REVIEW: SIGHTMARK Mini Shot M-Spec Solar

Red dots on pistols are becoming increasingly popular, and we understand why. Aiming with them is much easier than with iron sights. We took a look at the two newest red dot models from SIGHTMARK. We were able to inspect them as prototypes at IWA two years ago and were already impressed at the time. Has the enthusiasm remained? Find out in the course of the video.

The two models are called Mini Shot M-Spec M2 Solar and Mini Shot M-Spec M3 Solar. The M2 is the larger one and the M3 is the smaller one for thinner pistols, such as the Glock Slimline series. We already find the fully enclosed design and IP67 waterproof rating very appealing.

First, the technical data, because except for the weight, they are essentially the same:

• 3 MOA dot
• CR 1620 battery with 20,000+ hours (2.3 years) battery life thanks to solar panel
• Automatic brightness adjustment (more on that later)
• IP67 Waterproof
• Fully enclosed design
• Mounting on Weaver and Picatinny rails
• Compatible with pistols with RMR (M2) and RMS-C (M3) hole patterns
• Maximum caliber - .45 ACP

The weight of the larger M2 is about 110 grams without mounting, and the more compact M3 weighs approximately 85 grams.

Brightness Control

As the name SOLAR suggests, the solar panel on the top is not only for power generation but also for brightness control. You can use both red dots completely without a battery, as long as you are in the sun. There is no built-in power storage, so when the light is gone, so is the red dot.

Most red dots that use automatic brightness control have a big issue. They use the solar field for regulation, so the brightness of the dot is based on the incoming light on the top of the optic. For shooters at a range without cover, no problem. It's different if you are under a roof and aiming out into the bright light, then the dot is too dark and you can't see it.

Sightmark has recognized this problem and solved it well. There is a small sensor at the front of the Mini Shot M-Spec M2 and M3 that looks towards the target and adjusts the brightness accordingly. This way, you can stand in the dark and aim into bright sunlight and have a dot at maximum brightness available. A very successful solution that already impressed us with the first prototype.

In our tests, the brightness control always provided a clearly visible red dot, regardless of the lighting conditions.

The Mini Shot M-Spec M2 and M3 have no other way to control brightness, like buttons. They cannot be turned off. They are always on.

Once the battery is inserted and you cover the solar panel and front sensor, the dot will simply be regulated down to the lowest level, but it remains on. If you really want to "turn it off", you have to remove the battery and cover the Mini Shot M-Spec completely light-tight - or put it in the gun case or cabinet.

Mounting 

The mounting process is similar for both. The larger M2 comes with a Low Mount and a 1/3 Co-Witness Mount, as well as the actual mounting or adapter plate with RMR hole pattern. The M3 only includes a Low Mount and the adapter plate for RMS-C. 

First, you need to screw the adapter plate onto your pistol slide or one of the included mounts. There are also plenty of small screws with various threads included. So, the suitable one should be included for you. 

Once the adapter plate is securely screwed on, the optic is mounted and fixed with the lateral clamping. With the M2, this is done with a Torx screw, as known from other manufacturers. It holds up great and even after 500 shots with our Glock, it still held up perfectly, even intentionally without screw glue. 

With the smaller M3, the clamping is done with two small slot grub screws, because there simply isn't room for a clamping device like with the larger M2. Unfortunately, we didn't have a pistol with an RMS-C hole pattern on hand, but the mounting holds up well, because otherwise SIGHTMARK wouldn't dare to market it.

If you want to mount your M2 on a Glock MOS, like we did, then you first have to screw the Glock Adapter Plate from MOS to RMR (Plate Number 2) and then attach the adapter plate from SIGHTMARK to this. Here we would like a direct adapter plate from SIGHTMARK that is screwed directly into the MOS recess. It would also have the advantage of longer screws. 

We also wish for the same adapter plate for the smaller M3 for NON Slimline MOS models. I would have liked to screw the M3 onto the Glock 17 because it is slimmer and lighter, but unfortunately, that is not possible without the appropriate adapter plate.

CONCLUSION: The SIGHTMARK Mini Shot M-Spec M2 Solar and M3 Solar are ideal handgun optics. The view through the glass is distortion-free and the 3-MOA red dot makes aiming easy. The automatic brightness adjustment is probably the most successful feature, which has greatly impressed us. Once set, the point of impact is also maintained, as expected from a target optic. Both also make a good impression as backup or even main target optics on a long gun.

The SIGHTMARK Mini Shot M-Spec M2 Solar is available at Armamat for 377.90 euros and also there the SIGHTMARK Mini Shot M-Spec M3 Solar for 377.90 euros.

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