The PSA Dagger Compact has already gained a reputation as an inexpensive, high-quality 9mm pistol that does much more than its cost, and when it is combined with the Best Red Dot for Dagger Compact, its accuracy, speed, and confidence can be pushed even further.
A good optic will assist you in getting the target quickly, staying focused during pressure, and getting the best out of the Dagger on the range and in its everyday carry.
However, there are so many red dots available in the market, all offering long battery life, rugged durability, and crystal-clear glass, that it is sometimes hard to figure out which one really fits your pistol and your shooting preferences.
This manual further subdivides the best red dots on the Dagger Compact, including the most important features, mounting possibilities, as well as the advantages and disadvantages in the real world, to ensure that you select the optic that provides the best combination of performance, reliability, and value.
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| 1) Trijicon RMR Type 2 |  |
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| 2) Holosun HS507C X2 |  |
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| 3) Holosun HS407 |  |
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| 4) Trijicon SRO |  |
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What to Look for in a Red Dot for the PSA Dagger Compact
Select a sight that fits well to your slide cut/footprint (RMR vs Doctor), then consider the following priorities: dot size (1-3 MOA to be precise, 6+ MOA to be fast), emitter open vs enclosed, better to be enclosed in wet/dusty conditions, and battery access top/side load is much more convenient than bottom load.
Please check the window size and eye height in order to get a fast and to make sure that the optic does not obstruct your iron sights or the holster.
Verify mount/screw fit and torque requirements, screws supplied, or use the manufacturer’s screws. Durability counts – forged aluminum or CNC 7075 cases, excellent sealing P67 or higher, and established impact resistance will be dollars well spent should you have the gun.
Consider the brightness range, auto lock settings, and real-world battery life, not just hours claimed.
Lastly, the factor price, warranty, and availability of replacement part mounting plates. Purchase only from famous dealers, check the unit upon arrival, zero/test on the range, and then count on it to carry.
Quick checklist:
- Footprint match (RMR vs Doctor
- Dot size choice (1–3 vs 6+ MOA)
- Open vs enclosed emitter
- Battery type & access (top/side preferred)
- Window size & sight height
- Mount hardware & torque specs
- Durability/sealing & warranty
- Price, dealer reputation, return policy
RMR Footprint vs Doctor Footprint: What Fits the Dagger Compact?
The PSA Dagger Compact is packaged with either an RMR-style (Trijicon RMR / RMSc family) cut or a Docter/doctor (Docter/Noblex/Shield RMSc-style) cut based on the particular slide option – numerous PSA product pages and user forums specifically list some of the available Dagger slides as being cut to RMR.
Fast differences & what that entails in fitment.
- RMR footprint (Trijicon RMR)
standard, industry-sized footprint that is compatible with Trijicon RMR and most other micro-dots with RMR adapters (Holosun 507/407 series, Swampfox Kingslayer with RMR adapter, etc.)
Unless you have the RMR-cut version of your Dagger slide, these optics are compatible without the use of an adapter. In its product listing, PSA has RMR-cut Dagger slides.
- Docter / “Doctor” footprint:
Another, smaller footprint (used by some optics, such as some Docter/Noblex and some Shield RMSc, and some micro red dots).
Some Dagger owners record Doctor-cut slides and threads on forums, advising that not all optics will work in this cut without some adjustment. When you have a slide in which you have a Doctor cut, you will need an optic that will fit that footprint or an adapter plate.
Open vs Enclosed Emitter: Which Is Best for You?
- Open-emitter dots
Here, the LED and emitter assembly is exposed in the throat of the sight window. They are generally smaller and lighter, tend to have a very clear and wide sight view, and are available in numerous compact footprints (RMR-style and clones).
Open emitters are generally faster and can be acquired more easily since they do not have a thick bezel in front of the lens, and most are designed to have a low footprint and low weight, useful in small slides and low holster designs.
The key note is that the emitter is susceptible to direct hits, heavy rainfall, mud, or grit; clean up/ maintenance may be a little more sensitive.
- Enclosed emitters
The enclosed emitter is enclosed by a covering shroud which has a covered front lens. The enclosure not only protects the LED itself, but also prevents direct water, dust, or impact, which means it is more tolerant of the wet, dirty, or harsh conditions of EDC, duty carry, or hunting.
Reduce the sight picture, slightly raise the eye relief, and add a little bulk; however, modern enclosed micro-dots are small enough to fit most Dagger slides. Also, it has convenient side/top access to the battery and superior sealing.
Which is best for you?
- Select enclosed when you are a daily user, in an extreme environment, desire worry-free performance, or when you require long-lasting reliability.
