Thinking about dipping my toe into the red dot pool. With all the horror stories regarding sending in a slide to be milled, I'm not sure I want to go that route. Anybody using a dovetail mount for a red dot sight on a Glock? Pros? Cons? I'd be putting it on my Gen 5 G19.
Dovetail Red Dot Mount?
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Pluto57
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Thinking about dipping my toe into the red dot pool. With all the horror stories regarding sending in a slide to be milled, I'm not sure I want to go that route. Anybody using a dovetail mount for a red dot sight on a Glock? Pros? Cons? I'd be putting it on my Gen 5 G19.
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Thank you. That was quite enlightening.
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This dove tail mount has been in place for the last 5 years or so. I did have to put a piece of kydex under the rear of the mount as I ran out of elevation. It works well, its been to plenty of GSSF matches and I haven’t ever had to reset the sight since it was originally zero’d.
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…Ron
…Ron
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9,212 Posts
I’ve used them. Honestly they suck. Did I mention they suck? Puts the optic up too high. And it’s additional mounting headache 🐂💩. If you get your slide milled from a reputable place like Battlewerks or Jagerwerks you won’t have an issue.
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Anything attached to a pistol slide should be on there as securely as possible. Unless you're planning to shoot targets at only one distance, you want the mechanical offset as small as possible.Thank you. That was quite enlightening.
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The only reason I can see for this is to ascertain if you really want to go with a red dot or not. If not, the slide can always be returned to its original configuration, and you can sell the red dot.
If you like the RDS, then you can send the slide off for milling. However, once it's milled to a certain footprint, you'll always have to stay with that footprint - and you'll have no cover over the milling if you take the RDS off. That's the benefit of an optics-ready factory slide: the cover will be available if you ever need it again.
If you like the RDS, then you can send the slide off for milling. However, once it's milled to a certain footprint, you'll always have to stay with that footprint - and you'll have no cover over the milling if you take the RDS off. That's the benefit of an optics-ready factory slide: the cover will be available if you ever need it again.
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Using a dovetail mount is not the best way to learn if a red dot is right for you. You lose out on the option of using taller sights as a reference to acclimate with. Especially if your are having problems finding the dot, “fishing” due to an inconsistent presentation.
Also when having a slide milled you can get a cover for it. RMR or RMS are the two most common footprint with a litany of optics to choose from.
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Reference the milled slide cover, didn't know that. Can you provide a source? Thanks.
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I use a Leupold Delta Point Micro on my Glock 43. It has the extra advantage of being a ghost ring iron sight if the battery dies, as long as you put the right height front on it. A lot more compact and works with more holsters than the RMR type sights.
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Nameless Arms | United States | Nameless Armament LLC
Nameless Armament. Match fit optic cut specialist. We are a small family run business focused on the highest level of quality work and customer service. All CAD, CAM, Machining, Coating, and services are performed in house by us. Proudly Veteran owned and operated.
www.namelessarms.com
The biggest downside is that structurally the optic is held on by the mounting screws to the plate, and then the plate is held onto the gun by the dovetail. All the recoil forces are transmitted through those points.
When a slide is milled for the optic, and there is a good fit, those forces are singular and on the entire body of the optic + the mounting screws.
The order from worst < better < best = dovetail < MOS or mounting plate setup < milled.
The second biggest downside is that the dot is floating higher relative to the slide. Completely illogical for height over bore, considerations at short distance. Also difficult to learn if you are starting out, with the dot floating higher.
So yes, it sucks.
I'll start by saying I prefer fiber optic sights over red dots for EDC, that me, you won't convince me otherwise, that said, I do use dovetail mounted red dots for deer hunting and range work on other Gen 3 Glocks and even a couple of 1911's. Works for me, works really well. You might try the dovetail mount first before you permanently alter your slide. What works for you is really all that's important, I've got a box full of sh*t other people thought great............ a slide not being one of them.
i've done it on several glocks. no issues. i have a 1911 that has the dovetail mount currently. i have never had one come loose or move on me. dovetail mounts do have the red dot sit higher though.
I run a dovetail mount on a 31C, stays perfectly despite full power loads I also run one on my German HK45CT. I did not care to modify either gun with milling. Yes the sight sits higher than optimal but it is not a concern if you know your elevation changes at various distances. I can judge pretty well through years of shooting silhouette.
Otherwise a mulled slide would be the best choice.
Otherwise a mulled slide would be the best choice.
I will second Nameless Arms. Excellent communications and top notch machining.Nameless Arms | United States | Nameless Armament LLC
Nameless Armament. Match fit optic cut specialist. We are a small family run business focused on the highest level of quality work and customer service. All CAD, CAM, Machining, Coating, and services are performed in house by us. Proudly Veteran owned and operated.
The biggest downside is that structurally the optic is held on by the mounting screws to the plate, and then the plate is held onto the gun by the dovetail. All the recoil forces are transmitted through those points.
When a slide is milled for the optic, and there is a good fit, those forces are singular and on the entire body of the optic + the mounting screws.
The order from worst < better < best = dovetail < MOS or mounting plate setup < milled.
The second biggest downside is that the dot is floating higher relative to the slide. Completely illogical for height over bore, considerations at short distance. Also difficult to learn if you are starting out, with the dot floating higher.
So yes, it sucks.
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7,778 Posts
Exactly. I have mine on 17.3 and shoot it occasionally in IDPA. Good enough for sharp shooter clarification. Made a witness mark, hasn't moved in two years.
Don't buy into the naysayers. It works.
Found mine on Amazon IIRC
Added a tall suppressor height front site. Helped me transition from irons to dot. I can take it off now, but don't see a reason to
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276 Posts
Get a leupold deltapoint micro
Just tap out the rear Glock site (left to right)
Then place in the site channel tighten down and marry the dot to the front site
I love mine on my 19X. No gunsmithing needed and it’s a leupold
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