Do you need a Red Dot Mount?
The rise of mini red dots on pistol platforms has transformed the shooting experience in recent years, offering increased accuracy and faster target acquisition. However, mounting a red dot often requires milling the slide, which can be expensive, permanent, and may affect the resale value of your firearm, or worse, ruin your slide completely! This is where the OuterImpact Red Dot Mount (MRA for Modular Red Dot Adapter) comes into play. If you are looking at getting a red dot on your pistol and the slide is NOT cut for optics, this is the easiest way to get started.
This blog may earn a small commission from purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. These affiliate links help support the blog’s upkeep and allow us to continue creating valuable content for our readers. Thank you for your support!
The OuterImpact Red Dot MRA
Enter the OuterImpact Modular Red Dot Mount/Adapter (MRA), an innovative and budget-friendly solution that bridges the gap between practicality and performance. This product allows pistol owners to upgrade their shooting setup without permanently altering their firearm. In this review, we’ll explore why the MRA is a game-changer by evaluating its performance on a CZ P-09 over the past year. OuterImpact manufactures these mounts in the USA and backs them with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Read the Blog post by OuterImpact that highlights this review!
What is the OuterImpact Modular Red Dot Adapter?
The OuterImpact MRA is a precision-engineered adapter designed specifically for the your pistol make and model. They have over 50 different makes that are compatible with a wide range of models for those brands. There is a good chance that your pistol has a plate available for it. In addition to having multiple plate options the adapter allows for the mounting of a variety of red dot sights. The plate we bought for the CZ-P09 for example is compatible with 31 different models of red dot sights. We opted to try out the Holosun HS407A3 X2, which wasn’t on the list of compatible red dots, but has the same footprint as the other holosuns on the list.
How does it work?
How does the mounting plate mount to the slide of the pistol? This mounting plate works by taking the place of the rear sight. It requires that you remove the rear sight by carefully pushing it out of the dovetail (typically only one direction as it is tapered). Look up the instructions for your firearm before doing so and ruining the sight or slide. We used a small polymer punch and a very light dead blow mallet and with the pistol mounted safely in a non marring vice we tapped it out.
Once the rear sight is removed there is a dovetail piece that you will push into the slot in your slide. There are multiple screw holes in that piece, two are for screwing into that dovetail section that will push against the slide and hold it firmly in place. The other two are for screwing the plate onto the dovetail. See links below for the actual install instructions, use the appropriate torque values and blue thread locker as instructed. (Allow appropriate cure time for the thread locker before mounting red dot or firing it)
With the mounting plate installed you are now ready to mount your red dot. The instructions for this vary, and the hardware included with the mounting plate will be dependent on your red dot. Outer Impact will send you all the screws and pins needed for any compatible red dot. Ensure you use the right ones and make sure you put the holding pins in as well. Follow the same recommendations from the vendor on installing as far as torque values and thread locker recommendations.
Key Benefits of the OuterImpact MRA
1. Non-Permanent Solution
Installing the adapter requires no drilling, cutting, or irreversible modifications to your pistol. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to experiment with red dot optics without compromising the gun’s original condition. If you ever decide to revert to iron sights or sell your pistol, the MRA leaves your gun untouched and in its factory state.
2. Cost-Effective Alternative to Milling
Custom milling a slide to accommodate a red dot sight can be expensive to some, often running anywhere from $100 to $250 depending on the gun and who does it. The OuterImpact MRA starts at $59 and goes up to about $80 at the time of this writing. This cost efficiency is particularly appealing for budget-conscious shooters who want to enhance their setup without overspending. There is always a chance a gun smith will ruin your slide during the milling process. There are plenty of horror stories online about “gun smiths” bubba’ing up a slide. Here’s a recent tragedy.
3. Red dot Compatibility
The modular design of the OuterImpact MRA supports a wide range of red dot sights, including popular brands like Trijicon, Leupold, Holosun, Vortex, and more. This versatility allows users to experiment with different optics to find the perfect fit for their shooting needs. Whether you’re a fan of micro red dots or prefer larger windowed sights, the MRA can accommodate those preferences. Not every slide milling job allows for such flexibility.
4. Easy Installation
Installing the MRA is a straightforward process that requires minimal tools and time. OuterImpact provides clear instructions, ensuring that even first-time users can confidently mount their red dot sight. The biggest barrier to install would be not having a torque driver that does inch lbs. These can be purchased for $30 on the low end. They are useful for various firearm-related upgrades and repairs and worth the investment. The installation time for this was under an hour with the proper tools and preparation. Nothing about it was frustrating or difficult, it really was straight forward.
5. Excellent Craftsmanship
OuterImpact has gone to great lengths to ensure the MRA meets high standards of fit and finish. The adapter is made from precision-machined 7075 aircraft aluminum that can withstand the rigors of regular use. Its design ensures a low-profile fit that doesn’t compromise the pistol’s balance or handling. When we first purchased the mount there was concern that having the dot slightly elevated from where it would be if the slide was milled was going to be a negative. However it’s not even something we notice anymore.
Overall Experience
The mount has been installed on the CZ-P09 for over a year. It has experienced approximately 1K rounds during that time. It has held a consistent zero the whole time. The screws have not backed out after initial torque and thread locker. If you are uncertain about adding red dots to your pistol, try the MRA Plate. It is a great option if you are not ready to mill the slide. It is also useful if you don’t want to modify the slide.
