A red dot footprint is the pattern of screw holes and recoil posts on the bottom of an optic. Your pistol’s optic cut (or adapter plate) has to match it. Get it wrong and the dot either won’t bolt on, or it needs a plate that raises it higher than you wanted.
This chart covers the footprints you will actually run into on carry and duty pistols – Trijicon RMR, Shield RMSc, Holosun K, Docter/Noblex, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and Aimpoint ACRO – plus the newer cuts that arrived in 2025–2026. It is built from manufacturer specifications and published compatibility lists. Slide cuts change between model years, so always confirm against your pistol’s manual or the maker’s compatibility guide before ordering.
Quick answer
- Micro-compact carry pistols (Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, Glock 43X / 48 MOS, S&W Shield Plus, Ruger Max-9) mostly use the Shield RMSc pattern; Holosun K optics share its screw holes but may need a plate.
- Full-size pistols are usually Trijicon RMR, either cut directly (CZ Shadow 2 OR) or through an adapter plate (Glock MOS, M&P 2.0, Walther PDP, CZ P-10, HK VP9).
- Sig P320 optic-ready slides take the DeltaPoint Pro / Romeo1 Pro pattern.
- Aimpoint ACRO clamps on and almost always needs its own plate.
Find Your Footprint in 30 Seconds
The chart is a starting point. Model years and special editions can change the cut, so confirm with your pistol maker before you order.
Red Dot Footprint Chart (Quick Reference)
| Footprint | Size class | Common optics | Pistols that take it directly | Usually needs a plate on | Our guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trijicon RMR | Full-size | Trijicon RMR Type 2, RMR HD, SRO, RCR; Holosun 407C / 507C / 508T, 507 Comp, EPS (full-size) | CZ Shadow 2 OR | Glock MOS (Gen 4/5), S&W M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP, CZ P-10 OR, HK VP9 OR, Canik TP9 / SFx | Best RMR footprint optics |
| Shield RMSc | Micro / compact | Shield RMSc & SMSc, Sig Romeo Zero & Zero Elite, Sig Romeo-X Compact, Swampfox Sentinel, Vortex Defender-CCW | Sig P365 / P365X / P365XL, Springfield Hellcat OSP, S&W M&P Shield Plus OR, Glock 43X / 48 MOS, Canik Mete MC9, Ruger Max-9, Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O. | Glock MOS (Gen 4/5), M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP | Best RMSc footprint optics |
| Holosun K | Micro / compact | Holosun 407K / 507K, EPS Carry, SCS Carry | Most RMSc cuts without rear posts (see below) | Slides with rear posts, e.g. some Glock 43X / 48 MOS slides | Holosun 507K X2 review |
| Docter / Noblex | Full-size | Vortex Venom (open emitter), Vortex Viper, Burris FastFire 2 / 3 / 4, Docter, Meopta, Insight | Pistols cut for Docter | Glock MOS (plate 01), CZ P-10 OR, HK VP9 OR | Best Docter cut optics |
| Leupold DeltaPoint Pro | Full-size | Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Sig Romeo1 Pro, Sig Romeo-X Pro, EOTech EFLX | Sig P320 optic-ready (and other Sig DPP-pattern slides) | Glock MOS (plate 04), M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP | DeltaPoint Pro review |
| Aimpoint ACRO | Enclosed, full-size | Aimpoint ACRO P-2, Steiner MPS | None common – it clamps to a rail-style interface | Almost every pistol (ACRO adapter plate) | Aimpoint ACRO P-2 review |
| Aimpoint A-Cut | Enclosed | Aimpoint COA | Selected new Glock models built for it | Not interchangeable with ACRO | – |
| Holosun 509T | Enclosed, full-size | Holosun 509T | – | Ships with an RMR adapter plate | Holosun 509T review |
| C-More | Full-size | C-More STS / RTS | Mostly 2011 competition pistols | Glock MOS (plate 03), Canik TP9 / SFx (plate #3) | – |
| Trijicon RMRcc | Subcompact | Trijicon RMRcc | Pistols cut specifically for it | Most other slides | Trijicon RMRcc review |
“Directly” means no adapter plate on the standard optic-ready slide for that model. Generations, special editions and law-enforcement slides can differ.
