Primary Arms

SLx RS-10R Review

Primary Arms has come out with their new SLx RS-10R. This is an updated version of the original RS-10 reflex style red dot. One of the big complaints about the original was the mounting footprint it used. Well, the SLx RS-10R has fixed that issue.

As with the original, the SLx RS-10R is packed with features. More important than all of those is the “R” designation at the end of the model number. That “R” stands for RMR. I don't think Primary Arms can say it, but we can. What that means for you is that the RS-10R now uses a RMR footprint. Or a Holosun 407C/507C footprint since they are essentially the same. The only drawback to using the RMR footprint is that the RS-10R now uses the smaller cr1632 battery instead of a cr2032. But through some magic, you still get 25k-50k hours of battery life.

Now back to the rest of the specifications. The RS-10R runs a 3 moa dot. I find the dot size to be a good compromise, no matter if you mount it on a pistol or rifle. It has 11 brightness settings. Of which, the bottom 2 are night vision compatible. To adjust the brightness, the RS-10R has soft touch buttons on the left side. When you reach the highest brightness setting, the dot will flash so you know when the limit has been reached. You also don't have to worry about turning the RS-10R on or off. It uses Primary Arms’ “Autolive” technology. This tech automatically turns the optic off when it is stationary and then on when it senses movement. Worth noting is the RS-10R has 1 moa click adjustments that uses a flathead to adjust. One can even use the rim of a spent case to adjust it, which I have done before. No trying to find the correct allen wrench. These clicks are tiny, but way better than no clicks at all.

Window size in these small red dots can be hard to understand sometimes. Manufactures spec the window size out, but it doesn't take into account if it is rounded or squared. Or where it is rounded and squared. I recommended looking through them to see if you like the window shape. Even though the RS-10R doesn't have a huge window, it is very well shaped to pick up the dot easily. Primary Arms specifies it as 23x19mm. I really like the shape. It is easy for me to see. Other people who I asked about it said the same thing, it's easy to find the dot. Primary Arms also fixed the refresh problem on the RS-10R. The original RS-10 would “galaxy” out because the refresh rate was too slow. The RS-10R does not have this problem. The dot stays consistent when moved and doesn't flash.

The SLx RS-10R uses an aluminum housing. They use 7075 aluminum which is a little stronger than the commonly used 6061. I like how the housing sticks out farther than the lens, giving it a little more protection from drops. One drawback to the RS-10R's construction is the higher deck height of the mounting surface. It sits higher up than some red dots. This doesn't hurt anything, but you do notice it when installing taller iron sights.

I ended up mounting the RS-10R on the Fusion XF-Pro. The XF-Pro uses a mounting plate system. This leads to you noticing the RS-10R’s deck height even more. It didn’t bother anything and I can pick up the dot easily. The dot on the RS-10R is pretty clear, even with my astigmatism. What I really like about the RS-10R, besides being an RMR footprint, is the window. For some reason I just pick the dot up quickly with the way the window is shaped. I am glad Primary Arms updated the RS-10 to an RMR footprint and fixed the refresh problems. It performs great.

I know there are a million reflex pistol red dots on the market now, but the Primary Arms SLx RS-10R is a great option. You get a lifetime warranty. It has a side-loading battery with their “Autolive” on/off function. Plus it now features that RMR footprint everyone was asking for. If you are in the market for a pistol red dot, definitely go check out the new SLx RS-10R.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

RMR footprint red dot

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a pistol style red dot with a RMR footprint

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

Battery Life: 25,001 - 50,000 Hours
Battery TypeCR1632 3V Lithium Coin
Side-loading CR1632 battery
Click Value: 1 MOA
Open Emitter
Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
7075 Aluminum construction
Mount Compatibility: Holosun 407C/507C, RMR
Night Vision Compatible
11 Brightness settings
23 x 19mm window
3 MOA Dot
Lifetime Warranty
Weight: 1.1 oz.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Original SLx RS-10

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Beyond Seclusion on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $209.00

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms, Midway USA, or your local gun store

Our Rating:

Pros:

RMR / Holosun 507c footprint
Click adjustments
Side loading battery
Autolive
Lifetime warranty

Cons:

Deck height

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link: Fusion XF-Pro Review

When I first learned about the new Primary Arms SLx RS-10 mini reflex sight, I was very interested. Then I received one, and was even more excited. This little, open reflex, pistol mounted red dot is everything they said it would be. Including a great price of $199.99.

