Built in the UK, Shield Sights SIS was one of the first multi-reticle Red Dots built to withstand combat. Small, rugged, and versatile, my test sample survives to this day. The company’s RMS has proven to be rugged, reliable, and remains one of the lightest RDS on the market. And now, Shield offers its best pistol RDS yet, with the AMS and AMSc sights.

Shield AMS and AMSc Sights

The SMS and SMSc are the standard for mini RDS. Both mounting footprints remain the most prevalent for other sights. Shield’s latest offerings, the AMS (Advanced Mini Sight) and the AMSc (compact) are the culmination of years of testing on UK military rifles. Not to mention competition and concealed carry weapons worldwide, blending the RMSw and SIS2.

The AMS is a rugged sight with interchangeable reticles, an external battery, and a mounting height designed for standard sights. Shield’s patented “hollow bridge” rear sight aligns with most front sights.

Large crystal-clear lenses with no colored filters deliver an unchanged view. The front and back are glass, and the inner reflective lens is Acrylic. Battery life is 13K hours using three different 3V batteries (2032, 2050, 2025). Nitrogen sealed, the enclosed emitter is submersible to 30 feet for 30 minutes.

Twelve manual settings (3NVG) control four different reticles (8 MOA dot or dot circle, 2 MOA dot or dot circle). There is also a fixed 6.5 or 4 MOA dot. Additionally, it features Auto on/off, with three different auto-brightness settings.

Built from Aerospace Aluminum, it is rugged yet weighs only 37 grams (1.3 ounces). Utilizing the ubiquitous RMS footprint, it fits a huge variety of factory pistols and slides.

The AMSc is designed for subcompacts with either a 6.5 or 3.5 MOA dot. Auto brightness works with NVG at the lowest setting and bright daylight at the highest.

Designed for narrower slides and more compact frames, it is much the same as the AMS. The RMSc footprint fits most popular compact and subcompact pistols. Battery placement and choices are the same as the AMS.

Clear lenses, enclosed emitter, and nitrogen-filled housing make it submersible. Mounting low to the frame it co-witnesses many factory sights and includes the hollow bridge rear sight.

Test Platforms

I used several pistols to test the AMSc, including the P365, Hellcat, and Kimber Mako R7. In the case of the Mako, I had to use the included 1 degree spacer plate.

Designed to allow for more (or less) elevation, it also added just enough height to accommodate the slight hangover of the lens (ala SRO). You do not want that resting on the slide. It worked perfectly and zeroed just fine.

All the rest mounted with no issue. For the AMS my primary guns were a new Daniel Defense H9, using the factory plate, and an MOS plate on my Glock G45.

Every manufacturer says its machined slide or plate system matches, but in my experience, they do not. Some are, but with others, you need to look closely, even if the “footprint” is the same. With both of these, the front window protrudes a fraction. So, ensure it is not sitting on the slide and does not interfere with proper mounting.

Running the AMS and AMSc Sights

I really like the clear glass. The problem with filters is they affect everyone differently and can change how the dot appears. The dot is bright, clear, and looks the same on every background. What it can mean is more sparkle if you have an eye issue. You just have to try it and see.

I have a slight astigmatism, so all the dots sparkle without my glasses. However, these were not bad either way. Auto brightness never failed me on either and was clear and visible in very bright sunlight.

The Hollow Bridge rear sight was a tad distracting at first, but in the end, I really liked it. You can line it up with the front sight or use it as a reference point. In the case of the Daniel Defense H9 it meant there was no need for taller sights.

Shield also makes several adapter plates that will work on several pistols, including a much better Glock MOS plate or an adapter if needed for an RMR cut. Make sure you check out those offerings.

Both were accurate, consistent, and, once dialed in, did not shift. I’m not a fan of small Allen wrenches for adjustments. However, that’s a personal issue, and several companies use these.

Given how many RDS I have, the supplied keys were placed in my case with all the rest of them. No click adjustments mean you can dial in an accurate zero. I never ran out of adjustment, even using the 1-degree spacer on the Kimber.

Final Thoughts

I love the looks of the AMS and AMSc, they kind of look rugged and space-age. They looked great on my Finks Custom 2011 as well as the P365.

Neither are huge boxes, yet they offer enclosed emitters. Every test platform fit in my existing holsters for RDS use, including a Safariland setup for the Glock G45. The going rate seems to be in the $500.00 range, with availability at several retailers. If you can buy wholesale, RSR has them in stock.

I have been using an RMSw for years on my IWI Masada S, and it has been flawless. I’m looking forward to using these on many future projects.

For more information, please visit ShieldSights.com.