Mounting Red Dots Reliably With No Optics Cut

Published on September 28, 2025
Duration: 8:51

This guide details how to install a red dot sight on firearms lacking an optics cut, specifically using the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit. It emphasizes removing the rear sight, installing the Dove plate with Loctite, and then mounting the optic. The method allows for a co-witness rear sight and is presented as a cost-effective and reversible alternative to milling a slide.

Quick Summary

Mount red dot sights on handguns without an optics cut using the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit. This reversible modification replaces the rear sight dovetail with a plate for the optic, preserving your slide and allowing for co-witness sights.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Favorite Glock 27 Gen 3
  2. 00:40The Problem: No Optics Cut
  3. 01:04Introducing the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit
  4. 01:32Tools Needed: Sight Pusher and Punch Kit
  5. 03:26Example: XDS in .40 S&W Installation
  6. 03:50Installation Process: Plate and Loctite
  7. 04:34Optic Offset and Co-Witness
  8. 05:06Front Sight Options: Tritium vs. Fiber Optic
  9. 05:20Easy Removal of the Kit
  10. 05:45Reliability Testing: Does it Hold Zero?
  11. 06:21Optic Height and Carryability
  12. 06:51Holster Compatibility: Blacksmith Tactical
  13. 07:46Concealment and Functionality Check
  14. 08:37Conclusion: Mounting Optics Without Cuts

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I mount a red dot sight on a handgun that doesn't have an optics cut?

You can use a mounting solution like the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit. This kit replaces your rear sight dovetail with a plate that accepts a red dot optic, allowing you to add an optic without permanently modifying your slide.

What tools are necessary to install a red dot sight using the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit?

You'll need a sight pusher tool to remove the rear sight, a punch set and hammer to install the Dove mounting plate, and potentially a specialized tool for the front sight. Loctite is also recommended for securing the plate.

Does mounting an optic with the Dove kit affect the firearm's reliability or zero?

The video demonstrates that the Dove mounting kit, when properly installed with Loctite, maintains zero even under heavy recoil from calibers like .40 S&W. It's a tested and reliable method for adding optics.

Is the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit a permanent modification to my firearm?

No, the Dove Mounting Solutions Kit is a reversible modification. You can easily remove the mounting plate and optic, returning your firearm to its original configuration without any permanent changes to the slide.

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