Looking for 1x Shotgun scopes? this post comprehensively covers the best on the market, their features, specifications, pros, cons, and considerations when choosing one.
A shotgun is one of the most versatile and common weapons in the world. Many homes have a shotgun mainly for home protection and sometimes, if not often, hunting.
Purchasing a good optic will make your average shotgun even better and increase your chances of perfect shots.
Optics sporting a “true” 1x low end are quite many in the market. These are optics that cause zero optical distortion on their lowest setting for maximum speed in target acquisition.
This is a good feature for optics however, it can add a lot of expense to a variable power scope. In other words, a 1x magnification power refers to a 100 percent increase or doubling in the magnified object’s perceived size compared to the size when the object is viewed with the naked eye. A 1-inch object at 1x would therefore appear to be 2 inches under this magnification.
The following are the top-rated 1x Shotgun scopes;
Best 1x Shotgun Scopes-Our Top Picks
| Product | Image | Price |
| Vortex Optics SPARC Red Dot Sight Gen II – 2 MOA Dot |  |
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| Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights |  |
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| Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope |  |
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| Aim Sports Red Dot Sight |  |
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| Vortex Optics Spitfire 1x Prism Scope – DRT Reticle (MOA) |  |
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| Sig Sauer Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight |  |
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| BARSKA AC12176 1×35 Red Dot Rifle Scope |  |
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| Tasco Red Dot 1 x 30mm Rifle Scope 5 MOA Dot Reticle |  |
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| NC Star DRGB135T Tactical Dot Sight, 1x 35mm, Red/Green/Blue |  |
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Barska 1×30 HQ Red Dot Sight Scope
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BARSKA Red Dot 30mm as one of the best 1x Shotgun scopes is a compact lightweight and durable scope, designed to offer an ideal accompaniment to any rifle, handgun, shotgun, pistols, black powders, or crossbows for quick target acquisition.
The scope features anti-reflective multi-coating optics that allow for bright and clear images with unlimited eye relief and a wide field of view. It has a 5 MOA dot with 1/2 MOA click adjustments and a rheostat to provide brightness control.
BARSKA Riflescope has a finger adjustable rheostat for variable reticle brightness control, anti-reflective coating, and an integrated mount for optimum performance.
Features
- Light Weight and Durable
- High-quality glass lenses
- Wide field of view
- Unlimited eye relief and multi-coated optics
- 5 MOA Red Dot
- Comes with a set of Picatinny / Weaver-style mount and lens covers
- Ultra-fast target acquisition, pinpoint accuracy, and wide field of view are ideal for close-range aiming
- Magnification: 1x
- Objective Lens: 30mm
- Exit Pupil: 30mm
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Tube Diameter: 38mm
- Finish: Black Matte
- Weight: 4.8 oz.
- Length: 3.75 inch
Pros
- Unlimited eye relief
- Fully Multi-Coated for clear images
- Compact scope
- Wide field of view
- Fast target acquisition
- Pinpoint accuracy
- Ideal for close-range aiming
- Comes with Picatinny / weaver style mounts
Cons
- Fixed magnification
Mueller Quick Shot Rifle Scope
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Unlike in many other Red Dot Scopes which require manual adjustment, the Mueller Quick Shot rifle scope features 2 built-in sensors in the front that detect the surrounding lighting conditions, then automatically adjusts the brightness of the dot to these conditions.
This ensures that the shooter is comfortable even when the lighting conditions change, without needing to worry about manually adjusting the brightness of the dot, checking to see if it is adequate for the existing lighting conditions and continually making manual adjustments like all other Red Dot Sights.
The scope also offers 4 different Reticle styles which you can select from with the flip of a switch.
Features
- Shockproof and durable
- Adjustable reticle selector switch
- The quick shot is versatile for Turkey hunters and archery hunters
- Handles the heavy recoil of the larger caliber rifles
- Good for camouflage
BARSKA Red Dot 50mm Riflescope
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The BARSKA 50mm Red Dot Sight gives fast target acquisition, pinpoint accuracy, and a wide field of view. It is designed with perfect illumination for handguns, rimfire rifles, shotguns, pistols, black powders, and crossbows.
The scope features anti-reflective multi-coated optics that allow for crisp clear images with unlimited eye relief. It also has a 5 MOA dot with 1/2 MOA click adjustments and a finger adjustable rheostat that allows variable reticle brightness control. This is one of the best 1x Shotgun scopes for hunting.
