RDS for Springfield XD9 Subcompact

[XD94045]

I am looking to add a RDL to my alternate EDC and I am looking for insight on which optic to add. If you have added one to this unit, which model did you install and what’s your why? Besides that, if you had it to do over again, would you? Also, what do you know now that you wish you would have known then?

 

[HansGruber]

How are you going to mount it? Are you getting the slide machined, or replacing the rear sight?

 

[XD94045]

I have not decided. My preference is to replace the rear sight in the event that I chose to add Trilium sights should I not like the RDS.

I am searching for someone who can replace the sight, add the plate and install the RDS.

 

[RickAnderson]

You can have the slide milled to fit an optic, the link is the service that I used to have my XD-M .45 ACP slide milled. Its exactly like the Factory Optics Cut.

XD-XDM Slide Milling

powderriverprecision.com

The best value RDS I have is the Vortex Venom, I have found it on sale for as little as $169. There are others like Sightmark, I just haven't tried them.
My favorite at the moment is the EOTECH EFLX, it costs less than the Deltapoint Pro or the RMR2. Especially if you can get the military/LE discount, its the cheapest direct from EOTECH with that discount.
RMR is the most rugged, and likely the best in the harshest environment, although the EOTECH is sealed, while the others are not, a drop of rain falls in the emitter the sight will be down until it dries out. The EOTECH it shouldn't be a problem, it can even be immersed in water.
The Deltapoint Pro, is pretty bulky, might get in the way with EDC, well more so than the other smaller sights. EOTECH's window is as large as the DPP, but smaller overall. The RMR and Vortex are smaller than the EOTECH though.

The DPP is is also large enough that co-witness/back-up iron sights are going to be difficult. The EOTECH is a little better, but the Trijicon Suppressor Height sights still can peer over it. I called SA Customer Service and they sent me the optic height sights for the XD-M, not sure if they work with the XD9, but I suspect they will. The SA OEM optic height sights will give a great sight picture through the RMR and Vortex, I'm about to install them on my XD-M Elite with the EOTECH, which they look like I'll just be able to the top of the sights through the RDS. The DPP, you'll likely won't be able to see over the RDS with the SA Optic Height sights. You'd likely have to have a custom front sight made, then you could use the Leupold rear sight that attaches to the DPP.

 

[XD94045]

You can have the slide milled to fit an optic, the link is the service that I used to have my XD-M .45 ACP slide milled. Its exactly like the Factory Optics Cut.

XD-XDM Slide Milling

powderriverprecision.com

The best value RDS I have is the Vortex Venom, I have found it on sale for as little as $169. There are others like Sightmark, I just haven't tried them.
My favorite at the moment is the EOTECH EFLX, it costs less than the Deltapoint Pro or the RMR2. Especially if you can get the military/LE discount, its the cheapest direct from EOTECH with that discount.
RMR is the most rugged, and likely the best in the harshest environment, although the EOTECH is sealed, while the others are not, a drop of rain falls in the emitter the sight will be down until it dries out. The EOTECH it shouldn't be a problem, it can even be immersed in water.
The Deltapoint Pro, is pretty bulky, might get in the way with EDC, well more so than the other smaller sights. EOTECH's window is as large as the DPP, but smaller overall. The RMR and Vortex are smaller than the EOTECH though.

The DPP is is also large enough that co-witness/back-up iron sights are going to be difficult. The EOTECH is a little better, but the Trijicon Suppressor Height sights still can peer over it. I called SA Customer Service and they sent me the optic height sights for the XD-M, not sure if they work with the XD9, but I suspect they will. The SA OEM optic height sights will give a great sight picture through the RMR and Vortex, I'm about to install them on my XD-M Elite with the EOTECH, which they look like I'll just be able to the top of the sights through the RDS. The DPP, you'll likely won't be able to see over the RDS with the SA Optic Height sights. You'd likely have to have a custom front sight made, then you could use the Leupold rear sight that attaches to the DPP.

Many thanks for the detailed response. I am leaning towards the Vortex based on the online reviews. I’m going to look into the EOTECH based on the waterproof element.

 

[RickAnderson]

I only shoot on the range, I have a tough time claiming I shoot better with any of the RDS that cost twice as much or more than the Vortex....

The RMR2 looks like it could be run over by a truck, none of them look delicate and would stand up to most usage easily...

The Vortex has a much clearer window, the RMR has a tint to it. I suspect that in the harshest light environment, like everything covered with fresh snow or the desert in the bright sunlight, the RMR tint is a filter that would keep the dot from washing out, while all the others would suffer in performance in those extreme environments.

Pretty sure the Vortex Viper and Venom are very close to the same thing, except the Viper is bottom load battery and the Venom is a top load battery. Top load battery has the advantage of NOT having to remove the red dot from the pistol to change the battery. You can lose your zero removing the red dot, altough most are saying the zero is still good after removing and re-installing most RDS.

Oh, 3 MOA dot or 6 MOA dot, I prefer the 6 MOA dot because my eyes have degraded a bit with age. 3 MOA dot is more accurate and 6 MOA is easier to pick and make a quicker target acquisition. My son prefers 3 MOA dot, but is just as accurate when he shoots my pistols with 6 MOA, and I have to admit, I really don't have much trouble picking up his 3 MOA dots when shooting his pistols.

 

[XD94045]

I only shoot on the range, I have a tough time claiming I shoot better with any of the RDS that cost twice as much or more than the Vortex....

The RMR2 looks like it could be run over by a truck, none of them look delicate and would stand up to most usage easily...

The Vortex has a much clearer window, the RMR has a tint to it. I suspect that in the harshest light environment, like everything covered with fresh snow or the desert in the bright sunlight, the RMR tint is a filter that would keep the dot from washing out, while all the others would suffer in performance in those extreme environments.

Pretty sure the Vortex Viper and Venom are very close to the same thing, except the Viper is bottom load battery and the Venom is a top load battery. Top load battery has the advantage of NOT having to remove the red dot from the pistol to change the battery. You can lose your zero removing the red dot, altough most are saying the zero is still good after removing and re-installing most RDS.

Oh, 3 MOA dot or 6 MOA dot, I prefer the 6 MOA dot because my eyes have degraded a bit with age. 3 MOA dot is more accurate and 6 MOA is easier to pick and make a quicker target acquisition. My son prefers 3 MOA dot, but is just as accurate when he shoots my pistols with 6 MOA, and I have to admit, I really don't have much trouble picking up his 3 MOA dots when shooting his pistols.

Now I need to find an AIWB holster (preferably a rig) for a Springfield Armory XD9 Subcompact with Streamlight TLR-4 and Vortex Venom optic even if it’s custom.