The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of more than 200,000 SIG red dot optics.
The reason? An “ingestion hazard.”
No, the red dots in question are not so small as to be edible.
The ingestion hazard is the button cell battery that powers the 230,000 Romeo5s covered in the recall.
The CPSC is requiring the recall for two reasons — neither of which are directly related to the operation of the optic.
Seems the included battery is not in child-resistant packaging. That’s required under Reese’s Law, a 2022 law named for an 18-month old child (Reese Hamsmith) who died after ingesting a button cell battery.
The law says “Individually packaged button/coin cell batteries (sold individually or packaged separately with a product using these batteries) must comply with 16 CFR 1700.15 poison prevention standards for child resistant packaging.”
If you’re wondering why you have to fight to open button batteries included with optics and other similarly powered products, now you have your answer. The child resistant packaging isn’t an option -even if the battery’s included inside another package.
Additionally, the CPSC says, SIG failed to meet the warning label requirements for the batteries on the optic itself. A warning label is required to be on the optic, warning users that the product contains a button cell battery. You can check the image below to see how SIG has been forced to remedy the issue.
It’s important to note that despite the recall, there have been no reported injuries.
As far as specifics, the recall covers SIG SAUER ROMEO5 Red Dot Sights, Models SOR52001 and 7400579 (a part included with Model SORJ53101).
The sights covered in the recall contain either a letter “K” or “M” as the last digit of the serial number. ROMEO5 owners can find that serial number printed on the bottom of their sight.
To check that, you will need to use a T10 Torx driver to separate the optic itself from the mount. The serial number will be on the bottom of the optic assembly.
After checking your optic, SIG reminds owners the four mounting screws should be torqued to a spec of 8 in/lbs. Please note that’s “Inch pounds” not “foot pounds” - there’s a big difference.
If your Romeo5 has a letter “K” or “M” as the last digit of the serial number, yours is included in the recall. Here’s the “old” cap with the “new” cap as illustrated by SIG. Screenshot from https://www.sigsauer.com/romeo5-recall.
The red dots in question were, according to the CPSC, sold at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s Sportsman’s Warehouse, Academy Sports, Schools and “other stores and independent firearms and equipment stores nationwide.”
They were also sold online at Sigsauer.com, Amazon.com, Opticsplanet.com, EuroOptic.com, Palmettostatearmory.com, Midwayusa.com, Chattanoogashooting.com, Gritrsports.com, Bereli.com, Battlehawk.com, “and other online websites” from February 2023 through December 2024. The prices ranged from $130-200.
Consumers are told to “stop using the recalled firearm sights and contact Sig Sauer for instructions on how to submit a picture of the serial number to receive a free recall kit.
That recall kit will include a new battery cap (with the required labeling) and an updated instruction manual.
Questions? You can contact SIG SAUER at (603) 610-3000, via email at ROMEO5Recall@sigsauer.com or online here.
As always, we’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd
