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Holosun 507 Comp – Best First Pistol Red Dot Sight?

By on July 31, 2025 in Guns, Reviews

I’m an old curmudgeon who has only just become serious about the pistol red dot sight journey. I have early experience with the concept going back to the ALG 6 Second Mount, but until recently, I haven’t owned a pistol red dot sight on a handgun that I would actually carry. I am fortunate that I have been able to try many red dot sights over the years. With my limited experience, I was already familiar with the concepts of using them and the issues that must be trained around.

I wish I could say that I sought out a Holosun 507 Comp because of my sage wisdom, but it basically came to me as a trade. Now, with the benefit of some range sessions and my previous experience, I can see that I basically lucked into a nearly ideal optic to start with because it has ways of holding your hand through all of the training issues I mentioned above… and that I will get into now.

Finding the Dot

I would venture a guess that being able to consistently find the dot during the draw stroke is the top concern and number one training priority for most new pistol RDS shooters. The 507 Comp eases this training process in a few ways. The larger window is more forgiving than most smaller RDS, allowing more wiggle room so to speak. It also offers an array of reticle options, including a 32 MOA ring. This, coupled with the large window, makes it more likely that some portion of the reticle will be visible at the end of your draw stroke, especially if you have trained your draw stroke before.

Tracking the Dot

It seems a lot of shooters don’t think much beyond finding the dot, but it should also be a goal of any pistol RDS shooter to be able to track the dot through recoil. Of course, your ability to track the dot will also be impacted by the extent to which your skill provides a consistent recoil impulse, but it is also true that a larger window and a larger dot option are desirable for tracking. Many new RDS shooters immediately want the smallest possible dot because of the allure of enhancing accuracy at distance. However, check the reticles of experienced dot shooters, especially those in pursuits that put a premium on speed with acceptable accuracy, and you are likely to find larger dot/reticle sizes in the 6-8 MOA range. The 507 Comp covers all of these scenarios with its reticle options.

Target Focus

If you want to be better with a dot, finding and tracking the dot is fine, but what you really need to do is get out of the habit of staring at your sights. The main advantage and where you will start to find real speed with a dot sight is when you shift to target focus. This is easy to say and hard to do. Even experienced competitive shooters are constantly trying to improve here. In my experience, I feel I will always be fighting this focus battle to some extent, but the 507 Comp’s large window does help. We are trying to look through the window, not at it, so it makes sense that a larger window is easier to look through. A lot of my previous experience was with a T1 on an ALG 6 Second Mount, and the difference here is night and day. It is much easier to look through the 507 Comp at arm’s length.

Price

Those who are dipping their toes into pistol-mounted RDS sights may not want to break the bank. I think it is pretty wise and natural to want to ease into something like this to see if you can get on board with the concept. The 507 Comp is at the affordable end of the spectrum while still being a premium, known-good sight. It is also desirable, so if you decide it isn’t for you, you can pretty easily recoup some of your initial cost.

Downsides

Unfortunately, the large window that is central to many of the advantages I listed above is also this sight’s biggest downside. It is bigger than most pistol RDS options on the market but practically, it isn’t actually that much bigger. It still fits the same slide cuts, so it isn’t too dimensionally dissimilar to smaller red dot sights. I also have yet to see an optics cut holster that it didn’t fit (not that I have tried them all). Finally, with a few weeks of carry, I don’t really find it to be harder, though admittedly, a corner will stick out just a bit more if your holster is designed to really wedge the grip of the handgun in toward your body.

Wrap Up

I feel pretty fortunate to have landed on this optic at the beginning of taking the pistol-mounted RDS seriously. It is a friendly place to start, and I don’t see any reason I would ever outgrow it. I had just enough experience with various other optics to understand that this is a great place to start. So, if you are just starting out, consider the Holosun 507 Comp.

Check out the Holosun 507 Comp at Amazon.com (this is an affiliate link, using it helps JTT with a small commission with no additional cost to you).

It is difficult to show how forgiving the large ring in a large window set up is but this picture comes close. Unless your presentation sucks, some part of that reticle is likely to be visible enough to provide corrective feedback.

The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping – Free Training is All Around You

By on May 17, 2025 in Tactics and Training, The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping

Welcome to the Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping.

If you consume a lot of online media, you can get the idea that being prepared – to fight, to survive, to weather a natural disaster – is simply a matter of buying a new gadget. But, if you boil prepping down to Concepts, there are a lot of ways to prepare that are free or at least attainable with smart money. I aim to give you some ideas you can work on that you might not have thought of until now… or maybe just that you have been putting off.

I think there are two big barriers to people getting more training: time and money. There is probably something to be said for prioritizing your time and money to reflect what you value, but the lack of money doesn’t have to be a barrier to training. There is free training all around you if you know where to look.

Where to Find Free Training

There are two consistent sources of free training that I have seen: the local library and a local state or community college. You probably aren’t going to see a carbine course pop up from one these sources but I have seen preparedness-related free courses ranging from regional plant and animal identification, basic first aid training, wilderness first aid, navigation, various other outdoor skills, gardening topics of all kinds, CPR training, and even some basic disaster preparedness topics.

You might also keep an eye on:

  • Local forums and Facebook groups related to topics that interest you, like HAM Radio groups, orienteering groups, or even prepping groups
  • Local emergency management resources
  • Local conservation or land management groups
  • Retailers

Train the Trainer

Another way to get cheap training is to leverage your friends. Maybe you have a buddy who knows something about welding. Ask him to show you the ropes. Maybe a friend of yours recently completed a carbine course. Ask them if they would share what they learned with you. This sort of train-the-trainer model benefits everyone. The trainer reinforces what they have learned and the trainee acquires new skill.

More Time than Money?

If you have the time and commitment, there is another option you can try: hosting a course. This is less common than it once was but it still happens. You engage with the trainer to provide local coordination of a training venue and spread the word about the course. I’ve known many people who can host trainers so that their costs are completely covered or at least greatly diminished.

If you get a little creative, you will find training opportunities just about anywhere.

The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping – Learn to Wear Long Sleeves All Year

By on April 3, 2025 in The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping

Welcome to the Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping.

If you consume a lot of online media, you can get the idea that being prepared – to fight, to survive, to weather a natural disaster – is simply a matter of buying a new gadget. But, if you boil prepping down to Concepts, there are a lot of ways to prepare that are free or at least attainable with smart money. I aim to give you some ideas you can work on that you might not have thought of until now… or maybe just that you have been putting off.

Long Sleeves… Especially When It’s Hot

The cheapest (and maybe the best way) to prepare is to focus on the training aspects of preparedness instead of the material aspects. It may be a little strange to think of wearing long sleeves in the heat as training but I have come to believe it is a learned behaviour that takes some conditioning. Just try to get your kids to do it and you will see what I mean.

So, why am I even discussing sun protection in the context of preparedness? This is a Contrarian’s guide. It’s going to go a little off the beaten path. But there is a method to the madness and actual reasons to consider. One, you might not have gallons of sunblock packed into buckets in your isolated, mountaintop prepper cabin. Two, no one actually likes wearing sunscreen when they are working hard. Three, I am not a doctor, but there is at least some reason to be skeptical about that stuff. Finally, even if the S never hits the F, keeping your skin protected to some extent is important right now, whether you are putting in a garden, acquiring skills on the shooting range, or just on the water for a day.

Free

Starting to wear sleeves and caps doesn’t have to cost a thing. You probably already have stuff in your closet that works. I have used old dress shirts, especially if they are light in color. Cotton blends or synthetics work best for this versus just plain cotton.

Smart Money

If you want to go the cheapest route, thrift stores are full of old dress shirts. Just be a little cautious because some of them are thin enough to not provide much protection from the sun. The good news is, more modern sun protection options don’t have to cost a lot.

I have come to like hooded sun shirts quite a bit, especially when they are thin, light, and breathable. The best deals on them can often be found at closeout stores like Sierra or Ross. My favorites are also very affordable on Amazon. The sun shirts from Baleaf are frequently on sale and have some of the lightest fabric I have found on a shirt that is still UPF50 rated. I run in them, hike in them, train in them, fish in them, and work outside in them. They not only keep the sun off but wick well enough to keep me cool. I just buy the cheapest color I can tolerate, which is usually light grey. Check them out at Amazon.com.

The EDC Tool Roll: 711L Mini Ratchet Wrench

By on March 21, 2025 in EDC, Reviews, The EDC Tool Roll

The EDC Tool Roll is a feature on Jerking the Trigger in which we profile various everyday-carry-worthy tools. The tools shown aren’t multi-tools but rather real tools, that by virtue of their compact size, light weight, usefulness, or unique functionality, can find a place in any range kit, emergency kit, or everyday carry bag.

Feel free to comment on the tools that you carry so we can all learn! The discussion on these posts has been very valuable so far.

I wanted to clown on this thing but I love it. The 711L Mini Ratchet Wrench lives up to its name. It is “mini” in every sense of the word. It also most seems too small to be useful… until you have one in hand.

In a lot of ways it is similar to other ratcheting drivers we have reviewed on The EDC Tool Roll. It has a reversible ratcheting end that accepts standard shank bits and a fixed inline end that accepts those same bits. It also has a finger-starting wheel and a similar finish to other tools like the Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX. The main difference is that it is very, very small… about 2″ long.

I was prepared to write it off as a novelty but, when coupled with regular old extension, it actually does a lot of work. I sometimes carry it with two bits preloaded and dropped in my coin pocket. If you do carry an extension, you can preload another bit there. It’s light in weight, takes up almost no space and actually works better in some situations than your typical multitool.

