Best Glock Dovetail Red Dot Mount Guide (2026)
Best Glock Dovetail Red Dot Mount: The Ultimate Guide for Competition Shooters
If you're hunting for the best Glock dovetail red dot mount, you've hit a critical junction. Most Glocks don't ship MOS-ready. Your rear sight dovetail is the universal mounting interface—and it's your gateway to optics without permanent modifications or expensive gunsmithing.
This guide walks you through dovetail mounting for Glock, explains why universal dovetail mounts outrank platform-specific solutions, and shows you how to select the right optic and mount for IPSC/USPSA competition or practical carry.
Why Glock Owners Choose Dovetail Red Dot Mounts
Glock's MOS (Modular Optics System) is slick—but it's not universal across the Glock lineup. Gen 5 models like the G45 and G19X ship MOS-ready. Older generations? You're working with the rear sight dovetail.
Dovetail mounting is the solution that works across generations and platforms. Here's why competition shooters prefer it:
- Universal fit. Glock, CZ Shadow 2, 1911, 2011, Tanfoglio—any modern competition pistol with a standard rear sight dovetail accepts the same mount. One mount, multiple platforms.
- No permanent modification. You're replacing the rear sight, not machining the slide. Remove the sight, slide the mount on, lock it down. Reversible in under five minutes.
- Non-MOS Glocks get optics. If your Glock isn't MOS-ready, dovetail mounting is the fastest path to a red dot without a slide trip to a gunsmith.
- Cost-effective. Dovetail mounts run $80–120. MOS plates cost $150+, and you still need a gunsmith if your Glock isn't already cut.
- Iron sight co-witness. With the right optic height, your iron sights stay below the glass. Dovetail mounts position the red dot perfectly for this.
For cross-platform shooters who own Glock, CZ, and 1911 platforms (common in IPSC Open division), dovetail mounts are the practical standard. One optic, one mount, three guns.
How Dovetail Red Dot Mounts Work on Glock
Understanding the mechanical foundation is worth ten product reviews.
Glock Dovetail Standard: Glock uses a 6mm × 9mm dovetail slot on the rear sight. This is the same dimension used on CZ pistols, 1911s, and most competition platforms. It's not a Glock invention—it's the industry standard dovetail slot that's been around for decades.
A dovetail red dot mount is a precision-machined bracket that fits into that slot. The mount slides forward onto the dovetail like a rail on a gun safe, then you tighten a hex screw from underneath. Tension is distributed across the dovetail surface. No wobble, no movement. The engineering is boring because it works.
Installation Process (Simplified):
- Remove your Glock's rear sight. Press out the sight pin from the slide (or push from underneath, depending on the generation). Takes 60 seconds.
- Slide the dovetail red dot mount onto the dovetail slot. It should sit flush against the rear of the slide.
- Tighten the hex screw underneath (usually M3 or M4) until snug. Don't overtighten—you're creating contact pressure, not crushing the dovetail.
- Mount your red dot optic to the top of the bracket (RMR footprint, Picatinny rail, or direct mount, depending on the bracket design).
- Zero your optic at 25 yards. Done.
No gunsmithing required. No permanent alterations. If you need to swap to a different optic or remove the mount entirely, you're back to your original configuration in under five minutes.
Best Dovetail Red Dot Mounts for Glock
Not all dovetail mounts are equal. Quality matters: precision fit, material, and optic compatibility.
What Makes a Dovetail Mount Worth Your Money:
- Precision aluminium or steel construction. Cheaper mounts use pot-metal or low-grade steel. They shift zero under recoil. Spend the money once.
- Correct optic footprint. RMR (most common), DeltaPoint Pro, Athlon Midas, Trijicon RMRcc. Confirm before you buy.
- Correct height. Optic should sit high enough to co-witness your iron sights (rear sight below the glass). Too low: your rear sight blocks your view. Too high: awkward cheekweld.
- Cross-platform compatibility statement. The mount should work on Glock, CZ, 1911, 2011—not just Glock. That's how you know it's engineered to the standard.
