Selecting the Right Red Dot for my Pistol

Entering the world of pistol red dot sights can seem overwhelming, but the effort required to switch from traditional iron sights is well worth it, at least in our opinion.  Time on the range (developing new muscle memory and sighting techniques) will be an important part of the transition, but first things first – we need to make sure we have the right equipment.  Navigating the many details and decisions involved in establishing a proper setup is the purpose of the article.

Whether we are talking about a full-sized pistol or a compact carry model, this first point is universal – our firearm must be prepared to accommodate a matching red dot sight.  In most cases, this will mean a semiautomatic slide that has been cut or milled for this purpose.  If you own a pistol that was not made to utilize a red dot, contact your local gunsmith to help you weigh your options.  Milling a slide is not as complicated as it might sound, but cost should be considered as so many firearms are available that come optic-ready from the factory.

If you purchase a pistol that is red-dot-ready, be sure to identify the “footprint” of the cut.  This refers to the size, shape, and screw pattern of the receiving cut.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of different options out there.  This is what can make establishing a proper match somewhat difficult.  If you have a gunsmith custom-mill your slide, you may have some options in this department, either way, we just need to make sure to match the footprint of our slide with the footprint of our red dot.