Holosun EPS Carry vs. Holosun 407k: Which Is Best?
If you’re anything like me, you may be having a hard time deciding between the Holosun EPS Carry and the Holosun 407k. I was so indecisive that I ended up buying them both and building out two P365s in the process to do some testing.
The main question I really wanted to know was whether the additional cost of the Holosun EPS Carry was worth it compared to an open emitter red dot optic.
One of my biggest gripes with open emitters was the amount of lint and fuzzies that seemed to cover the screen, and the pain in the ass it is to clean off the inside of the window.
If you’re stuck between the Holosun EPS Carry and the Holosun 407K, you’re weighing a real tradeoff: an enclosed (closed emitter) sight that stays cleaner versus an open-emitter sight that stays lighter and cheaper.
In this article, we will break down design, enclosed versus open emitter performance, reticle choices, battery and controls, real-world fit on common micro-compacts (including the P365 that I carry daily), and price, so you can pick a pistol red dot you’ll trust on a carry gun and be happy with.
Table of contents
- Key Feature Comparison
- Design and Build Comparison of Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k
- Reticle Options and Performance in Holosun EPS Carry vs. Holosun 407k
- Which Firearms are Compatible with Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
- How Do Price and Value Compare Between the Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
- Which is the Winner?
- FAQs
Key Takeaways
- EPS Carry: Closed emitter red dot options include a 2 MOA dot or a 6 MOA dot, and (on MRS models I did not purchase) a 32 MOA circle, a 7075 T6 aluminum housing, an IPX8 waterproof rating, Shake Awake, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life.
- 407K: Open-emitter Holosun red dot with a simple 6 MOA dot, 7075 T6 aluminum housing, IP67 rating, Lock Mode, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life at a mid setting.
- Size: EPS Carry is listed at 1.62 x 1.07 x 0.95 inches; 407K is listed at 1.6 x 0.98 x 0.95 inches, so the most noticeable difference is width.
- Mounting: Both use Holosun’s “K” footprint, but slides cut for RMSc-style posts may need an adapter plate (or a dedicated cut).
- Value: EPS Carry costs more because it’s enclosed and (on some models) adds solar backup features. 407K is the simpler, lower-cost Holosun optic that still covers the basics well.
Key Feature Comparison
If you carry daily, the biggest decision is emitter style. A closed emitter pistol red dot is harder to foul with lint, sweat, and rain.
An open emitter keeps weight down and costs less, but you need to accept a little more maintenance and a little more risk that “stuff can get in there.”
And when I say, “stuff can get in there,” I mean that I need to clean off the inside window every time before I put my gun on for the day, just so I can clearly see through the glass.
| Feature | Holosun EPS Carry | Holosun 407 |
|---|---|---|
| Emitter style | Closed emitter | Open emitter |
| Reticle | 2 MOA dot or 6 MOA dot, plus 32 MOA circle on MRS models | 6 MOA dot |
| Water rating | IPX8 | IP67 |
| Brightness settings | Commonly listed with both daylight and night-vision compatible settings (varies by model) | 12 settings (10 daylight, 2 night-vision compatible) |
| Adjustment per click | 1.5 MOA | 1 MOA |
| Battery and access | CR1620, side tray | CR1632, side tray |
| Footprint | Holosun “K” footprint | Holosun “K” footprint |
If you’re choosing this as a defensive red dot optic, the “best” pick is the one you’ll keep clear, keep tight on the slide, and keep at a usable brightness setting without fiddling with it all the time.
What are the differences between enclosed and open emitter designs?
An enclosed emitter (like the EPS Carry) houses the LED in a sealed enclosure. That matters if you carry close to the body, carry in wet weather, or pocket-carry, because lint and water droplets can block or distort an open emitter’s dot.
Why is this important?
If something covers up the emitter, your red dot is out of the fight. You will not see any dot when you present because the emitter is blocked.
Obviously, that’s not ideal in a self-defense scenario, and you’re not going to call a timeout in the middle of a gunfight so that you can wipe your glass and emitter to clear the blockage and get your dot back up and running.
In a 2024 Outdoor Life rain comparison, a single droplet noticeably distorted an open-emitter dot, while the EPS Carry stayed much more usable after the same exposure.
An open emitter (like the Holosun 407K) is simpler and lighter. You get a clean window and a proven setup for micro-compacts, but the LED is exposed, so you need to keep the emitter area clean to keep the dot looking the same every time you present the gun.
- Pick a closed emitter if you carry in rain, sweat through shirts in summer, pocket-carry, or you want the lowest-fuss pistol red dot.
- Pick an open emitter if you want a lower-cost Holosun red dot optic and you’re fine doing quick checks and wipe-downs as part of your routine.
