The first time I bought a red dot for my handgun, it took me well over a month to install it because I didn’t pay attention to the footprint — the mounting system used. I had to order a compatible mounting plate for that specific handgun before I could mount my new red dot.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were one universal mounting system for all handgun optics? It would be, but unfortunately, there isn’t. In fact, SHOT Show 2025 introduced even more new mounting systems, adding to the complexity.
Walking the floors at SHOT Show or hitting up some booths at range day, it wasn’t hard to find interesting mounting systems. Some had been released before the show, while others made their debut at SHOT.
Here are three systems that stood out the most.
Sig Sauers Sig-Loc mounting system
The Sig Loc system is nothing new as it was released in early 2023 with the ROMEO-M17 red dot. After seeing this bottom mount system, I was curious to see if Sig would continue this line or if it would be a one-hit wonder.
It appears Sig will continue to use this system as they released the ROMEO X compact red dot just before the end of the year. The ROMEO X is basically a compact version of the M17 dot site and fits on their line of P365 pistols.
Sig had multiple handguns that use their Sig-Loc system on display at SHOT Show 2025. This mounting system allows the optic to set directly on the slide (no mounting plate required) and screws on from the bottom side of the slide instead of the top.
Sig claims the five mounting points of this Sig-Loc system create the strongest mounting system in the industry. The only concern I would have with this system is a screw coming loose at some point. While Loctite should keep the screws secure, I’ve seen stranger things happen. I’ve had a few optics screws come loose on me over the years even though Loctite was added.
I have never heard of this being an issue yet so it’s probably just me being nitpicky. It is an interesting concept and idea though.
A-Cut Combo from Glock & Aimpiont
Glock has the MOS system for their handguns and Aimpoint has the ACRO mounting system, until now that is. In a strange turn of events, Glock teamed up with Aimpoint to offer an exclusive package.
What they are calling the Glock and Aimpoint Combo, which uses the “A-Cut system,” the Aimpoint optic mounts to the Glock handgun with a new proprietary system that doesn’t use a mounting plate. Like with Sig’s Sig-Loc system, the optic sits lower on the handgun because there is no plate between the slide and the optic.
What I do wonder about is the need for a new mounting system. If they were going to team up, why not make an Aimpoint optic that mounts directly to an MOS cut or a Glock that uses the ACRO footprint?
Regardless of my thoughts, this is a new system that Glock is offering only as a pre-installed package (at least for now). It looks like the front of the Aimpoint pushes underneath a small lip on the slide of the Glock and is secured by a back plate/rear site with two screws.
I’m not against a new mounting system, and maybe this one will replace their current systems. But for right now, if you buy this package deal, you will not be able to mount any other optic to it. I’m sure someone will come out with an adaptor plate soon, but only time will tell.
Direct Strike Magnetic Mount from HEDS
This is probably the most interesting optics mounting system I’ve seen in a while. HEDS is offering a mounting plate with the footprint of your choice that attaches to the gun via a magnet. Yes, a magnet.
When I first saw this at SHOT 2025 range day, I dismissed it instantly. There is no way a magnet is going to hold on an optics plate right? But it didn’t take long for that curiosity to get the better of me and found myself walking up to their booth.
What they have created is an optics plate that has a cut-out for the rear sight and small lips on the edges that fit over a specific size of handgun slide. Between the rear sight and the strong magnet, it appears to be plenty strong.
When shooting a handgun, I was able to rack the slide by pushing on the optic, which surprised me even further. I fired several magazines from a handgun with this optics system on it and it didn’t budge.
This would be extremely handy for those of us who have non-MOS Glock pistols or other handguns without optics plates. Back in the day, having your handgun milled for an optic was the cool thing to do. Now it’s just too expensive compared to buying one ready for an optic.
Because the magnetic plates are made for a specific width of handgun, they often work on multiple models. For example, an optics plate for the Glock 19 will also work on the Glock 17, 45, 49, and more.
Multiple footprints are available depending on which handgun model you select the plate for. Now you can use an optic on your older models and easily switch the optic from one gun to another.
Are there too many options?
Most of the time, I say there can never be too many options. Even for optics mounting systems, I’m not sure there are too many, but I can also see the convenience of a standardized system. As an example, just about everything on modern rifles is M-Loc or Picatinny rails.
A standard system for mounting a handgun red dot may be something we never see. And the number of mounting systems looks as if it will continue to grow. But that’s how we get great products right? It’s from companies like these continuing to work on more advanced ways to produce a great product.
Check back soon as we plan to get some hands-on reviews of these new systems. For more information on standard mounting footprints check out our article, Mounting Standards: A Guide to Red Dot Footprints
