New Vortex enclosed shotgun mini red dot sight.

[Exiledviking]

I got the email this evening from EuroOptic and I have to say I'm very interested. I may end up with two. I'm hoping I can replace a Holosun 515GM with one of these on my Benelli M4 and add one on my Benelli M2 that I use for 3-gun.
Vortex is releasing a new shotgun Viper enclosed mini red dot with an integral mount. A multi reticle system dot with 3 MOA, 32 MOA, and 65 MOA circles or the plain Jane with just a 3 MOA dot.
https://www.eurooptic.com/Vortex-Viper-Shotgun-Enclosed-Multi-Reticle-Micro-Red-Dot-VPR-SGMRD3-MR-E.aspx

[DLWinner]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[TCinVA]

It looks very interesting and shows that at least somebody out there is paying attention to how an optic should be mounted.

Three fasteners is good. That should contribute to secure mounting.

Lack of integrated iron backups is not as good...but this optic is being sold to a wide variety of shotgunners and it's only us defensive application wierdos that care about backup irons.

This optic will be perfect for a bunch of shotguns that are coming from the factory with just a bead.

[mmc45414]

That is a verry innovative mounting concept, IMO. Though it is going to put all of the shear stress onto the single screw...

[Drogo Bunce]

That is a verry innovative mounting concept, IMO. Though it is going to put all of the shear stress onto the single screw...

Was thinking the same thing. But there is a lot of surface area on the bottom, so a thin layer of RTV Silicone might do the trick nicely.

[JCS]

https://www.instagram.com/share/BAI_pAuMH0

Jase Robertson approves

[Xrslug]

That is a verry innovative mounting concept, IMO. Though it is going to put all of the shear stress onto the single screw...

I assume I’m not visualizing this correctly but why would all of the shear stress of recoil be absorbed by the one (front) screw as opposed to being shared at least to some degree by the additional two rear screws? Don’t all three screws work to keep the sight in place against the acceleration and deceleration of the gun/sight when the gun is fired, regardless of whether the gun/sight is “pushing” or “pulling” against the screw depending on where the screw is relative to the sight on the gun?

[mmc45414]

I assume I’m not visualizing this correctly but why would all of the shear stress of recoil be absorbed by the one (front) screw as opposed to being shared at least to some degree by the additional two rear screws? Don’t all three screws work to keep the sight in place against the acceleration and deceleration of the gun/sight when the gun is fired, regardless of whether the gun/sight is “pushing” or “pulling” against the screw depending on where the screw is relative to the sight on the gun?
I was thinking just because only one screw (I actually thing that is the rearmost one?) is in a hole and the other three are in a slot (ETA: relying on just the friction of the sides of the screws). I think many of these are #6, maybe some are #8 screws, I think #8s would be better, and could be full of it. Somebody needs to go buy one of these and screw it onto a pump gun and go shoot a case of slugs and report back. Somebody else that is, not me!!!! :cool:


Was thinking the same thing. But there is a lot of surface area on the bottom, so a thin layer of RTV Silicone might do the trick nicely.
Perfect solution, why do I forget about that stuff! You can always saw it free with braided fishing line.

[jeremy_[]

RTV will help but ultimately that one single tiny flat head screw will be taking a beating. If I get one then I would be tempted to fit it up and then drill and tap extra holes that would catch the front and back of both slots then it will be much better. Sometimes I do miss working at tool and die shops.

[draftpick]

https://vortexoptics.widen.net/view/pdf/dtiwiasl30/VTX_VPR-SGMRD3-E_VPR-SGMRD3-MR-E_RD_C_CC_2025.pdf?t.download=true&u=rr6n5o

here is the what shot guns it works with works with all the major shotguns

[mmc45414]

here is the what shot guns it works with works with all the major shotguns
I think this thing is a fantastic idea, but wow the 870 only has #6 screws. As was mentioned would be simple the enlarge the holes in the gun to #8 to match the Mossberg.

I have a 590 I experimented with the SGA and a few optics and different cheekpieces and the low profile of this thing I consider to be one of the advantages. I tried one of my MROs on it with one of the higher cheekpieces and it was just awkward, didn't mount like any of my other shotguns.

