If you caught the last email newsletter, you might recall me mentioning three pistol-mounted optics ready for testing and evaluation. I’ve already published first-impression posts on the first two: the Cyelee Bull X Pro and the Trijicon RMR HD. Now, it’s time for the third, the Holosun Ronin EPS Carry, which I picked up to mount on the CZ Shadow 2 Carry, currently being Cajunized (tuned up) at Cajun Gun Works.

The Optic

The Ronin EPS Carry is one of Holosun’s smallest reflex sights, designed for the concealed carry market, particularly for slimline pistols that often lack the width to support larger optic footprints. Think of it as the enclosed-emitter cousin of the 507K or 407K. I won’t dive into a comparison here (maybe a future post if there’s enough interest), but if you’re curious about the K-series, check out this older post for more details.

Before diving into this optic, a quick note: the EPS Carry is distinct from the standard EPS and its variants, which are full-sized optics using the more common RMR footprint. The EPS Carry comes in two main flavors: Ronin and standard. The Ronin edition, which costs more, skips the solar-powered fail-safe (a backup for battery failure) in favor of aesthetics, featuring subdued Holosun branding and an engraved dragon logo. It’s only available with Holosun’s 2 MOA dot or 32 MOA “doughnut-of-death” multi-reticle system (MRS) in either red or green. I went with red.

The street price for the red Ronin EPS Carry ranges between $385 and $415 as of now. It’s on the lower end for enclosed-emitter pistol optics from a brand like Holosun, which has a solid reputation for durability and reliability, despite some folks’ hang-ups about its Chinese manufacturing. For that price, you get:

• A basic foam-lined plastic box wrapped in a four-sided paper sleeve
• An EPS series optic manual
• A warranty registration card
• A lens cloth
• A pair of long Torx mounting screws
• A pair of short Torx mounting screws
• An installation and adjustment tool
• An RMSc-to-Holosun-K footprint adapter plate
• The red dot sight with a preinstalled CR1632 battery

Holosun fans like me will find nothing surprising here. It’s a complete package, with everything you need to mount the optic and get going, short of a pistol-specific mounting plate and your favorite thread locker. You might also want a degreaser, oil-based marker, and torque driver, but this is about as comprehensive as optic kits come.

The optic screams Holosun’s winning formula: a sturdy aluminum housing, decent glass, the MRS, shake-awake technology, control buttons on the left, and a CR1632 battery tray on the right.

That battery tray, though, isn’t always a winner. It’s a known weak point for some, as it can loosen and get lost during use. This is easily mitigated with thread locker on the tray screw and a witness mark from an oil-based pen or marker. For peace of mind, keep spare screws, a spare battery, and a spare tray on hand—cheap insurance to get you back in action quickly if something goes wrong.

One of my favorite things about Holosun optics is their consistent control buttons, which work the same across their lineup. You’ve got a plus and minus button that handle everything: a single press on either turns the optic on when it’s off; pressing both turns it off when it’s on; long presses on the plus button toggle the settings lock; long presses on the minus button cycle through reticle options; and short presses adjust brightness across eight daylight settings and four night-vision settings.

At 0.77″ x 0.58″, the window on this 1.4 oz optic is small, but that’s expected given its compact design.

Initial Impressions

Trying to keep my biases in check and looking at the Ronin EPS Carry objectively, it’s tough to find fault. By all accounts, it’s a solid contender for a compact, enclosed-emitter pistol optic, assuming you’re not hung up on its country of origin.

But let’s be real—I’ve got biases, so let’s talk about them.

I’m a sucker for the etched dragon aesthetics. I liked them enough to shell out an extra $60 and skip the more prudent solar-powered fail-safe. Call it frivolous, but this optic is going on a CZ Shadow 2 Carry, which isn’t exactly a practical concealed carry pistol to begin with. For what it’s worth, the lack of a solar fail-safe isn’t a dealbreaker for me. It might have been a decade ago when battery life in pistol optics was a real issue, but modern tech has largely solved that. So, dragon it is.

Then there’s the size. I’m not a fan of compact dots. They’re less forgiving with imperfect pistol presentations—a slight misalignment, and you’re staring at a target through a dotless window. I only go the compact route when a pistol forces my hand, like the CZ Shadow 2 Carry with its RMSc footprint. Honestly, I think CZ made a terrible call limiting this pistol to compact dots, and it’s a choice I’ll never understand. Dragon or no dragon, I’m going to struggle to warm up to the Ronin EPS Carry on this gun, even if it proves reliable and durable. It’s just a preference I can’t shake.

I don’t know if I’ll ever love the Ronin EPS Carry, but I’m confident it’ll do its job well. We’ll find out soon enough once the CZ Shadow 2 Carry returns from Cajun Gun Works and I put this combo through its paces.