It’s just too cool.

Where to Buy

I bought mine on Amazon. I am not sure there are any brick-and-mortar stores carrying this brand. They actually make a number of clever tools including the extension we already reviewed: 711L Ratchet Wrench on Amazon.com

Previously Reviewed Alternatives:

  1. Alltrade/Powerbuilt Ratchet & Driver
  2. Chapman MFG Midget Ratchet and Accessories (USA)
  3. GearWrench MicroDriver Set
  4. Klein Tools 65200
  5. Prestacyle T-Handle Ratchet
  6. Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX
  7. VIM Tools HBR3 Bit Ratchet
  8. VIM Tools HBR4/Prestaratchet Mini Ratchet
  9. VIM Tools HBR5 Bit Ratchet
  10. Wiha GoBox

The above links may be affiliate links.

The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping – Fitness

By on March 6, 2025 in The Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping

Welcome to the Cheapskate Contrarian’s Guide to Prepping. This is a series that has existed in my idea notebook for years, but I am only just fleshing it out on JTT.

If you consume a lot of online media, you can get the idea that being prepared – to fight, to survive, to weather a natural disaster – is simply a matter of buying a new gadget. But, if you boil prepping down to Concepts, there are a lot of ways to prepare that are free or at least attainable with smart money. I aim to give you some ideas you can work on that you might not have thought of until now… or maybe just that you have been putting off.

Fitness

It is a little cliche but the first topic I want to tackle is fitness. You probably saw this one coming but I hope that future installments of this series really raise your eyebrows.

I think we all know intuitively that people with a well-rounded fitness level live longer. However, you may not realize just how little it has to cost you to improve your fitness. I’m blessed to have a squat rack, weights and cardio equipment, but you can have an awful lot of fun and success without them.

This is my favorite workout rock. It has nice flat sides and weighs just about 44 pounds on the nose. It will humble you if you spend enough quality time with it.

Free

Training for free doesn’t have to be limited to calisthenics, walking, and running… both those are all good choices.

  • Find a rock to squat, press, and carry.
  • Build a sandbag to use as an awkward weight implement.
  • Fill a backpack with the aforementioned rock or sandbag and start rucking.
  • Dig that old tire out of the barn, attach a large U-bolt, and a tow strap. Now you can put the aforementioned rock and/or sandbag on it and start dragging.
  • Shoulder a log and carry it around.
  • Dig that sledgehammer out of the shed so you can slam tires and swing it like a club to get those shoulders working.
  • Borrow your kid’s jump rope.
  • Go down in the basement and do some pullups on your floor joists.

Paying for fitness equipment just buys you convenience. If you are willing to work and have some creativity, you can do a lot without paying for anything. I have done and continue to do all of the above even though I have a ton of dedicated gym equipment because I like the variety. And, I think that variety is the key to having fun while you train.

Smart Money

If you do have a little money to spend, I also have some ideas that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Again, these are all things that I use myself.

Kettlebells – In my opinion, it is hard to beat the versatility of a kettlebell. You can get a lot of work done with a single kettlebell in the 12-20KG weight range. Is it strength training or cardio… yes.

Look for one that is single cast (not a welded handle), has smoothed casting seams, and has a powder coat finish (no paint, rubber, or chrome if you can help it). Local classifieds are full of them, Amazon even sells used/returned kettlebells cheap, which is where I got most of mine.

I have a stack of the Lifeline kettlebells that I have picked up used on Amazon.

I have a wife and three daughters so I have a lot of kettlebells. It’s a cheap way to stack equipment for the whole family.

Portable Folding Bench and Dumbbells – Like I said, I have squat rack and some other nice quipment out in my barn. I’ll share a secret with you though… sometimes its cold out there and I just want to lift in my house. That is where the smartest money I have ever spent on fitness equipment helps me out.

Years ago, I bought a portable adjustable weight bench. I already had a great flat bench that I use in my barn but I wanted something I could use inside and then store in a closet or under a bed when I wasn’t using it so I bought a Flybird folding bench. That was SMART money. I use that thing multiple times weekly and so does my wife.

Couple that bench with some dumbbells, preferably adjustable, and you have an incredibly versatile weight training setup for strength and hypertrophy. I have fixed and adjustable dumbbells, but given the progressive nature of weight training and the amount of space they take up, I think affordable adjustables are the smart money.

The Flybird weight bench I use is the darling of the internet and it is excellent. I can’t say enough good things about this dirt cheap bench. Adjustable dumbbells can be found at very affordable prices and almost any type will do as long as you are comfortable with weight increments. I like Powerblock because local classified ads seem to be full of them for pennies on the dollar and they are known to last forever. I have used their more affordable Elite EXP dumbbells for years.

You may not become a beast overnight but every bit of work capacity you build now is work capacity you’ll already have in the tank when the stuff hits the fan. Fitness doesn’t have to cost a dime but it is worth something.

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