Red dot sights for a pistol

[MoreIsLess]

I had been thinking about putting red dot sights on my Sig 320 FS 45acp. The thing is I don't want to have to have the slide milled. I was at the range last night and a fellow had a gun (it was a 1911 rail gun) that had a red dot/RMR sight mounted on it and it was attached to the rail but set on top of the slide. I had never seen or heard of this before. No it wasn't a laser.

Does anyone know anything about these.

Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know much about auxiliary optics

 

[dogmush]

There are several mounts that clamp to the accessory 1913 rail and come up over the slide.

Here's the first one Google gave me:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/66...-scope-mount-for-pistols-with-accessory-rails

Back when red dots were bigger, and relegated solely to gaming use it was pretty common to drill and tap a frame to put something like that on the frame to hold the sight.

That mount is kinda heavy, and not as stiff as one might hope, and blocks the slide (for an overhand grip), so as red dots got small enough and tough enough to be slide mounted without breaking or affecting pistol function they've fallen out of favor.

 

[badkarmamib]

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Mako-Universal-Picatinny-Mount-Pistols/dp/B004O6CDV0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1470146671&sr=8-3&keywords=pistol+scope+mount

Lots of manufacturers make them, with some working on different models better than others.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Pretty common, but less than optimal for carry or general use

 

[wally]

I'd suggest one of the rear-sight replacing mounts. Usually only about 1/4" higher than the milled slide models -- I have both.

I've had good results with Trijicon RMR dual illumination (my favorite, no batteries, but $$$!), Burris Fastfire (I prefer the III as the battery is replaceable from the top), and the J-point (smallest and lightest, but PITA zero adjustments, although once adjusted I've never messed with it again, and you have to remove the sight from the mount to change battery -- but battery life has been outstanding -- I've one on a pistol that averages 50 rounds a week and its been almost two years since I changed the battery).

 

[MoreIsLess]

I'd suggest one of the rear-sight replacing mounts. Usually only about 1/4" higher than the milled slide models -- I have both.

I've had good results with Trijicon RMR dual illumination (my favorite, no batteries, but $$$!), Burris Fastfire (I prefer the III as the battery is replaceable from the top), and the J-point (smallest and lightest, but PITA zero adjustments, although once adjusted I've never messed with it again, and you have to remove the sight from the mount to change battery -- but battery life has been outstanding -- I've one on a pistol that averages 50 rounds a week and its been almost two years since I changed the battery).

Wally,

Would your suggestion require the slide be milled? I am trying to avoid that.

 

[tarosean]

Would your suggestion require the slide be milled? I

I am not Wally...

Its basically a plate that will mount into your current rear sights slot.(once removed). You do not have to mill anything.

 

[MoreIsLess]

What kind of sights will work with a Picatinny Scope Mount and how expensive are they?

Thanks for all the responses

 

[dogmush]

Any sight with a Picatinny mount base. Red Dot's with that base are between $60 and $600 or so.

I would avoid that, because it'll add a bit of bulk to the whole thing.

What Wally was referring to is something like this. You remove the rear sight, drift the mount in and screw down the smaller red dot to the mount. Less "universal" than a Picatinny rail, but much less bulky as well.

 

[wally]

What Wally was referring to is something like this. You remove the rear sight, drift the mount in and screw down the smaller red dot to the mount.

Yes this is exactly what I was talking about. Unfortunately there is no "standard" for the mounting plates, each sight brand generally requires a unique plate. Depending on your sight cut, your choice of red dots may be limited by the availability of mounts. Although Trijicon has a "universal" one that matches their sight on top and is plain on the bottom to be milled to match your rear sight dovetail.

I mounted my J-Point on my Kahr CW9 by milling a "standard" GI 1911 dovetail where the smaller Kahr specific cut was and using the GI 1911 version of mount shown in the link.

This is an option if your sight cut is smaller than one of the available mounts, but it does require milling the slide, although this is a pretty standard gun-smithing operation.

Here is a quick photo my my carry gun with Trijicon RMR dual illuminated sight:

 

[MoreIsLess]

Seems like it might get a bit tricky trying to get a mount a sight that match

 

[wally]

If your SIG 320 uses the same rear dovetail as other popular SIG models just find a mount to fit and buy the red dot that fits the mount.

So far, it seems the Burris Fastfire has the largest collection of mounts for various pistols, so I'd start there, then look at Trijicon, Leopold (unlikely, as they've had like three iterations of the Delta-point sight, all needing different mounts), J-Point, etc.

Good luck!

 

[tarosean]

so I'd start there, then look at Trijicon, Leopold (unlikely, as they've had like three iterations of the Delta-point sight, all needing different mounts

DP Pro fits the original DP mounts. + Its the only one that has an optional rear sight that attaches to the sight itself.

 

[MoreIsLess]

If your SIG 320 uses the same rear dovetail as other popular SIG models just find a mount to fit and buy the red dot that fits the mount.

So far, it seems the Burris Fastfire has the largest collection of mounts for various pistols, so I'd start there, then look at Trijicon, Leopold (unlikely, as they've had like three iterations of the Delta-point sight, all needing different mounts), J-Point, etc.

Good luck!

The slide on my 320 would have to be milled, right?

 

[wally]

DP Pro fits the original DP mounts.

Its possible the article I read that said there have been three iterations of the Delta-Point and all need different mounts/milling patterns is wrong. In any event the original Delta-Point has been discontinued so its moot for a new purchase.

The DP Pro lists these mounts available (its a scheme similar to the Burris Fast-Fire, a top plate that mounts to a piece that replaces your rear sight in its dovetail):
• (10) Mount Bases with dovetails
Beretta® 92/96 /90-TWO/Taurus PT99
1911 Standard
Glock®
Sig Sauer® P226
Springfield® XD
CZ® 75
HK® HK P2000
Kimber® Fixed/Adjustable
Smith & Wesson® M&P / Classic

The Burris list is similar but includes several variations for Novak 1911 sight cuts as well.

The Trijicon mounts are a single piece plate. The J-Point mounts have both types one-piece for the GI 1911 rear sight cut, two-piece for the CZ75 and others.

The slide on my 320 would have to be milled, right?

Unless it has the same rear sight dovetail as the P226 or matches one of the others (unlikely), then the answer would be YES.

One other option would be to get the Trijicon "custom" mount and have a gunsmith mill its bottom to match your dovetail. This is not rocket-science, I've milled a couple of the Trijicon "custom" bottoms myself on a "hobby" mill/drill machine.