[mrozowjj]

It looks very interesting and shows that at least somebody out there is paying attention to how an optic should be mounted.

Three fasteners is good. That should contribute to secure mounting.

Lack of integrated iron backups is not as good...but this optic is being sold to a wide variety of shotgunners and it's only us defensive application wierdos that care about backup irons.

This optic will be perfect for a bunch of shotguns that are coming from the factory with just a bead.

Completely agree. This is a great way to add a red dot to literally every other shotgun with no effort and they managed to do it with a single SKU and no mounting plate you have to buy from a second company and all for sub $400. This is a big win for everyone that isn't us weirdos that want backup sights.

If they make a model that has a backup sight built in that I'd have to seriously consider but until then I'm sticking with what I got.

[JCS]

Picked one of these up for my hunting rig. Testing needed to determine reliability, but it’s a good size enclosed optic. Options were limited for the factory rmsc mount without using plates. The different reticles was a big driver for the purchase. Normally I like a simple dot but I am going to expirement with the circles on some clays and birds.

They recommend using a minimum of two screws and up to 4 if you can. I was able to use 3.


130904
130905
130906

[Rack]

Are their red dots any better than their glass scopes? Is Viper their bottom of the line, or middle or top?

Do these have a lifetime warranty like their glass scopes? I steer clear of Vortex, due to the reports of failure. Just wonder if their red dots are any better?

That sliding screw mount in the back just seems strange to me. It seems to offer no fore (and nor aft) stop to a screw. How does that help? It a little difficult to see the whole setup as to how these mount on that Eurooptics page, but thats how it appears to me. Doesn’t seem to offload any slipping mitigation help to the front screws.

Don’t get me wrong - I would love an “easy button” for mounting a red dot for a shotgun, but of all the manufacturers out there, Vortex doesn’t come to _my_ mind when I think of durability. Just my opinion.

Thanks.

[WobblyPossum]

Are their red dots any better than their glass scopes? Is Viper their bottom of the line, or middle or top?

Do these have a lifetime warranty like their glass scopes? I steer clear of Vortex, due to the reports of failure. Just wonder if their red dots are any better?

That sliding screw mount in the back just seems strange to me. It seems to offer no fore (and nor aft) stop to a screw. How does that help? It a little difficult to see the whole setup as to how these mount on that Eurooptics page, but thats how it appears to me. Doesn’t seem to offload any slipping mitigation help to the front screws.

Don’t get me wrong - I would love an “easy button” for mounting a red dot for a shotgun, but of all the manufacturers out there, Vortex doesn’t come to _my_ mind when I think of durability. Just my opinion.

Thanks.

Interesting that you say that regarding their magnified optics as a whole. Vortex offers multiple product lines of different levels of refinement. The Razor is as bomb proof as a magnified optics get. The 1-6 is the standard LPVOs are judged against. It’s like the Glock 19 of LPVOs. The Viper is the next tier down.

[Wake27]

Are their red dots any better than their glass scopes? Is Viper their bottom of the line, or middle or top?

Do these have a lifetime warranty like their glass scopes? I steer clear of Vortex, due to the reports of failure. Just wonder if their red dots are any better?

That sliding screw mount in the back just seems strange to me. It seems to offer no fore (and nor aft) stop to a screw. How does that help? It a little difficult to see the whole setup as to how these mount on that Eurooptics page, but thats how it appears to me. Doesn’t seem to offload any slipping mitigation help to the front screws.

Don’t get me wrong - I would love an “easy button” for mounting a red dot for a shotgun, but of all the manufacturers out there, Vortex doesn’t come to _my_ mind when I think of durability. Just my opinion.

Thanks.

This is kind of a wild take. Vortex does have different grades so the brand alone doesn't necessarily indicate durability but they're generally regarded as putting out a decent budget product and solid premium line that is the Razor. The Viper is their mid tier but I've never heard of a durability complaint about that line, usually they're just heavier and not quite the glass quality of the Razor line. Do some research on them, I'd be surprised if you find anything other than one-off stories saying otherwise.

