How to mount your Osight--by our fan Tim Boening

1.Osight Mounting

Your Osight optic utilizes the industry-standard mounting footprint (seen in the picture below) which is the most common footprint on the market today.  

Remember to always treat a firearm as if it was loaded. Make sure the firearm is cleared and keep all ammunition away from your workspace. I also recommend that the slide be removed for safety and to make it easier to work with.

2.Assessing Your Firearm’s Mounting Options

It is essential to evaluate the mounting options for your firearm. There are three primary ways to mount a red dot sight on a firearm:

Cut Slide

This is usually noted by your firearm manufacturer as an “Optic Ready” firearm.

If you do not have a firearm that comes with a slide cut you can buy an aftermarket cut slide or have a gunsmith mill your existing slide to your desired specifications.

Rear Slide Mount

If your firearm lacks a cut slide or you wish to retain your rear iron sight, using a rear sight mount may suit you. This technique uses the rear sight dovetail as a point of attachment for a mounting plate.

Substituting your rear sight with a mounting plate lets you securely fasten the red dot sight. Nonetheless, remember that this approach implies that you won’t be able to utilize your rear iron sight unless you use mounting plates with integrated backup sights.

Accessory Rail Mount

One way to mount a red dot sight on your firearm is by using an accessory rail mount.

This involves attaching the sight to the rail on your firearm, which provides stability and eliminates the need for a separate mounting plate.

3.Mounting your Osight Using a Mounting Plate

This section will discuss the steps involved in mounting a red dot sight using a mounting plate. This technique applies to both the cut slide and rear sight mount methods.

Step 1: Choosing a Compatible Mounting Plate

Selecting a mounting plate that matches your slide cut or rear sight dovetail is crucial. This is essential for a reliable and sturdy connection of the red dot sight. 

If your mounting plate requires additional screws to attach the mounting plate to the slide continue to follow the instructions.

If your mounting plate just rests between your slide and your Osight without the need to screw down the adapter plate you may continue to step 3.

If you’re utilizing a factory red-dot-ready firearm, you may have to remove the pre-installed “blank” plate before putting in the mounting plate. 

Step 2: Applying Thread Sealant

To ensure a secure installation, applying a small amount of Blue Loctite or a similar thread sealant like Vibra-Tite VC-3 onto your mounting screws is recommended before proceeding. This will prevent them from becoming loose over time due to recoil and vibrations.

Step 3: Attaching the Mounting Plate

To install the mounting plate on your firearm:

Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and attach it to the designated holes on the slide.

Ensure the plate aligns perfectly with the slide cut or rear sight dovetail.