Red dot for gen 1 Pro 5”

[SavannahMan]

I would like to go to a red dot set up for my Pro, with Trijicon HD night sights and TLR4 laser/light, for home defense and carry (when I can dress to conceal it). My slide would need to be milled, which i've Heard can cancel my warranty. An option is to sell my pro and shield to buy a new, compact size gun (m&p or sig320 or something else) already prepped for the dot, that I can carry and keep on the nightstand. I'd appreciate comments and any insights gained from first-hand experience milling and installing a particular red dot or using one on a carry gun.

 

[jejb]

Does S&W offer a compact size M&P ready to accept a red dot? I thought only the Pro's came optics ready.

I have a P320c RX, and it's a good gun, so that would be a good way to go, IMO. Not my favorite range gun, but it is a great SD/EDC gun.

 

[SavannahMan]

Thanks Jejb. I assume S&W has more guns ready to accept dots but will have to confirm. I think i'll Also call to see if I can just purchase a new slide. I really want the dot but hate to take a beating on my guns, holsters, mags, etc. if I move away from S&W.

 

[SavannahMan]

Update: I called SW and they said I could buy a barrel and slide kit for $419. Then I could add a dot. I could sell the pro, add the $419 and get a new gun. Then it's on to new holsters, mags, etc. I think i'll Sit tight for a while.

 

[jejb]

The math sure does not seem to work out on that one. For $420, you're in the same area as a whole new gun at places like GunBroker. And then add, what, $200+ for milling, and then add a red dot? Makes the Sig P320C RX look like a pretty good deal. I see them on Buy Now at GunBroker for around $700.

If you do look at the Sig's harder, be careful to find the models that have the tritium "sig light" sites. Sig has started producing a cheaper model with just painted 3 dot sights. I like the tritium to co-witness with on my P320C RX.

Does anyone know of anyone else offering compacts optic ready or optic already installed? I really don't spend much time looking at anything outside of the S&W and Sig lines. Surely there must be others?

 

[Saudade]

You can buy a ported slide kit for $350 on Grabagun.com. It's slide ported barrel, grips, and all the plates to adapt to different RDSs.

 

[jejb]

Good find! But I don't see any for compacts, like the OP is asking about. Do you have a link to those? All I could find is 4.25" and 5" kits.

 

[swsig]

I'm not aware of any pre-milled compact M&P semi-autos. However, SIG offers compact pre-milled semi-autos in their P320 RX series, and Glock offers them in their G19 MOS series.

 

[TAROMAN]

IMHO, the warranty worry is over hyped.
This isn't a $70,000 diesel pickup, it's a $500 gun.
If it breaks, just fix it or replace it.
Zero "collector value" either.
Set it up the way you like and use it.
Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.

 

[CBStuard]

Glad you are sitting tight for now. Couple of thoughts from several forums. 1- Apparently there is a definite learning curve involved in using dot sights on a defensive gun. 2- I understand that the small dots are getting closer but may not yet be 100% reliable. From my own experience; 3- OTOH CTC lasers are 100%, they don't need slide milling, and, if there is a laser grip available for your gun, there is usually no need for a different holster. 4- The TLR4 or similar would need a new holster but, if you chose which exact model by who makes a holster to accomodate it, that may not be a problem.

 

[jejb]

Yep, that's a good point. Laser's could be an option for you, too. Although I'd recommend a rail mounted CTC TG one since it would centered on your bore axis instead of off to the side. We have several of those in green, and they work well. But since getting in to RDS's, I won't go back. I like that I don't project that beam. Might have some intimidation factor, but can also reveal where you are. And while the green is FAR superior in sunlight to the red laser, both can wash out in strong sunlight.

Whichever system you go with, practice, practice, practice. Any of them will become natural if you do that.

 

[SavannahMan]

Today I found a mounting plate from Outerimpact that fits M&P for $49.oo. Mounts about a dozen different reflex sights. Local gunsmith said it looks like it will work but will likely eliminate the rear sight. Might be able to mount one in front of optic. Going to check w Outerimpact if they have a plate with a rear sight.

 

[Bench]

Today I found a mounting plate from Outerimpact that fits M&P for $49.oo. Mounts about a dozen different reflex sights. Local gunsmith said it looks like it will work but will likely eliminate the rear sight. Might be able to mount one in front of optic. Going to check w Outerimpact if they have a plate with a rear sight.

I"ve been looking into a similar setup and someone pointed me to Dueck Defense. They have a mount for a red dot that has co-witness sights on the mount...not cheap!!!

 

[Saudade]

Good find! But I don't see any for compacts, like the OP is asking about. Do you have a link to those? All I could find is 4.25" and 5" kits.

The OP's title says 5" Pro.

Here's the 5" in 9mm. Look at "Related products" for the 4.25" or .40 Cal.

M&P Ported Slide Kit 9mm 5 Black Smith and Wesson 11550

For others that may look at the kit, this one says "For M&P Pistols with Magazine Safety". Do NOT be alarmed. The ONLY difference is that this one does NOT have the warning on the slide about firing without a magazine. The ones listed for the M&Ps without the mag safety DO have the warning. That's it. Feel free to order whichever you please.

 

[jejb]

Today I found a mounting plate from Outerimpact that fits M&P for $49.oo. Mounts about a dozen different reflex sights.

That's the one I've been talking about in other threads here. Been working well on my 2.0 5". I'd have worries if it were a carry gun, but for a range gun, it works great.