Red dots are popping up everywhere these days. They are the future of sighting options on concealed carry handguns and continue to creep into every crevice of handguns.
This includes revolvers. Taurus and Charter Arms have optics options. Those all require you to purchase certain revolvers, but the new Shield R.O.C., or Revolver Optic Conversion, is bringing red dot compatibility to your favorite revolver.
As long as that revolver is a S&W J-Frame. Yep, J-frames, which brings optics to micro-sized revolvers. This includes classics such as the 442/642, the 43C, and others. I mounted mine on a 432, which is a .32 H&R Magnum revolver. With that said, the Ultimate Carry models and the Davidsons’ exclusive 940 series won’t work with the rear sight installed. Also, it’s designed for concealed hammer guns.
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This takes a platform with outdated sights and modernizes it. With a red dot, you can shoot faster, further, and straighter, even on small guns.
R.O.C. Design and Installation
The Shield Arms R.O.C. is designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA. It’s a precision-machined piece of aluminum that’s designed to attach via the existing side plate screw ports and extends over the top strap. It’s a no-gunsmith, easily reversible design that is simple to install.
Due to frame differences, the R.O.C. comes with small spacers to help center the optic mount over the top strap. Read the instructions, and it’s easy to figure out. You’ll need a torque wrench, and I used the Wheeler Fat Wrench to ensure the screws were tightened securely.
The R.O.C. is available in two footprints: the classic RMSc and the RMRcc, which is exclusive to the 12 owners of an RMRcc. I went with the RMSc footprint, which allows you to use a ton of different optics.
Overall, installation was super simple. There were no problems with the installation, and it took me about ten minutes, with about five of those minutes spent filming the installation, as working through a viewfinder is tough.
To The Range With the R.O.C.
The R.O.C. and the 432 are solid partners. The 432 uses the uber-accurate .32 H&R Magnum, or I can also shoot the classic .32 S&W Long. Both cartridges are well-reputed for their accuracy. I zeroed the gun in just a few shots; it was surprisingly on after installation.
I suck with a trench-style sight, and that’s why the Ultimate Carry lineup appeals to me so much, and why I was excited for the R.O.C. With an optic mounted, it’s a night-and-day difference. I can punch tight groups with this setup at ranges between seven and 15 yards. Out to 25 yards, I could keep all of my shots inside an eight-inch circle.
At fifty yards, I was landing the majority of my hits on an IPSC steel target. I was going six for six at times, but at a minimum, I was landing five out of six on target. Keep in mind, this is with a snub-nose revolver with a double-action-only trigger.
In terms of speed, it was super easy to get on target and fire those accurate rounds. The dot doesn’t move like it would on a semi-automatic, so tracking the dot is ultra-easy to do. I could put six into an A-zone at seven yards from the low ready in a hair more than two seconds. When the dot’s in the box, you know to press the trigger, and unless your grip sucks, you know where it’ll hit.
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Beyond the Range
The properly torqued R.O.C. mounted never moved after one hundred .32 H&R Magnums and one hundred .32 S&W Long rounds. The optic and mount remain securely in place, resulting in a solid lockup.
A red dot is massively beneficial for shooters with aging eyes. Put the dot on target and go. The R.O.C. allows you to keep your favorite revolver in action even if your vision is deteriorating.
Overall, the package is still tiny, and you keep most of the revolver’s strength while gaining red dot compatibility. Ultimately, if you don’t like it, your revolver isn’t permanently modified.
Practical Downsides
The biggest downside is adding bulk to a deep concealment weapon. It makes the gun a bit taller and takes the snub nose out of the pocket carry genre. Plenty of people carry a classic J-frame for its ease of concealment and use at close range, so a red dot isn’t useful to those people.
It requires a dedicated holster. There aren’t a lot of holster options for a red dot revolver. Phlster has one that’s fantastic. The MFT Minimalist rig works, and I might modify a Blackhawk ARC holster via a dremel to see if it will work.
Shield Arms warns that this should not be used with .357 Magnum revolvers. I assumed the intense recoil was too much for the mount. I’d abide by that warning if you don’t want to damage your revolver.
Additionally, cost is always a factor. You need to purchase the R.O.C. and a mini red dot. The R.O.C. isn’t absurdly expensive, but at 150 dollars, it’s not a small investment either. Then you have to spend $250 to $400 on a red dot.
Is the R.O.C. Worth It?
Obviously, that’s up to each individual. If you carry a revolver in your pants pocket, no, probably not. If you carry IWB or OWB, then it won’t interrupt your carry method. The reason I think it’s worth it is twofold.
I have another 432 for pocket carry. I appreciate the convenience of a small revolver, but I often feel less capable when the threat is beyond 10 yards, mainly due to my limited double-action revolver skills. A red dot is a cheat code for me. I can hit targets faster, shoot further, and do it consistently.
For me, the performance of a red dot makes the R.O.C. worth it. I like red dots on everything.
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Ratings (Out of Five Stars)
Installation – *****
Superbly easy to do. It does require a torque driver, and everyone should have one of those.
Concealment – ****
Takes the gun out of the pocket carry realm, but doesn’t add significant challenge for IWB/OWB carry.
Overall – **** (and a half)
The R.O.C. is a rock-solid optics mounting system. Hitting targets at 50 yards with a snub nose is a blast! It improves performance at the cost of a little concealment.
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