Is the cheapest pistol red dot any good? Riton X3 Tactix MPRD Review
Is the Riton X3 Tactix MPRD a Good Budget Optic?
In this video review, we’re going to take a close look at the Riton Tactix 3 MPRD red dot sight. Let’s find out if it’s the best compact pistol or handgun red dot optic with an RMSc footprint on the market.
The Tactix 3 has been making waves in the shooting community lately thanks to its affordable price point.
We’ll cover everything from the build quality and durability to the optic’s performance and accuracy on the range. We’ll also compare the Tactix 3 to other popular compact red dot sights with an RMSc footprint, to see how it stacks up.
Where to buy?
Riton X3 Tactix MPRD
An descent budget Shield RMSc red dot optic. Get it on Amazon today for fast shipping
A Budget Option with an RMSc Footprint
One of the standout features of the Riton Tactix 3 is its RMSc footprint, which allows it to be mounted on many popular subcompact pistols, such as the SIG Sauer P365 and the Springfield Armory Hellcat, or the new Taurus TX22 Compact and Taurus GX4 TORO. In fact, I often see this optic being bundled with cheap pistols, like the GX4, or the Sccy CPX / CPX-2.
We’ll dive into the details of the RMSc footprint and show you how easy it is to mount the Tactix 3 on your favorite handgun. If you’re in the market for a compact red dot sight, this review is a must-watch.
We’ll give you our honest opinions and show you the pros and cons of the Riton Tactix 3 MPRD. So, join us as we put the Riton Tactix 3 to the test and see if it’s the best compact red dot sight with an RMSc footprint.
Features
Affordable (5 out of 5)
This is one of the most affordable red dot optics in the Shield RMSC pattern. You can get these routinely on sale for under $100.
Footprint (5 out of 5)
Some manufacturers choose incredibly oddball footprints for their optics (see our Sightron SRS-2 Review). Riton made a smart choice in selecting the Shield RMSC pattern as their pattern of choice. This is by far the most popular pattern for micro carry guns, with Trijicon RMR being the most popular pattern for full size pistols (check out our Holosun 507C Review for a great RMR pattern optic).
Concealability (5 out of 5)
The Riton X3 Tactix MPRD is tiny. It’s even smaller and more concealably than my Holosun 407K, so in this sense its actually a very compact option.
Descent Window Size (4.5 out of 5)
Surprisingly, despite the site’s small profile, the window size isn’t that small. It’s actually quite good for a Shield RMSC pattern red dot. So in its class, the window size is actually very descent.
Durability (4 out of 5)
This site is not as beefy as other red dots I’ve owned and tested, but this particular red dot has held up well against 40 S&W which is a pretty spicy caliber. I’m not sure how well it would perform in a drop test, the housing is definitely not as beefy as say Holosun’s 407K housing; however, it seemed sturdy enough and the emitter didn’t shake loose after several hundred rounds of hot .40 S&W ammo so it gets props here.
I don’t have thousands of rounds through this yet, but I think you’re safe mounting this on a 9mm or smaller.
Riton X3 Tactix MPRD
Things that could be improved
No extras, No Packaging even (2 out of 5)
The Riton MPRD Tactix X3 that I purchased came with no box. It came in a bubble wrap bag. It came with no accessories (many red dots will come with a pic rail adapter or some other nice extras, even a microfiber cloth). My model came with the optic, an allen wrench, and a paper manual in a plastic bag essentially.
No brightness controls (2 out of 5)
My model had no brightness controls. There is a model now that has manual brightness controls, but on the model I reviewed, the brightness was controlled by a light sensor.
This setup didn’t work well, as on bright sunny days the optic is very difficult to pick up. Similarly, if using a flashlight at night, the flashlight would drown out the red dot, making this unusable for home defense or concealed carry. This is a very major negative in my view. The optic is great for a cheap range pistol however, so it does still have a place there.
Battery Compartment on Bottom (3 out of 5)
This is common on most Shield RMSC pattern red dots, so I can’t knock the optic too much. However, you’ll have to take the red dot off of the pistol to change the battery, which could be as much as a once per year occurrence. This will force you to likely re-zero the optic. I definitely prefer optics that load the battery via a side tray or on the topside of the base of the optic.
Turrets aren’t great (2.5 out of 5)
The turrets on this optic aren’t very good. They don’t audibly click or line up to an MOA marking, making it difficult to fine tune adjustments predictably when sighting the optic in. They also are adjustable via a very tiny allen key, which is easy to lose and a pain in the butt to haul around in your range bag. Other Shield pattern red dots like the Holosun 407K do not have this issue as they have a flat blade adjustment, so it is possible within this footprint.
Riton X3 Tactix MPRD
Also available from Optics Planet
Conclusion
In conclusion this isn’t a bad red dot. It is very basic and very affordable for what it is. The lack of brightness adjustment settings is a deal breaker for me as far as concealed carry is concerned, but if you want an affordable red dot for a cheaper range pistol or backup gun, the Riton MPRD X3 Tactix isn’t a bad choice.
However, check out our other pistol red dot reviews so that you can make an informed decision and purchase the carry optic that is best for your needs.