- Select open when you want a minimum footprint, lightest configuration, fastest uncovered view sight, or when you shoot mostly in controlled conditions on the range competition
Best Red Dot for Dagger Compact
1) Trijicon RMR Type 2
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 is the prolific miniature red dot that has proven to be the benchmark amongst pistol optics and is still popular on RMR-cut pistol slides such as the Dagger Compact.
Features a forged 7075-T6 aluminum housing, a patented shape, which diverts impact forces off the lens, and a very small, fast sight picture with an unprecedented mechanical toughness to increase the reliability and number of contacts on the electronics and battery. The Type 2 redesigned the electronics and battery contacts.
It comes in multiple reticle sizes (the standard adjustable-LED RM06 is 3.25 MOA, with options of 1.0 and 6.5 MOA), and the adjustable models have eight brightness levels with an auto-mode and a user lockout so they cannot be changed by accident.
With a single CR2032 cell, it gives a battery life of many years under normal circumstances and is parallax-free with unlimited eye relief to allow aiming instinctively.
It is small and lightweight and therefore maintains slide geometry and concealability without taking a beating, and can withstand extreme environments as it is purged of nitrogen and rated waterproof and shockproof.
Key specs
- Reticle options: 3.25 MOA (RM06), 1.0 MOA (RM09), 6.5 MOA (RM07).
- Illumination: Adjustable LED with 8 brightness settings
- Battery: 1 × CR2032
- Housing: Forged 7075-T6 aluminum; nitrogen-purged.
- Size/weight: 1.8″ × 1.1″ × 1.0″; 1.2 oz with battery.
- Adjustments: 1 MOA per click
Pros
- Extremely rugged, service-proven construction and excellent shock resistance.
- Small footprint and ultra-light weight ideal for compact carry slides.
- Reliable illumination control with manual/auto modes and lockout; long battery life.
Cons
- Premium cost compared with many mid-range and budget red dots.
2) Holosun HS507C X2
The Holosun HS507C X2 is a small, well-appointed open-reflex red dot that has become popular as an RMR-footprint slide, such as the Dagger Compact, due to its combination of modern battery technology, multiple reticles, and a footprint that is both relatively small and rugged in a shrinkable form.
It is machined out of a CNC-machined 7075-T6 aluminum body and uses Holosun Super LED and Multi-Reticle System (MRS) to project a 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA ring, or a combination of both using the same LED, which means that the reticle does not have to be re-zeroed when changing reticles.
Handy user features such as Shake Awake motion power, a side tray CR1632 battery that can be changed quickly without having to remove the optic, and Solar Failsafe that can be used to top up battery power when in daylight, lengthen the run time, and prevent being caught with a dead sight.
This is a small, lightweight sight that is compact enough to maintain slide geometry and hideability but is sealed against water (IP67/IP68) and other strong recoil/vibration tolerances.
In general, a convenient and feature-oriented option to suggest to the shooters wishing to get both a multi-reticle flexibility, two power sources, and fast maintenanceability, but in an RMR-footprint dot.
Key Specs
- Reticle: Multi-Reticle System 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, or dot+circle.
- Battery: CR1632 (side-tray)
- Footprint: RMR-compatible
- Window: 0.63″ × 0.91″; Dimensions 1.78″ × 1.15″ × 1.15″; Weight 1.5 oz.
- Housing: 7075-T6 aluminum
Pros
- Multi-reticle flexibility without re-zeroing; great for both precision and close work.
srstactical.com - Side-tray battery and Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake give excellent practical runtime and fast swaps.
- RMR footprint and light weight make it a straightforward fit for Dagger Compact slides.
Cons
- Open-emitter design is less protected than fully enclosed dots in extreme debris/wet conditions.
3) Holosun HS407
The Holosun HS407, typically found as the HS407C X2 with RMR-footprint pistols, is a small, no-frills open-reflex sight.
It introduces modern amenities such as side-tray battery replacement, Shake-Awake motion detection, and a Solar Failsafe backup into a small and affordable package to fit both compact and full-size handguns.
It is well designed to have a low profile, allowing RMR-cut slides to be used and a small window with a choice of 2 MOA (C models) or a larger 6 MOA (K models) dot. You can choose what fits your pistol best and shoot with precision or speed, depending on your choice.
The CR1632 battery tray, mounted on its side, allows replacement of cells without taking the optic out of the slide, and Shake-Awake, in combination with the solar panel, significantly increases on-paper run times, Holosun claims up to around 50,000 hours in suitable conditions.
It has a variety of brightness settings, including auto and manual settings and lockout; it is rated to IP67-resistance to water and attaches to the industry standard RMR footprint to easily be compatible with Dagger Compact slides.
All in all, the Holosun 407 is a competent, packed with features, and affordable option because it provides modern convenience side battery, solar backup, and motion wake on an RMR footprint without charging Trijicon RMR prices.