Boss Components Dovetail Red Dot Mount: The Dovetail Red Dot Mount ($99.99) is machined from 6061-T6 aluminium, designed in Adelaide, and engineered for universal dovetail fit. RMR footprint. Co-witness height. It's not Glock-exclusive marketing—it works on Glock, CZ Shadow 2, 1911, 2011, and other dovetail-slotted platforms. This is the mount for shooters who own multiple platforms and want a single solution.
If you're building a complete red dot setup, the Optic-Ready Red Dot Mount ($89.99) and Red Dot Optic-Ready Mount Bundle ($179.99, was $225.92) provide dovetail security with additional optics compatibility.
Comparison: Dovetail vs. MOS vs. Plate Mounts
| Mount Type | Cost | Installation | Reversible | Cross-Platform | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dovetail | $80–120 | 5 min (no gunsmith) | Yes | Yes | Competition, cross-platform shooters, non-MOS Glocks |
| MOS Plate | $150+ | 10 min (MOS-ready Glock) | Yes | No (Glock-only) | Gen 5 Glocks with MOS |
| Slide Modification | $300–500 | Gunsmith job | No | Optic-specific | Precision carry guns (one platform, permanent) |
Dovetail is the Goldilocks solution: cost-effective, reversible, and universally compatible.
Choosing the Right Red Dot Optic for Your Glock Dovetail Mount
The mount is half the equation. The optic is the other half.
RMR Footprint (Most Common): The Trijicon RMR set the standard for miniature red dot optics. It's a 1.93" × 1.37" rectangular footprint with specific screw hole spacing. Almost every dovetail mount supports RMR footprint. Alternatives: Holosun HS407K (footprint-compatible), Leupold Deltapoint Pro (different footprint—confirm mount compatibility).
Optic Selection for Competition:
- Trijicon RMR. Mil-spec, proven under thousands of rounds in major competitions. $500+. If your dovetail mount says "RMR-compatible," this is the gold standard.
- Holosun HS407K. RMR footprint, solar panel + battery, wider field of view. $300–400. Growing choice for IPSC shooters.
- Athlon Midas. Budget-friendly, Japanese optics, reliable. $200–300. Works on open dovetail mounts (not all are compatible—check specs).
- Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. Different footprint—confirm your dovetail mount supports it before ordering.
Co-Witness Consideration: Install your dovetail mount and measure the optic height above your slide. Your original Glock rear sight should sit just below the glass. This is co-witness—your iron sights remain your backup aiming reference if the optic fails. With proper dovetail mount height, co-witness is automatic.
Glock in Competition: Dovetail Red Dot Mounting in IPSC and USPSA
Dovetail-mounted red dots on Glock are legal and competitive in most divisions.
IPSC Open Division: Red dots are standard. Dovetail mounts are common. Glock isn't the dominant platform here (CZ, 2011 pistols are), but a properly mounted red dot Glock is fully compliant.
IPSC Standard Division: Red dots are permitted. Dovetail-mounted optics on Glock are fully legal and competitive in Standard. This is the natural home for a Glock with a dovetail red dot mount.
USPSA Carry Optics: Red dots are the whole point of this division. Glock is the dominant platform. A dovetail-mounted red dot Glock is fully competitive here. Note: base USPSA Production still prohibits optics—Carry Optics is the division you want.
USPSA Open Division: Red dots mandatory. Glock is less common (2011 dominates), but dovetail mounting is perfectly legal.
Important: Division rules change. Verify with your local match director or the official ruleset before competition.
Cross-Platform Advantage: Glock, CZ, and 1911 Shooters
If you own multiple platforms, dovetail mounts unlock a powerful advantage: optic portability.
Imagine you shoot IPSC Open. You own a Glock 19 for practice, a CZ Shadow 2 for matches, and a 2011 as backup. All three have standard dovetail rear sight slots. A single dovetail red dot mount works on all three guns. One optic (RMR, HS407K), one mount, three platforms.
You zero the optic on your primary gun, then swap it to your backup platform minutes before match day. Same zero, same optic. No re-zeroing. This is how multi-platform shooters optimise for major competitions.
Glock owners who step into the competition space often own a CZ Shadow 2 within a year. If you're already thinking about cross-platform shooting, a universal dovetail mount is the smart first investment.
