So as Red dots become more and more prevalent on handguns both for duty and every day carry more and more people might be interested in trying it out.
But one of the main deterrents more times than not is cost.. there are generally 2 major costs and then one minor.
The actual red dot itself and then getting the slide milled, followed by back up iron sights.
A good red dot aka an RMR can run upwards of $600 (generally can be found mid 400s or 500s depending on sales and which model you want)
Next the best option to mount a red dot is getting your slide milled, and this can cost anywhere from $100-200, but you will also want to have the slide refinished to prevent rusting, this can be included sometimes with the milling price or an additional cost ($60-100 or more depending, just an estimate)
Then add sights that will be tall enough work with the red dot, again between $50-100+.
Well that can be a lot for someone who might want to just try this out, and not change anything about their factory slide especially if they dont like the red dot.
Here are some solutions (cant help with the cost of the optic, buy once cry once, can always move an RMR to a rifle, no other brand really stands up to good hard use and for me the RMR is the only current option worth using)
What makes these great options is they mount via the rear iron sight dovetail but incorporate a new front and rear iron sight
First up what I would personally pick if I went this way..
Dueck Defense RBU (price $130-150)
https://dueckdefense.com/shop/firearms/red-dot-back-up-sight-base-rbu/
Next another good option
Raven Concealment Balor RDS mount (price $199)
BALOR RDS Mount
And lastly (I'm sure there are others like these but these are the 3 that have back up iron sights incorporated)
Suarez International L-Mount (price $79-210)
*this one doesnt come with irons installed, lowest cost, and allows you to use what ever suppressor sights you want, or can add either their front or rear or both sights.
**is also universal and works with most (all?) Red dots not just the RMR
SUAREZ L-MOUNT UNIVERSAL RED DOT BASE
I do know that Dueck also makes mounts for some other popular red dots, I am not sure if Raven makes theirs for other types.
Picture is with the Dueck but is a decent representation of all 3
But one of the main deterrents more times than not is cost.. there are generally 2 major costs and then one minor.
The actual red dot itself and then getting the slide milled, followed by back up iron sights.
A good red dot aka an RMR can run upwards of $600 (generally can be found mid 400s or 500s depending on sales and which model you want)
Next the best option to mount a red dot is getting your slide milled, and this can cost anywhere from $100-200, but you will also want to have the slide refinished to prevent rusting, this can be included sometimes with the milling price or an additional cost ($60-100 or more depending, just an estimate)
Then add sights that will be tall enough work with the red dot, again between $50-100+.
Well that can be a lot for someone who might want to just try this out, and not change anything about their factory slide especially if they dont like the red dot.
Here are some solutions (cant help with the cost of the optic, buy once cry once, can always move an RMR to a rifle, no other brand really stands up to good hard use and for me the RMR is the only current option worth using)
What makes these great options is they mount via the rear iron sight dovetail but incorporate a new front and rear iron sight
First up what I would personally pick if I went this way..
Dueck Defense RBU (price $130-150)
https://dueckdefense.com/shop/firearms/red-dot-back-up-sight-base-rbu/
Next another good option
Raven Concealment Balor RDS mount (price $199)
BALOR RDS Mount
And lastly (I'm sure there are others like these but these are the 3 that have back up iron sights incorporated)
Suarez International L-Mount (price $79-210)
*this one doesnt come with irons installed, lowest cost, and allows you to use what ever suppressor sights you want, or can add either their front or rear or both sights.
**is also universal and works with most (all?) Red dots not just the RMR
SUAREZ L-MOUNT UNIVERSAL RED DOT BASE
I do know that Dueck also makes mounts for some other popular red dots, I am not sure if Raven makes theirs for other types.
Picture is with the Dueck but is a decent representation of all 3
