Introduction
With every passing year, more red dot sights are available on the market. There have never been as many optics manufacturers as there are now, which means that there have never been as many different optical devices as there are now.
Red dot sights have been steadily gaining in popularity – for this reason, they can be found in the offer of most manufacturers of optics around the world. Even companies such as Kahles and Leica, who haven’t manufactured red dot sights before, have recently launched their own versions.
Click here to see all footprints of red dot sights in our database
In this article, the most common footprints/mounting standards used on red dot sights are listed. Each standard is described and an image of it is added. At the end of each section, red dot sights that use the footprint discussed are listed.
Docter/Noblex standard
This is one of the most widely used footprints in the field of red dot sights. It has two holes for screws and four sockets in which the pins on the mount/adapter fit, one in each corner. There is a wide range of mounts for this footprint on the market, which is one of the main reasons why it is used by so many manufacturers. Docter/Noblex standard is simple and reliable.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
- Docter/Noblex Sight C
- Docter/Noblex sight 2+
- Docter/Noblex sight III
- Docter/Noblex QUICKsight 5.0 VR
- Noblex Sight G
- Vortex Viper
- Vortex Venom
- Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec
- Leica Tempus
- MAKdot 1×25
- Vomz Pilad 1×20
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-006B Huracan
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-009 Crusader
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-012 Delta
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-013 Bertrillium
- Burris Fastfire 2*
- Burris Fastfire 3*
- Delta Optical MiniDot*
- Delta Optical MiniDot II*
- Hawke Reflex 1×25*
- Vector Optics Frenzy 1x20x28*
- Sightmark Mini Shot Pro Spec*
- US Optics DRS 2.0*
- US Optics DRS 2.0 Enhanced*
* These red dot sights have a Docter/Noblex footprint, but the adapter supplied with them has wider threaded sockets than adapters suited for a Docter/Noblex footprint. Consequently, thicker screws are enclosed. You can mount these red dots on an adapter designed specifically for the Docter/Noblex footprint, but you will not be able to use the screws supplied with them – thinner screws are needed.
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Important notes
Meopta Meosight III, Delta Optical MiniDot HD 25, and Meprolight MicroRDS use a footprint that is very similar to the one used by Docter. The four sockets, one in each corner, are in the exact same places. The holes for the screws, however, are not. This is why Meopta Meosight III, Delta Optical MiniDot HD 25, and Meprolight MicroRDS cannot be mounted on every adapter designed for the Docter/Noblex footprint. Several adapters are designed so that both Docter/Noblex footprint sights and Meopta Meosight III/Delta Optical MiniDot HD 25/Meprolight MicroRDS can be mounted on them (see the images below).
Aimpoint Micro standard
Aimpoint is the first company to have used this standard on their Micro small tube sights. Today, other manufacturers of this type of sights use it as well. The surface of the footprint is slightly lifted in the middle – on each side of the lifted section, there are two holes for screws. The lifted section is cut in the middle – this is where the recoil stop fits.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
- Aimpoint Micro H-1
- Aimpoint Micro H-2
- Aimpoint Micro T-1
- Aimpoint Micro T-2
- Burris Fastfire RD
- Primary Arms Micro Dots
- MAKdot S 1×20
- Blaser RD 17
- Vortex Crossfire
- Vortex Sparc AR
- Vortex Sparc Solar
- Minox RV1
- Holosun Paralow 403 models (except the ‘A‘ model)
- Holosun Paralow 503 models
- Holosun Paralow 515 models
- Holosun Paralow 530 models
- Sig Sauer Romeo4
- Sig Sauer Romeo5
- DI Optical SP1
- Athlon Midas TSR2
- Actus Core-1 1×20
- Actus Core-2 1×20
- Sightmark Wolverine
- Swampfox Liberator 1×22
- Vector Optics Maverick 1×22
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Important notes
GPO Spectra uses a footprint that is identical to the one used by Aimpoint Micro. Even though it appears to be the same at first sight, there is a protruding part underneath the illumination knob. Because of it, the adapters designed for an Aimpoint Micro footprint do not fit into place at that side (check the picture below). GPO Spectra uses a unique adapter with narrow side sections.
