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/therowdyirishman Mar 20 '26

Pistol optics tend to suit this application best for a number of reasons - durability, low mount by default, small footprint, co-witness mount availability, and circle reticle options. Primary Arms 1x prism are solid and offer the benefit of an etched reticle as a back up sight alternative to co-witnessed irons. Decent quality Aimpoint micro clones like Holosuns mid tier options should hold up as well. If you don't care to pay the premium for an enclosed emitter you have access to more affordable options. The most popular enclosed models I see people using in the 1301 tactical subreddit are Holosun 509T, Aimpoint Acro and Steiner MPS. I started out with a 509T and then swapped to a Holosun 503CU as it offers a distortion free sight picture, tubular shape (preference/aesthetic choice) and preferred co-witness height when mounted on a CROM.

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u/mistert9 Mar 20 '26

Thanks for the info! I am brand new to the world of optics other than using and zeroing a cheap forcefield impulse that works well on my wife's 10/22, so I will have to check out some of those mentions you pointed out.