opinions on optic ready vs milled slide…..

[rocket7191]

My eyesight isn’t working anymore for iron sights…. I just ordered a Beretta APX 1 with a ff3 (cheap ! ) to try out. If it works ok for me, I’ll need to decide between buying something optic ready ( lots of options for using different dots ) or having a slide milled. Other than the sight being a little higher attached to a plate, any other problems ? I’ve heard stories “ on line” of red dots flying off slides because of not enough thread engagement in those thin adapter plates….. nonsense or possible ? I have a cpl of those plates I bought when the OR Shadow came out and never bought the gun. Not many threads in them ….i also realize if Iget a slide milled I’m pretty much stuck with that foot print…… thinking mainly of a Shadow 2 or finally getting the S2 optic ready.

[ams]

The nice part is there are some shared footprints so you aren't stuck with that optic. I had CGW mill a second slide for my S2 for a DPP and stuck a Sig Romeo 1 on it. Shoots well for me

[M1A4ME]

If you can find the model/caliber you want in an optics ready version it beats the having it milled option.

Optics ready means (usually) that you can buy a pistol that you can try multiple optics on - if you can get the various adaptor plates for them.  Some OR guns come with the plates (and even additional screws to compensate for the varying thicknesses of the bases on the optics.)  Some need the plates but you have to locate/buy them on your own.

The aftermarket milled slides don't need the plates but then you're limited on what optics you can fit on the slide based on what you had it milled for.

I have both.   

These days the OR pistols cost about the same as those not OR.  So you buy a non OR pistol and then have to pay to have the slide shipped off, milled and refinished to mount that optic.

I'm a cheap guy so I'd rather by OR pistols.  But sometimes you can't get the pistol you want with the OR option.  Ends up costing about as much to get the slide ready for the optic as it does to buy the optic.

My P07 and P09 were worth the extra cost.

[rocket7191]

I just took the plunge and ordered a Shadow 2 OR tonight. thanks for the replies.

[Chevron Guy]

Just picked up my S2 OR and it shoots so fine that I'm questioning if I want to get a RDS. But since I got it for that purpose ( already have a S2 Orange) I'm looking at putting a Holosun 507C on it. The pain is having to order a plate from CZ Parts in the Czech Republic...

[Lock-n-load]

Let us know how you like it when you get a optic mounted. 🧐

[Claymore504]

Great question. I think for hard use, I hear less issues with milled slides. I have been running a P09 with a milled slide and SwampFox optic for a couple years now with zero issues. Also, my P365XL has a Holosun direct mounted and no issues. My only other optic pistol is a Beretta Elite LTT with Holosun and so far no issues. Like someone else said, there are so many optics ready models these days. I think the plus with optics ready is if you have any warranty issues, you should be able to send it back for repair with no problems. Once you have milled the slide, I think most companies will not help you out.