Specna Arms Red Dot 1x40 Collimator Sight Black

Do you want to be able to aim faster than with traditional iron sights, but don’t need magnification? The Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 Red Dot Sight Black is a compact 1x red dot sight for airsoft replicas with a RIS/Picatinny rail. The generous 40 mm viewing window, adjustable brightness and horizontally and vertically adjustable reticle make this optic particularly appealing to players who want to acquire a target quickly without unnecessarily restricting their field of view.

The red dot sight has an aluminium housing, weighs approximately 210 grams and is powered by a CR2032 battery. Additional product specifications include five brightness settings, a adjustment value of 1/4 MOA per click and a nitrogen-filled construction that helps to minimise internal condensation. This makes it a relatively simple yet functional optic for CQB and outdoor airsoft.

Why choose the Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 Red Dot?

The key feature of this red dot sight is the combination of a 1x magnification and a large 40 mm viewing window. You are not looking through a narrow, magnifying scope, which makes it easier to maintain an overview of your surroundings and switch quickly between different targets.

This makes this sight particularly suitable for assault rifles and other airsoft replicas used in dynamic play. Whether during CQB or at short and medium outdoor ranges, a 1x red dot can help you find a clear aiming point more quickly.

1x magnification for quick aiming

The Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 has a 1x magnification. The image is therefore not magnified, meaning the optic has been designed primarily for rapid target acquisition rather than observation at longer ranges.

One advantage of this is that it makes it easier to aim with both eyes open. Your dominant eye sees the target through the optic, whilst your other eye can maintain an overview of your surroundings. This can be particularly useful during dynamic airsoft situations, as you’re less likely to feel as though you’re looking through a narrow tunnel.

Large 40 mm viewing window

The designation 1x40 refers to the 1x magnification combined with a window/lens diameter of 40 mm. The relatively large viewing window makes it easier to quickly locate the point of aim when you raise the replica to your shoulder.

This can be particularly advantageous when you’re shooting from different positions or need to switch between targets quickly. You don’t need to position your eye quite as precisely behind a small viewing window as you do with some compact micro red dots.

Red and green reference points

The additional product specifications for this model mention the option to display the aiming point in red or green. This allows you to choose a colour that contrasts best with the environment in which you are playing.

For example, red may stand out more clearly against a green woodland backdrop, whilst green may be easier to see in other circumstances. Ultimately, which colour works best comes down to personal preference and depends on the background and lighting conditions.

Five brightness settings

There are five brightness levels available for the spotlight. This allows you to adjust the intensity to suit the ambient light.

It is best not to automatically select the highest setting. A reticle that is too bright may appear larger or less sharp, and may therefore unnecessarily obscure the target. You should therefore select the lowest brightness setting at which the reticle remains clearly and readily visible under the current conditions.

Adjustable horizontally and vertically

The reticle can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. According to the supplementary product specifications, each click represents an adjustment of 1/4 MOA. This allows you to fine-tune the reticle step by step to match the trajectory of the BBs fired from your replica.

In airsoft, the order in which you do this is important. First, choose the BB weight you’ll actually be using, and then adjust your hop-up correctly. Only once your replica is firing consistently does it make sense to zero in the red dot.

Aluminium casing

The housing of this Specna Arms CORE™ red dot sight is made from aluminium. As a result, the sight combines a metal construction with a weight of approximately 210 grams.

Measuring approximately 9.5 cm in length, this is not an ultra-compact micro red dot. However, its larger size does provide a generous 40 mm viewing window, which is in fact one of the key features of this model.

Filled with nitrogen to prevent internal condensation

An interesting additional feature is the nitrogen-filled design. According to the product specifications, this helps to minimise internal condensation on the optical surfaces.

For outdoor airsoft, this can be useful when the temperature and humidity change during a day’s play. It does not, however, mean that the scope will never fog up or that it has a specific waterproof rating; no IP rating is specified for this model.

RIS/Picatinny mount

The red dot is designed for mounting on a RIS/Picatinny rail. The additional product information specifies a standard 22 mm RIS rail for this purpose. This makes the sight suitable for many modern airsoft rifles and other replicas that feature a compatible top rail.

If you are using a replica with a different rail system, always check whether a suitable adapter is required.

Powered by a CR2032 battery

The light is powered by a CR2032 battery. According to the additional product information, this battery is included with the product, meaning you can use the light straight away once the lens has been fitted.

It’s always a good idea to carry a spare CR2032 in your gear bag, of course. The sight is electronic, and without sufficient battery power, you’ll no longer have an illuminated sight.

