When Glock offered its Modular Optic System (MOS) back in 2015, it opened the floodgates to much wider acceptance of red-dot optics on regular carry pistols. Today, shooters can slap a red dot on dozens if not hundreds of different models suitable to carry or other non-competition use, so we’ve compiled our Top 10 Optics-Ready 9mm Pistols in the list below. Gun Tests regularly reviews head-to-head match-ups of optics-ready handguns, but most often we note the availability of an optics cut on a handgun in a broader test, where the feature gives a gun so equipped a tiebreaker with others in a test.
Obviously, we haven’t tested every optics-ready (OR) pistol out there (or the handful of optics-ready revolvers just becoming available), so please let us know what OR-style handgun you like, or dislike, in the comments below.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Prodigy pistol won the accuracy tests — barely. It came in second place on the speed drills — barely. The majority of our testers felt the Prodigy essentially equaled the performance of the Staccato CS at a lower price. This Prodigy was already milled for the Agency Optic System. Springfield offers several AOS plates from its website ($129 each) that match up with the footprint on various red dot systems. We got the 15B, which worked perfectly with the Vortex Defender-ST sight we installed. Overall Length, 7.0 in. Overall Height, 5.1 in. Maximum Width, 1.50 in. Weight Loaded, 34.88 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 12.7 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.5 in. Magazines, (2) 15-round. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.4 lbs.
ICARUS PRECISION FRAME $340
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We really like this set up. The Spectre is a classy pistol in its own right, and with the Icarus frame, it really shines. Function is faultless, and the pistol shoots much better with the aluminum frame. The pistol feels more solid, and of course it is. Optics ready compatible with ROMEOZero. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.54 in. Weight Loaded, 28.7 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.2 lbs. Barrel, 3.7 in. long, carbon steel Magazines, (2) 12 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 5.4 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The CZ had good accuracy, the compensator controlled muzzle flip. The P-10 was simple to use and light to carry. Very good value. The slide is optics-ready, but you need to purchase an optic plate ($50; CZ-Parts.com) separately. The low cost of the pistol makes the additional cost of a plate no big deal, but in our opinion, any brand offering an optics-ready pistol should offer some one-size-fits-all system. Overall Length, 7.3 in. Overall Height, 5.3 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Magazines, (1) 15-round, (1) 17-round w/extended base pad. Weight Loaded, 33.2 oz. Barrel Length, 4.0 in. Capacity, 15+1 or 17+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 14 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.8 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Series V is more than a steel-frame Spec Series. The trigger is one of the best striker-fired types we have tested. There’s nothing to criticize when the pistol’s target role is considered. Comes with a total of seven optics-mounting plates. Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Loaded, 45.8 oz. Barrel Length, 4.8 in. Slide Retraction Effort, 18.6 lbs. Magazines, (3) 23 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Prodigy is a solid pistol. The weight and comp keep muzzle flip to a minimum. Accuracy was very good. But compared to the others, we feel this pistol is too heavy to carry all day. An optics cut is machined into the slide, and optics mounting plates ($129; store.Springfield-Armory.com) are sold separately. Unlike plates for striker-fired pistols, the Prodigy’s plates include the rear sight. Overall Length, 7.8 in. Overall Height, 6.1 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 39.8 oz. Barrel Length, 4.2 in. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.6 lbs. Magazines, (1) 17- and (1) 20-round steel.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Glock 48 is a medium-sized pistol that shoots well and is very easy to conceal. If those are your primary concerns, take a long look at the G48. The G48 is set up for a micro-red-dot sight, and the SMSc from Shield ($400) worked well for us. Accepting the red dot directly on the slide, the G48 still has room for the factory rear sight, which can co-witness through the red-dot sight. Overall Length, 7.0 in. Overall Height, 4.8 in. Maximum Width, 1.06 in. Weight Loaded, 24.8 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.3 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.17 in. Magazines, (3) 10 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 5.2 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This is a good pistol with interesting upgrades. Light, reliable, and good shooting in rapid fire despite its light weight, the M&P pistol provided excellent performance. Only a heavier and more expensive handgun is likely to outshoot this piece. The compensator does what it is designed to do. The top is cut for an optic and comes with S&W’s C.O.R.E. optics system, which includes seven different plastic plates to mount a variety of popular red-dot optics. We liked that the plates were included with the pistol. Overall Length, 7.25 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.275 in. Weight Loaded, 1.98 lbs. Barrel, 4.22 in. long, stainless steel, compensated Capacity, 15+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 14.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Springfield Echelon compact checks all of the boxes. The pistol isn’t simply a standard Echelon with a shorter slide and grip; some effort went into restyling the grip frame for a better hand hold. Variable Interface System provides direct-mount compatibility with red dot sights. Overall Length, 7.25 in. Overall Height, 5.25 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Weight Loaded, 33.2 oz. Barrel, 4.0 in. Magazines, (1) 15 round; (1) 18 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.2 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We shot the Ronin more accurately and more quickly than either the Glock or Canik. It was also the heaviest pistol here, weighing almost 2 ounces more than the Canik and 8 ounces more than the Glock. The weight made a difference in the shooting. The shooter will have to decide whether to carry that extra weight. Our Ronin came machined with the AOS (Agency Optical System) cuts on the slide. Just remove the two screws and the top plate for access. Springfield offers six different options on the company website. Find which fits your sight and order away. Current cost is $129 per plate, but we have seen special offers on those from time to time. We mounted a Trijicon RMR ($525) that allowed us to co-witness the iron rear sight with the fiber-optic front. We think that is the best of both worlds. Blue Loctite is a great thing when you mount red-dot sights. Overall Length, 7.8 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Loaded, 32.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 14.1 lbs. Barrel Length, , 4.25 in. Magazines, (2) 9 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.3 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Canik Mete SF is a well-designed, reliable pistol. The Mete SF handled all loads and came out of the box running. The pistol made the best showing in both combat shooting and in bench accuracy. Comes with three optics bases. The optic footprint was updated after Serial Number 25BU15401 to RMSc & RMR. Overall Length, 7.3 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.39 in. Barrel Length, 4.1 in. Weight Loaded, 34.6 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.0 lbs. Magazines, (2) 15 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.5 lbs.
