Holosun has gained a great reputation in the last few years. They make solid optics, and they’ve earned their place. However, their latest optic, the AEMS, was the first I saw that made people excited. People waited for the drop patiently, as did I. I got my AEMS last month and have been chucking lead downrange over the last few weeks.

AEMS stands for Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight and is Holosuns attempt at making an efficient red dot sight. By efficient, I mean the optic tries to combine the smallest size possible with the largest field of view possible. Let’s see if the hype was worth it.

Specifications and Features

This optic is all about staying nice and small, and the AEMS does a great job of keeping things small. At 2.2 inches long, 1.4 inches wide, and 2.59 inches tall, the AEMS is about 10% shorter than most micro-optics.

It’s surprisingly small and weighs a nice 3.9 ounces. The AEMS certainly meets the goal of being small and light, and I appreciate that. Even though it’s small, the window is nice and large at 1.1 inches x .87 inches.

Holosun chose a CR2032 battery to power the optic. Battery life exceeds 50,000 hours using the 2 MOA dot and at a moderate setting. Like most modern Holosun optics, the AEMS comes with a solar backup system that can reinforce the battery should it die. That solar panel runs off both the sun and artificial light, so it works indoors.

With the AEMS, we get eight daylight settings and four-night vision settings. That’s a fair amount of night vision settings and plenty of daylight settings. The AEMS has an automatic brightness adjustment setting and a manual setting. I prefer manual 100% of the time. Users can choose between one of three optics and can do so on the fly.

The optics include the 2 MOA dot, the 65 MOA circle, and a combination 2 MOA dot and 65 MOA circle. Options matter and I tend to prefer the 2 MOA and 65 MOA dot, but we’ll talk more about that later.

On the Outside of the AEMS

On the outside, the first thing you see is the small top-mounted solar panel. It’s accessible and will always reach above you. You also get two massive buttons that control the optic. The buttons not only adjust the brightness level, but turn the optic on and off, swaps reticles, and turn the automatic mode on or off. The various button combinations are easy to use and make controlling the AEMS simple.

The buttons deliver nice tactile feedback and take a dedicated press to activate. They are quite nice, and even on the fly, you can make adjustments. Another big attention-getter is the presence of two lens covers. These disposable, user-replaceable lens covers act as another layer of protection for the optic.

Did I mention that these lens covers are see-through? They are super clear, and I barely noticed them and only popped them down to do a clarity check. With the lenses in place, they are superbly clear and perfectly useable. I’d imagine the only reason to pop them off was to use the AEMS with a magnifier to ensure everything is super clear.

I have bad news and good news regarding the mount. The bad news is that the mount is proprietary, and there isn’t an aftermarket available for it. The good news is that Holosun plans to release various height mounts for a variety of different weapon platforms.

On the Inside of the AEMS

As I mentioned, even with the lens covers, the optic is surprisingly clear. Without the lenses, the AEMS is super clear and provides a brilliant and crisp picture. There is a slight blue tint, and that is it.

The reticles are also super clear and crisp. They don’t drag or flicker when moved swiftly. I like the 65 MOA and 2 MOA dot. However, every reticle is super clear and easy to see and use.

The optic utilizes the same shake awake system that Holosun made famous. When the optic is left undisturbed for a certain amount of time, it will automatically shut off. When the optic detects movement, it springs to life and returns to the last used brightness setting. You can set the auto shut off for an hour, for 12 hours, or turn it completely off.

To The Range

I mounted and zeroed the AEMS to the M&P 12 with some basic buckshot loads. The turrets are very nice. They are uncapped, recessed turrets that require a flat head tool to make adjustments. The adjustments are .5 MOA per click, and the clicks are both audible and tactile. Zeroing was quick, and I was dumping buckshot into the chest and heads of targets rapidly.

A 12 gauge seemed to be a great testing platform to hit the gun with some rough recoil. I cycled the pump gun quite quickly, and the AEMS didn’t care. It didn’t flutter or flicker when faced with the hefty recoil of slugs and full-powered buckshot. I also liked using the big 65 MOA ring for shotguns. Whatever is in that ring feels the sting of buckshot at 20 yards.

