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Review: The Trijicon RMR Type 2 does not disappoint

Updating a classic can be difficult, but the new RMR lives up to its name and more

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By Sean Curtis for Police1 BrandFocus

Trijicon recently began shipping the updated version of the now famous RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex). Dubbed the “Type 2” this new iteration of the red dot pistol sight is tougher than the trend-setting original, and it’s packed with a lot more options than previous versions. It’s a great choice for those wanting to transition to a reflex sight, even for duty use. Trijicon sent me one to try. I wore it daily on the job for general carry observations and ran a full-on range test with it for performance—it did not disappoint.

So what’s different?

You’ve got to know the company that produced the ACOG is going to make a tough red dot for pistols. After all, they have a reputation to uphold. The original RMR became synonymous with the new wave of red dot sights for pistols.

In the newest version of the RMR, the windage and elevation dials have been somewhat hardened. Audible clicks can be heard when adjusting, and the detents are more resistant than before, ensuring settings are maintained and do not drift during recoil or other hard use.

The original RMR came in different versions as far as brightness settings were concerned. You could purchase an LED model, adjustable LED, or a dual-illuminated version. The Type 2 now gives you the option of adjustable brightness, or switching to auto-adjust, a mode which detects ambient light and gives you a red dot best suited to your environment. A plus sign button on the left of the optic increases dot brightness, a minus sign button on the other does the opposite. You can also lock out the adjustment buttons while setting the optic into auto-adjust mode. This will save battery life long-term by still providing a dim targeting dot in dark storage.

Features

The Type 2 I tested was the RM06 and came standard with a 3.25 MOA dot. This means the dot covers a 3.25-inch spot at 100 yards. I’m not shooting from rifle distances, so this size is a great compromise for the 25-yards-and-in range. The dot was big enough to quickly catch my eye so I could start shooting fast, but it was small enough that I could still work precisely without covering too much of my target.

The Type 2 has a forged aluminum housing and is rated waterproof to a distance of 20 meters (66 feet). However, you must use the Trijicon AC32064 RMR mounting kit—not included—which comes with a gasket that mounts between the unit and the mount plate. At least, that’s what was required to marry the Type 2 to a Glock 17 MOS.

The footprint of the Type 2 is indistinguishable from the original so mounts and holsters need not be changed. The unit runs on the same CR2032 lithium battery and at optimal operating temperatures may give as much as 4 years of continuous use.

Performance

During my two weeks of carry on duty, I did not notice anything vastly different from other red dot sights I’ve used on my Glock 17 MOS. The Type 2 is a horizontal surface and as such, can pick up lint and other things during extended carry. Like your weapon, it should be kept clean and inspected regularly. The Type 2 is slightly wider than the Glock slide, but barely so. I liked adding turning the unit on to my daily draw and inspection before my tour. One of the greatest things about this optic is I can leave it on perpetually if I want to. Set up in button lock out mode (to avoid any incidental adjustments), the red dot is bright enough in daylight, but dims down for a dark room.

Out on the range, three instructors ran the weapon and loved the Type 2. During presentation, your eye is drawn to the dot pretty quickly. This speeds up sight picture and trigger press. In short order, you’re sending rounds downrange. Recovering sight picture from recoil is also speeded by the quickly acquired ret dot.

One of the things I did not realize I would like so much about the Type 2 is the curved top. Some might describe it as a saddle, I like to think it has horns. I imagined the functionality of this feature in a couple ways. First, it has great tactility, giving the optic grip for one-handed reloads. But it also serves as somewhat of a visual bracket, framing the bottom of the uppermost portions of my target.

Multiple shooters ran several hundred rounds through the weapon and the Type 2 performed up to the standard I expect from Trijicon: which is to say, flawlessly. There was no flicker, no loss of zero, and despite being banged around on barricades, one-handed reloads, and suffering inclement weather, the red dot continued to point out all the things we shot.

Duty ready

Adding an electronic optic to a pistol will have some people grumbling about a “failure point”. I accept this fully. Law enforcement does not have the luxury of a weapon system that only works on occasion or intermittently. The benefits of using a red dot sight—especially the durable Type 2 RMR—far outweigh this concern though, particularly when combined with suppressor sights. This allows you to co-witness traditional front and rear sights through your reflex, even if the battery runs out. Some balk at the price of these units, but when you buy Trijicon you are making an investment. This is not a unit that will break or need repair and will likely last a career. Listed MSRP on Trijicon’s website is $699.00 though I have seen them listed closer to $500 with online retailers.

About the author

Sean Curtis is a law enforcement professional with nearly two decades of experience, serving with SWAT, diving and swift water rescue teams in Colorado. He has also served in wildland fire, search and rescue, EMS and emergency management.

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