4 Mounting Options For Pistol Red Dots

Posted by Monstrum on Aug 19th 2026

From Cheapest to Most Expensive

So you want to get started with a pistol red dot? The first step is determining how you will mount the red dot to your pistol. There are four common ways to attach a pistol red dot to your gun.

1. Using a dovetail adapter plate.
Cost ~$20

A dovetail adapter plate typically installs in the dovetail slot at the rear of your slide, in place of your rear sight. This is the least expensive and least intrusive way of installing a pistol red dot, requiring no permanent modification to your gun. Check to make sure you are buying the proper plate for your pistol model and the footprint of your red dot. Perfect way to try out a pistol red dot without investing a ton of money. Monstrum offers a variety of dovetail adapter plates for under $20.

2. Having your slide milled for a pistol red dot.

Cost $100+

Take your pistol to a gunsmith and have them mill a slot for your preferred red dot. Price will vary depending on gunsmith but may cost $100 plus.

3. Replace your slide with an optics ready slide that is pre-cut for a pistol red dot.

Cost $200+

Lots of optics ready slide options are available directly from your gun manufacturer or from third party vendors. Replacing a slide is fairly straightforward and can be done in minutes. Optics ready slides start at around $200 and go up from there.

4. Buy an optics ready pistol. Cost $500+

The most straightforward way to equip a red dot to your pistol is to buy an optics ready pistol from the start. It also may be the most expensive as it requires the purchase of a pistol. Optics ready pistols can be used with or without an optics and typically do not cost much more that non-optics ready pistols (if at all). Optics ready pistols start at $500 and go up from there.

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