- Carry tip that actually matters: Do a fast emitter check when you gear up, then again after you’ve been in and out of a vehicle all day. That’s when lint and debris tend to show up.
Design and Build Comparison of Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k
Both optics are small enough for modern micro-compacts, and both have a reputation for taking real use.
The practical differences show up in width, deck height, and how much “insurance” you get from the enclosed housing.
How do the size and weight of Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k differ?
These two are close enough that they fit the same role, but the numbers explain why one might feel better on your slide and in your holster.
- EPS Carry dimensions: 1.62 x 1.07 x 0.95 inches, with a 0.58 x 0.77 window size, which is a nice balance for a carry-window.
- 407K dimensions: 1.6 x 0.98 x 0.95 inches, also with a 0.58 x 0.77 window size, so the main difference is body width, not the viewing window.
- Why that width matters: on very slim slides, extra width can create a bit more side overhang. That can affect comfort and concealment for some people, especially with appendix carry.
- Deck height and iron sights: the EPS Carry is built to sit low enough that many setups can still use factory-height iron sights (or at least keep them in the lower part of the window), depending on the slide cut and any plate stack.
If you’re trying to keep factory iron sights, measure your plate stack height before you buy. A thin plate plus a low deck height is the difference between “usable backup” and “barely visible.”
What materials are used for durability in Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
Both optics use 7075 T6 aluminum for the housing, and both are listed with 5000G vibration ratings. That’s a big part of why these Holosun pistol red dot models show up on carry guns so often.
The EPS Carry also lists an aspherical glass lens with “zero distortion,” and it carries an IPX8 water rating. The 407K is rated IP67.
In plain terms, IP67 is typically tested for temporary immersion (commonly described as up to 1 meter for 30 minutes), while IPX8 indicates continuous submersion under conditions the manufacturer specifies.
If you sweat hard, train in rain, or live in a humid area, that rating difference is one of the strongest arguments for an enclosed optic.
Reticle Options and Performance in Holosun EPS Carry vs. Holosun 407k
Reticles sound like a preference until you start shooting from concealment at speed. Then they become a performance tool.
The EPS Carry gives you more reticle flexibility (especially in the MRS versions). The 407K keeps it simple with a 6 MOA dot that’s fast up close.
What reticle types and clarity are available on Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
If you like to tune the dot to your eyes, the EPS Carry has the advantage. Holosun lists EPS Carry options that include 2 MOA dot-only models, 6 MOA dot-only models, and MRS models that combine a 2 MOA dot with a 32 MOA circle.
The 407K is built around a single 6 MOA dot. That bigger dot can be easier to pick up fast in defensive distances, and it can look less “sparkly” than a tiny dot for some shooters with astigmatism.
- If you shoot both eyes open and prioritize speed: A 6 MOA dot is easy to track through recoil.
- If you want one optic that can do slow and fast: The EPS Carry MRS circle-dot gives you a big ring for indexing plus a finer center dot for more precise holds.
- If your dot blooms: Try lowering the brightness by 1 or 2 clicks and verify with your phone camera. If the camera sees a crisp dot but your eye doesn’t, it’s usually an eye issue, not an optic issue.
How does battery life compare between the Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
Battery life is strong on both. Holosun rates each at up to 50,000 hours, and both use side-mounted trays, so you can change the battery without pulling the optic and losing your zero.
The EPS Carry uses a CR1620. The 407K uses a CR1632.
In the HS407K X2 user manual, Holosun specifies tightening the mounting screws to 15 inch-pounds with a medium (blue) thread locker. In practice, using a torque driver and giving thread locker time to cure does more for reliability than chasing tiny spec differences between optics.
Which Firearms are Compatible with Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
Fitment is where people waste the most time and money. These optics use Holosun’s “K” footprint, which is close to RMSc patterns but not always a perfect drop-in match on slides that have four recoil posts.
This is why I tell people to treat “P365 footprint” talk as shorthand, not a guarantee. Start with your slide’s cut, not the optic model name.
- Step 1: Confirm what your slide is actually cut for (direct K footprint, RMSc-style posts, or a proprietary “four-boss” interface).
- Step 2: Plan your plate stack, because plates change iron-sight visibility and can change which screws you need.
- Step 3: After mounting, perform a function check, rack the slide hard, confirm the dot doesn’t flicker, and confirm your screws do not bottom out.
- Glock G43X MOS and G48 MOS: EPS Carry is often chosen here because it often includes an RMSc-to-K adapter plate in the box. That can simplify the install if your setup needs a plate.
