Glock Talk banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Keeping pistol mounted red dots clean?

Jump to Latest
  • Notice image

    Glocktalk is a forum community dedicated to Glock enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Glock pistols and rifles, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, and more!

1 - 19 of 19 Posts
W

wct097

· Registered
Joined
·
2,400 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've been carrying my G43X MOS with a Holosun red dot on it for about a year now. I'm curious how other people keep their optic clean. I never had an issue with dust or lint or debris fouling the iron sights on my carry pistols before, but I feel like I have to clean my red dot every time I strap on my EDC.

Between lint & dust, nearly every time I check my gun the dot is blown out all over the place and/or the optic is near impossible to see through. I've taken to blowing it out with compressed air each time I get dressed.

Does anyone else question if the red dot is a viable EDC/CCW solution given the near constant need for cleaning or am I just an OCD weirdo?

Note that I only feel the need to clean the optic. The gun gets cleaned every few months or ~250 rounds.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
wct097 said:
I've been carrying my G43X MOS with a Holosun red dot on it for about a year now. I'm curious how other people keep their optic clean. I never had an issue with dust or lint or debris fouling the iron sights on my carry pistols before, but I feel like I have to clean my red dot every time I strap on my EDC.

Between lint & dust, nearly every time I check my gun the dot is blown out all over the place and/or the optic is near impossible to see through. I've taken to blowing it out with compressed air each time I get dressed.

Does anyone else question if the red dot is a viable EDC/CCW solution given the near constant need for cleaning or am I just an OCD weirdo?

Note that I only feel the need to clean the optic. The gun gets cleaned every few months or ~250 rounds.
Click to expand...
I don't even clean the ones I use for precision pistol competition. There is no need to clean one on a defensive gun. You could paint the glass black and it would still work (as long as you paint the front glass).
 
#5 ·
No, I absolutely do not question a dot for EDC due to a little dust.

I wipe the dust off the lenses on my edc rmr with the back of my shirt as part of the morning gear up and I&I process. No special care and takes a couple seconds. I CatCrap the lenses every once in a while too which may help.

If you work and live in really dusty and dirty environments and aren't conceal carrying to cover the lenses then maybe it really is getting so dirty to be impossible to see through, as you stated. Or else maybe you are just exaggerating and are being OCD about specs of dust. Can you shoot it an all day and forget about dust and dirt or are you actually having to clean it every hour during a class or event between strings of fire? If you haven't, I would suggest you shoot with it for long periods in less than ideal environments and from less than ideal positions to find out how much dirt, dust, rain, marking rounds, etc it can really take before it is no longer accurate and useable. It takes a lot. My guess is you are just spending too much time looking at the glass and dot instead of looking through it target focused as you would while shooting. Most dirt isn't even noticeable while target focused and using it.
 
#6 ·
Our wear a Dream Plastics cover with a length of mason string tie to a back inside corner and then to a carabiner on a belt loop when in my holster or when just hanging around . When I draw the cover is pulled off . I use a lens pen to dust off the lens or for lite cleaning .
 
#7 ·
Bren said:
I don't even clean the ones I use for precision pistol competition. There is no need to clean one on a defensive gun. You could paint the glass black and it would still work (as long as you paint the front glass).
Click to expand...
I’m glad you brought this up as I had forgotten about it. This really works, kind of freaky but cool! I stumbled across this with the red dot on my AR. Even with the dot lens blocked/covered on the far side, your eyes will see the dot on the target! The red dot lens could be black and still work.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Bren said:
I don't even clean the ones I use for precision pistol competition. There is no need to clean one on a defensive gun. You could paint the glass black and it would still work (as long as you paint the front glass).
Click to expand...
I've seen the dot look splattered all over the glass. I'm not concerned with the front of the glass, just the pocket on the back that gets debris in it.

I also think the Holosun is prone to the buttons being inadvertently pressed pushing the brightness up and exacerbating the problem.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
wct097 said:
I've seen the dot look splattered all over the glass. I'm not concerned with the front of the glass, just the pocket on the back that gets debris in it.
Click to expand...
Squint your eye less and see if that doesn't clear up. If it becomes permanent, so your optometrist about your astigmatism.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Bren said:
Squint your eye less and see if that doesn't clear up. If it becomes permanent, so your optometrist about your astigmatism.
Click to expand...
I wear glasses for astigmatism.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
Use a can of air to blast lint and debris off the lens. A soft brush works too. If you have a film, grease or oil on the lens you can use a pre-moistened lens wipe, like Sight Savers or Zeiss, however blast the lens with air or wipe it with the soft brush to remove debris that can scratch the lens or coatings before you use the wipe.
 
#14 ·
Every once in a blue moon I use a microfiber cloth to clean the lens. Beyond that I haven’t had to do much. I wouldn’t mind updating ti something g line the EPS or EPS Carry that are closed emitter designs, but I’m not rushing to be the first in line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #16 · (Edited)
Bren said:
There's your problem. It's a common problem for shooters with astigmatism using dots.
Click to expand...
If that is the case, then why would it only present when the sight is full of debris and go away once cleaned?

it has not been my experience that I have issues with red dots while wearing glasses. Without, sure, but not with.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#17 ·
You can put it under the faucet for a second, then dry it off with a paper towel. Crystal clear.

Supposed to be water resistant, if you sealed the base. The majority of dust is human dander, off your body, not just the head. A house without human inhabitance, has minimal to near no dust -- all those movies you see with creepy houses with furniture covers - are not necessary.... Just props.
 
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
About this Discussion
18 Replies
14 Participants
Last post:
adc
Glock Talk
posts
22M
members
203K
Since
1999
A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Glocking General Firearms Forum Sold/Expired Cop Talk GSSF