r/canadaguns • u/mistert9 • Mar 20 '26

Buy recommendations 12 Gauge optics

Wondering what kind of optics people have had good luck with on their shotguns. I know many will say the standard irons or beads are all you need, but I'm looking for an upgrade, and I'm torn between Utg pro flip ups or an actual red dot...for the latter, what would hold zero consistently but also not be silly on the price end? I am aware you get what you pay for, but I'm always for paying less (or reasonable) for quality.

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u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Mar 20 '26

I've run a Meprolight M21 on my shotgun since 2018 and I've shot thousands of rounds in competitions with it. Never had an issue. Buy once, cry once.

I've killed every vortex I've put on a shotgun.

5

u/cumbrad Mar 20 '26

Have you tried the Viper SG? (the one designed for shotguns)

4

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Mar 20 '26

Nope. Don't plan on it. The track record is too poor to justify spending the money. Every Vortex red dot I've owned has died and been replaced at least once. I've never killed any other optic brand. EO Tech, Trijicon, Burris, Meprolight, random aliexpress optics, all fine.

3

u/cumbrad Mar 20 '26

Fair enough. Myself, I’m willing to bet $200 on their lifetime warranty but different strokes for different folks. I generally go Holosun but picked this one up for cheap during a sale in the US (one curse of dual citizenship with a PAL and FFL and living close to the border on both sides is I spend 2x as much on guns, since it’s easier than doing import/export paperwork LOL)

4

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Mar 20 '26

The Vortex warranty is great, but having an optic go down during a competition isn't worth it. I would rather not have to use the warranty.

2

u/cumbrad Mar 20 '26

Since the only shotgun comps I do are clays where usually a red dot isn’t even allowed, I don’t really mind a little gamble but I def understand where you’re coming from

5

u/FluffyPlays22 Mar 20 '26

Not sure why you are being downvoted, vortex red dots are terrible. I've had 3/3 vortex red dots die on me, that's before I learned that vortex red dots are outright garbage. For the same price you can get the equivalent of any other chinese manufacturer, and it will be way better. I've got over 15k+ rounds (not rimfire) on holosuns and never had one fail on me yet.

2

u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Mar 20 '26

I've owned 4 of their dots. Each one has died multiple times for different reasons. Last 2 times I just sold off the warranty replacement for cheap. Not worth the hassle. When my current ones die I'll do the same.

Holosun seems solid. I've been running one on my shadow 2 for a bit now.

I wouldn't say I'm rough on my gear, but I do run them in multigun so things get bumped.