Red Dot Sight

[Green Frog]

I’ve been sitting around today thinking... a dangerous proposition, I know. My latest flight of fancy involves a reflex type red dot on a second or third generation slide. I’m thinking that I’ll be using an incoming Model 915 slide to build an iron sight version, but then I’ll still have my leftover 439 slide assembly, so I’m thinking it would be interesting to equip it with a reflex red dot sight and be able to switch back and forth by simply field stripping and swapping slides. The only question at this point is whether anyone can tell me they’ve so equipped a semi auto of this vintage and was it successful?

TIA ~ Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

I only got one response to this so far, then it dawned on me that maybe I left the impression with the title that I was asking a reloading question about powder rather than a sights question about using red dot sights, so I went back and changed the title. The question is meant to start a discussion about reflex type red dot sights so I can plan on putting one one my Franken-Smith.

Froggie

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I use them on modern sporting firearms, namely AR/M4 type carbines or the new pistol version of same, and I like them. But I don't like them on regular handguns.

 

[vista461]

I’ve been sitting around today thinking... a dangerous proposition, I know. My latest flight of fancy involves a reflex type red dot on a second or third generation slide. I’m thinking that I’ll be using an incoming Model 915 slide to build an iron sight version, but then I’ll still have my leftover 439 slide assembly, so I’m thinking it would be interesting to equip it with a reflex red dot sight and be able to switch back and forth by simply field stripping and swapping slides. The only question at this point is whether anyone can tell me they’ve so equipped a semi auto of this vintage and was it successful?

TIA ~ Froggie

I remember hearing Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts saying on a podcast that back in the day he had a red dot on a 3rd Gen. Maybe contact him to see if he had it milled or if it was some kind of dovetail mount.

 

[nocents]

For me a red dot on a plinking pistol is a ton o fun.....I think short of performing some machine work on a 3rd. Gen. mounting one would be a hot mess at best...If I ever find myself with a Frankensmith project I will have the slide milled .....I recently put a Vortex Venom on a Mark IV using a Burris dovetail mount....like I said a ton o fun

 

[Green Frog]

Well, as my Franken-Smith project continues to morph, it appears to be a good thing that I will have an orphan slide to experiment on, while keeping a “normal” slide with iron sights as an option. With the tolerance of the “big gorilla” and his administrative minions, I’d like to keep this thread going just a bit longer to hear from shooters who actually have installed these reflex-type sights on reciprocating slides with success (or otherwise) and please don’t be afraid to name names... what brands are you using?

BTW, does anyone have a good source for a replacement Gen 3 barrel for a full length slide they might suggest? Other than the reflex sight on one of the slides, that’s about the last big thing “Frank” needs.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[H Richard]

I have used red dot sights on my .22 bullseye guns for a long time. Originally the tube type, and most recently (last 3 years) a Burris FastFire 3.




The Burris, very close to the Vortes/Leupold etc style is much lighter and easier to use.

Either one gives you a great sight picture without worrying about the front post within the rear sight notch and the amount of light on either side, etc. The fact you won't see any open class handgun shooters using anything but a red dot should tell you how accurate they are. What kind of shooting you are going to do will help dictate the size of the dot. Bullseye/ precision type shooting lets you go with a smaller (3 MOA) dot. Faster action benefits from a larger (6MOA-8MOA) dot in order to "find it" quickly when drawing from a holster.

 

[Green Frog]

HRichard, that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for, but both of yours have the sight mounted on a non-reciprocating part of the gun, rather than slamming back and forth with the slide, which will happen on my 639 hybrid. In answer to your question, I'm planning on using it casually for action style shooting when it has the reflex red dot on it. Thanks for your input.

Froggie

 

[CH4]

I just put this red dot on one of my 629-4s. Works great but not sure how long it will stay there. Although it sits a little high I still prefer the tube over the reflex type. For me it’s easier to find the dot.

 

[Doug44]

I have used a Vortex Venom on 9mm slide without any problem. I mounted it using a dovetail mount. Don’t worry they can withstand the recoil. By the way that have an excellent warranty. I like the 6 moa. A friend of mine shoots one on a 40 again no problem.

 

[WTN1271]

Dont know if this would work but these folks look like they might be able to help.

JP Rifles


They list several mounts for red dot sights, maybe something could be modified easily.
Good luck with the project.

 

[H Richard]

Froggie, I can relate that the FastFire3 is guaranteed to withstand constant use on a 44 Mag. I have not done this, just relating the Warrantee.