Features
- Quality glass
- Light Weight and Durable
- Click-Adjustable Rheostat allows for variable brightness control
- Anti-reflective coating
- 5 MOA Illuminated Red Dot Reticle
- Unlimited Eye Relief and Wide Field of View
- 1x Magnification and 50mm Objective Lens
- Length: 4 inches
- Weight: 7 ounces
- Ideal for Handguns, Shotguns, Rimfire Rifles and Bows
- Field of View: 87 ft@100yds/27m@100m)
- FOV: 80ft / 27m
- Exit Pupil: 50mm
BARSKA Red Dot 42mm Riflescope
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The 42mm Red Dot Sight from BARSKA as one of the best 1x Shotgun scopes provides fast target acquisition, pinpoint accuracy, and a wide field of view. It has a red 5 MOA reticle as well as a finger adjustable rheostat allowing for variable reticle brightness control.
This Red dot provides optimum performance with aid of the anti-reflective coating, unlimited eye relief, and multicoated optics. The anti-reflective multi-coating optics allow for crisp, clear images through the quality lenses.
Just like other Red Dot scopes, this BARSKA has an angled/offset objective lenses which are set so in order to reflect the laser light off the inner prisms to make the dot straight. Therefore, the scope is not defective if the lens is crooked; it is defective if the lens is straight.
Features
- Lightweight and durable
- Quality glass
- 1x Magnification and 42mm Objective Lens
- 5 MOA dot with 1/2 MOA click adjustments and a click-adjustable rheostat allows variable brightness control
- The perfect accessory to any rifle, handgun, or shotgun for quick target acquisition.
- Weaver-style quick-release base
- Unlimited eye relief
- Anti-reflective coating
- Windage and Elevation Adjustments
- CR2032 battery included
- Field of View: 62ft @100yds / 21m @100m
- Exit Pupil: 42mm
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Coating: Multi-Coated
- Length: 3.75″
- Weight: 5.3 oz.
Hawke Reflex Dot Sights
Hawke Reflex Dot Sights is constructed from lightweight high-grade aluminum with an accurate fixed focus, parallax error-free from 10 yards /9 meters. It is designed with 25 layer fully multi-coated lenses on the inside for high-quality, crisp, and clear images.
This scope is ready to use straight from the box with an integral mount that is quick and easy to fit on pistols, ARs, and hunting rifles with a Picatinny/Weaver Rail.
Hawke Reflex Dot has a compact and robust 5 MOA red dot sight with 6 stage brightness control for excellent visibility both indoors and out. The bright settings give you the best visibility in the daytime when there’s full sun, while lower settings are ideal for times of low light such as dawn or dusk.
Features
- High-quality aluminum construction can withstand high recoil for a long-lived performance
- ultra-compact and lightweight construction
- 25 layer multi-coated optics provide maximum clarity
- Fixed focus and parallax with no error from 10 yards/9 meters
- 5 MOA red dot with 6 levels of brightness
- Digital illumination control with auto shut down
- robust, waterproof, and shockproof
- Ideal for use on pistols, ARs, and hunting rifles
- HAWKE two years worldwide warranty
Benefits of 1x Shotgun Scopes
Durability– this is always the number one determining factor whether you are purchasing an optic or not. The durability of your device levels down to the materials used in the manufacturing process as well as the overall quality of the manufacturing process.
Aircraft aluminum and some different types of steel are some of the most used durable metals. The material used should be waterproof to prevent long-term damage in case you are using the scope in bad weather.
Shockproof materials prevent damages caused by recoil or potential knocks and scrapes. It should also be nitrogen purged on the inside to prevent an internal buildup of fog, which may affect the accuracy and obstruct your vision.
Magnification- there is a limit to the range when using a shotgun. However, a little bit of magnification allows you to adjust for variances in distance and helps with clear and fast target acquisition.
Non-magnified sights are classified as 1x magnification. This means the image inside the sight appears as 1x its original size meaning that it is not magnified.
There are scopes that are dialed in to one particular magnification; they are referred to as fixed power scopes and can’t be adjusted or changed.
Image quality- if you have a poor image, there are high chances that your shooting will be poor. Nitrogen purging helps prevent fog for clear images. The size of the lens diameter determines the amount of light that filters through to provide you with a clear image.
Price- other than durability, the cost is another thing that should always be in mind when purchasing a scope. High price does not necessarily guarantee quality however, it may suggest some level of authenticity.
It is advisable to double-check customer reviews in case you have reservations about pricing.
FAQs about 1x Shotgun scopes
- What is a 1x scope?
These are optics with zero optical distortion on their lowest setting for maximum speed in target acquisition.
- What does MOA mean on a red dot scope?
MOA stands for minutes of angle. The dot in red dot optics is measured in MOA- a unit for angular measurement of a circle. It is basically the size of the dot and how much it covers at a certain distance.
- How far are red dot scopes accurate?
Red dot optics are best at 100 yards. After 100 yards, the accuracy depends on the size of the target and scope design.
Conclusion
By now you understand different types of 1x Shotgun scopes you can use with your shotgun to increase your chances in the field. The listed products are designed to provide quality performance and value for your money.
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