B
b00st3824good upgrade
Reviewed on April 8, 2026Verified with Build
solid optic. battery cap threading is a bit rough
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Vortex Defender-ST 3MOA Micro Red Dot w/ Delta Point PRO Footprint - DFST-MRD3
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Vortex Optics
Overview
The Vortex Defender-ST 3MOA Micro Red Dot is a compact red dot sight designed to enhance your accuracy with its 3 MOA dot size, providing a precise aiming point for quick target acquisition. It features a Picatinny mounting interface, making it easy to attach to a variety of rail systems, while the red reticle color ensures visibility in different lighting conditions. This optic is commonly found on builds with a mid-length gas system and chambered in 5.56 NATO, making it a solid choice for those looking for reliable performance in tactical and competitive scenarios.
Specifications
MPNDFST-MRD3
Reticle ColorRed
ColorBlack
Mounting InterfacePicatinny
Dot Size3 MOA
Optic TypeRed Dot
Vortex Defender-ST 3MOA Micro Red Dot w/ Delta Point PRO Footprint - DFST-MRD3
September 2026 so far on GunPartPicker
Vortex Defender-ST 3MOA Micro Red Dot w/ Delta Point PRO Footprint - DFST-MRD3 is the fifth most added optic on GunPartPicker so far in September 2026, behind the EOTECH EXPS3-2 HWS and G43 Magnifier, with about 4% of all optics added to builds. Down from #4 in August. Builds with this optic are mostly chambered in 5.56 NATO (81%), mostly on mid-length gas (73%, then carbine-length 27%), and mostly AR-15 (88%).
Availability is good: it was in stock at one retailer or another nearly every day in August 2026, and today 7 of the 9 retailers we track have it in stock. Prices barely moved in August 2026, holding around $299.99, so there haven't been real sales lately. Buying today, the lowest price is $254.99 at Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore, which matches the best price we saw in August.
Updated · from real builds on GunPartPicker · Prices checked · refreshed daily across 35 retailers
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Read the guide: AR-15 Red Dot & Optic Guide →Check it against the live catalog:
Frequently Built With
The part most often added in each category by the 286 builds that include this one
Aero Precision M4E1 Complete Lower Receiver W/MOE SL Grip & SL-S Carbine Stock
Lower Receiver$234 · out of stockin 48 builds
Geissele Automatics AR-15 SSA-E X Lightning Bow Trigger
Trigger$335in 72 builds
Daniel Defense Collapsible Mil-Spec Buttstock, Brown - 21-091-04179-011
Stock & Brace$82in 46 builds
Bravo Company Manufacturing 5.56 NATO Mid-Length Bhf AR-15 Barreled Upper - MCMR-15 - 16"
Upper Receiver$881in 32 builds
Dead Air Sandman X 7.62 Silencer, Black
Suppressor$887in 37 builds
Aero Precision AR-15 Breach Charging Handle Ambidextrous Small Levers
Charging Handle$69 · out of stockin 37 builds
Build Configuration Breakdown
Aggregated and anonymized data showing how builders use this product
PlatformBased on real build data showing which platform (AR-15, AR-10, AR-9) builders pair with this product.
87.9%
AR-1587.9%
AR-106.1%
AR-96.1%
CaliberBased on real build data showing which calibers builders choose alongside this product.
81.3%
5.56 NATO81.3%
.308 Win6.3%
9mm6.3%
.223 Wylde6.3%
Gas SystemBased on real build data showing which gas system lengths builders use with this product.
72.7%
Mid-Length72.7%
Carbine27.3%
Builds Featuring This Part
See all 10 →Builds in the community that include the Vortex Defender-ST 3MOA Micro Red Dot w/ Delta Point Pro Footprint - DFST-MRD3
| Build | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|
 | 30 | $6443.20 |
 | 27 | $4217.78 |
 | 14 | $4955.37 |
| 14 | $2389.77 |
 | 8 | $1238.34 |
 | 15 | $4458.52 |
 | 15 | $2574.74 |
| 19 | $5133.00 |
 | 19 | $2772.75 |
 | 28 | $3530.58 |
Customer reviews
4.0out of 5
1 global rating
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