The RMR Footprint Showdown: Holosun HS407C X2 vs. Swampfox Justice II

If you are in the market for a pistol red dot that fits the industry-standard RMR footprint but doesn't command the RMR price tag, you have almost certainly narrowed your list down to a few key players. Two of the most frequent contenders we see battling it out in forums and range bags are the Holosun HS407C X2 and the Swampfox Justice II. While they share a mounting pattern and a price bracket, they are built with very different philosophies in mind.

​The Holosun HS407C X2 is effectively the gold standard for "duty-grade on a budget." It has earned a reputation for being incredibly difficult to kill. The housing is 7075 T6 aluminum, and the shape is designed to deflect impact away from the lens. Its claim to fame, however, is the Solar Failsafe technology. Having that solar panel on top doesn't just act as a backup if your battery dies; it also allows the optic to auto-adjust brightness based on ambient light. Speaking of batteries, you’re looking at up to 50,000 hours of life, aided by their Shake Awake tech. The reticle is a crisp 2 MOA dot, which is excellent for precision work at distance but might require a bit more practice to pick up rapidly under stress compared to larger dots.

​On the other side of the ring, we have the Swampfox Justice II. If the Holosun is a tank, the Justice is a dragster. The immediate difference you will notice is the window size. The Justice II boasts a massive 30mm lens, which is significantly larger than the Holosun’s window. This huge field of view is a cheat code for competition shooting; the dot never seems to leave the window during recoil, allowing for incredibly fast follow-up shots. Swampfox listened to user feedback from their first generation and upgraded the Justice II with a top-load battery tray and a massive boost in battery life, now matching the Holosun at roughly 50,000 hours. You also get more reticle choices here, often finding it with a larger 6 MOA dot that is perfect for pure speed.

​So, which one belongs on your slide? If you are building a dedicated concealed carry gun, the Holosun 407C is likely the safer bet. Its slightly smaller profile prints less, the solar backup offers peace of mind for a defensive tool, and its track record for surviving abuse is nearly unmatched in its class. However, if you are building a range toy, a home defense pistol, or looking to get into USPSA or 3-Gun, the Swampfox Justice II is superior. That large window makes transitions effortless and is much more forgiving if your presentation isn't perfect.

​Regardless of which route you choose, you are going to need the right mounting hardware and perhaps a few extra magazines to zero it in. When you are ready to finalize that build, it’s always worth checking Brownells to snag your mounting plates, thread lockers, and any other slide internals you might be missing.

​Ultimately, this comes down to a choice between rugged redundancy and speed. If you need it to work after being dropped off a roof, get the Holosun. If you want to see more of the target and shoot faster splits, grab the Justice.