Pistol Red Dot Mounting Option SHOWDOWN! Which mounting method is best?
Three Main Methods for Mounting a Pistol Red Dot
If you’re considering adding a red dot sight to your pistol, you may be wondering which mounting option is the best for you. In this video, we’ll compare three popular red dot slide mounting options:
- Rear sight replacement with a mounting plate
- Modular mounting plates like the MOS (Modular Optic System)
- Direct slide mount
Method 1: Rear Sight Replacement with a Mounting Plate
We’ll start with rear sight replacement with a mounting plate. This option involves removing your rear sight and replacing it with a mounting plate that’s designed to hold a red dot sight. It is the least intrusive option as it is for the most part a temporary mounting solution, but its great for “trying before you buy”.
Advantages:
- Allows you to “try” before you fully commit to milling your slide for an optic
- Easy to swap rear sight with a new plate if you want to try a different optic footprint
Disadvantages:
- High height over bore, may cause difficulty with zeroing optic
- Mounting method is not as secure as other options, the plate may loosen over time
- Prints more and less comfortable for concealed carry
Check out our guide to installing a rear sight red dot mounting plate for more information and for product recommendations for high quality replacement rear sight plates. You can purchae the plate we purchased for less than $30 on amazon from the link below.
DPP Titanium Rear Sight Dovetail Mount for Shield RMS / Holosun 407K / 507K
The mounting plate that we have experience using for mounting a red dot on a Springfield XD 40.
Riton X3 Tactix MPRD
The Red dot that we utilized for demonstrating this mounting method
Method 2: Modular mounting plates like the MOS (Modular Optic System)
Next, we’ll look at modular mounting plate systems like the popular Glock MOS (Modular Optic System).
This option involves using a mounting plate that can be swapped out to accommodate different red dot sights, for a slide that is already milled for the mounting plate system.
Advantages:
- Maximum flexibility: You aren’t forced into a single footprint or red dot optic option
- Lower height over bore axis versus rear sight replacement plates
- Adapter Plates are typically very cheap
- Will scale with new footprints that are released in the future
Disadvantages:
- Higher height over bore versus a direct slide mount where the slide is milled for the given footprint
- Two possible points of failure (plate to slide + optic to plate) versus a direct slide mount
Vortex Venom
In this MOS plate mounting example, we used a Vortex Venom Red Dot
Method 3: Direct Slide Mount
Finally, we’ll cover the direct slide mount. This option involves milling the slide of your pistol to create a mounting platform for the red dot sight.
Advantages:
- Most secure method for mounting red dot optics on pistols
- Lowest possible height over bore
- Makes it easy to cowitness backup iron sights, like suppressor height sights
- Most comfortable for concealed carry
Disadvantages :
- Least flexible mounting pattern, although adapter plates still exist for this type of system
- Permanent modifications to slides may lower value for some buyers
Holosun 507C
For RMR Cut slides, like we have in this direct slide mounting method, we prefer to mount Holosun optics like the 507C and the 407C.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each of these red dot slide mounting options has its pros and cons, and the best option for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider factors such as security, reliability, sight picture, height over bore, and cost when making your decision. We hope this comparison helps you make an informed decision on which option is best for you.
