Optic Ready

The term optic-ready usually refers to handguns that have been manufactured with the capability to accept an optic such as like a red dot reflex sight. This usually means that the handgun slide has been machined with a rectangular notch and mounting-hole patterns to accept certain optics, which is covered by a removable sight plate.  Most pistols are not optic-ready, but as pistol red dots become increasingly popular, more manufacturers are building optic-ready models or aftermarket slides with so-called “optic cuts.” Not all optic cuts are the same. There are several popular “footprints” for optics. The optic must be matched to the footprint for proper installation.