A shotgun can be a real asset when it comes to both home defense and putting food on the table. However, not all shotguns are created equal for these two purposes. A compact tactical shotgun may be excellent in a home-defense scenario, but it's far from ideal for hunting ducks, turkey, or even deer. A dedicated hunting shotgun will be better-suited for taking home waterfowl and game.

There's another key distinction between tactical shotguns and hunting shotguns. Tactical shotguns often include a Weaver or Picatinny rail for mounting a red dot optic, which can improve your ability to quickly acquire and track targets. Hunting shotguns typically lack this feature, but many do have a ventilated rib along the top of the barrel.

Aimpoint has announced a new red dot sight that mounts directly to the ventilated rib on most popular hunting shotguns. It's called the Aimpoint Micro S-1, and the company says it has the potential to greatly enhance hit percentage for waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, and deer. This sight was unveiled at the 2017 SHOT Show earlier this month.

The Aimpoint Micro S-1 uses a carbon-fiber-reinforced mounting system to attach to any point on the ventilated barrel rib. This eliminates the added weight of a traditional Weaver/Picatinny rail, and keeps the sight close to the bore axis. Interchangeable adapter plates are included, allowing the the S-1 to fit most Browning, Beretta, and Benelli shotguns.

The Micro S-1 uses an 18mm aperture and large 6 MOA red dot, with 12-position intensity dial. The anodized aluminum body contains a single CR2032 lithium battery, weighs a total of 3.53 ounces, and is fully waterproof to 15 feet.

An official MSRP has not yet been set for this optic, but company representatives say it should be available soon in the “low-to-mid $700” range. That may sound like a lot to the more budget-conscious among us, but if it means the difference between putting food on the table and missing a crucial shot in an emergency, it's a valuable asset. For more info on the Aimpoint Micro S-1, visit Aimpoint.com.

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