Guide
Optic-Ready Gun Mount: Red Dot Carry in Your Truck or Car
Optic-ready gun mount guide: what the optic-ready version is, when you need it, and how to choose a magnetic mount for a red dot pistol in your truck or car.
Red dot sights have gone from competition gear to everyday carry, and plenty of pistols now ship with a slide cut for an optic. If your carry gun wears a red dot, the mount that holds it in your vehicle needs room for it. That is what an optic-ready gun mount is for.
This guide explains what At The Ready’s optic-ready version is, how to decide if you need it, how it fits into ordering, and where to go if your setup includes a light or other accessory.
Key takeaways
- The optic-ready version of an At The Ready mount is made for pistols with a red dot sight.
- It costs $10 more than the standard mount: $105 instead of $95.
- Choose it if your pistol has an optic now, or if you plan to add one.
- It does not by itself confirm clearance for lights or other accessories; ask if unsure.
- Ready-made optic-ready mounts for some models are on clearance while supplies last.
What “Optic-Ready” Means on a Mount
At The Ready mounts are designed from the actual slide of one specific pistol model and hold it with rare-earth magnets. On most models you choose between two versions on the product page: Optic: No for a standard pistol, or Optic: Yes for a pistol with a red dot sight. The optic-ready version is made for an optic-equipped pistol of that model.
Do You Need It?
Choose the optic-ready gun mount if:
- Your pistol has a red dot mounted now.
- Your pistol is optic-cut and you plan to add a red dot later.
- You are not sure you will stay with iron sights. The $10 difference is small compared with buying a second mount.
Choose the standard mount if your pistol runs iron sights and you have no plans to add an optic.
If you are new to red dots, the NRA Women guide to red-dot footprints is a clear introduction to how optics attach to a slide.
Lights and Other Accessories
An optic-ready selection does not by itself confirm clearance for a weapon light or other accessories. If your pistol carries a light, laser or anything else on the frame or slide, contact At The Ready at (469) 833-6651 before ordering to check your setup.
Popular Optic-Ready Mounts
Every model page has the optic option. A few that optic users order often:
- Glock 19 and the rest of the Glock family
- SIG P365, P365XL and the P365 family
- Springfield Hellcat Pro and Hellcat RDP
- Springfield Echelon
- SIG P320
Can’t find yours? Start from the shop by manufacturer page.
Ready-Made Optic Mounts on Clearance
At The Ready also has ready-made optic-ready mounts for some popular models on the clearance page. They are already built, with no colors or text to choose, and sold while supplies last. If your model is there, it is the fastest way to get an optic-ready mount.
Placement With an Optic
An optic sits on top of the slide, so check that it clears the dash, console lid and anything nearby once the pistol is seated. Test the spot with your empty pistol from your normal seat. The angled mount adapter ($14.99) can angle the mount away from your knee. For more, see the car gun mount guide.
Install, Customize, Stay Safe
Install with the included screws, or with VHB tape and the included primer (see the no drill gun mount guide). Colors and up to 18 characters of custom text are included. Practice with an unloaded pistol, take it with you or lock it up when you leave, and check the carry laws wherever you drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more is the optic-ready version?
$10. Most mounts are $95 standard and $105 optic-ready.
Do all models have an optic-ready version?
Most do. A few, such as the IWI Desert Eagle mounts, do not offer an optic option. Check your model’s page.
Does optic-ready mean it fits my light too?
No. Contact At The Ready to check clearance for lights or other accessories.
Find the optic-ready mount for your pistol.
Shop by manufacturerAbout At The Ready
At The Ready designs, prints and assembles model-specific pistol mounts in Wylie, Texas. Each mount is built from the actual slide of the firearm it is made for. We are veteran-owned and operated.