How to Identify Your Pistol’s Footprint
- Check the model name. Look for MOS (Glock), OR (CZ, HK, S&W), OSP (Springfield), T.O.R.O. (Taurus) or “optic ready” on the box. If there is no optic cut at all, skip to the section on pistols that are not optics ready.
- Read the manual or the maker’s optics guide. Sig, Glock, Springfield and Walther publish which optics or plates fit each slide.
- Look at the cut itself. Count the screw holes and recoil posts. A small cut with four posts usually means RMSc; two front posts and a larger cut usually means RMR.
- Check what plates came in the box. Plate-system pistols (Glock MOS, M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP, CZ P-10 OR) ship with a cover plate and sometimes adapter plates. The plate decides the footprint, not the slide.
Full-Size Footprints
Trijicon RMR
The RMR footprint is the most common full-size pattern on the market. It uses two screws and two recoil lugs at the front of the optic. Because so many optics share it, an RMR plate or cut gives you the widest choice.
- Optics: Trijicon RMR Type 2, RMR HD, Trijicon SRO, Trijicon RCR (enclosed, same mounting and deck height as the RMR), Holosun 407C / 507C, Holosun 508T, Holosun 507 Comp, Holosun EPS (full-size)
- Direct cut: CZ Shadow 2 OR.
- Via plate: Glock MOS (plate 02), S&W M&P 2.0 OR , Walther PDP, CZ P-10 OR, HK VP9 OR, Canik TP9 / SFx (Canik optic plate #2).
- Not the same: the Trijicon RMRcc and Holosun K-series optics do not fit RMR cuts.
See our best RMR footprint optics and best RMR for Glock guides.
Docter / Noblex
Docter is one of the oldest mini-reflex patterns; the company now trades as Noblex, so the two names describe the same footprint. It is used by many budget and mid-price open-emitter sights.
- Optics: Vortex Venom (open emitter), Vortex Viper, Burris FastFire 2 / 3 / 4, Docter, Meopta and Insight sights
- Via plate: Glock MOS (plate 01), CZ P-10 OR, HK VP9 OR.
- Watch out: the Vortex Defender series and the closed-emitter Venom do not use the Docter pattern.
See our best Docter cut optics guide.
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro (DPP)
The DPP pattern is larger than the RMR and is the native cut on Sig’s full-size optic-ready slides. Sig designs its full-size Romeo optics around it.
- Optics: Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Sig Romeo1 Pro, Sig Romeo-X Pro, EOTech EFLX
- Direct cut: Sig P320 optic-ready slides. Sig also points P226 and P229 optic-ready owners to the Romeo-X Pro.
- Via plate: Glock MOS (plate 04), M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP.
Aimpoint ACRO
The ACRO P-2 is a fully enclosed sight that does not bolt down through screw holes like an RMR. It clamps to a rail-style interface with side grooves and a cross-bolt, so on a pistol it almost always sits on an ACRO adapter plate. Expect to need taller (suppressor-height) iron sights if you want them to co-witness. The Steiner MPS shares the standard.
Read our Aimpoint ACRO P-2 review.
Holosun 509T
The 509T has its own footprint. It is similar to the ACRO but not the same, and Holosun includes an RMR adapter plate in the box so it can go on RMR-cut slides. Avoid stacking that plate on top of another adapter plate. See our Holosun 509T review.
C-More
The C-More pattern lives mostly on 2011-style competition pistols. Glock includes a C-More plate (03) in its MOS adapter set, and Canik offers a C-More plate for the TP9 and SFx.
Micro and Compact Footprints
Shield RMSc
RMSc is the standard for micro-compact carry pistols. It uses two screws with recoil posts that locate the optic at the corners, in a body about 40 mm long. It is the pattern behind most “slimline” optic cuts.
- Optics: Shield RMSc and SMSc, Sig Romeo Zero, Romeo Zero Elite, Sig Romeo-X Compact, Swampfox Sentinel, Vortex Defender-CCW
- Direct cut: Sig P365 / P365X / P365XL, Springfield Hellcat OSP, S&W M&P Shield Plus OR, Glock 43X MOS and Glock 48 MOS, Canik Mete MC9, Ruger Max-9, Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O..