Hawke Endurance 1×25 and 1×30 red dot sights also use a footprint slightly different from the Aimpoint Micro one. The lifted section in the middle is wider, thus adapters designed for a Docter/Noblex footprint do not fit in place.
C-more standard
This is a standard found on C-more’s popular red dot sights, RTS and STS. Some other manufacturers also use it because of its simplicity and reliability. The footprint has two holes for screws and two sockets in which the pins on the mount/adapter fit.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
- C-more STS
- C-more STS 2
- C-more RTS
- C-more RTS 2
- Delta Optical MiniDot HD 24
- Delta Optical MiniDot HD 26
- Delta Optical Stryker
- FTP Optics Alpha 3
- Kahles Helia RD
- Vortex Razor
- Sig Sauer Romeo3 1×25
- Sig Sauer Romeo3 Max 1×30
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Shield standard
Shield sights are incredibly compact, which is why Shield had to come up with a footprint of their own. It is designed similarly to the Noblex/Docter footprint (there are two holes for the screws and four sockets in which the notches on the mount/adapter fit, one in each corner). The sockets, however, are a little bit wider and closer one to another.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
- Shield RMS
- Shield RMSc
- Shield RMSw
- Shield SMS
- Sig Sauer Romeo Zero
- Leupold Delta Point Pro
- JP Enterprises JPoint
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-018 Spike
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-021 Nuwa
- Swampfox Sentinel 1×16
- Vector Optics Frenzy-S 1x17x24 MIC
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Important notes
Even though Shield RMS and RMSc differ in dimensions (the ‘c’ version is smaller), the distances between the holes are the same, which is why an adapter designed for Shield footprint fits on both.
- RMSc -(length x width x height) 40 x 23 x 22 mm
- RMS – (length x width x height) 42 x 25 x 23 mm
A modification of the Shield standard
Important Notes
Old versions Holosun 407K and Holosun 507K and new models Holosun 407K X2 and Holosun 507K X2 all feature a modification of the Shield footprint. The differences are:
- the two rear sockets are missing
- the sockets in the front are shallower
For this reason, some pistols that are optic ready for Shield footprint need to be modified for the 407 and 507K. Namely, the two rear indexing lugs on the pistol have to be removed and the two front indexing lugs shortened in height. Hellcat and Walther PPS are examples of such pistols (some pistols, such as Sig Sauer P365XL, do not have to be modified).
Trijicon RMR standard
This footprint has two holes for screws and two sockets in which the pins on the mount/adapter fit – these are in the front, in each corner. Even though the sockets are in the front only, the footprint is somewhat reminiscent of the Docter/Noblex one. Note, however, that the sockets in the corners are farther apart on the Trijicon footprint and bigger in diameter.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
- Trijicon RMR
- Trijicon SRO
- Holosun HS407C
- Holosun HS507C
- Holosun HS508T
- Riton X3 Tactix PRD
- NcStar VISM FlipDot Pro
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-019 Stingray
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-020 Raptor
- ADE Advanced Optics RD3-023 Valkyrie
- Swampox Kingslayer
- Swampfox Liberty RMR 1×22
- Swampfox Justice RMR 1×27
- Vector Optics Frenzy 1x22x26
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Trijicon MRO standard
There are four screw holes on the footprint, two in the front, two in the rear. The holes on the left are separated from the holes on the right with a lifted section in the middle.
Red dot sights that share this footprint:
Important notes
Burris RT-1X’s footprint is the same as the one on Trijicon MRO, but there is a difference in the supplied screws. RT-1X comes with screws that have bigger heads than the ones supplied with the MRO, which is why you cannot use them to fix an original Trijicon adapter on the Burris red dot. If you wish to mount an original Trijicon adapter on the Burris RT-1X, you have to use the screws supplied with the Trijicon adapter (see the picture below).
A modification of the ‘Trijicon MRO’ footprint
Vector Optics Centurion 1×30 features a modification of the ‘Trijicon MRO’ footprint. The distances between the screw holes are the same, and so is the thread. The difference is in the lifted section. On Centurion, the middle part of the lifted section is cut out to create space for a recoil stop. For this reason, a mount designed for the Trijicon MRO footprint fits on the Centurion, while a mount designed for the Vector Optics Centurion (with a recoil stop) does not fit on the MRO (the middle part of the lifted section is not cut out).
