Swampfox Kraken review

Until the Kraken, Shawn had really only run a Trijicon RMR on his pistols. Like most people in the early days of pistol optics, he was wary. The first optic cuts had problems, as new things do, and getting a pistol fitted for an optic was a chore: you had to mail your slide off to be cut and hope. Slides were hard to find, and aftermarket or optic-ready slides didn't exist. He had an RMR come loose while shooting back then. Nobody had worked out the right tap and screw for maximum torque, because every manufacturer's tolerances were different. That history is why the Kraken is worth appreciating.

The mount

This generation of optics is where things get good. Everyone wants an optic that won't move. Crank hard on a drilled-and-tapped RMR and you'll flinch, especially if you've ever cross-threaded or stripped a screw. The Kraken mounts the same way as the Aimpoint Acro and the Holosun 509T. Fitting it to an older system needs an adapter plate, and the Kraken includes RMR and MOS adapters in the box. It's at its best, though, on a slide cut for it. Get your slide cut to match; unlike years ago, there are plenty of aftermarket slides now.

Closed emitter, clear dot

It's a closed-emitter sight, which is a big plus. RMR lenses never come as clean as new however much you wipe them. The Kraken's outer lens cleans like a phone screen, with no corners for dirt to hide in. Shawn has a slight astigmatism and is used to dots that look a bit smeared and out of round. Through the Kraken the dot is clear, and for the first time in a long while it actually looks round.

A window that helps new shooters

The window is tall as well as wide, not short and wide, and that's great for training. New red dot shooters always struggle to find the dot; the usual advice is to tip the muzzle up and down until it shows up. With more vertical room in the glass, the Kraken makes the dot easier to pick up.

Build, buttons and battery

Fit and finish are excellent, and the lenses are well made and held securely. The Acro tucks its battery away more neatly, with a flusher compartment, but the Kraken's is simple to grab and quick to reach. The buttons are simple and easy to press one-handed. Shake-awake works perfectly, and battery life is 20,000 hours with shake-awake or 8,000 hours left on. It just works, and it'll be there when you need it.

Verdict

At an MSRP of $349 the Kraken is a steal: everything its top competitor offers for close to half the price. That makes it an easy buy. A shooting review is to come.

Specs

• Closed-emitter dot sight
• Auto-on with shake-awake
• 3 MOA dot
• 16mm lens
• CR2032 3V battery
• 8,000+ hours battery life, 20,000+ with shake-awake
• 7075-T6 aluminum, anodized finish

See the Swampfox Kraken in our optics, and get your slide cut to fit it.