- Via plate: full-size Glock MOS, M&P 2.0 OR and Walther PDP.
See our best RMSc footprint optics guide.
Holosun K
Holosun’s K-series uses the same screw-hole spacing as the RMSc, but it is not identical: it relies on recoil lugs at the front and does not have the rear recesses that some RMSc cuts use. On a slide with rear posts, a K-series optic may not sit flat without an adapter plate.
- Optics: Holosun 407K, Holosun 507K X2, Holosun EPS Carry, Holosun SCS Carry
- Usually direct: RMSc cuts without rear posts, such as the Sig P365 family and the M&P Shield Plus OR.
- May need a plate: Glock 43X / 48 MOS slides. Retailers disagree on whether the 407K and 507K bolt straight on, and dedicated K-to-Glock-slimline plates are sold for exactly this reason.
Check before you buy: if your slide has posts at the back of the optic cut, assume a Holosun K optic needs a plate until the slide maker or Holosun confirms otherwise.
Trijicon RMRcc
The RMRcc is narrower than the RMR and has its own footprint. It will not fit RMR cuts; it needs a slide cut or adapter plate made specifically for the RMRcc. See our Trijicon RMRcc review.
Newer Footprints (2025–2026)
- Aimpoint A-Cut (COA): Aimpoint and Glock launched the enclosed COA with a new mounting interface called the A-Cut. It is designed to sit lower without a plate. At launch the COA was sold only as a package on selected Glock models (G43X, G48, G19, G45 and G47), not on its own. The A-Cut is not interchangeable with the ACRO.
- Sig Romeo-X: Sig split the Romeo-X line by footprint. The Romeo-X Compact is built on the Shield RMSc footprint for the P365 family; the Romeo-X Pro follows the DeltaPoint Pro footprint for the P320, P226 and P229.
- Trijicon RCR: Trijicon’s enclosed sight keeps the RMR footprint and deck height, so it goes straight onto RMR cuts and plates.
- Holosun 507 Comp: the larger-window competition sight also uses the RMR footprint.
What Footprint Does My Red Dot Use?
Already own an optic? Find it below to see which slide cuts and plates it needs.
| Red dot | Footprint |
|---|---|
| Trijicon RMR Type 2 / RMR HD | Trijicon RMR |
| Trijicon SRO | Trijicon RMR |
| Trijicon RCR (enclosed) | Trijicon RMR |
| Trijicon RMRcc | Trijicon RMRcc (own pattern) |
| Holosun 407C / 507C (X2 / X3) | Trijicon RMR |
| Holosun 508T | Trijicon RMR |
| Holosun 507 Comp | Trijicon RMR |
| Holosun EPS (full-size) | Trijicon RMR |
| Holosun 407K / 507K | Holosun K |
| Holosun EPS Carry | Holosun K |
| Holosun SCS Carry | Holosun K |
| Holosun 509T | Holosun 509T (RMR plate included) |
| Shield RMSc / SMSc | Shield RMSc |
| Sig Romeo Zero / Zero Elite | Shield RMSc |
| Sig Romeo-X Compact | Shield RMSc |
| Swampfox Sentinel | Shield RMSc |
| Vortex Defender-CCW | Shield RMSc |
| Leupold DeltaPoint Pro | DeltaPoint Pro |
| Sig Romeo1 Pro | DeltaPoint Pro |
| Sig Romeo-X Pro | DeltaPoint Pro |
| EOTech EFLX | DeltaPoint Pro |
| Vortex Venom (open emitter) | Docter / Noblex |
| Vortex Viper | Docter / Noblex |
| Burris FastFire 3 | Docter / Noblex |
| Aimpoint ACRO P-2 | Aimpoint ACRO |
| Aimpoint COA | Aimpoint A-Cut |
Footprint Comparisons
RMR vs RMSc
These are not interchangeable. The RMR is a full-size pattern with two front lugs; the RMSc is a smaller micro pattern located by corner posts. An RMR-sized optic will not fit a P365 or Hellcat cut, and an RMSc optic needs a plate to sit on an RMR cut. Choose by pistol: micro-compacts are almost all RMSc, full-size duty pistols are usually RMR or plate-based.