Vector Optics Centurion 1×30 Footprint
Aimpoint Acro standard
Aimpoint designed a new footprint for their Acro red dot sights. There are grooves on the side of it with a movable part used to fix the red dot sight in place. The movable part is connected to a recoil stopper. The system is similar (but not the same) as the one designed for a Picatinny rail.
This footprint is featured on:
Acro C-1
Acro P-1
Acro C-2
Acro P-2
Aimpoint ACRO footprint
From left to right – Holosun 509 T adapter, Aimpoint ACRO adapter, Aimpoint ACRO, Holosun 509T
Holosun 509T Adapter (left) and Aimpoint ACRO adapter (right)
Aimpoint Acro footprint
Note: distances between holes (sockets) are measured from and to the center of the hole (socket).
Important notes
Steiner MPS’s footprint is identical to the one on Aimpoint Acro. The grooves in which the adapter fit are not in the exact same place but the recoil notch is. This is why adapters designed for Aimpoint Acro’s footprint can be mounted on MPS as well.
Steiner MPS footprint
Red dot sights that have a unique footprint
Trijicon RMRcc has a footprint without recoil-stopping sockets. There are two holes for screws between the middle and rear section. The size of the footprint is similar to Shield RMS/SMS, Leupold Delta Point Pro, Holosun 407/507K, etc.
This red dot sight has a unique footprint that works similarly to a footprint designed for the Picatinny rail. The adapters suitable for it are slid into place and then fixed with the movable side section. A recoil stop helps keep the adapter in place.
The footprint of the Infinity models is flat, with three notches for recoil stoppers. The adapter is fixed in place with four screws.
Sig Sauer’s Romeo 1 has a footprint suitable for mounting on certain Sig Sauer pistols – you will need a special adapter if you wish to mount it elsewhere.
- Steiner MRS
- Steiner MRS Universal
All Steiner MRS red dot sights share the same footprint – there are only two narrow notches in the front, while the holes for the screws are located at the rear of the sight, on both sides, left and right.
The ‘Universal’ model, however, is supplied with an adapter which converts the footprint into the one designed for Docter/Noblex adapters.
Even though this footprint looks identical to the one on DI Optical RV2, there are minimal differences between the two. The lifted sections with screw holes are narrower on RV2. Because of some other minimal deviations, the supplied adapters are not interchangeable between these two sights.
This article is regularly updated with new information and user contributions. We aim to create a collection of useful data that will be of great help to users, potential buyers of red dot sights, and those who are looking for a specific mount/adapter for their red dot sight.
If you have a compact reflex or small tube sight that isn’t listed in this article, please be so kind as to send a picture of the sight and its footprint to andraz.gradisnik@optics-trade.com – help us expand our database. We greatly appreciate everyone’s help!
Here are listed all red dot sights we measured:Search:
| Red Dot Sight | Footprint standard | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner MPS | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Acro standard |
| Aimpoint ACRO C-1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Acro standard |
| Aimpoint ACRO C-2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Acro standard |
| Aimpoint ACRO P-1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Acro standard |
| Aimpoint ACRO P-2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Acro standard |
| Aimpoint Micro H-1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Aimpoint Micro H-2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Aimpoint Micro T-1 | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Aimpoint Micro T-2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Burris Fastfire RD | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Primary Arms Micro Dots | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| MAKdot S 1×20 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Blaser RD 17 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Vortex Crossfire | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Vortex Sparc AR | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Vortex Sparc Solar | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Minox RV1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Holosun Paralow 403 models (except the ‘A‘ model) | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Holosun Paralow 503 models | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Holosun Paralow 515 models | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Holosun Paralow 530 models | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Sig Sauer Romeo4 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Sig Sauer Romeo5 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| DI Optical SP1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Athlon Midas TSR2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Actus Core-1 1×20 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Actus Core-2 1×20 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Sightmark Wolverine | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Swampfox Liberator 1×22 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| Vector Optics Maverick 1×22 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Aimpoint Micro standard |
| C-more STS | READ MORE | Discontinued | C-more standard |
| C-more STS 2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| C-more RTS | READ MORE | Discontinued | C-more standard |
| C-more RTS 2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Delta Optical MiniDot HD 24 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Delta Optical MiniDot HD 26 | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | C-more standard |
| Delta Optical Stryker | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| FTP Optics Alpha 3 | READ MORE | C-more standard | |
| Kahles Helia RD | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Vortex Razor | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Sig Sauer Romeo3 1×25 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Sig Sauer Romeo3 Max 1×30 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | C-more standard |
