Best Red Dot For M&P 2.0 Core

I’ve had the pleasure of putting this gun through its paces, along with several red dot sights, to find the perfect match. 

Well, the goal is to review a selection of red dot sights that are compatible with the M&P 2.0 CORE.

I’ve tested each sight’s performance, durability, and ease of use to help you make an informed decision. 

Here are the top seven red dot sights that fit M&P 2.0 CORE Perfectly.

M&P 2.0 CORE Red Dot	Category
Trijicon RMR	Best Overall
Trijicon SRO	Best for Professionals
Vortex Venom	Best User-Friendly Controls
Burris Fastfire	Great Value for Money
Holosun 507C	Best Multi-Reticle System
Holosun 508T	Best Solid Option
Leupold Deltapoint	Highly Durable

Top 7 Best M&P 2.0 CORE Red Dot

1. Trijicon RMR – Best Overall
2. Trijicon SRO – Best for Professionals
3. Vortex Venom – Best User-Friendly Controls
4. Burris Fastfire – Great Value for Money
5. Holosun 507C – Best Multi-Reticle System 
6. Holosun 508T – Best Solid Option
7. Leupold Deltapoint Pro – Highly Durable

1. Trijicon RMR – Best Overall

The Trijicon R.M.R. Type 2 is a well-balanced red dot sight that offers a blend of ruggedness, versatility, and performance.

Adjustable 6.5 MOA L.E.D. Dot: The Trijicon R.M.R. Type 2 comes with a 6.5 MOA LED red dot that stands out in its category. This particular dot size offers an ideal balance between speed and accuracy. 

Having a larger dot makes it easier to locate when you’re in a hurry, yet it’s not so big that it obscures your target at a distance. 

This is particularly useful when you’re in different shooting scenarios, be it tactical applications or even casual range days.

Eight Brightness Settings: Talk about options! The sight offers eight different brightness settings, giving you the freedom to adjust the red dot illumination based on your environment. 

This feature proves indispensable when you find yourself in changing light conditions, be it midday sun or dusky evening. It also comes with an automatic brightness mode that intelligently adapts to your surroundings.

Rugged Electronic Design: The Trijicon R.M.R. Type 2 is built to last. Its electronic components are designed to withstand shock, ensuring that your sight remains functional even in harsh conditions. 

Military-Grade Aluminum Alloy Housing: Now, let’s talk durability. The sight’s housing is made from military-grade aluminum alloy, which not only adds to its overall ruggedness but also aids in protecting the lens by diverting impact forces away from it. 

The design makes it reliable, so you don’t have to worry when taking it on rigorous adventures.

Battery Conservation Mode: This feature is a real game-changer. The R.M.R. Type 2 has a built-in intelligent battery conservation mode, which prolongs the battery life without you having to manually turn off the sight. 

This is something I appreciate as it minimizes any chance of the sight turning off when you need it the most.

Manual Mode: For those who like to have full control, there’s a manual mode that allows you to fix your brightness setting. It stays in this mode for 16.5 hours after your last adjustment, which is an added convenience.

My Experience

I have had an excellent time using this sight on my M&P 2.0 CORE. The sight installation was straightforward, and its performance has been nothing short of impressive. 

The adjustable settings came in handy during my varying light conditions in the field.

2. Trijicon SRO – Best for Professionals

The Trijicon S.R.O. is a premium red dot sight designed for accuracy, featuring a large field of view and rugged construction.

Large, Unobstructed Field of View: The Trijicon S.R.O. offers a large field of view that is a significant advantage for anyone needing a broad, unobstructed sight picture. 

This makes target acquisition quicker and easier, particularly under dynamic shooting conditions. 

Whether you’re on the range or in a competitive shooting environment, the broader field of view means you can engage targets more efficiently while also maintaining situational awareness. It’s like having peripheral vision through your optic.

Clear, Crisp Red Dot: One of the S.R.O.’s standout features is its sharp, distinct red dot. The clarity of this dot adds another layer of precision to your shooting. 

