Hey Freedom Gorillas, today we are going to discuss what Holosun red & green dot sights will fit on your MAC 9 DS (current version) and 1911 Double Stack (older version).
We love seeing affordable doublestack 1911s come into the market and were happy to see MAC entering the game. Both the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack look great and feel great.
We understand it may be confusing to understand which optics will fit it. So in this guide we are going to try and explain it as clearly as we can.
To learn more about each of the Holosun optics that fit keep reading!
Which Holosun Optics do we recommend for the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack?
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RMR Footprint Optics - these are larger optics with larger windows and more overhang on the slide: |
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Quick Nav
- Pistols this article applies to
- Holosun Optics we recommend for the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack
- Holosun vs other brands
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What Optics Footprint is the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack
- Best RMR Footprint Holosun Optics for the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack
- How to choose between red or green reticles
- How to choose between open vs closed emitter
- How to decide which reticle style is best for you
- Conclusion
Which MAC 1911 DS and 9 DS models does this apply to?
This guide will apply to all MAC 1911 Double Stack and 9 DS models
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Why do we recommend Holosun Optics vs other options?
- They are a good combination of high quality and affordability.
- They have the longest battery life and batteries can be changed without removing the optic.
- They come in red & green reticles with different sizes and styles.
- They are strong with 7075 aluminum or titanium housings and glass.
- They have convenient features like Shake Awake, easy to press brightness buttons, and Side Mounted Batteries.
- Some models have Solar Panels which will power the optic if the battery dies.
- They have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- They are reliable, water proof, and have a great track record
What optics footprint is the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack?
Ok this is an important section. The MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack are actually two versions of a very similar double stack 1911 made by MAC. I know this because I had to figure it out before we bought one!
The short answer is that both the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack come with RMR footprint optic plates. This means you can mount any of the RMR footprint optics found here however we recommend only direct RMR footprint optic and nothing with an adapter plate like the EPS full size or 509T as these could cause mounting issues.
The longer story is that the MAC 1911 Double Stack was the "earlier" version of this pistol. The MAC 9 DS is the "current" model.
Aside from a few cosmetic differences the MAC 9 DS comes with an "AOS" (Agency Optic System) RMR adapter plate. While the first version MAC 1911 Double Stack comes with a non-AOS RMR Adapter plate. Only the latest version - the MAC 9 DS uses the AOS plate compatibility and the earlier MAC 1911 Double Stack does not.
In either case, the optics we recommend in this guide will apply to either version of the pistol and will mount directly on the RMR plate that comes with your MAC 1911 Double Stack or MAC 9 DS.
Best RMR Footprint Holosun Optics for the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack
Below are all the RMR footprint Holosun red & green dot sights that will fit on the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack. These are larger optics with larger windows and will have some overhang on the slide.
You will need to install your included RMR plate, and then these will bolt right onto it.
1. Holosun 407C Green & Red Dot - Best Budget Option
Buy the 407C At The Best Price
The most budget friendly option is going to be the 407C. The 407C has a 2 MOA dot only. The housing is aluminum.
If you are ok with having just a 2 MOA dot all the time, then the 407C is a great option.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 407C Review here.
2. Holosun 507C Green & Red Dot - Best All Around Option
Buy the 507C At The Best Price
The Holosun 507C is very similar to the 407C except it has Holosun "MRS" reticle.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and the MRS (Multi Reticle System) lets you use a 32 MOA ring + 2 MOA dot, or it can be toggled to show only the 32 MOA Ring or just the 2 MOA dot by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 507C review here.
3. Holosun 507C ACSS Vulcan Green & Red Dot - Best Specialty Option
Buy the 507C ACSS Vulcan At The Best Price
The 507C ACSS Vulcan may pique your interest. It's just like the 507C except is has the ACSS Vulcan reticle. This reticle features a 250 MOA Ring and a 10 MOA chevron - sounds crazy right? Well it's crazy awesome! It helps new red dot shooter and experts alike, and allows for the most precision out of all optics mentioned here.
