The Bump

[FullChoke]

How easily do the holographic red-dot sights get knocked off of aim?

I have a Mueller Quick-Shot on my 870 which I and my aging eyes are very happy with. A few weeks ago I bumped the sight getting into a hunting cart. I dismissed the incident and didn't check to see if the aim had been affected. Two weeks later a 3 year old strutter got a free pass when I shot at him at 30 yards and didn't put a pellet in him. A quick trip to the range revealed that at 20 yards the POI was 12" high and 6" right of the POA. Adjustments were made and we went on from there. I know that this sight is a mechanical device and I do try to treat it like I treat the scope on my deer rifle, but I have never knocked the rifle scope off like that.

Are the red-dot sights all that vulnerable to moderate impacts like that?

FC

[deadbuck]

I have a 10 GA single barrel that I have an Aimpoint 9000SC red dot on. A week before the season this year I decided to remove the 1 pound steel rod in the stock to make it lighter. The rod was a very tight fit and did not want to come out. I ended up beating the devil out of the stock to get it out, and knew that I was going to have to re zero it after that much abuse. However, took it to the range and it had not moved a bit. I think movement has more to do with how secure the base and rings are than the internal adjustment of the scope.

[Jbird22]

My FFII with SpeedBead mount has held up well as far as holding zero is concerned. I'm pretty rough on it too if I'm being honest.

[Birdyblaster]

It will all depend on the optic. You could drop an aimpoint off a skyscraper and it probably wouldn't be off a bit.  In contrast, you could probably take one of the $25 Walmart sights and knock it off by flicking it with your finger.

[beagler]

My Aimpoints are pretty much indestructible.

[TrackeySauresRex]

I've had 2 different ones on my 835. I sent them both back. They were unable to handle the recoil(JMO) They were very customer friendly. She rides with open fiber sights now.

[CrustyRusty]

I'm surprised a bump on a cart would throw your sight off that much.  I can't tell you how many times my gun has fallen in the woods and I've never had a problem.  When you really think about it, I can't think of anything more violent than when a gun goes off  and no bump or drop I've ever had could equal the force of recoil on my shotgun. But....I like quality optics and would rather shoot a bead or aftermarket sights rather than lesser quality optics.  Aimpoint and burris on my sporting guns and aimpoint only on my work guns.