Primary Arms has a vibrant optics line with a good reputation. They’re coming on strong for 2025 with a bunch of new releases starting with the PLx HTX-1 red dot sight. Not only does it have some great specs, but its also PA’s first American made optic, something that isn’t so common in the optics field today. I had a chance to look at it first hand at the 2025 SHOT Show and it looks impressive.
The PLx HTX-1
The PLx HTX-1 is an enclosed-emitter reflex sight with a patent pending Modular Chassis System (MCS). The new chassis is compatible with almost all existing optics cut pistols according to PA. It offers the lowest possible centerline and will co-witness with standard height iron sights. It comes an RMR Type A, RMR Type B (raised screw bosses), and GLOCK MOS mounting interface, giving you a wide variety of mounting options right out of the box. There’s also a SIG M17/M18 plate that’s only available for the military and law enforcement for some reason.
The sight is constructed from 7075-T6 aluminum with a black Type II hard coat anodized finish. It uses a 19.5 x 15.2mm narrow band glass reflex doublet with wide band A.R. coating as well as fully multi-coated lenses. The HTX-1 is both waterproof and shockproof. The sight is 1.78 inches long, 1.05 inches high and weighs only 1.74 ounces.
The HTX-1 has a side mounted battery compartment and runs on a single CR2032 3V Lithium coin cell. Battery life is 10,001 to 25,000 hours depending on setting. This is enhanced by Primary Arms Autolive motion sensing technology. It uses a 4 MOA red dot with 11 total brightness settings including 3 night vision settings. Brightness adjustment is through side mounted push buttons. The ACSS Vulcan reticle is also available. The Vulcan reticle uses a big 240 MOA dotted circle that helps you quickly pick up the center dot, or know when you’re off target.
The PLx HTX-1 is the result of a three year program by Primary Arms to produce a made in USA optic. They’re backed by PA’s lifetime warranty and have an MSRP of $649.99 for the 4 MOA dot version and $699 for the ACSS version. It’s priced competitively with other top tier US or European made optics, but it has an impressive feature set to go along with that price. The dot was crisp, even inside the bright convention center lighting, and the field of view was excellent. The low mount height was impressive and the fact that you don’t need to add suppressor height sights to your gun can save you some money, which gives the edge to Primary Arms when compared to other similarly priced optics. Plus, it’s made in the USA with almost all US parts, not just assembled here. The only part not made in the US was possibly the emitter diode, which was from Germany.
PLx HTX-1 Specs
Battery Life: 10,001 – 25,000 Hours
Battery Type: CR2032 3V Lithium Coin
Brightness: 11 Settings
Click Value: 1 MOA
Color: Black
Emitter Type: Closed Emitter
Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
Material: Aluminum – 7075-T6
Mount Compatibility: GLOCK MOS, Trijicon RMR
Night Vision Compatible: Night Vision Compatible
Optic Series: PLx
Reticle: 4 MOA Dot
Reticle Color: Red
Weight: 1.74 oz.
Length: 1.78 in.
Width: 1.56 in.
Height: 1.05 in.
Warranty: Lifetime
Weight: 1.74 oz.
MSRP: $649.99/$699.99