Holosun K vs RMSc
Same screw holes, different locating features. On cuts without rear posts they usually swap freely; on cuts with rear posts the K-series may need a thin plate. This is the most common fit problem on Glock 43X and 48 MOS slides.
RMR vs DeltaPoint Pro
Different patterns and different sizes. Sig’s full-size optic-ready slides are cut for the DeltaPoint Pro and Romeo1 Pro family, so an RMR-pattern sight on those slides needs a plate. On plate-system pistols (Glock MOS, M&P 2.0, Walther PDP) you simply choose the RMR or the DPP plate.
ACRO vs RMR
The ACRO clamps on; the RMR screws down. An ACRO always needs an ACRO-specific plate on an RMR or plate-system slide, and adapter plates also exist in the other direction for specific setups. If you want an enclosed sight on an RMR slide without a plate, the Trijicon RCR and Holosun EPS keep the RMR footprint.
Pistol-by-Pistol Footprint Guide
Find your pistol below to see which optics fit the slide directly and which need a plate. For our top optic picks across every model, see the best red dot for pistols.
| Pistol | Optic system | Fits directly | Needs a plate for | Red dot guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 17 / 19 / 45 MOS (Gen 4 / Gen 5) | MOS plate system | – | RMR (plate 02), Docter (01), C-More (03), DPP (04); aftermarket plates for RMSc / K | Glock 19, Glock 17, Glock 45 |
| Glock 43X MOS / 48 MOS | Slimline MOS cut | RMSc pattern per most fitment lists (Shield RMSc / SMSc, Romeo Zero, Swampfox Sentinel) | Holosun K-series on many slides | Glock 43X MOS, Glock 48 |
| Sig P365 / P365X / P365XL | Direct cut | RMSc and Holosun K (Romeo Zero, Romeo-X Compact, 407K / 507K) | – | Sig P365 |
| Sig P365 X-Macro / Fuse / AXG Legion | Plate system | – | RMR, DPP or RMSc via the matching plate | Sig P365 X-Macro |
| Sig P320 (optic-ready) | Direct cut | DeltaPoint Pro / Romeo1 Pro / Romeo-X Pro pattern | RMR-pattern optics | Sig P320 |
| S&W M&P 2.0 OR (CORE) | Plate system | – | RMR, DPP, RMSc via plates | M&P 2.0 Core |
| S&W M&P Shield Plus OR | Direct cut | RMSc | – | M&P Shield Plus |
| Springfield Hellcat OSP | Direct cut | RMSc | – | Springfield Hellcat |
| Springfield Prodigy | Plate system | – | Check Springfield’s plate list for your optic | Springfield Prodigy |
| Walther PDP | AOS plate system | – | RMR, DPP, RMSc via plates | Walther PDP |
| HK VP9 OR | Plate system | – | RMR, DPP, Docter via plates | HK VP9 |
| CZ P-10 C / F OR | Plate system | – | RMR, DPP, Docter via plates | CZ P-10 C |
| CZ Shadow 2 OR | Direct cut | RMR | – | CZ Shadow 2 |
| Canik TP9 SFx / Elite Combat / SFx Rival | Plate system | – | RMR (plate #2), C-More (#3); aftermarket RMSc / K plates | Canik TP9SFx, Canik SFx Rival |
| Canik TP9 Elite SC | Modified RMSc cut | – | Aftermarket plate for Holosun K / EPS Carry | Canik TP9 Elite SC |
| Canik Mete MC9 | Direct cut | RMSc pattern (Romeo Zero, Shield RMSc, MeCanik MO1) | – | Canik Mete MC9 |
| Ruger Max-9 (optic-ready) | Direct cut | JPoint / Shield RMSc pattern | Holosun K-series fit is disputed – check first | Ruger Max-9 |
| Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O. | T.O.R.O. system | Shield RMSc, Holosun 407K / 507K, Sig Romeo Zero | Trijicon RMRcc (optional plate) | Taurus GX4 |
Check before you buy: model years and special editions change optic cuts. Use this table to narrow your options, then confirm with the pistol maker before you order an optic or plate.