Complete Your Glock Red Dot Setup
A dovetail mount and optic are the foundation. Here's what else matters:
Rail accessories (if your mount has Picatinny rail space): laser modules, light, level. Dovetail mounts are compact, so rail space is limited—but backup iron sights are often unnecessary with a quality optic.
Optic protection: Lens caps, solar shields if you choose a battery-powered optic. Holosun HS407K includes a solar panel—one less battery to track in the field.
Mount maintenance: Aluminium dovetail mounts can pick up light oxide. Inspect the dovetail slot every 500 rounds. A clean cloth and light gun oil is all you need. Steel mounts are lower-maintenance.
Ready-made bundles: If you're building from zero, the Dovetail Red Dot Bundle ($187.99, was $235.92) pairs mount + complementary accessories for a complete platform.
For shooters building a full Glock competition setup with grips, magazine accessories, and trigger upgrades, the Pro Kit ($215.99, was $269.99) covers the mechanical upgrades in one purchase. While designed for CZ, the dovetail mount principle is identical across all platforms.
Why Universal Dovetail Mounts Beat Platform-Specific Solutions
You'll find Glock-only dovetail mounts on the market. They're cheaper ($40–60). But they lock you into a single platform.
A universal dovetail mount (engineered to the standard) costs $20–30 more and opens doors:
- Future Glock purchase? Use the same mount.
- Considering a CZ Shadow 2 or 1911 for competition? Mount transfers in under five minutes.
- Lending your gun to a friend with a dovetail-slotted pistol? Your mount works on their gun too.
- Selling your Glock? A universal mount is a selling point (buyer can use it on multiple platforms).
Platform-specific mounts are a dead end. Universal mounts are an investment.
Common Questions About Glock Dovetail Red Dot Mounting
Q: Will a dovetail mount fit my Glock Gen 3/Gen 4?
A: Yes. Every Glock generation (Gen 1–Gen 5, including non-MOS models) has a 6mm × 9mm rear sight dovetail. Dovetail mounts are universal across generations.
Q: Can I use a dovetail mount on a Glock MOS?
A: You'd need to remove the MOS cut and re-install the original rear sight dovetail. Not practical. If your Glock is MOS-ready, use an MOS plate.
Q: What's the optic height above the bore with a dovetail mount?
A: Typically 1.5–1.7 inches, depending on mount and optic. This is the standard "absolute co-witness" height where iron sights sit just below the glass. Confirm with your specific mount's specs.
Q: Do I need a gunsmith to install a dovetail mount?
A: No. Removing a rear sight and sliding on a mount takes five minutes with basic tools (hex wrench, punch). Gunsmithing is only necessary if your dovetail slot is damaged or your Glock is MOS-only.
Q: Can I use my dovetail mount on a CZ Shadow 2 or 1911?
A: Yes, if the mount is engineered to the standard dovetail specification. Universal mounts work across all modern competition platforms with dovetail rear sight slots. This is the whole point of buying a universal mount.
Q: What optic footprint do dovetail mounts use?
A: Most support RMR (industry standard). Some support DeltaPoint Pro or Athlon Midas. Confirm your mount's compatible optics before purchasing the optic.
Q: Will my zero shift if I swap the mount to another gun?
A: If the dovetail slots are machined to specification, zero should remain consistent. In practice, expect ±1 MOA variation. A quick 5-yard verification before competition is prudent.
Q: Is a dovetail mount stronger than an MOS plate?
A: Both are strong when properly installed. Dovetail mounting distributes pressure across the dovetail surface. MOS plates are machined into the slide directly. Either way, recoil is handled fine. Pick based on your gun model and cost.
Next Steps: Building Your Glock Red Dot Platform
Dovetail red dot mounting is the fastest, most affordable path to optics on a non-MOS Glock. It's also the smartest choice if you own or plan to own multiple competition platforms.
Start with the Dovetail Red Dot Mount. Pair it with an RMR or HS407K optic. Install in five minutes. Zero at 25 yards. You're done.
If you're expanding into full competition setup (grips, magwell, trigger), explore our complete guide to competition pistol accessories. While CZ-focused, the dovetail mounting principles apply to Glock, 1911, and 2011 platforms identically.
Dovetail mounting is the universal language of competition optics. Learn it once, use it across every platform you own.