Key specs
- Reticle: 2 MOA dot (407C) or 6 MOA dot (407K).
- Power: 1 × CR1632 coin cell (side tray)
- Housing: CNC 7075-T6 aluminum; corrosion-resistant finish; IP67 rating.
- Adjustments: 1 MOA per click
Pros
- Modern feature set (side battery tray, Solar Failsafe, Shake-Awake) for real-world convenience.
- RMR footprint and compact form make it an easy, low-cost fit for Dagger Compact slides.
- Competitive runtime claims and easy battery swaps without optic removal.
Cons
- Open-emitter design leaves the emitter more exposed than enclosed units in extreme weather or debris.
4) Trijicon SRO
Trijicon SRO (Specialized Reflex Optic) Trijicon has the solution for shooters who require a deliberately large, fast sight picture on a pistol, yet do not need to upgrade to a full-size sighting system.
Built around a wide, round viewing window, with a very clear optical path so that its emphasis is on acquiring targets quickly and situating awareness: the large lens allows one to pick up red dot fast in a broad field of view, which is particularly useful during close-range defensive use or when using on a competitive stage or when the shooter needs a bigger sight picture.
Mechanically, it is based on the proven Trijicon 7075-T6 forged aluminum chassis, and includes tool-free zeroing, top-loading CR2032 battery access that does not require removal of the optic from the slide, and an LED light with automatic and eight manual brightness options.
It is close to immersion (specs list submersion to about 3 m/10 ft), is nitrogen-purged to control any form of fogging, and available in 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 MOA dot sizes, so that you can adjust the dot size to suit your requirements.
Key Specs
- Reticle: 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 MOA red dot (LED).
- Battery: 1 × CR2032 (top-loading)
- Housing: Forged 7075-T6 aluminum
- Adjustments: Tool-less elevation/windage; 1 MOA-class click precision.
Pros
- Very large, clear window for fastest dot acquisition and excellent situational awareness.
- Top-loading battery access — change battery without removing optic from slide.
- Crisp, high-quality glass and reliable illumination controls.
Cons
- Bigger and slightly taller than micro-dots like the RMR
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Red Dot for Dagger Compact
- Footprint / Slide cut
Confirm your slide cut (RMR vs Docter). Buy an optic that fits the cut natively, or plan for an adapter plate direct-fit equals simpler, fewer clearance issues.
- Emitter type (open vs enclosed)
Enclosed (shrouded): better protection from water/debris, preferred for EDC/duty.
Open (exposed): smaller, lighter, faster sight picture, good for range/competition if you control conditions.
- Dot size/reticle
1–3 MOA recommended for pistols: 1 MOA for precision, 2–3 MOA best all-round, 6+ MOA for pure speed/close work. Consider multi-reticle models if you want flexibility.
- Battery type & access
Side/top-loading batteries are far more convenient than bottom-loading (no need to remove the optic). Solar backup and Shake-Awake are bonus features for long runtime and reliability.
- Window size & sight picture
Larger windows = faster acquisition and situational awareness, but can add height/size. Balance window size with holster fit and slide geometry.
- Height / co-witness & slide clearance
Check optic height vs iron sights and holster clearance. Larger models (SRO-style) may alter co-witness and interfere with some holsters.
FAQs
- What red-dot footprint does the PSA Dagger Compact use?
Most PSA Dagger Compact slides are Trijicon RMR-cut, but some variants are Docter/Noblex-cut. Always check the product listing or measure the mounting holes before ordering an optic.
- Can I mount any RMR-footprint optic on the Dagger Compact?
Yes, if your slide is RMR-cut, any sight using the RMR pattern (Trijicon RMR/SRO, Holosun 507C/407C) will mount directly. Use the screws supplied by PSA or the optic maker and confirm torque specs.
- What dot size is best for a compact pistol?
A 2–3 MOA dot is ideal for most shooters; it’s fine enough for precision but quick to pick up at close range. A 1 MOA dot suits longer-range accuracy, while 6 MOA+ favors pure speed or defensive shooting.
Final Thoughts
The reason as to which red dot fits best on your Dagger Compact is based on what you need and what combination of durability, footprint compatibility, and usability you prefer.
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 is the gold standard when it comes to carry or duty, and the Holosun 507C X2 is an excellent all-rounder with advanced features at a very affordable price.
Even on a tight budget, a shooter can still get some good options such as Holosun 407C have the modern functionality but do not cost a fortune. Verifying your slide footprint (RMR or Doctor) prior to purchase is a must and avoid twisting your neck to reach the battery or access the top as this feature adds to easy maintenance.
The bottom line, regardless of your decision, a high quality red dot will make your Dagger Compact something special in that you can get faster and more precise target acquisition and more confidence each time you pull the trigger.
Also check out: 6 Best Red Dot for PDP Compact