That promised wide field of view is very present, and it’s a nice touch, also quite handy for a shotgun. The thin build of this square optic keeps your peripheral vision open. The field of view is nearly identical to the HS512C, and that’s a much bigger optic. The smaller size and wide field of view make it the perfect choice for mounting to small guns, and I did just that.

I popped the AEMS onto the Ruger PC Charger and went wild with some 9mm ammunition. I delivered unto my targets plenty of lead. The wide field of view and small size gives you a very capable optic for little subguns like the Charger. In fact, the AEMS might find a permanent home on my Aero Precision EPC and for my future USPSA PCC matches.

The AEMS Vs. The HS512C

I mentioned the HS512C, and it’s because the HS512C is another enclosed emitter optic from Holosun. It is a full-sized optic, and I thought it would be a worthy comparison to the AEMS. The HS512C has a slightly wider window at .91 x 1.26 inches.

However, the rest of the optic is considerably larger as well. The slightly smaller window of the AEMS (1.1 x .87 inches) is literally fractionally smaller. However, you get an optic that weighs three ounces and is only 2.2 inches long, 1.4 inches wide, and 2.59 inches tall versus the HS512C’s 3.35 inches long, 1.63 inches wide, and 2.27 inches tall.

To be fair, the AEMS is taller, but it utilizes a taller lower 1/3rd mount, and the HS512C uses an absolute co-witness mount. Speaking of mounts, the HS512C does not have interchangeable mounts. You get the one you get, while the AEMS can be swapped around for different guns.

The only real advantage the HS512C offers is being slightly cheaper. Other than that, I’m betting the AEMS replaces the HS512C in the next year or so.

AEMS-ing In

The AEMS accomplished all its objectives. It’s small, well made, easy to use, and can take a beating. I understand people’s excitement, and the AEMS certainly provides a competent red dot option that still touches the affordable market. Sure, Holosun is getting a little pricier, but they still don’t touch Aimpoint prices.

Is the AEMS for you? Let me know below what you think about Holosun’s latest optic.

With SHOT Show 2022 approaching fast, new product releases are all the rage. Smith & Wesson is near the front of the pack with their new CSX subcompact pistol. Aimed squarely at the concealed carry crowd, the Smith & Wesson CSX looks to challenge the Sig Sauer P365XL and the Glock 48X for market share. That’s some stiff competition, so Smith & Wesson, not content to just toss out a clone of those guns, or a revamped M&P Shield, has gone back to a tried-and-true design that should appeal to the gun community.

In the video above, Allen from Olde English Outfitters gives us a quick rundown of the CSX’s features and his first impressions of the gun. The first thing Allen points out is that the CSX is a 1911-style single action only hammer fired gun. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the CSX, as noted above, is the latest in the trend of small guns with higher capacity. Because of its styling, Allen places the gun as the successor to the Colt Government .380, the Sig Sauer 238 Series, the Springfield Armory 911 Series, and the Kimber Micro 9 Series.

Here’s a quick look at the CSX’s specifications:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger 9mm 
• Hammer fired single action only
• Overall length: 6.1 inches
• Barrel length: 3.1 inches
• Thickness: 1.12 inches
• Height: 4.6 inches
• Weight: 19.5 ounces
• Capacity 10+1 or 12+1
• Barrel and slide material: Armornite finished stainless steel
• Frame material: Aluminum alloy
• MSRP: $609.00 per S&W website

Allen estimates the price at around $550.00 and, with the listed MSRP of $609.00, he’s probably pretty close on that. The barrel and slide feature Smith & Wesson’s Armornite finish so, as Allen says, they should be very durable and rust-resistant. The CSX is, unusually for a small carry gun, all-metal, making it a bit heavier than other guns of its size. But Allen says, and I agree, that extra weight is okay, as it probably helps a bit with recoil and, at 19.5 ounces, still isn’t heavy by any means.

