In this review, we will take a look at the Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight, which is a very capable red dot sight that does not break the bank and gives you a lot of features for the money.
We will walk you through the features you get, and we will also go more in-depth into each one so you can see the pros and cons. We will also take a look at the frequently asked questions and what named testers found after using it.
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Review
The first thing that we will do is take a look at the features that you get with this red dot sight, and then we will have a look at some of the standout features.
Here is an overview of the features:
- Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness settings
- Mounts easily on most Picatinny rails and is compatible with pistols, shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders
- An optic's Ingress Protection (IP) code from IEC 60529: the first digit rates dust (0 to 6), the second rates water (0 to 8). A digit shown as X was simply not tested.Full comparison → Construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry inside, even when totally immersed in water
- Shockproof Construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs, drops, and the rough and tumble environment of the field
- Nitrogen Purged Fog Proofing: Nitrogen inside the scope ensures interior optical surfaces won’t fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change
The TRS-25 Red Dot Sight will give you a matte black design that features a 3 MOA Dot reticle, and you have 11 brightness settings; this will enable you to tailor the brightness settings exactly how you wish, which of course will be down to your personal preference.
The sight itself is quite versatile, and it will mount easily on most Picatinny rails; and you will also find that this is compatible with pistols, shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders.
It also gives you O-ring sealed construction. Bushnell says the sealed optics stay dry inside even when totally immersed in water, while its spec table rates the sight IPX5, and we found no published submersion test of a TRS-25.
As well as the waterproof construction, it is also shockproof and this has been made to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the rough and tumble environment of the field.
This sight will also give you nitrogen purged fog proofing. The way this works is the nitrogen inside the scope ensures the interior optical surfaces will not fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change, this is a very good feature and will definitely come in handy for you.
Standout Features for the TRS-25
Tough and Durable
The Bushnell Red Dot Sight TRS-25 gives you a small compact red dot sight that will give you very durable metal housing. One of the standout features of this gun sight is the fact that you will get a very durable build for the price.
With strong construction, you will be able to use this sight with confidence and it will still be able to perform at the high level you need it to for all types of shooters.
Easy to Mount
The TRS-25 is very easy to mount and it is also very versatile as it will work with most Picatinny rails. These are fairly standard and you will find that because of this it will be compatible with pistols, shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, and more.
Easy Adjustment Dial
You will be able to easily adjust the red dot brightness on the TRS-25 and it gives you a simple adjustment dial to be able to do this. All you need to do is twist the dial to select your preference for the brightness and then you can use your Bushnell Red Dot Sight without any problems.
Versatile
The Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is very versatile, and you will be able to use this for a wide variety of activities. Whether you are looking for a cheap sight to be able to use at the range, shooting competitively or even chasing long beards in the hardwoods you will find that this gun sight will be able to carry out the job and give you great performance.
Who is the TRS-25 Red Dot Sight For?
We would recommend the Bushnell Red Dot Sight for beginners and intermediate hobbyists or huntsmen that want to have an excellent backup or are looking to try something a little bit different. It will give you all of the features that you need, and it is actually built to last, so you should find that this is sturdy enough to be used for a variety of different activities.
The main plus point above all other things with the Bushnell Red Dot Sight is the price point as it is a lot cheaper than some other branded gun sights.
Here are some of the standout features at a glance:
- Unlimited eye relief for easy two eye use
- 11 brightness adjustments for the right setting in any situation
- Nitrogen purged waterproof/fog proof construction
- Multi-coated lenses
- A 3-volt lithium coin cell, 20mm across, and the most common red dot battery (about 210 to 240 mAh). Stocked almost everywhere, so a field swap is easy.Full comparison → battery rated up to 5,000 hours
- Rubber scope cover
Another outstanding feature that we like is the nitrogen-purged fog proof construction, and the O-ring sealing that Bushnell rates IPX5. The fog proof feature is definitely well worth having because it means that you can use this at any time of the day, such as dawn when there is a lot of fog and condensation about, and you will be able to get a very clear view at all times.
What Testers Reported
Eric Hung (Pew Pew Tactical, 2020) has put almost 3,000 rounds through his own TRS-25 over about five years, many on an AK pistol, and reports no failure; it still holds his groups at 50 yards. Pew Pew also dropped a rifle-mounted TRS-25 from waist height onto a rock: it survived where other budget dots did not, with a small crack in the rear glass and a downward shift from the knocked turret. The mount bundled with earlier TRS-25 combos broke after one range trip, so Hung suggests buying the sight alone. Stephen R. (Best Red Dot, 2023) has owned four TRS-25s and says none failed to hold zero, and Dave Chesson (Gun University) found it held zero over six months on an AR-15 and a .22.
The testers disagree on the glass: Pew Pew saw a pretty green hue, John McQuay (8541 Tactical, 2013) a slight blue tint, Michael Savage (Lynx Defense, 2021) a reddish-orange tint, and Chesson no heavy green tint. On battery, Hung changed his about once a year with regular use, and the sight has no auto shutoff.
Reliability standing
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25
Medium confidence based on 6 sources, 5 first-hand.
- Rounds tested
- almost 3,000
- Battery
- CR2032: About once a year with regular use (Hung, Pew Pew Tactical); he puts runtime at around 1,000 hours on medium, not a timed test.
- Warranty details
- Bushnell's product page carries a lifetime warranty banner; no cited source describes a warranty claim.
What those tests were
- recoil endurance: pass . Eric Hung (Pew Pew Tactical) put almost 3,000 rounds through his TRS-25 over about five years, much of it on an AK pistol with more recoil than a 5.56 AR, and reports no failure; it still holds his groups at 50 yards and rings steel at 100 yards.
- drop: pass with caveat . Pew Pew Tactical dropped a rifle-mounted TRS-25 from waist height straight onto a rock. It survived where other budget dots in that test did not, with a small crack in the rear glass; the fall hit the top turret and shifted point of impact downward, still enough for torso-sized targets.
- cold weather field use: pass . Dave Chesson (Gun University) used it for six months on an AR-15 and a tactical .22, including tactical drills and one day in cold weather, and says it performed well and held zero. Field use, not a controlled cold test.
Aggregated from others' first-hand testing, not our own: this standing deliberately reaches past any one shooter's round count. We surface a sourced reputation tier rather than inventing a score the evidence cannot support.
Full reliability data →Warranty standing
Bushnell warranty
5-yr housing, 5-yr electronics, transferable
- Housing
- 5 yrs
- Electronics
- 5 yrs
- Transferable
- Yes
- Receipt required
- No
- Registration
- No
- Support
- active
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely affordable price point for a capable red dot sight
- Durable metal housing with shockproof construction
- 11 brightness settings for fine-tuning in any lighting condition
- Nitrogen purged fog proof construction
- O-ring sealed and rated IPX5 by Bushnell
- Versatile: mounts on pistols, shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders via Picatinny rail
- Multi-coated lenses for clear viewing
- Runs on a common CR2032, rated up to 5,000 hours
Cons
- No auto shutoff; one tester changed the battery about yearly
- Not ideal for professional or duty use; best suited for beginners and intermediates