Autolive in action

The SLx RS-10 is packed with features. It runs a 3 MOA red dot that is easily picked up. It has 11 brightness settings. Of which include night vision compatibility and daylight bright. I couldn’t try out the night vision setting, but the daylight bright setting is really bright, even in direct sunlight. You should have zero problems seeing the dot in any light. The RS-10 also has easy to use controls on the left side. These buttons are only raised slightly above the RS-10’s surface. Of course they control brightness as well as actual on/off. I say “actual” because the RS-10 features Primary Arms’ “Autolive”. The Autolive is an automatic on/off function that works fantastic. Just barely move the sight and the dot turns on. After about 3 minutes of zero sight movement, the sight turns off. Any teeny movement will keep the RS-10 on. Back to the “actual” on/off. To turn the sight off, as if you are going to store it for a long time, just hold the up and down buttons simultaneously for a few seconds and the sight will permanently turn off. Then to turn it back on, and into the Autolive feature, just hold either the up or down button a few seconds until the dot turns on. Primary Arms specs the battery life at 40,000 hours with a CR2032 battery. So if you change the battery out once a year, you should be good to go and never have the dreaded dead dot. If you couldn’t tell, I really like the Autolive feature.

Primary Arms also stuck some other features into the RS-10. For strength, they manufacture the housing out of 7075 aluminum. This is the same grade aluminum that quality AR receivers are made from, so it should be good to go. I really like the shape they chose for the housing and window. The rounded, almost square shape seems to draw my eye to the dot. I seem to find the dot much faster than other pistol mounted red dots. Primary Arms says the window size is 23mm and even if it is a smaller window than some brands, see the above comments. I mentioned battery life earlier, but the RS-10 does have a side loading battery tray. That means you can change the battery without having to remove the sight from your desired mounting platform, keeping your zero intact. Coming in at just over an ounce, the RS-10 shouldn’t weigh you down either.

Anymore, the mounting method for a reflex sight is very important. Mainly because one needs to know if it will fit on their handgun. The SLx RS-10 uses the fairly common Docter/Noblex footprint to directly mount to stuff. Primary Arms also includes a picatinny rail mount and a Glock MOS plate. That way if you aren’t mounting it directly to a pistol, you have some options. For instance, it would make a great 45 degree offset red dot for a rifle. I ended up mounting it on a Strike Industries Liteslide for a G19, as it has a multi optic mounting platform. The SLX RS-10 mounted in perfectly. Primary Arms decided to go with the Docter mounting footprint so they could use that CR2032 battery and have it side mounted. Since the battery is physically larger than other options, you end up getting more battery life out of it. For the small size of the RS-10, a different mounting footprint just wouldn’t work.

The SLx RS-10 is a great little red dot. This doesn’t come without a few tiny gripes. If you hold the RS-10 on target, and start shaking it a tiny bit, in a circle, the dot will galaxy out. So it literally looks kind of like a little galaxy inside the window. Does it bother anything? Nope, when shooting the pistol I didn’t even notice it. Even on moving and circling targets. Most people probably wouldn’t even notice it. I also would have liked to see it on a RMR footprint, but Primary Arms didn’t do this because of those “battery” reasons. I can understand this. Now, on a good note. Even for me, with my astigmatism, the dot is fairly clear. So those with normal eyes will see a nice crisp dot.

I am going to say this, the Primary Arms SLx RS-10 is currently my go to red dot pistol sight. This red dot impressed me more than I expected. I can find the dot easily. I haven’t destroyed it yet. Even if I did, it has a lifetime warranty. The size doesn’t get in the way. I’d say it is somewhere between one of the super small mini reflex versions and a Holosun 507. The RS-10 is always ready to go because of the “Autolive” feature. The click adjustments for windage and elevation make it easy to make adjustments, unlike other mini reflex sights that have no clicks. I ran this thing fairly hard and have had zero problems.

If you are looking for a mini reflex red dot, the SLx RS-10 from Primary Arms might be it. It is priced under $200. At that price, it’s a great deal for this feature packed red dot. With the Autolive function, you won’t have to worry about if the dot is on or off, because it will always be on. I don’t think you can go wrong selecting the Primary Arms SLx RS-10 mini reflex sight.