- Springfield Hellcat: Many Hellcat optics-ready setups are happiest with an adapter plate when using K-footprint optics, so plan for that in your budget and in your sight-height expectations.
- SIG P365 X and P365 XL: Holosun notes the EPS Carry and 407K is a direct fit for P365X/XL, but screw length still matters. If your screws are too long, you can get a gap or lock up the slide.
- Other micro-compacts cut for the K footprint: Both optics mount cleanly, and the decision shifts back to enclosed emitter versus open emitter and reticle preference.
- Aftermarket optic cuts: A dedicated K-footprint cut tends to be the cleanest setup. It minimizes plate stack height and helps keep your iron sights more usable.
- Carry pistols from multiple makers: If you’re mixing plates and optics, plan the install like a system: footprint, plate thickness, screw length, and your desired iron-sight co-witness all need to match.
How Do Price and Value Compare Between the Holosun EPS Carry and Holosun 407k?
This is the section where you decide if you’re paying for “nice to have” features or paying to remove a failure point.
I searched for the best prices to see who had the lowest, and here’s what I found.
Price Range
- You can get a Holosun EPS Carry for $329.99 here.
- You can get a Holosun EPS Carry MRS for $429.99 here.
- You can get a Holosun 407k for $224.99 here.
Design Cost Drivers
- EPS Carry: Enclosed emitter construction costs more, and some models add solar backup through features like Solar Failsafe and Shake Awake.
- 407K: Open emitter design keeps the optic simpler while still delivering the dot, battery life, and controls most people need.
Included Accessories
- EPS Carry: Typically includes an RMSc-to-K adapter plate plus basic tools and cleaning items, which can save you money if your slide needs that plate.
- 407K: Commonly includes a multi-tool for mounting and adjusting, a user manual, and a lens cloth, but you should assume you’ll buy an adapter plate if your slide cut requires one.
I will say this as a major gripe… Holosun, what are you doing? The EPS Carry can mount directly to the P365 slide, but the screws you include are too long (forcing people to use the plate). That’s dumb.
Rather than being cheap, include both screws to mount directly to the slide. It costs you nothing. Now, for guys like me to mount the EPS carry to my slide, I had to go to QVO Tactical and get direct mount screws (at $9) to have a flush mount. Very poor, in my opinion, that you don’t include the screws. There’s my major issue.
Who Benefits Most
- Choose the EPS Carry if you want an enclosed carry optic that stays cleaner, and you want the option of a circle-dot reticle for fast indexing.
- Choose the 407K if you want a lighter, simpler pistol red dot and you’d rather spend the savings on ammo, training, and a torque driver.
Which is the Winner?
Honestly, I can’t tell you as your wants and preferences may differ from mine. That said, I’ll give you my opinion based on my time with both.
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If you want the lowest-fuss carry setup, the Holosun EPS Carry earns its keep with a closed emitter design, a low deck height approach that can help with iron sights, and strong weather resistance.
I’ve found the EPS Carry closed emitter is by far my favorite. I like how easy it is to clean, I don’t get lint all over the glass that never seems to get perfectly clear. I’m a fan of the closed emitter so that when I sweat, the droplets don’t get down into the emitter and cause it to fail. Overall, it’s just better protected, and I really like it.
The Holosun 407K open emitter is still a smart pick if you want a proven Holosun red dot optic with a simple 6 MOA dot, a lighter build, and a lower entry price. I love how small and compact it is. It adds next to no weight to the slide. And it conceals super easily compared to the EPS Carry (which is a larger red dot optic).
Would I say one is better than the other? No.
Both optics have their pros and cons, and you simply need to look at what you’re looking to get out of a red dot and make your decision from there. You truly can’t go wrong with either of these.
Once you pick your optic, verify screw fit, mount it correctly, and put reps in from concealment until the dot shows up every time without you fishing around for it. After that, you have a system you can defend your life with.
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FAQs
The EPS Carry sight feels tougher, it sits larger and has a beefier build for duty use. The 407k model is solid, but it favors slimness over bulk.
Pick the Holosun 407k model for smaller pistols, it fits better in tight holsters and prints less. If you want a sight that is easier to pick up fast, the Holosun EPS Carry sight can help on larger frames.
Both offer long battery life and bright reticles that work in daylight and low light. Controls on the EPS Carry sight are simple and easy to press with gloves, while the 407k model uses tiny buttons that can be fussy to use. Neither removes the need to check settings, and you should test both on your gun.
Match the optic to your pistol size, holster, and shooting needs, and that wins most of the time. If you carry a compact or want less bulk, choose the Holosun 407k model. If you want a larger sight picture and a tougher feel, pick the Holosun EPS Carry sight.
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