Gear Review: Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot Sight

Check out the SGPT Gear Review for the Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot Sight and you decide if this weapon is good enough for your arsenal. There are tons of companies that are making red dot sights (RDS, for short) for pistol applications. With that advent, a bunch of RDS’s have hit the market, and it’s tough to figure out which one. Ranging from a hundred to nearly a thousand dollars—making the call can be tough.

Luckily, we here at SGPT got your six with a 6 MOA dot Vortex Venom by Vortex Optics.

Let’s talk a bit about the specs first.

This RDS has a 6 MOA dot, meaning that it’s a bit larger than most rifle optics – that have a 2-3 MOA dot. MOA stands for Minute Of Angle, so this RDS would paint a 6 inch area on a target that is 100 yards away.

Given that, I and the people at Vortex would recommend a 6 MOA dot for pistol application. While this optic does have risers and mounts to put it on a rifle or shotgun, I’d recommend using the 6 MOA on a pistol, as it allows you to pick up a target quickly.

The lens is fully multicoated and designed to stand up to abuse, which offers  wide and crisp field of view. Also, it’s backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty—they’ll replace it and all their products, no questions asked.

This was a big selling point for me before I took the plunge.

If I dropped it or damaged it in competition, I knew I could get a new one. The flush mounted turrets are segmented into 1 MOA increments, which made zeroing this bad boy in pretty easy work. Pictured is my first 10 rounds or so with the optic zeroed at 20 yards, and as you can see, it’s ridiculously accurate.

Many of those holes are touching, and they’re all combat-effective to say the least.

What’s more, the unit has a top load battery, which means you don’t have to re-zero your weapon after changing the battery. They make another model – the Viper – which is the lowest RDS, but you need to rezero your weapon after you change the battery since it’s loaded under the optic. For my applications, this is perfect.

It also has 10 different brightness settings, which show up in low light as well as bright sunlight – but it even has an auto-brightness mode which is pretty awesome.

Now let’s talk construction.

The unit is stoutly crafted from aluminum, and once secured to the proper plate on the top of my G17 MOS, it’s not going anywhere.

Not that I would recommend it, but it’s securely well enough to rack the slide with it. The lens, as noted, is fully coated, with no glare or hazing noticed. They also include a rubber cover, pictured, to protect the optic when it’s no mounted, or you can slide it over like I do when I store it in a case.

The flush mounted turrets don’t move unless you use a screwdriver, making this hold zero very, very well.

The dot is clear and crisp, and it makes acquiring a target rapid.

I also noticed the ancillary benefit of calling out when you are shooting incorrectly – be it anticipating recoil, pulling and not pressing the trigger, thumbing, etc.

It’s a very good tool for a competitive shooter, but I think LEO would be remiss not to look into putting a RDS on their service weapon. It allows you to come from holstered to on target faster. The only caveat: some active retention holsters won’t allow for this type of optic to be mounted, but plenty of manufacturers like our buddies at QVO Tactical would be able to make you something custom.

Overall it’s a fantastic RDS for your pistol.

I’m sure for your shotgun or 45 degree mounted on an AR for shorter range engagements. It’s built solid, backed by a stellar warranty, easily adjustable, and their customer service is second to none. The adjustments are easy and they include a tool, as well as other accessories to make everything simple.

It mounts to a Glock MOS with the included plates (#1 I believe) and is a cinch to get zeroed in. With 10 brightness and auto settings, it’s good to go.

I look forward to sending more lead downrange with this RDS on it, and checking back in with all of you to let you know how I feel after a couple hundred rounds.

Compare prices on the Vortex Venom red dot sight at OpticsPlanet.com

9/4/17 Update

Roughly 500 more rounds put through this optic on a G17 MOS and it’s still holding zero, and punching ragged holes that basically touch out to 25 yards. One thing I do have to note is the glass does attract all the dust possible, so you need to keep it covered, but that’s nothing that can’t be solved with a microfiber cloth.

The optic tracks right back when you’re going rapid fire, but does take getting used to if you’re using a pistol with traditional sights as often or more often than one with a RDS.

I shot this in a couple matches, and it’s highly accurate, although not at short range. It takes a moment to pick up the dot, when with a standard pistol, you have to just pick up the front sight. However, with long shots, this thing makes the pistol surgical.

Pros, what we like:

Easy to use, easily mounted, and quick to zero. It’s build solid with a bright dot, plenty of features, top load battery, and an easy to read manual. Back that up with a VIP warranty, and what’s not to like?

Cons, what we don’t like:

None. I like everything about this sight for my application. If I were to mount this on a rifle though, I think the field of view would be too small.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.

His where-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.

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