You can learn more about the ACSS reticle here but to summarize, the 250 MOA Ring helps you find the center dot quickly if you are off center and the 10 MOA chevron acts like a BDC reticle and also has a very precise point for precision work.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and if you wanted to turn the outside ring off you can by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 507C ACSS Vulcan review here.
4. Holosun 507 Comp Green & Red Dot - Largest Window Competition Reticle
Buy the 507 Comp At The Best Price
Next on the list is the Holosun 507 Comp. This is a very popular option. Comp stands for "Competition" because this optic features a VERY large window, meant for competition shooting. It's the largest window in the industry.
The 507 Comp has some key differences vs the other optics listed here. First it has the C.R.S. which is the Complete Reticle System. This gives it many reticle configurations like a 2 MOA Dot only or a 2 MOA dot + 8 or 20 or 32 MOA Circle or just a 8 or 20 or 32 MOA Circle.
The 507 Comp also does not have a solar panel on it which means there is also no auto brightness setting.
It has a 7075 aluminum housing, shake awake, a side removable battery, manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
This is a large optic.
Read our full 507 Comp review here.
5. Holosun 508T Green & Red Dot - Most Durable Open Emitter
Buy the 508T At The Best Price
Next on the list is the Holosun 508T. It's very similar to the 507C except it has a stronger housing made out of titanium and a square window that's a little bigger.
The 508T's square titanium housing is made to give it extra durability, both from the shape and the material.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and they come with Holosun's Multi Reticle System, which is a 32 MOA ring + 2 MOA dot, and can be toggled to show only the 32 MOA Ring or just the 2 MOA dot by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 508T Review here.
Choosing between Red or Green Reticles
You may be wondering if you should get a red or green dot reticle. We get this question a lot so I am going to list a few bullet points for you to consider.
- Green reticles are less straining for the eye to see.
- Green reticles can help with astigmatism. If you have astigmatism you will see a blurry dot, we have been told by a few customers that Green dots help with their astigmatism, making the dot look more crisp than the red version.
- Green will not washout on backdrops like green grass, foliage, or green colors.
- In theory Green dots can have a longer battery life because Green is brighter, so for example a green dot on brightness setting 6 may be the same brightness as a red dot on setting 7 - which would save battery life.
If you want to learn more check out our full article about Red vs Green Dot Pros & Cons here.
Choosing between Open vs Closed Emitters
The simplest way we can break down open vs closed emitters is to look at how you plan on carrying the pistol. If you plan on being outdoors in the elements with rain, snow, sleet, then a closed emitter will be beneficial.
If you plan on carrying OWB most of the time and plan on being outside then closed emitter would be beneficial.
If you plan on carrying IWB or don't plan on being outside using your red dot in the pouring rain or heavy snow then an open reflex is fine.
Open reflexes will still work in the rain or snow but the closed emitter will give you extra peace of mind.
An open reflex can collect dust and debris on the inside of the reticle over time, so you'll want to clean it out from time to time. An enclosed emitter is easier to clean in this aspect.
To learn more about Open vs Closed emitters you can check out our Open vs Closed Emitter Guide here.
How to decide which reticle style is best for you
In this guide we covered a few different reticle options. If you need some help deciding which is best for you here are some of our thoughts on each.
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Conclusion
As you can see there are a lot of options for the MAC 9 DS and 1911 Double Stack.
Choosing the right optic can be overwhelming but hopefully you found this guide helpful in understanding the similarities and difference between all of them.
If you are looking for something budget friendly, the 407C is a great choice, if you want a great all arounder with a cool reticle the 507C is an excellent choice. For the most durability the 508T and if you are shooting competition, the 507 comp or 507C ACSS Vulcan would do great.
If you have any more questions, please contact us and our support team would be happy to help.
Thanks for reading!
