Explain to me why...

terdog · Mar 27, 2026

Why do most companies require a mounting plate for direct mounting of red dots? Yes, there are exceptions, but for the most part, you have to use an adapter plate.
Why not just start with something like a RMR pattern and then make plates for that down the road?

Medic! · Mar 27, 2026

Money I guess.

Myself? I really like the COA cut.

1775usmc · Mar 27, 2026

Because then the slide is cut to accept most all optics. Not limiting buyers and keeping the manufacturers cost down. It's dumb. I agree. Which is why I refuse to buy guns with a modular optic system. Similar to the Glock MOS system. I would much rather buy a non-cut slide and send it out to have milled for the exact optic I want.

Optic plates suck.

terdog · Mar 27, 2026

That they do.

How about someone designs an optic that can co-witness with stock sights. Sure it would take a redesign of the electronics, but it would be worthwhile. Imagine the lock on the market that you would have?

lucusloc · Mar 27, 2026

I cannot say this is true for all slides (in fact I know it is not), but there are a few that have internal bits that preclude some optic footprints and need a different screw pattern than what is popular. In that case the best option may be to take off a few thou more, put the screw holes where they can go and make an adapter to get them were they need to go.

Past that it is probably just a psychology game; if a customer wants a pattern you don't offer natively you may consider alternatives that do support that pattern. But if the only option is a modular system then everyone is on the same foot no matter what pattern they prefer and they can cater to every preference equally (badly). No one feels left out and as long as most other options on the market have equally poor solutions there is little incentive for customers to pursue other options.

terdog said:
That they do.

How about someone designs an optic that can co-witness with stock sights. Sure it would take a redesign of the electronics, but it would be worthwhile. Imagine the lock on the market that you would have?

This has been tried. There were optics on the market that put the electronics off to the side, or even on the top, but these have all proved unpopular as that added bulk is now in the field of view around the optic, making the sight fell huge and clunky even if it is exactly the same dimensions as a more traditional layout. If you want normal sight co-witness you are looking at the extreme micro sights, and those do not come cheap. $600 is where they currently start on the market right now, and they go up from there. Even then the thinnest optics do not absolute co-witness with standard iron sights, the best we have today is a "lower 1/3rd" co-witness and in actual practice is more like "lower 1/10th." You can still use the irons, but they are right at the very bottom of the optic.

Xmark1 · Mar 27, 2026

My shadow systems pistols all have direct mount optic cuts.

A few years ago, I had a G19.4 milled for a Vortex Viper that used a Doctor/Noblex footprint. Later, I decided I like Holosun better. Holosun uses an RMR footprint, so I was screwed, because no one makes an adapter to go from Dr to RMR. I sold the pistol. Moral or the story - get a Glock MOS and use adaptor plates. I have found C&H adapter plates are very nice and very thin, well engineered.

1775usmc · Mar 27, 2026

terdog said:
That they do.

How about someone designs an optic that can co-witness with stock sights. Sure it would take a redesign of the electronics, but it would be worthwhile. Imagine the lock on the market that you would have?

Or just take the iron sights off and throw them in the trash. That's what I do on all the guns run optics on.

1775usmc · Mar 27, 2026

Xmark1 said:
My shadow systems pistols all have direct mount optic cuts.

A few years ago, I had a G19.4 milled for a Vortex Viper that used a Doctor/Noblex footprint. Later, I decided I like Holosun better. Holosun uses an RMR footprint, so I was screwed, because no one makes an adapter to go from Dr to RMR. I sold the pistol. Moral or the story - get a Glock MOS and use adaptor plates. I have found C&H adapter plates are very nice and very thin, well engineered.

I think his post is about not wanting to use plates.

Which makes total sense to me. I avoid adapter plates at all cost. Although if one doesn't know what optic they want I guess it would make sense so you could try multiple on the same slide.

TTSX · Mar 27, 2026

terdog · Mar 28, 2026

No plates needed for DPP optic was a plus in my buy my Sig Xten Carry Comp.

gmerkt · Mar 28, 2026

Manufacturers who make guns with provisions for plates probably do it to satisfy the greater market. That is, people who don't want to mess around with anything more involved. It's just easier.

Medic! · Mar 28, 2026

terdog said:
That they do.

How about someone designs an optic that can co-witness with stock sights. Sure it would take a redesign of the electronics, but it would be worthwhile. Imagine the lock on the market that you would have?

COA has a deep cut to the slide. They co-witness with stock [but propriety] sights.
The iron sights sit very low in the optics window. And are really just there as a back up. And to hold the optics onto the slide.

1775usmc · Mar 28, 2026

Medic! said:
COA has a deep cut to the slide. They co-witness with stock [but propriety] sights.
The iron sights sit very low in the optics window. And are really just there as a back up. And to hold the optics onto the slide.

The COA cut is rock solid!

Medic! · Mar 28, 2026

The Glock store [and probably others] now offers the COA/A-cut.

And the optic is finally for sale at a couple sites.
It's not cheep at just over $600 but at least you can get it now.

Jasonanddeonna · Mar 30, 2026

Xmark1 said:
My shadow systems pistols all have direct mount optic cuts.

A few years ago, I had a G19.4 milled for a Vortex Viper that used a Doctor/Noblex footprint. Later, I decided I like Holosun better. Holosun uses an RMR footprint, so I was screwed, because no one makes an adapter to go from Dr to RMR. I sold the pistol. Moral or the story - get a Glock MOS and use adaptor plates. I have found C&H adapter plates are very nice and very thin, well engineered.

Going through this right now. Have a Ruger American Competition that came factory milled for Docter/Noblex, but have a Holosun I want to use. No adapter plates available. Does anyone know a good Gunsmith in the Eugene or surrounding area that could make one?