What’s more, the dot size at 2.5 MOA is ideal for a range of shooting applications, from close-quarters to longer-range shots. It offers the perfect blend of size and intensity, ensuring you can aim with pinpoint accuracy.

Easy, Adjustable Windage and Elevation: The tool-less design for adjusting windage and elevation is a nice touch. You can tweak the settings effortlessly without needing any extra instruments. This comes in handy when you’re in the field and need to make quick adjustments on the fly.

Parallax-Free View & Unlimited Eye Relief: With this sight, parallax isn’t something you need to worry about. The parallax-free view ensures that the red dot stays on target, regardless of your head position. 

This feature, coupled with unlimited eye relief, lets you shoot comfortably without straining your eyes, making those extended sessions on the range a lot more enjoyable.

Top-Loading Battery: The convenience of a top-loading battery cannot be overstated. When it’s time for a battery change, there’s no need to dismount the sight from your firearm.

Rugged, Durable Construction: The sight is built like a tank, using 7075 T6 Aluminum for its housing. This adds to its durability and ensures that it can withstand the rigors of both casual and professional shooting.

My Experience 

I’ve used the Trijicon S.R.O. extensively on my M&P 2.0 CORE, and it’s performed exceptionally well. 

Whether at the range or in competitions, this sight has given me a distinct advantage, thanks to its large field of view and crisp red dot. The rugged construction has also held up to the elements, making it a reliable choice for any shooting application.

Take look at In depth Comparison of Trijicon SRO And RMR.

3. Vortex Venom – Best User-Friendly Controls

The Vortex Venom is a high-quality, budget-friendly red dot sight with a compact design and a robust feature set.

Durability and Reliability with 6061-T6 Aluminum Housing: Don’t let the compact design of the Vortex Optics Venom fool you; it’s built to last. Encased in a 6061-T6 Aluminum housing, this sight stands up to shocks and resists water damage, which is especially important for outdoor and tactical shooting situations. 

It’s not just about the material but also the construction. Every component fits snugly, giving you the peace of mind that it won’t fail you when you need it the most.

High-Quality Glass Clarity: One of the first things you’ll notice is the exceptional glass quality. A multi-layered, anti-reflective sealant on the lens offers incredible clarity. 

This ensures that you have a vivid, sharp sight picture, which is critical when every second counts in the field.

Long-Lasting Battery Life: When it comes to battery life, this sight is a powerhouse. Using a CR-1632 battery, it can last between 150 to a staggering 30,000 hours, depending on your illumination settings. This means less frequent battery changes and more time focusing on your shooting.

1 MOA Windage and Elevation Adjustments: The 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments are incredibly precise. Each click moves the point of impact by approximately 1.047 inches at 100 yards.

This feature allows you to make super fine adjustments, ensuring that you can place your shots with a high degree of accuracy.

Auto-Brightness Mode: Last but certainly not least, the sight’s auto-brightness mode dynamically adjusts the reticle’s intensity according to the lighting conditions. This is especially useful for transitioning between different environments, be it from a dark room to a sunny outdoor range..

My Experience 

Having tested the Vortex Optics Venom on my M&P 2.0 CORE, I can confidently say that it lives up to its reputation. 

The compact size didn’t take up much room, yet the features packed into this tiny tool are seriously impressive. The sight is intuitive to use and adjust, and the glass clarity ensures you’re never doubting what you’re looking at.

4. Burris Fastfire – Great Value for Money

The Burris Fastfire 3 is a compact, durable red dot sight that excels in various lighting conditions and is built for longevity.

Aluminum Housing for Durability: Let’s start by talking about the housing. The Burris Fastfire 3 is encased in aluminum housing, and trust me, that’s a real game-changer. I’ve put this sight through the wringer; it’s been bumped, dropped, and generally mistreated. But guess what? It’s holding up just fine, even with my sometimes clumsy behavior. 

