Holosun 507c | Big Bird Review

I have been interested in Micro Red Dot Sight(ed) optics for some time. At my department, I tested, implemented, and wrote policy for the carry of RDS pistols. When I first heard that Holosun had brought a Micro Red Dot to the market I was excited to see what it could do. I picked up a Holosun 507C at a local gun shop in short order and mounted it on a Glock 45 with a KKM barrel and compensator. I was hoping this would be a super blaster making me a ragged one hole shooter at 25 yards. It didn’t, but that’s not the optics fault.

Holosun 507c Features

Power

Let’s talk about the Holosun 507c in detail. It’s a micro solar red dot sight. Its housing is made from 7075 aluminum and powered by a CR2032 battery as well as the solar fail-safe back up, which works only in the auto mode when lighting conditions are present. The battery is supposed to run for 10 years on setting 6, in the dot-only mode.

With ten daylight settings and two night-vision settings, the 507c has two intensity settings: Auto (dot adjusts to ambient light) and Manual (user adjusts intensity for lighting conditions). To adjust from Auto to Manual you press and hold the plus button for three seconds. I leave my 507c in the Manual mode at all times and adjust to the lighting conditions. The 507c also has a shake awake technology that turns the unit off at programmed times and starts it up once the unit is moved.

The Holosun 507c has three reticle options.
The Holosun 507c offers three reticle options.

Reticle Options

The 507c features three reticle types: 2 MOA dot only, 2 MOA dot with a 32 MOA ring, and 32 MOA ring only. This is changed by pressing and holding the minus button for 3 seconds. The dot with the ring is similar to the EOTech optics reticle.

Holosun 507c 2 MOA dot only reticle.
Holosun 507c 2 MOA dot only reticle. Do you shoot using what they call the Bindon Aiming Concept?

I personally use the 2 MOA dot at all times. When switching between reticle options there is no need to re-zero because the 507c uses the same LED for each reticle.

I find that the dot and ring fill up too much of the window and cause me to feel my shooting is less precise. I also mostly use a single dot optic on every weapon system with a red dot, be it a shotgun, rifle, or pistol. So it’s more of a preference than an issue with the optic itself, in fact I know a few friends using the dot and ring.

Mounting

The Holosun 507c shares the same mounting footprint as the Trijicon RMR. Because of this, you can mount it on any manufacturer’s optic-ready pistol that accepts the RMR.

The Holosun 507c can be mounted on any manufacturers optic-ready pistol that accepts the RMR.
The Holosun 507c can be mounted on any manufacturer’s optic-ready pistol that accepts the RMR.

This is a great feature. The RMR has been a staple on pistols for an extended period of time, so the 507c is able to fit right in with all of these weapons. I really wish more companies would follow in Holosun’s footsteps when designing new accessories. Doing so would reduce the options users have for mounting. It would also allow the firearms manufacturers to mill their slides at the factory, making for a more rugged “Slide to Optic” mounting interface.

Mounting the optic on the Glock 45 MOS was easy using the number 2 Glock MOS plate (RMR Plate). Holosun includes the needed mounting screws for the MOS platform, which is uncommon for most optic manufacturers. I appreciate this very much because finding the correct mounting screws for the MOS can be difficult if the local gun store doesn’t carry them. The included mounting screws are Torx, and again, the tool is included in the package.

Zeroing

Once mounted, I first zeroed the 507c at 10 yards using Holosun’s included sight-adjustment and battery-cap tool. With the tool the zeroing process is easy. I really like the audible and tactile clicks on the 507c. It didn’t leave me wondering if I moved one, two, or three clicks each time I moved the dial. The adjustments remained in place and didn’t move under recoil. Over the 6 months that I have been using this optic, I have had zero optic shift. I moved my final zero to 25 yards and again this was completed easily due to the audible and tactile clicks.

After six months, the Holosun 507c hasn't shifted.
After six months, the optic hasn’t shifted.

Drawbacks

The Included Tool is Too Easy to Leave Behind

So, let me complain about what I don’t like: the included tool.

The Holosun 507c windage and elevation opening requires the included tool.
The windage and elevation opening requires the included tool.

I don’t like the size of the windage and elevation opening. It requires the included tool. I found that when I needed to adjust the optic I didn’t have the tool and or forgot it at home after completing my first zero. I am used to using a piece of brass or a normal flathead screwdriver to complete this task. Second, the same tool works as a battery cap removal tool. Again when the battery did fail (during my testing I only changed the battery once), I didn’t have the tool handy. It took me longer to complete the battery change than it normally would. It can be completed due to the secondary indents on the battery cap, but it isn’t as easy.

Trustworthy

Although I haven’t thrown this optic on the ground from shoulder height it has held up to thousands of draws, rounds, and all weather conditions. I completely trust this optic on my duty gun.

Pricing

The cost of the Holosun 507c, on Amazon, is $229.99 which is quite a bit less than its competitors. If you are a first responder I recommend that you contact Holosun personally they might have some assistance for you.

If you are in the market for a new micro red dot for your pistol or you are looking to get into your first RDS pistol, you can’t go wrong with the Holosun 507c. For the cost of this optic, you can get close to two RMR’s. The battery life is great, and it comes with more options than a Telsa electric car.

So you should check out the Holosun 507c. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the money you spend on this optic.

An article by Daniel "Big Bird" Bales of Crucible Consulting
Big Bird out!
This has been a collaborative effort by two or more members of The Mag Life contributor team: to wit, a JWOT (Joint Writing Operations Team). We'll advise which specific contributors in the text of the article. Subscribe to GunMag TV and follow GMW on Instagram, @gunmagwarehouse. Connect on Facebook, /gunmagwarehouse/.

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