Quick Tip: Zeroing Handgun Optics

In this video, Jude from Brownells takes us through a straightforward and effective method for zeroing a red dot sight on a Sig Sauer P365X Macro Comp. This isn’t a deep dive into advanced optics theory—it’s a real-world, range-ready approach to getting your carry gun dialed in and ready for training or everyday carry.

What You Will Learn 

​In this video, viewers receive a concise tutorial on effectively zeroing red dot sights on handguns. The video emphasizes the importance of proper alignment between the optic and the point of impact, ensuring accurate shooting. It covers practical steps for adjusting the optic, selecting appropriate distances for zeroing, and understanding the relationship between sight adjustments and bullet trajectory.

Benefit 

By watching this video, handgun owners can enhance their shooting precision and confidence. The guidance provided helps in achieving consistent accuracy, which is particularly beneficial for both self-defense scenarios and competitive shooting. The straightforward instructions make it accessible for shooters of all experience levels to optimize their handgun optics setup.

Introduction – Starting with the Basics

Jude kicks things off by letting us know he’s working with a P365X Macro Comp, freshly equipped with a red dot. The goal is to get a reliable 15-yard zero—perfect for concealed carry distances.

He begins by grabbing the adjustment tool that came with the optic and lining up the red dot as closely as possible with the iron sights, particularly left-to-right. While this won’t be perfect, it’s usually enough to get you on paper and start dialing in your zero from there.

First Shots and Initial Adjustments

Once the red dot is roughly aligned, Jude takes his first few shots at 15 yards. The initial group lands above the intended point of aim, so the next step is a simple one—drop the elevation a few clicks and test again.

The key here is starting broad, identifying the general direction your rounds are going, and then making meaningful corrections before fine-tuning.

Reading the Grouping and Making Corrections

After a few more shots, Jude’s groups begin to settle, but he notices they’re still slightly off—this time, drifting a bit right. He dials the sight back to the left slightly and gets ready to confirm the new zero.

To keep track of progress, he adds a fresh paster to the target and marks his previous shots with a marker to avoid confusion.

This is a helpful tip—when testing multiple groups, especially on smaller targets, it’s easy to lose track of where the new rounds are landing. Marking your previous groups helps maintain clarity.

Getting the Final Group

Jude slows down his shooting pace a bit, which leads to a tighter and more consistent group. He reviews the target and notes that his final group is centered and tight, with a couple of fliers that were shooter error.

For a 15-yard zero on a concealed carry pistol, this is a great result. Jude notes that at this point, the red dot is more than accurate enough for defensive use, and could reliably ring steel or hit an A-zone target at typical engagement distances.

Final Confirmation and Advice

Jude wraps things up by reiterating a few key points:

• Start by aligning your red dot with your irons, especially left-to-right.

• Don’t overthink the process—just get on paper and start adjusting.

• Mark your groups and confirm each set of adjustments.

• Slow down when shooting to truly gauge where the optic is placing rounds.

This isn’t about obsessing over tiny groups—it’s about having confidence in your zero before you start training hard with your pistol.

Final Thoughts

For anyone running a red dot on a P365X Macro—or any concealed carry pistol—this quick zeroing method is easy, efficient, and highly effective. Jude’s practical, no-nonsense approach is ideal for shooters who want to get their gear dialed in and move on to meaningful training.

If you're setting up your red dot for the first time or just confirming zero after reinstallation, this video serves as a solid guide to getting it done right.

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