| Docter/Noblex Sight C | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Docter/Noblex sight 2+ | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Docter/Noblex sight III | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Docter/Noblex QUICKsight 5.0 VR | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Noblex Sight G | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Vortex Viper | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Vortex Venom | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Leica Tempus | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| MAKdot 1×25 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard |
| Vomz Pilad 1×20 | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Docter/Noblex standard |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-006B Huracan | READ MORE | Docter/Noblex standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-009 Crusader | READ MORE | Docter/Noblex standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-012 Delta | READ MORE | Docter/Noblex standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-013 Bertrillium | READ MORE | Docter/Noblex standard | |
| Burris Fastfire 2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Burris Fastfire 3 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Delta Optical MiniDot | READ MORE | Discontinued | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Delta Optical MiniDot II | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Hawke Reflex 1×25 | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Vector Optics Frenzy 1x20x28 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Sightmark Mini Shot Pro Spec | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| US Optics DRS 2.0 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| US Optics DRS 2.0 Enhanced | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Docter/Noblex standard (enclosed adapter with wider threaded sockets) |
| Shield RMS | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Shield RMSc | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Shield RMSw | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Shield SMS | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Sig Sauer Romeo Zero | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Leupold Delta Point Pro | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| JP Enterprises JPoint | READ MORE | Shield standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-018 Spike | READ MORE | Shield standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-021 Nuwa | READ MORE | Shield standard | |
| Swampfox Sentinel 1×16 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Vector Optics Frenzy-S 1x17x24 MIC | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Shield standard |
| Trijicon MRO | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon MRO standard |
| Trijicon MRO Patrol | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon MRO standard |
| Burris RT-1X | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon MRO standard |
| Trijicon RMR | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Trijicon SRO | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Holosun HS407C | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Holosun HS507C | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Holosun HS508T | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Riton X3 Tactix PRD | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| NcStar VISM FlipDot Pro | READ MORE | Trijicon RMR standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-019 Stingray | READ MORE | Trijicon RMR standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-020 Raptor | READ MORE | Trijicon RMR standard | |
| ADE Advanced Optics RD3-023 Valkyrie | READ MORE | Trijicon RMR standard | |
| Swampox Kingslayer | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Swampfox Liberty RMR 1×22 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Swampfox Justice RMR 1×27 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| Vector Optics Frenzy 1x22x26 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Trijicon RMR standard |
| GPO Spectra | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| DI Optical RV2 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Hawke Endurance 1×25 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Hawke Endurance 1×30 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Holosun 509T | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Holosun Infinity models | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Holosun Paralow 403A | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Unique |
| Sig Sauer Romeo 1 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Steiner MRS | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Steiner MRS Universal | READ MORE | Discontinued | Unique |
| Trijicon RMRcc | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Vector Optics Nautilus 1×30 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique |
| Holosun 407K | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique (modification of the Shield standard) |
| Holosun 507K | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique (modification of the Shield standard) |
| Vector Optics Centurion 1×30 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique (modification of the Trijicon MRO standard) |
| Meopta Meosight III | READ MORE | DISCONTINUED | Unique (similar to Docter/Noblex standard) |
| Delta Optical MiniDot HD 25 | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique (similar to Docter/Noblex standard) |
| Meprolight MicroRDS | READ MORE | BUY NOW | Unique (similar to Docter/Noblex standard) |
Showing 1 to 112 of 112 entries
Adapter plates
An adapter plate is needed if you wish to mount a red dot sight on your handgun. As there are red dot sights with different footprints on the market, it is important to pick the suitable one. Some handguns are optic-ready and come with a footprint-specific plate. In the following link, you will find a vast selection of red dot sight plates that either fit directly on a specific handgun or convert the existing footprint-specific surface to make it compatible with another footprint:
Picture gallery
Source and author: Andraž Gradišnik, www.optics-trade.eu