The aluminum not only protects the internal optics but also ensures that the sight remains lightweight. When you’re in the field, every ounce counts. The durability extends to its shock and water resistance. Let’s just say, if you find yourself caught in a sudden downpour, your sight is going to be the least of your worries.

Reticle Choices: Oh, the reticle choices, my friends! So you get options here; a 3 MOA dot and an 8 MOA dot. I’ve been using the 3 MOA dot on my M&P 2.0 CORE, and it’s a charm for accurate aiming up to medium ranges. 

And if you’re looking for something bigger and quicker to lock onto, the 8 MOA dot has got you covered. Either way, the red LED-illuminated reticle gives you adjustable brightness levels. 

Glass and Lens Clarity: Now, let’s chat about the lens quality. You know how some sights can leave you squinting, trying to make out that fuzzy object in the distance? Not the Fastfire 3. 

The multi-coated lenses bring out a vivid, clear-sight picture even in low-light scenarios. The lenses are also parallax-free. Simply put, no matter how you position your eye, the reticle stays put. 

Battery Life: Well, it’s not all sunshine and roses here. The battery life isn’t exactly marathon-worthy. You’ll need to keep an eye out for the low-battery warning indicator. 

While it’s not a deal-breaker for short outings, it’s something to consider if you’re planning extended use.

Windage and Elevation Adjustments: Guess what? No tools are required for windage and elevation adjustments. On-the-fly adjustments are smooth and, frankly, a relief when you’re out and about. Just a few quick tweaks, and you’re back in action.

My Experience

Hooking it up to my M&P 2.0 CORE was straightforward. The sight performed excellently, providing fast target acquisition and maintaining its zero throughout.

5. Holosun 507C – Best Multi Reticle System 

The HS507C X2 is an affordable yet feature-rich sight that’s tough as nails and versatile in the field.

7075 Aluminum Housing for Extreme Durability: The first thing you’ll notice about this sight is how solid it feels, thanks to its 7075 aluminum housing. 

Now, that’s not just any aluminum; it’s aircraft-grade stuff. This means the sight is lightweight without compromising on its ability to take a beating. I’ve tested this thing in some pretty rough terrains, and it came through like a champ every time. 

Multi-Coated Glass and IPX-6 Waterproof Rating: Another area where the HS507C X2 shines is in its optics. The multi-coated glass lens is designed for optimal light transmission, making it incredibly clear.

You get a crisp and vivid image, which can make all the difference when you’re aiming. And let’s talk about that IPX-6 waterproof rating; this sight can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. 

Impressive Battery Life: Battery life can be a deal-breaker for many, but not with this sight. With up to 50,000 hours, that’s insane! But what really impresses me is the Shake Awake and Solar Failsafe features.

Multi-Reticle System: The multi-reticle system is a big win here. You’ve got options: a 2 M.O.A. center dot for pinpoint accuracy, a 32 M.O.A. circle for faster target acquisition, or a combo of both. 

Having these choices means you can easily switch depending on your shooting situation. Whether you’re at the range or in a tactical setting, this feature lets you customize your shooting experience down to the tee.

My Experience 

Hooking it up was a cinch, and in the field, it never missed a beat. The sight was responsive, the reticles were crisp, and it maintained zero beautifully.

6. Holosun 508T – Best Solid Option

The HE508T-RD X2 is a versatile, titanium-housed open reflex sight built to endure the challenges of handgun shooting.

Grade 5 Titanium Housing: One of the standout features of this sight is its grade 5 titanium housing. Titanium is both lightweight and remarkably tough, making this sight ready to handle pretty much anything you throw at it. 

I’ve had my share of spills and drops, but this sight just shrugged it off like it’s no big deal. The titanium build offers a blend of durability and lightness that keeps the sight in mint condition even under duress, all while being kind to the overall weight of your firearm.

Ultra-Efficient 650nm Red Super LED: Let’s talk about this sight’s LED for a moment. The 650nm Red Super LED provides an incredibly clear reticle with excellent visibility. 