Protective covers for transport

According to the supplementary product information, rubber protective caps are also included. These are useful for protecting the optical surfaces from dust, dirt and contact with other equipment during storage and transport.

The manufacturer does not specify a BB impact rating for these protective caps or the lens. We therefore recommend using a separate lens protector when taking part in an airsoft skirmish, if you wish to protect the front lens from direct BB impact.

Practical tip

A red dot works best when the aiming point is not brighter than necessary. First, choose your BB weight, adjust the hop-up correctly, and only then zero in the sight. Also, try to keep both eyes open whilst aiming; particularly with a 1x red dot and a large 40 mm viewing window, this allows you to maintain the best possible overview of the playing field.

In the box

When you purchase the Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 Red Dot Sight Black, you will receive the following items, as per the supplementary product information:
　• Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 Red Dot Sight Black
　• Mount for 22 mm RIS/Picatinny rail
　• CR2032 battery
　• Rubber protective caps
　• Lens cleaning cloth
　• User manual

Specificaties

　• Brand: Specna Arms
　• Series: CORE™
　• Model: 1x40 Red Dot Sight
　• Colour: Black
　• Type: Red dot / collimator
　• Magnification: 1x
　• Viewing window/lens diameter: 40 mm
　• Reticle colour: Red / green
　• Brightness settings: 5
　• Correction value: 1/4 MOA per click
　• Horizontal adjustment: Yes
　• Vertical adjustment: Yes
　• Power supply: 1 × CR2032
　• Battery included: Yes
　• Housing material: Aluminium
　• Nitrogen-filled: Yes
　• Mounting: RIS / Picatinny
　• Rail: 22 mm RIS
　• Length: Approx. 9.5 cm
　• Width: Approx. 5.5 cm
　• Height: Approx. 6.7 cm
　• Weight: Approx. 210 grams
　• Suitable for: Airsoft rifles and other replicas with a compatible RIS/Picatinny rail

Frequently Asked Questions

When is this 1x40 a better choice than a compact micro red dot?
That depends mainly on what matters most to you. A micro red dot is usually smaller and lighter, whilst this 1x40, with its larger 40 mm viewing window, offers more space to quickly locate the point of aim. If you shoot dynamically and prioritise a wide field of view over having the smallest possible sight, then this 1x40 could well be the right choice for you.

Is this red dot sight suitable for both CQB and outdoor airsoft?
Yes. For CQB, you’ll particularly benefit from the 1x magnification and fast target acquisition. Outdoors, you can utilise the same features at short and medium engagement ranges. For observing or identifying players at greater distances, a magnifying optic such as a 1–4x or 1–6x scope does offer more.

Can I aim with both eyes open?
That is precisely one of the advantages of a 1x red dot sight. With a bit of practice, you can focus on the aiming point with your dominant eye whilst your other eye maintains an overview of the surroundings. This can make it easier to keep track of movement to the side of your immediate target.

Do I need a separate mount for this Red Dot?
Normally not, provided your replica has a compatible 22 mm RIS/Picatinny rail. The additional product information states that a suitable mount is included. If you’re using a different rail system, an adapter may be required.

Why would I want to switch between a red and a green guide point?
Contrast. For example, a red guide point may be more clearly visible against a lot of green, whilst green may look more pleasing under different lighting conditions. There is no single colour that is automatically better in every situation, so the option to switch gives you a bit of extra flexibility.

Do I still need to use a lens protector?
For airsoft, we would certainly recommend it. The rubber caps supplied are handy for storage and transport, but no BB impact rating is specified for the lens or protective caps. A suitable airsoft lens protector can prevent a single unfortunate BB hit from spelling the end for your optic.

Advice from Airsoft-Legends

The Specna Arms CORE™ 1x40 Red Dot Sight Black is particularly appealing if you want to combine the speed of a red dot sight with a relatively large viewing window. The 40 mm aperture gives you plenty of space to quickly locate the point of aim and is well suited to a dynamic playing style where you regularly switch between different targets.

The five brightness settings and the choice between a red and green reticle offer ample scope for adapting the scope to different conditions. The 1/4 MOA adjustment also allows the zero to be corrected in incremental steps, whilst the nitrogen-filled design helps to minimise internal condensation.

Weighing approximately 210 grams, this 1x40 is clearly larger and heavier than a modern micro red dot. If you’re looking for the smallest possible sight for an ultra-light CQB build, we’d recommend opting for a more compact model. If, on the other hand, a wide field of view and easy target acquisition are more important to you, then this 1x40 really comes into its own.

For an assault rifle or other all-round airsoft replica with a RIS/Picatinny rail, this makes for an accessible red dot sight for both CQB and outdoor use.