
The R&D team needs to work their butt off for coming up with designs that are innovative and work as well. On top of that, the tools required for such precise cutting and measurement aren’t cheap as well. The manufacturing cost for red dots is much higher than you anticipate. A smaller device means you have to be smart about the design to fit everything inside.
So, you can guess why they are so expensive!
Closing Thoughts
And that’s about it. I did think of adding a couple of night sights for the sake of it, but in my opinion, red dot sights with M&P Shield make the most sense. Whether you want to do close-quarter combat, self-defense, or target practicing, everywhere, a red dot will outperform the iron sight and a pair of night sights.
Hopefully, this guide was able to help you find the best optic for M&P Shield Plus. Now, with the correct upgrades, your Shield will be affective as a weapon as well! Jokes aside, hope you had a fun time learning all these stuff with me. I sure did have fun writing it!
That’s all for now. See you on the next one!