The longevity of the LED also pairs up brilliantly with the battery, offering up to 50,000 hours of use. This means you can practically forget about swapping out batteries for a very long time. 

In various lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to cloud cover, the LED performed admirably, ensuring that the reticle was always clearly visible and easy to focus on.

Multi-Reticle System: Just like the HS507C X2, this sight offers a multi-reticle system. You can select from a 2 M.O.A. dot, a 32 M.O.A. circle, or both. 

This feature’s versatility is a major highlight, as it allows for quick adaptability to various shooting scenarios. 

Lock Mode: Lock Mode is an often-overlooked but very practical feature. This locks in your settings to prevent any accidental changes. If you’ve dialed in your perfect brightness and reticle, the last thing you want is to mess it up when you’re out and about. Lock Mode makes sure your settings stay just the way you like them, no surprises.

My Experience 

Installation was a breeze, and in the field, it performed exceptionally well. Between the various reticle options and the battery-saving features, I felt confident every step of the way.

Comparison of Holosun 508t & RMR

7. Leupold Deltapoint Pro – Highly Durable

The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is a robust red dot sight with superior lens clarity, a wide field of view, and advanced features like Motion Sensor Technology.

Large Lens and Clarity: The lens on this sight is, in a word, phenomenal. The large lens provides a substantially wide field of view, which allows for quicker and more precise target acquisition. 

Edge-to-edge clarity makes sure there’s no question about what you’re looking at. Unlike some other sights, you won’t notice any color distortion here, which means a more accurate representation of your environment. 

Motion Sensor Technology: The Motion Sensor Technology (M.S.T.) is a nifty addition to this sight. It helps save battery life by turning off the reticle after five minutes of inactivity. The second you make any motion, the reticle is back, ready for action. 

I’ve found this particularly useful during long days in the field. You don’t have to worry about manually turning off your sight to save battery; it handles that all by itself. Plus, because it reactivates at the slightest movement, it’s instantly ready when you are.

Rugged 7075 T6 Aluminium Body: Let’s talk about durability. Made from 7075 T6 Aluminium, this sight is shock and water-resistant. In my field tests, it withstood some serious conditions without showing signs of stress or wear. 

Top-Loading Battery Design: Convenience matters and the top-loading battery design delivers it in spades. No need to remove the sight to swap out the battery and you won’t have to go through re-zeroing the sight all over again. 

This design choice is such a time-saver and ensures that you’re always ready for action without unnecessary delays.

My Experience

From installation to actual use in the field, this sight was a dream. The image clarity, combined with the wide field of view, significantly improved my target acquisition speed.

Final Verdict

After countless hours at the range, multiple lighting conditions, and real-world tests, the verdict is clear: the Trijicon RMR emerges as the top choice for use with the M&P 2.0 CORE. From its unyielding durability to its versatile settings, it meets the needs of both casual and professional shooters alike.

That’s not to say the other options didn’t have their merits. Many offered excellent performance, adaptability, and ease of use. Yet, when it comes down to the details, the RMR just edges them out, offering that perfect balance of all the factors that contribute to an optimal shooting experience.

FAQ’s

What optics are available for the M&P core?

Several optics are compatible with the M&P Core, including the Trijicon RMR and SRO, Vortex Venom, Burris Fastfire, and Holosun models like the 507C and 508T.

Can you put a red dot on a Smith and Wesson M&P?

Absolutely, Smith and Wesson M&P series, especially the M&P 2.0 CORE, are designed to be optics-ready and can easily accommodate a red dot sight.

Is the M&P 2.0 full-size optics ready?

Yes, the M&P 2.0 CORE series is optics-ready, designed to allow for easy mounting of red dot sights.

What is the difference between M&P 2.0 and M&P Shield?

The M&P 2.0 and M&P Shield are quite similar. The main differences lie in the trigger group, which is a bit more refined in the M&P 2.0, and the M2.0 has additional serrations at the front of the slide.