Adapter Plates: When You Need One
- Plate-system pistols always need one. Glock MOS, M&P 2.0 OR, Walther PDP, CZ P-10 OR and HK VP9 OR use a plate that matches your optic. Factory plates come from the pistol maker; aftermarket plates (for example from C&H Precision) cover footprints the factory does not.
- A plate raises the optic. Every plate adds height, which can stop your iron sights from co-witnessing. Taller sights may be needed.
- Do not stack plates. Putting one adapter plate on another adds height and more points that can loosen under recoil.
- Use the screws made for the plate. Screw length matters: too long can damage the slide, too short will not hold. Use thread locker where the plate maker recommends it, and torque to spec.
If Your Pistol Is Not Optics Ready
If there is no optic cut (for example a standard Glock 43 or many older pistols), you have two options: a rear-sight dovetail mount, which replaces the rear sight with a small plate that holds a micro red dot, or having a gunsmith mill the slide for a specific footprint. Dovetail mounts are cheaper and reversible but sit higher; milling sits lower and is permanent. If you go the milling route, choose the footprint first – RMSc for micro-compacts, RMR for full-size pistols gives the most optic choice later.
Common Footprint Mistakes
- Assuming Holosun K and RMSc are identical. Same screw holes, different locating posts – the classic Glock 43X / 48 MOS surprise.
- Assuming one brand uses one footprint. Sig’s Romeo-X Compact is RMSc while the Romeo-X Pro is DeltaPoint Pro; Holosun’s 507C is RMR while the 507K is Holosun K.
- Buying an ACRO without a plate. The ACRO clamps to its own interface and will not bolt into an RMR or RMSc cut.
- Stacking adapter plates. Two plates add height and another joint that can loosen.
- Reusing the wrong screws. Screw length and thread must match the plate or slide; too long can damage the slide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shield RMSc the same as the Holosun K footprint?
No. They share the same screw-hole spacing, but the Holosun K-series does not use the rear posts that some RMSc slide cuts have. On cuts without rear posts they usually swap freely; on cuts with rear posts a K-series optic may need a thin adapter plate.
Will an RMR fit a Sig P365?
Not on the standard P365, P365X or P365XL, which are cut for the RMSc / Holosun K pattern. The P365 X-Macro, Fuse and AXG Legion use a plate system that can take an RMR-pattern optic with the right plate.
Do I need a plate for a Glock MOS?
On full-size and compact Glock MOS pistols (G17, G19, G45 and similar), yes – the MOS system uses plates for RMR, Docter, C-More and DeltaPoint Pro footprints. The slimline Glock 43X and 48 MOS take RMSc-pattern optics directly, while Holosun K-series optics may need a plate.
What footprint does the Trijicon RCR use?
The RCR uses the Trijicon RMR footprint and the same deck height as the RMR, so it fits RMR cuts and RMR plates.
What footprint does the Holosun 507 Comp use?
The 507 Comp uses the Trijicon RMR footprint, the same as the 507C.
Which footprint do the Sig Romeo-X Compact and Romeo-X Pro use?
The Romeo-X Compact is built on the Shield RMSc footprint for the P365 family. The Romeo-X Pro follows the DeltaPoint Pro footprint for the P320 and other full-size Sig pistols.
Is Docter the same as Noblex?
Yes. Noblex is the current name of the company formerly known as Docter, and the footprint is the same.
Can I stack two adapter plates?
It is best avoided. Each plate adds height and another joint that can work loose. Use a single plate made for your exact optic and slide.
Can I put an Aimpoint ACRO on an RMR slide?
Only with an ACRO adapter plate. The ACRO clamps onto a rail-style interface rather than bolting down through screw holes. If you want an enclosed optic on an RMR cut without a plate, look at the Trijicon RCR or the Holosun EPS.
How This Chart Was Built
Red Dot Heaven does not machine slides or plates. This chart is compiled from optic and pistol makers’ specifications and their published compatibility lists, cross-checked against plate makers’ fitment notes. Where sources disagree – for example on Holosun K-series optics on Glock 43X / 48 MOS and Ruger Max-9 slides – we say so instead of guessing. We update the chart when new optics or slide cuts are released. Spotted an error? Email [email protected]. See also how we score red dot sights.