Introduction of Holosun 407K and 507K
Holosun‘s red dot sights are becoming more and more popular with time. The reason for that is obvious – they combine quality and affordability. Holosun designs red dot sights for various tastes, offering premium features such as:
- Solar cell
- 7075-T aluminium housing
- Titanium housing
- Red, green and gold illumination, etc.
In their offer, everyone can find a red dot for their taste – it doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an expert. Their ‘Reflex’ series has been a success since its debut. The bigger Reflex optical sights models are designed for AR platforms, whereas the smaller versions can also be fitted on a pistol.
407C, 507C, and 508T are all highly popular among pistol users. They are among the most robust compact reflex red dot sights on the market (508T especially since it is made of titanium). Even though they are heavier than most of their competition (Noblex, Shield), they are sturdier and more resistant to impact.
These are commonly used on pistols, but one can’t help but notice their bulkiness which is a downside for pistol use – these sights weren’t made strictly for a pistol (they are supplied with a Picatinny adapter and are only available with a 2 MOA central dot size).
What is the difference between Holosun 407K vs 507K?
At Shot Show 2020, Holosun showed us their two new red dot sight models – 407K and 507K. There is only one difference between them. On 507K, the user can switch toggle between three types of reticles – circle dot, central dot only and circle only (Holosun calls this the ‘Multi-Reticle System – MRS). On 407K, only the central dot is available.
Holosun 407K VS 507K Red Dot
These are the first red dot sights that Holosun has designed specifically for a pistol. The first indicator is the dot size. Up to now, their red dot sights were supplied with a 2 MOA dot reticle. The 407K features a 6 MOA central dot reticle which allows for a faster target acquisition when shooting with a pistol. Most pistol users shoot at distances up to 25 metres, and a 6 MOA dot allows faster follow-up shots.
The 507k model features a switchable reticle (2 MOA dot & 2 MOA dot surrounded by a 32 MOA circle & circle only). This combination is great if you plan on shooting both at short distances (circle) and medium distances where some more precision is required (2 MOA dot).
Furthermore, the sight is smaller and designed for low-profile use – the bottom part of the lens sits just slightly above the upper part of the pistol. The window is quite large for a sight this compact. 407K and 507K are not supplied with a Picatinny adapter unlike other Holosun reflex red dot sights made until now, which further indicates that it is made for pistol use.
The rear part of the 407K and 507K is of a distinctive shape – when mounted on a pistol, it acts as a rear sight. The rear sight must often be removed when a red dot sight is fixed on the pistol. With 407K and 507K mounted, co-witnessing capabilities aren’t lost, so you’ll have a backup if the battery is discharged or the illumination stops working for any other reason.
What footprint is the Holosun 407K and 507K?
Because these are smaller than 407C, 507C, and 508T, Holosun had to use a different footprint. The sights mentioned use a Trijicon RMR platform whereas the new ‘K’ models have a modification of the Shield footprint instead. The two holes in the back are missing on the 407/507K footprint, and the recesses in the front are shallower than on Shield RMS and SMS sights. For this reason, some pistols, such as Hellcat and Walther PPS, will need to be modified for these two red dot sights to fit.
Need more information about Shield footprint?
Namely, the rear indexing lugs have to be removed and the front indexing lugs have to be shortened in length. Once the pistols are modified, you can still mount any of the red dot sights that have a Shield footprint.
Another amazing piece of news is that these new red dot sights are not merely water-resistant but waterproof. The housing is strong, made of a CNC-milled 7075 Aluminium alloy.
The battery tray is accessible from the side, meaning that you don’t have to remove the red dot sight from the pistol when the time for battery change comes. These are the first Holosun red dots to use a smaller, CR1632 battery. It provides 50.000 hours battery life (this applies to using the central dot reticle at a mid-setting, the circle dot drains the battery faster).
We love the big illumination control buttons. Even though the sight is compact, the buttons, positioned at the side of the device, are incredibly large. This is a great upgrade since 407C, 507C and 508T are all equipped with surprisingly small buttons. According to Holosun, these sights will be updated in the future as well under the V2 name, one of the newly introduced features being the increased button size. Great news! Like all the currently produced Holosun red dot sights, 407K and 507K feature 12 illumination intensity settings. The lowest two are NVD compatible.
By rotating the ‘clickable’ elevation and windage adjustment screws, the user moves the point of impact for approx. 0.7 cm at 50 m (1/2 MOA per click).
Is the Holosun 407K shake awake?
Holosun 407K and Holosun 507K feature Holosun’s famous Shake Awake function. If no motion is detected, the illumination is turned off to preserve battery life. When motion is detected again, the illumination powers back on in an instant.
Conclusion
Holosun has finally come up with a perfect, compact red dot sight for pistol use. We love the low-profile design, 6 MOA dot size, waterproofness, the in-built rear sight, strong housing, Shake Awake, etc. In other words, it is nearly impossible not to like 407K and 507K. Now, Holosun pretty much offers a red dot sight for all types of use. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
For what they offer, these red dot sights are incredibly affordable. The MSRP for the 407K is around 270 €, whereas the 507K costs 80 € more. Holosun expects these to hit the market in April 2020.
Even though they didn’t mention it, we expect Holosun to release these in green and gold illumination colours in the future.
Picture gallery
Been researching red dots for 6months & looks like you have one of the better products on the market. I think overall you have just what i’m looking for. Question: are 407k x2 being discontinued,Will the 407k X2 & 507k x2 be compatable with the new Walther PDP compact(after purchasing the firearm you tell them what optic you’re using & they send you an adapter plate)this may be a question for Walther..Also read an article by an(engineer)that stated optic will soon fall off because of faulty design & won’t stand G-force. Your thoughts on this. And last which would you suggest for (older eyes) 407k x2 with 6moa dot or 507k x2 with 2moa dot & 32moa reticle? Thank you for your feedback,looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Tim
Do u make a 407k model that is solar failsafe and green dot? The k model 507 or 407 fits my slide . I bought one from Amazon that said it was a 407 k with solar failsafe but it is not.
We are not Holosun but a blog that writes about optics. I think that Holosun currently does not make a 407K model with a solar cell. They do have the green illumination model in their offer, though.
Just purchased a kimber r7 mako. Researched red dots and settled on a a hs507k holosun. Imagine my disappointment when I went to install it on my optics ready firearm. Your modified base is a deal killer. Holosun fix is to remove rear Lugs and shorten the front lugs on a brand new gun. Needless to say I am not going to modify a new gun just to fit a red dot. A search for an adapter plate proved frustrating. The only one I found was on backorder for god knows how long. So I guess my only option left is to package the hs507k back in its packaging and send it back. Too bad it looked like a great red dot.
I have had the same problems trying to mount rhe HE507K X2 series reflex sight onto the Badger Ordnance J-arm. Another solution they suggest, is to buy the B.O. RMR adapter plate, AND buy the Holosun 407/507K adapter for RMR. THEN- Sandwich these plates and screws under the reflex sight.
(locktite?) Now the sight is up,up on two pedistals.
Or package the HS507K back in its packaging and send it back. Too bad, it looked like a great green dot.
“Site picture” …do you find the smaller site picture cluttered/crowded when using circle dot?
Is the 6 moa more practical for these smaller red dots?
That depends on the user preference, it is difficult to make generalizations. A small dot provides minimum coverage and is great for accuracy, a big dot provides more coverage but is easier to track (bigger, more visible). Circle dot is somewhere in between. I wouldn’t say that it makes the image ‘crowded’.
Do they make a plate to fit the 407k on a docter cut slide?
Unfortunately, we do not have one in our offer at the moment …