Ultradot sent over their new prototype reflex sight a couple weeks ago and I am just beginning to dive into testing. (If you haven’t seen the initial impressions video it is included bellow)
Following the initial impressions video shown above I began recoil testing and repetitive mounting and zeroing testing.
Mounting an optic, zeroing it, and leaving it on one firearm is one thing; but once you begin repeating the mounting process on different firearms and optics bases plus zeroing you are beginning to push an optic. When an optic is mounted whether it’s a tube or reflex design you are flexing, bending, and compressing that optic to conform to different bases or rings. Unless the base, rings, or mounting surface is specifically machined to match the exact sight you have on hand, you will induce stress on the optic by mounting it.
For testing I was assisted by Dave House who has a decent collection of optics ready semi autos. We set out into the Black Hills of South Dakota to begin testing the Ultradot. First up was the Spohr 283 Carry 357 magnum which I had already mounted the optic on. I let Dave blaze away with the Spohr which had the Ultradot reflex prototype mounted and here are his thoughts.
“This dot is an eye opener!
Comparing it to the other dots I own, the others don’t come close.
The dot circle is CLEAR!
My aging eyes can make most dots flare…not in this case!
The glass coating is spectacular, I didn’t experience any deformation.
There was no experiencing the dreaded “double dot” like most when facing in direct sunlight.”
“Shooting the Spohr 283 Carry with the Prime mounted on top was just plain fun.
With my aging eyes and aging hands sometimes range days can be difficult…normally keeping my practice sessions short.
Using full power 357 Magnum loads were very manageable and the only bad shots were shooter induced.
The factory grips were quite comfortable even for my small hands.
The day after this range day and my hands don’t hurt..that’s not normally the case.
In closing all I can say is this combo just plain works and I wish I had more ammo!!!”
Following shooting the Spohr we went to remove the dot and hit a minor snag! One of the screws securing the dot to the base became stuck! This was no fault of Spohr or Ultradot, it just happens. Good thing I didn’t get rid of all the machines when I retired.
The following day I headed back out solo with a slew of Dave and my guns to continue with the testing.
First up was an optics ready 44 magnum lever gun. I proceeded to mount, zero at 50 yards, then bang away at steel for a few handfuls of ammunition without issue.
Next was a semi auto 12 gauge firing 1 ounce slugs at 50 yards. This test isn’t intended to be an accuracy test but nonetheless shooting free hand with slugs this combo proved effective.
Now I moved onto the semi auto handguns. Slide ridding an optic is absolutely the most abusive way to test a red dot. The recoil does little to stress an optic but the slide slamming forward sure does. The optic was mounted on semi autos in both 10mm and 9mm. Both were zeroed and then I proceeded to ring steel for multiple magazines.
I left my most proven optics destroyer for last, the Desert Eagle. The optic is mounted over the barrel and the barrel is fixed. When the massive slide unlocks and travels to the rear there is considerable play in the barrel. As the slide slams back into the barrel it jolts forward violently to lock up. This action has blown lenses out of multiple red dots over the years.
The Ultradot took on the Desert Eagle without a hiccup and made ringing steel a blast with the large handgun.
Mounting, remounting, zeroing, and re-zeroing stresses an optic quite a bit. This prototype Ultradot had zero issues going through this abuse. All of these firearms had different height over bore for the optic and all zeroed without issue. There is plenty of internal adjustment to zero this optic on any firearm with any common mounting base.
Ultradot has always had the best optical glass in the dot industry and that holds true with the reflex as well. I am already looking forward to getting this dot in the field for 2025 hunting season.
If you will be at Shot Show Range Day stop by Spohr Revolvers and give it a look! We plan to have Ultradot products on the line. 💥