Sight Mark Sure Shot Red Dot Review

Sight Mark in Camo! (No black in stock)

I was looking for a nice a Red dot for my 22 pistol.  When it comes to inexpensive red dot sights, the reflex sights seem to pretty inexpensive, and are much more appropriate for a handgun than a tube. Of the reflex sights, there are a lot of different ones out there, but there are also a lot that look exactly the same when it comes to reflex sights:

• Sightmark Sure Shot 
• BARSKA Multi-Reticle Electro Sight
• Truglo Red-Dot Open Dual Color Sight
• Browning Buckmark Holographic Sight
• Aim Sports Red Dot Sight
• Ultimate Arms Gear Tactical Red Dot Open Reflex Sight
• NcSTAR Red Dot Sight

These all look the same, offer almost all the same options:

• 4 different reticles
• 7 Brightness settings
• Weaver mount
• Lens cover

However, only Sightmark and NcStar offers a limit lifetime warranty, where the others only offer a 1 maybe 2 year warranty.  This was the reason I chose the Sightmark (Also I couldn't find the NcStar locally, and I was impatient and didn't want to wait for shipping).

I installed the Sighmark on my Ruger 22/45 Mark III pistol, which has a Waver/Dovetail rail that can be screwed on.  After installation I had to really crank the sight adjustment to get it on the paper.  I didn't do a lock to lock count, so I don't know how much more runout I have, but after a few close range shots, I got it somewhat zeroed.  I then took the target out to 10 yards, to further dial it in.

So after my initial zeroing, how does it hold up?  So far so good.  I've taken this pistol out to the range a half dozen times so far, and it still pretty much shoots spot on.  I think everything else can be blamed on the shooter, or the constancy of the .22 ammo I'm using at the time (when I have .22LR ammo).

As for the options, how are they?
I really like having 4 different reticles to choose from:

• 3 MOA dot (too small for target work)
• Crosshair (not too bad)
• 10 MOA dot crosshair (My favorite)
• 65 MOA circle with 3 MOA dot (not too bad either)

I never had a fuzzy reticle, but remember, you need to be focusing on the target, and then the reticle will be sharp.  If you focus on the glass, it won't be sharp.

The brightness setting are sufficient.  In the daylight, I usually set it 5 of 7, and have never had to set it higher to acquire the target.  However, being a red dot, make sure you buy a lot of CR2032 batteries.  You never know what you are going to get out of the box, and it will probably die pretty quickly, mine did.  The second one I installed lasted a lot longer.  Also, don't forget to turn off the sight when you are done shooting.

As for reliability, how is it?  I have put three different Sight Mark sights on 3 different .22 pistols.  So far, 2 of the 3 worked fine out of the box.  The third one started to show reticle fall off, and a lot of flickering.  Once we replaced the battery, the flickering went away, but still the top half of the reticle wasn't as bright as the bottom half.  This is where we were able to test the warranty.  After contacting Sightmark, I had a new one week, they even paid for the return shipping.  Top notch!

So far, I am very happy with this sight, and would defiantly recommend it.  I may take it off my pistol and do a follow up on it for use on a rifle and a shotgun.

Tips:
Record the serial number before mounting the sight.
Register the sight right away (For warranty purposes)
Have multiple batteries in your shooting bag so you always have one fresh when you're at the range.
Turn off the sight before putting the cover on.

Have fun shooting!