Is there a way to do this without the obvious milling and tapping of the slide? Specifically I thought I’d seen a way to attach one using the accessory rail in front. I’m specifically interested in doing it for a S&W M&P9 I got a while back before optics ready slides were more common.
Attaching a Red Dot w/o Optics Ready Slide
- Thread starter DMW1116
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BoBo522
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Something like this?
Mako Universal Picatinny Rail Mount Fits Most Pistols https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O6CDV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SFVH0ET6PF6621CVDDV0
Mako Universal Picatinny Rail Mount Fits Most Pistols https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O6CDV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SFVH0ET6PF6621CVDDV0
Rebel Dave
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If your rear sight is mounted with a screw, then you might be able to get a low mount plate, that will mount into the sight mounting screw hole. Then you just mount your red dot to the plate. These plates are available for most popular hand guns, and red dot configurations. Amazon is full of them.
You just have to pick out the correct plate/red dot combo, for your pistol. Some plates will only mount certain name brand red dots, and others will mount other name red dots.
Dave
You just have to pick out the correct plate/red dot combo, for your pistol. Some plates will only mount certain name brand red dots, and others will mount other name red dots.
Dave
BoBo522
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Sure. They’re bulky, and most people would rather use a dovetail mount or other adapter plate - but if you just wanna test the waters, this isn’t a bad way to go.
Atavar
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Not a shield but the same idea. This one is a huge cheap one on a little .22.
Atavar
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Even better. This fits in the rear sight dovetail.https://velocitytriggers.com/product/smith-wesson-red-dot-mount/
Okay, so here's a weird question. I'm new to red dot sights (obviously), so bear with me. Does the constant beating a red dot on a slide mounted base takes have an effect on their long term use and serviceability? Is there an advantage to the sight not moving every shot? I've seen some mounts that look like half the Mako mount on competition pistols, but they were screwed straight to the pistols frame instead of the slide and the frames were metal, I presume either steel or aluminum.
For reference, I'm looking into a mount like this for testing 9mm loads and shooting at longer distances, like 50 yards and beyond. The factory sights are dead on for windage but have no adjustability for elevation. There is also the fact that my eyes might benefit from some help. I have scopes and aperture sights for my rifles with high levels of adjustability, but nothing equivalent for my handguns. I've ordered an RDS for my target 22 pistol, and if I like it I'm sure I'll want one for my 9mm.
For reference, I'm looking into a mount like this for testing 9mm loads and shooting at longer distances, like 50 yards and beyond. The factory sights are dead on for windage but have no adjustability for elevation. There is also the fact that my eyes might benefit from some help. I have scopes and aperture sights for my rifles with high levels of adjustability, but nothing equivalent for my handguns. I've ordered an RDS for my target 22 pistol, and if I like it I'm sure I'll want one for my 9mm.
doubleh
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I tried one of those in the Amazon link. My opinion is that it's clunky mess and it quickly found a home in my boo-boo box.. I have several dovetail mounted dots and like them. They get the sight right down close to the bore where it belongs.
BoBo522
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A decent quality pistol red dot sight is designed to tolerate the shock of a reciprocating slide. The difference between a fixed-position mount and a reciprocating slide mount is how quickly you can reacquire the dot for subsequent shots - if the optic isn’t moving, you can reacquire it much faster (with my Ruger Mark IV, I never lose it).
My first try with a RDS on a pistol will be my S&W Victory, which does not have a reciprocating mount for the sight. Hopefully it comes soon and I can try it out this weekend. With iron sights at 10 yards it already shoots a 30 caliber hole with 3 shots. If it tightens up any more I don't think I can take advantage of it. If this works, I may be looking for one of the options to mount a sight on my M&P9. It depends on how well my eyes work with the dot. Sometimes they just look like a red smear. Some brands are pretty clear though.
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