The CSX has lots of nice features as well. As Allen says, “This is a lot of gun.” Here’s a list of those features:

• Adjustable metal front and rear sights with the rear sight being squared off
• Glare reducing texture on the top of the slide
• Front and rear cocking serrations
• Small cocking ears on the rear of the slide, similar to the M&P Shield EZ
• Ambidextrous 1911-style frame-mounted thumb safety
• Low profile slide release
• Reversible mag release button
• Interchangeable backstrap
• A nice long beavertail

The metal sights are nice, especially with the square profile rear sight. They should be very durable. I really like the inclusion of the cocking ears. As I get older, I wish more guns had those. The reversible mag release is actually a different part that comes with the gun. You just switch them out if you want. The gun ships with one extra backstrap that requires a tool to depress the plunger holding it on the grip. The tool is provided. It looks pretty stiff but, realistically, how often are you going to the change the backstrap? The beavertail is plenty long to guard against hammer and slide bite.

There are a few things on the downside, but they’re minor. First, there’s no front rail. Personally, I don’t generally hang stuff from the front of guns this small, so it’s no big deal to me. But some might, so it would be nice to have the option. Second, the 12-round mag extends further from the grip, so it has a sleeve to fit in the space between the bottom of the grip and the mag floorplate. The sleeve isn’t anchored, and it slides up and down the mag, which Allen didn’t like. But he took it off with no ill effects and suggests that S&W anchor it in the future. There’s no loaded chamber indicator, though there is an inspection hole on top for press checks. No big deal to me, but it might be for some. Finally, the CSX is not optics-ready. Maybe that’s a thing for you, maybe not.

The trigger is described as being “pretty flat” with an integral safety blade for the internal firing pin lock. Allen said the trigger was a little gritty at first but got better as he fired it more. The trigger pull is light, as you’d expect from a single action gun.

Overall, Allen was very impressed by the CSX. He says, “It sits in the hand really well. Doesn’t bounce around much.” The recoil was mild for a gun this size and it shot very well. He didn’t put it on paper but expects it to group well. “They’ve done a good job on this,” he says. “If you like the single action gun…hammer fired pistol, this is a good thing to look at. It packs a lot into a pretty small package. We’re going to tip our hats to Smith & Wesson on this.”

It’s pretty standard for companies to jump into trends to sell some guns while things are hot, like the small, higher capacity carry guns are right now. But it looks like S&W has not only jumped in but offered something that adds to what’s out there instead of just copying it. It’s probably a good move and, as we all know, it’s nice to have options.

Concealed carry guns have reached an interesting intersection of size, capacity, and capability. It feels like we’ve reached the perfect size and capacity compromise with guns like the P365, the Hellcat, the Ruger Max 9, and the like. These little micro compacts pack at least ten rounds of 9mm, are often optic-compatible, and even come with some form of a rail system. Attaching a light to these guns is possible, but little lights are rare. Two of the main competitors on the market are Olight and Streamlight. Today we are doing a little head-to-head competition with the Olight Mini Valkyrie 2 vs. the Streamlight TLR 7 Sub.

Olight was first and the scene with the Mini Valkyrie series being designed specifically for little guns. Streamlight followed up last year with a mini light of their own. Our Mini Valkyrie 2 vs. Streamlight TLR 7 Sub showdown will allow us to examine their size and weight, their mounting options, their raw power, and even their batteries and battery life.

Since these are small lights made for small guns, let’s start with the general dimensions of these lights. They gotta be small to be effective, right?

The Mini Valkyrie 2 Vs. The TLR 7 Sub A Battle of Sizes

Size matters. Well, power matters more, but size does matter when it comes to a light on a concealed carry gun. Especially if that light is designed for a small concealed carry gun. Size and also weight are critical factors in choosing an accessory, and we plan to do a healthy comparison between these two lights.

