RDS Mount vs. Machined Slide vs. MOS Slide

Just mounted a vortex venom on a 1911 with a dovetail mount Thursday. Firearm and RD function was fine. Slide operation seemed unaffected even with soft handloads. The only thing I could say is that with a milled slide, the RDS will be mounded significantly lower. It was a bit of adjustment for me to get used to. but after a few rounds it wasn't bad.

no question that milling the slide would make the whole thing a little more aesthetically pleasing IMO.

I have a 1911 with a dovetail mounted red dot and really like it plus I have some other pistols with the same mounting system and like them. I have a Sig with the factory milled slide and like it even more. For me the closer it fits like iron sights the better it works.

IMO using a rear sight mount is the least favorable option. It leaves the dot too high and there is no way to co witness irons. The MOS system is ok, the plate doesn't allow the threads of the RDS mounting screws much engagement. Also I've read and watched videos of the plate being warped or sheared off the slide completely. If I were to do an MOS system, I would recommend C&H precision plates as they are far superior than the cheap pot metal that Glock uses. Having the slide machined is the best option, but the caveat to that is you're stuck with one style of RDS i.e. if you mill it for an RMR it won't work for a Leupold.

I like the MOS approach because dot technology and mounting patterns are most likely to change before I wear a Glock out.
That being said said you can get a much cleaner look with less opportunities for failure with a dedicated slide cut.... I just don’t like being married to a single optic or pattern.

Mill the slide . Mounts the sight the lowest . Trijicon and Holosun have the same footprint . Burris has a new Fastfire 4 , same footprint as 2 and 3 with multiple reticles . If you chose MOS C + H makes a far superior plate in every way . It doubles the thread for the sight . Matches the slide better .