The world of firearms is all about precision. Gravity, wind, bullet drop, firing angle—all of it has to be considered when firing a gun. Although iron sights are pretty reliable, sometimes it is very difficult for the shooter to nail the target as accurately as they would want. This is where a dovetail optic mount comes in and offers an innovation in designing the aiming process, making firing straight shots much more convenient.
Red Dot Revolution: The Rise of Dovetail Mounts
The popularity of red dot sights and reflex optics has skyrocketed in recent years. These optics project a red dot or reticle onto the lens, allowing for a faster and more intuitive aiming process compared to iron sights. Dovetail optic mounts act as the bridge between these optics and your firearm, providing a secure and stable platform for mounting the red dot sight.
Understanding Dovetail Optic Mounts
Dovetail optic mounts are parts that are usually made by aluminum or steel machining. They contain a wedge-shaped profile, which fits into a dovetail cut milled directly onto the firearm’s slide in the case of pistols, or to the rifle’s receiver in the case of rifles. This mount keeps the red dot sight from moving and presses them in place. As a result, there is no shift to keep the sight picture constant, and no point of aim shift for the zero holding. Glock slides are among the most adaptable platforms for dovetail mounts, offering compatibility for a wide range of red dot sights without the need for additional modifications.
Advantages of Dovetail Mounts:
- Simple Installation: Dovetail mounts are usually installed without any drilling or gun modifications.
- Low Profile: These mounts sit close to the bore axis, minimizing sight picture distortion and improving target acquisition speed.
- Lightweight: Made from aluminum, dovetail mounts can be attractive in terms of their size and add minimal weight to the firearm.
- Durability: Constructed from high-quality materials, these mounts withstand the rigors of shooting.
While dovetail mounts are most commonly found on handguns, they can also be adapted for rifles and shotguns, offering versatility across various firearms platforms.
Compatibility with Handguns
The good news for handgun enthusiasts is that dovetail optic mounts are compatible with many models. There are some of the popular handgun platforms comprising a dovetail cut:
- Glock—All except MOS models: Most Glocks are compatible with dovetail mounts. However, the manufacturer provides MOS models with pre-milled slides for the red dot sights.
- Springfield XD Series: Like the Glocks, most of the Springfield XD models provide the feature.
- Smith & Wesson: For the M&P and Shield model, there are quite a number which have the appropriate dovetail cuts.
Important Considerations:
- Not all models within a specific brand may have dovetail cuts. Always double-check your firearm’s specifications before purchasing a mount.
- Some manufacturers offer different sight dovetail dimensions. Ensure the chosen mount perfectly matches the existing dovetail cut on your handgun.
Compatibility with Rifles
As a rule, dovetail mounts are used primarily with handguns. However, such systems can also apply to rifles :
- Aftermarket Slides: plenty of aftermarket rifle slides are designed to be used with Glock sights. Most of them have cuts in dovetail to accommodate red dot sights that can be mounted with appropriate dovetail mounts.
- Rifle Platforms: The first example to mention is Ruger MK IV Series Rimfire Rifles. Red dot sights on some models of these rifles are factory-mounted on the dovetail cuts.
Compatibility with Shotguns
There are also shotguns that can benefit from the accuracy of red dot sights. They are less common, but some shotgun models, tactical shotguns, in particular, feature dovetail cuts where red dots can be mounted using compatible dovetail mounts.
Considerations for Shotguns:
- Red dot sights on shotguns are typically used in a slug application or for close-quarters combat only.
- Because shotguns have a shot pattern, a red dot features points and is impractical for use with a traditional birdshot load.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dovetail Optic Mount
Selecting the perfect dovetail optic mount requires careful consideration of several factors:
Shooting Style and Preferences:
First and foremost, you should identify your shooting style and preferences. For example, you’ll have to purchase a low-profile minimalist mount if you’re a competitive shooter using a red dot for rapid target acquisition. However, a tack-driving recreational shooter who is not in a hurry may require a more comfortable sight picture.
Intended Use:
You should think about your possible use of the firearm. For example, they should be durable and rugged if you want to buy a mount for a gun that will be used for self-defense. In its turn, a gun for competition shooting is likely to benefit more from a lightweight minimalist red dot optic mount.
Dimensions of Respective Dovetail Cut in Your Firearm:
You should also remember that it is paramount that both the width and the angle of a sight match those of the gun’s dovetail cut perfectly. If they do not, the attachment will be loose, and your gun’s notch and the raised trigger may not even coincide, resulting in miserable changes to the point of impact of your shots.
Material and Construction:
Dovetail optic mounts are usually made of aluminum or steel. The former is lighter than the latter, but the latter is stronger and more durable. You should choose between the materials based on your needs — range of use and weight.
Height Over Bore :
HOB refers to the distance between the center of the red dot sight’s lens and that of the bore axis of the firearm. This characteristic is important because low HOB results in more natural sight pictures, meaning that you do not have to raise your head or lower your cheek.
This is especially true for handguns and even more so if you want to use magnified optics. However, for rifles, low HOB creates problems with cheek weld, and the mount should be higher.
Price:
Dovetail optic mounts range in price depending on material, brand, and features. Set a realistic budget and prioritize quality over the cheapest option.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why dovetail optic mounts are widely appreciated among handgun enthusiasts, competition pistol shooters, self-defense trainees, and even hobbyists. These mounts provide a simple and extremely effective solution to mount red dot sights on numerous firearms. Moreover, the mounts are known for their ease of installation and crafting from lightweight rust-proof aluminum.
However, not all dovetail optic mounts are created equal, and shooters must be particularly cautious when selecting the unit for their needs. By following the above advice, shooters can optimize the functionality of their chosen dovetail optic mounts and enjoy the exquisite experience of shooting with their favorite weapons.