The Mini Valkyrie 2 does pull in a win in the length department. It’s only 2/07 inches long versus the TLR 7 Sub’s 2.51-inch length. Yet, the Streamlight TLR 7 Sub is a lighter and skinnier light. It’s a tall supermodel, and the Mini Valkyrie is a squat little dude that doesn’t stand a chance. The TLR 7 Sub weighs 2.39 ounces vs. the Valkyrie’s 2.57 ounces. The Valkyrie is also 1.26 inches wide, whereas the TLR 7 Sub is 1.16 inches wide.

The Sub might be a little longer, but it scores high in the other departments when it comes down to size in our Mini Valkyrie 2 Vs. TLR 7 Sub the TLR 7 wins.

Mounting Options

It’s tough to declare a clear winner in mounting options because you also have to take into account your individual firearm.

With that said, the Mini Valkyrie 2 utilizes a standard Picatinny rail mount and comes with multiple locking bars for different rails. This works well for a wide variety of firearms but doesn’t fit guns like the SIG P365 or Glock 43X without an adapter, which adds even more size.

The TLR-7 Sub comes in various configurations that include a standard 1913 short rail system. Streamlight also produces light options with adapters for things like the P365 and Glock 43X, and Glock 48 MOS series. The TLR 7 Sub offers more mounting options total, and to me, it’s a winner, but if you have a standard 1913 rail, it won’t really matter.

Raw Power

Here is where things get twisted and can be a bit of a hazard if you don’t fully understand each light. I will say outright that in this Mini Valkyrie 2 vs. Streamlight TLR 7 Sub contest, power is one of the most important considerations. Small lights are kind of weak when it comes to power, but in this section, there is a very clear winner.

Let’s start with the Mini Valkyrie 2. It boasts 600 lumens! That is 100 lumens more than the TLR 7 Sub, so it must be the winner! Well, no, for two reasons. First, Olight likes to advertise that they have so and so many lumens, but what they don’t tell you is that the max lumen count is 600 for about a minute before it steps down and eventually arrives at 60 lumens.

The TLR 7 Sub is 500 lumens and stays that until about the time the battery gets extremely low. The second reason the Streamlight TLR 7 Sub cleans the clock of the Mini Valkyrie 2 is in candela. Lumens are great, but candela is critical. The Mini Valkyrie 2 packs only 2,500 candela, whereas the TLR 7 Sub comes with 5,000 candela.

Candela allows all those lumens to move forward and increases the illumination range of the light. It also helps the user overcome photonic barriers. Candela is critical, and the Mini Valkyrie 2 just doesn’t have it.

Battery Options

The battery options between these two lights are another user preference, so it’s tough to declare a winner in this section of our Mini Valkyrie 2 vs. TLR 7 Sub. I personally prefer the Sub’s CR123 setup. This makes it easy to swap batteries when it gets low.

Like most Olight’s, the Mini Valkyrie 2 uses a rechargeable magnetic port. A USB-compatible charger makes it easy to charge on the nightstand or in a vehicle should the need arise. The QD mount makes it easy to detach and charge.

When it comes to battery life, the  Streamlight TLR 7 sub wins with 90 minutes of power versus the Mini’s 60 minutes of power. Also, the Mini Valkyrie 2 often has a parasitic drain issue that means the battery drains even when not in use. This means it needs to be on the charger nightly.

The Other Stuff

The TLR 7 Sub can be submerged in water, and the Mini Valkyrie cannot. Both have ambidextrous switches that are easy to engage and function well. I have no ergonomic issues with either light. I’ve done a number of drop tests with both lights, and neither failed to function after being dropped at multiple angles.

Price-wise, the Mini Valkyrie 2 comes in cheaper, but that’s to be expected. In my opinion, the Mini Valkyrie 2 simply doesn’t deliver and isn’t on par with the TLR 7 Sub. The TLR 7 Sub dominates the light with multiple mounting options, superior power, a mostly smaller size, and is even more waterproof. Paying a little extra for the TLR-7 Sub is the right move.

What say you? To me, there is a clear winner, but am I missing something? Let me know below what you think.