C-More reflex sights have been popular tools for competitive shooters for many years, and as reflex sight technology improved, C-More brought out updated versions. However, the new RTS3, ($749, but currently available on the C-More website for $599), isn’t just an “improvement.” It’s a complete redesign that incorporates the latest shooter-friendly features, and was field tested and refined by pro shooters for a couple years before the RTS3’s introduction in 2024.
Measuring 2.02 inches in length and 1.28 inches wide, the flat bottom makes for easy direct slide mounting. The maximum height of the RTS3 is 1.43 inches, with a rear deck height of .520 inches. The mounting footprint is C-More’s pattern that was introduced in 2009 and since adopted by the Vortex Razor, SIG Sauer Romeo3 Max and XL red-dot sights. Mounting plates for many popular handguns are also available from C-More. For those that wish to use a rail mount, a Picatinny mount ($59.99) is available. Additionally, the RTS3 reflex sight includes a snug-fitting soft plastic cover.
A generous sight window measures 1.170 inches in width and .980 inches high, and a side-by-side comparison with my Romeo3 Max showed the RTS3 to be just slightly larger. A single red dot provides the sight picture and can be ordered in in three-MOA, six-MOA or nine-MOA sizes. The dot features 12 intensity settings (two are for night vision and 10 for daylight use).
Power is provided by a single lithium three-volt CR 2032 battery, and the sight ships with the battery installed. The battery is housed in an O-ring sealed side mount on the sight’s right side, similar to the Romeo3 Max. I like the side mount because it not only eliminates the possibility of battery bounce and lost battery contact, but also doesn’t require the sight be removed from the gun to change batteries, which necessitates a re-sight session. The battery compartment is accessed with the supplied RTS3 multi-tool. Two small Torx head screws hold it in place and they are held captive to the tray via plastic washers. The procedure to open the compartment is a bit complex, but explained well in the instructions and easy to accomplish. It’s advisable to safeguard the multi-tool and instructions because it will be a long time before a battery replacement is needed.
C-More claims 50,000 hours of battery life at the number four intensity setting. Even if the nine and 10 power settings that would be needed on a bright day outdoors reduce the hours to just a fifth of that, it’s still 10,000 hours. A shooter who leaves their sight on for the full match and shoots four six-hour matches a month would only put 288 hours a year on the battery.
Operating controls are simple: a minus (-) and a plus (+) button on the left side. Pressing either turns the sight on and pressing and holding either for three seconds turns it off. Dot intensity is adjusted plus or minus. When the maximum power of 12 is reached, the dot will flash three times.
Three other power-related features are also incorporated and set into the sight by default. The shake awake feature will automatically put the dot to sleep if the sight is turned on and no motion is detected for three minutes. I tested this feature and it was spot on. This is of little value to those who wear a holstered handgun during the entire match, but is quite handy for those who bring their gun to the line bagged or cased and then set it aside after the stage.
Auto off will turn the sight off automatically four hours after it is turned on if no buttons are pushed during that time period. Pushing either button during that time will reset the four-hour timer. This feature can be turned off by holding both buttons down simultaneously for three seconds until the dot flashes one time.
If the battery power falls too low to sustain the dot intensity selected, the low battery warning will flash the dot rapidly. Turing the intensity down may allow a bit more use that might get a shooter through a stage. But given the battery life, it’s not likely to be seen often.
Sight adjustments are one MOA with distinct clicks and an internal settings lock. The adjustment dials are clearly marked and the Torx head is on the other end of the RTS3 tool is needed.
The C-More RTS3 optic ships with the sight, sight cover, lens cloth, a nifty little lens pen and the RTS3 multi-tool. Also included are two 8-32x1/2 mounting screws, two M4x12 mm mounting screws, a 9/64 hex wrench, a 2.5 mm hex wrench and the CR2032 battery (installed). Additionally, the RTS3 features a 30-year warranty.
Given match availability, I opted to do a rail mount on one of my Ruger 10/22 rifles for Steel Challenge and chose the six-MOA dot and the Picatinny rail mount for this review. The RTS3 sight mounted up quickly. The initial three-round group at 25 yards was low and right, but simple math and the appropriate clicks got me centered with only three more groups. The dot was round, crisp and cycled smoothly through the different intensity levels.
A bright sun about 30 degrees above the horizon and directly behind the targets greeted me for the first couple of stages. That normally requires power to burn through, but I found that I didn’t need the 12 power setting. The 10 setting handled it well. Later in the day I dropped it down one power level and was quite happy. The big window was a joy on target transitions and the sharply defined dot found the targets easily. I surprised myself by finishing second in Steel Challenge Rimfire Rifle Open division and fifth overall out of about 40 shooters. There were no issues with the C-More RTS3 optic and it performed perfectly.
I couldn’t ask more from a red-dot sight. Learn more at cmore.com.
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