[jeremy_[]

The one counter sunk screw hole and slot for 3 different screw sizes with one being metric and having a different angle of counter sink is problematic for me. I would expect that at some point heavy users could potentially shear screw heads off. If I were to get one I would have a regular schedule to replace the screws. Also, I would have 2 extra holes drilled and tapped in my receiver so I could catch the rear holes as well as the front and rear of the slot. It really is a good idea and I hope it works well, just try to have 4 screws holding it down and a regular replacement schedule. $10 will buy a box of screws that will last for years. Shotguns are extremely violent on both ends and on anything attached :cool:

[JCS]

The one counter sunk screw hole and slot for 3 different screw sizes with one being metric and having a different angle of counter sink is problematic for me. I would expect that at some point heavy users could potentially shear screw heads off. If I were to get one I would have a regular schedule to replace the screws. Also, I would have 2 extra holes drilled and tapped in my receiver so I could catch the rear holes as well as the front and rear of the slot. It really is a good idea and I hope it works well, just try to have 4 screws holding it down and a regular replacement schedule. $10 will buy a box of screws that will last for years. Shotguns are extremely violent on both ends and on anything attached :cool:

Are they more abusive on optics than reciprocating slides of pistols?

[JCS]

Are their red dots any better than their glass scopes? Is Viper their bottom of the line, or middle or top?

Do these have a lifetime warranty like their glass scopes? I steer clear of Vortex, due to the reports of failure. Just wonder if their red dots are any better?

That sliding screw mount in the back just seems strange to me. It seems to offer no fore (and nor aft) stop to a screw. How does that help? It a little difficult to see the whole setup as to how these mount on that Eurooptics page, but thats how it appears to me. Doesn’t seem to offload any slipping mitigation help to the front screws.

Don’t get me wrong - I would love an “easy button” for mounting a red dot for a shotgun, but of all the manufacturers out there, Vortex doesn’t come to _my_ mind when I think of durability. Just my opinion.

Thanks.

They do have lifetime warranty on this red dot.

[Rack]

Are they more abusive on optics than reciprocating slides of pistols?

My concern is the trauma that a 12ga would inflict on it - although, I wonder about that with any optic to be mounted on a shotgun.

[HCM]

Are their red dots any better than their glass scopes? Is Viper their bottom of the line, or middle or top?

Do these have a lifetime warranty like their glass scopes? I steer clear of Vortex, due to the reports of failure. Just wonder if their red dots are any better?

That sliding screw mount in the back just seems strange to me. It seems to offer no fore (and nor aft) stop to a screw. How does that help? It a little difficult to see the whole setup as to how these mount on that Eurooptics page, but thats how it appears to me. Doesn’t seem to offload any slipping mitigation help to the front screws.

Don’t get me wrong - I would love an “easy button” for mounting a red dot for a shotgun, but of all the manufacturers out there, Vortex doesn’t come to _my_ mind when I think of durability. Just my opinion.

Thanks.

Like many other optics companies Vortex has a range of price and quality. The viper line is one of their mid tier scopes.

At the other end of Vortex’s price /quality spectrum, The Vortex Razor 1-6 has been the issued LPVO for SOCOM for several years.

Vortex newer pistol optics (defender series) are solid.

I wouldn’t judge everything for text makes by your experience with one viper scope.

[jeremy_[]

Shotguns are harder on optics because of the shock from the explosion and recoil. However, my main concern is the amount of contact of the screw heads to the holes or slots. One screw size will completely match the countersink size while the other two will have less than optimal contact. Also, if the front screw is in the middle of the slot then it will have even less contact. So if I were to get one, I would add tapped holes to pick up both rear holes and then the front and rear of the slot.

[Wake27]

My concern is the trauma that a 12ga would inflict on it - although, I wonder about that with any optic to be mounted on a shotgun.


Shotguns are harder on optics because of the shock from the explosion and recoil. However, my main concern is the amount of contact of the screw heads to the holes or slots. One screw size will completely match the countersink size while the other two will have less than optimal contact. Also, if the front screw is in the middle of the slot then it will have even less contact. So if I were to get one, I would add tapped holes to pick up both rear holes and then the front and rear of the slot.

Why not just get one and try it for yourselves? Worst case, Vortex gives you a new one.