Should You Put a Red Dot on Your Shotgun? Here’s Why the Answer Is Yes.

At first glance, adding a red dot to a shotgun might seem unnecessary. After all, shotguns are known for their wide spread — just point and blast, right?

That’s true… but also dated.

Modern shotguns, especially for home defense, hunting, or competitive shooting, can benefit a lot from the precision and speed of a red dot optic. Here’s why you might want to rethink how you outfit your scattergun.

It’s Easier Than You Think

Most modern shotguns now come with a Picatinny rail, which makes mounting a red dot dead simple. And if your shotgun doesn’t have one, there are plenty of aftermarket rail or saddle mounts available.

Even better — if your battery dies while you’re out hunting, it’s quick to remove the optic and fall back on your bead sight. No stress, no downtime.

Red Dots Improve Accuracy — Even with Imperfect Form

Shotguns aren’t always used with textbook form — especially in high-stress home defense situations. A red dot helps retain a clear sight picture regardless of how you're holding the gun.

You get:

• Faster target acquisition

• Clear reticle visibility in daylight or low light

• Better tracking on moving targets (birds, clays, or threats)

Boosts Speed and Confidence

For newer shooters, red dots build confidence fast by giving them a solid visual reference. For experienced shotgun users, a red dot offers quicker target transitions and better consistency between shots — especially useful when engaging multiple targets.

Keeps Your Eyes on the Threat (or the Bird)

A bright reticle naturally draws your eye, allowing you to stay locked in on your target. It also raises your sight line, which helps compensate for muzzle rise and encourages better follow-up shots.

In short: you stay faster, smoother, and more accurate — whether you’re breaking clays or defending your home.

Bonus: It Just Looks Better

Let’s be honest — a tactical shotgun with a red dot just looks badass. That’s not the main reason to run one, but it sure doesn’t hurt.

Ready to Upgrade?

At Rifle Supply, we stock a wide selection of red dot sights perfect for shotguns — whether you're building a tactical rig or tricking out your hunting setup.

? Check out our optics collection here and find the perfect red dot for your shotgun.