Optics on pistols isn't a new thing. Just like on a rifle, a red dot on a pistol makes it easier and faster to find and hit targets at speed.
The standard problems with that:
1) Optics on pistols makes them hard to conceal
2) Pistols beat optics up
Problem 2 is mainly the result of people trying to solve problem 1 by slide mounting small red dots. When they work, great. Problem is that many don't hold up long to hard use, and extra mass on the slide of a semi auto isn't always the best for reliability.
So what if you don't care about problem 1 (concealment), and just want the ability to make hits as easily and fast as possible? What if you also want to shoot this pistol with night vision?
Enter the ALG 6 second mount and what is known as the "CWOCK" by the nuts who do Cola Warrior: A G17, with a night vision compatible T1 and a surefire IR light.
Frame mounted so no worries about durability, the dot is mounted nice and low...the 6 second mount is very, very nice. If you're a Glock shooter. But what if I'd rather shoot a CZ? That is a problem.
I shopped around for a while, and found a mount I thought I would try from UM Tactical.
It uses a detent to lock onto the lower rail of a pistol, so is theoretically fairly universal, unlike the ALG 6 second mount which is a Glock exclusive. Mount the rail, pinch the top together and attach the optic of your choice to the top rail. Cheap enough, thought I would give it a try.
The pros: It is very easy to put on, and well made.
The cons: Look at how high my damn optic is:
Height is not ideal, but it mounted securely so I thought we'd go try it out at the range. Unfortunately, I ran into trouble there. Using the PA microdot and this rail, I didn't have enough adjustment in the scope to zero the dot. At 5 yards it was close...Point of Aim was about 2"-3" over Point of Impact. But as you back up further, the problem magnifies. At 25 yards I was aiming at the A head box of a standard IPSC target and hitting the middle of the torso A box. (pic for those unfamiliar with IPSC targets)
I simply can't get the dot adjusted to POA/POI with the current set up. I put a call in to UM Tactical who were very polite and quick to respond. Owner is going to take a look at the problem tomorrow and get back to me. They make shims for other more standard pistol optic options, but not for Aimpoint/PA style mounts.
If I can get a shim to adjust the dot, despite the height over bore I can make this work. If I can't, its either a new optic, drilling the slide of one of my CZs for a CZ custom frame mount and a new optic, or back on the Glock train if I want to build a red dot pistol. None of those options sound like a lot of fun, so I'm hoping UM Tactical can come up with a shim for me.
I'd kill for ALG to come out with a CZ compatible 6 second mount, but I don't ever see that happening. Frankly, if UM went to a flat top plate pre drilled to mount optics instead of the current rail set up you could mount an optic a good inch lower, which would be great.
Despite not getting it perfectly zeroed, between spending time with this at the range today, and shooting CWOCKs and USPSA open guns with frame mounted optics in the past, I'm convinced they're a great way to go if your priorities are speed and precision. There is no better way to make fast accurate hits than a frame mounted dot.
Maybe I just need to find a machine shop to do some work for me and introduce a new CZ accessory to the world.
The standard problems with that:
1) Optics on pistols makes them hard to conceal
2) Pistols beat optics up
Problem 2 is mainly the result of people trying to solve problem 1 by slide mounting small red dots. When they work, great. Problem is that many don't hold up long to hard use, and extra mass on the slide of a semi auto isn't always the best for reliability.
So what if you don't care about problem 1 (concealment), and just want the ability to make hits as easily and fast as possible? What if you also want to shoot this pistol with night vision?
Enter the ALG 6 second mount and what is known as the "CWOCK" by the nuts who do Cola Warrior: A G17, with a night vision compatible T1 and a surefire IR light.
Frame mounted so no worries about durability, the dot is mounted nice and low...the 6 second mount is very, very nice. If you're a Glock shooter. But what if I'd rather shoot a CZ? That is a problem.
I shopped around for a while, and found a mount I thought I would try from UM Tactical.
It uses a detent to lock onto the lower rail of a pistol, so is theoretically fairly universal, unlike the ALG 6 second mount which is a Glock exclusive. Mount the rail, pinch the top together and attach the optic of your choice to the top rail. Cheap enough, thought I would give it a try.
The pros: It is very easy to put on, and well made.
The cons: Look at how high my damn optic is:
Height is not ideal, but it mounted securely so I thought we'd go try it out at the range. Unfortunately, I ran into trouble there. Using the PA microdot and this rail, I didn't have enough adjustment in the scope to zero the dot. At 5 yards it was close...Point of Aim was about 2"-3" over Point of Impact. But as you back up further, the problem magnifies. At 25 yards I was aiming at the A head box of a standard IPSC target and hitting the middle of the torso A box. (pic for those unfamiliar with IPSC targets)
I simply can't get the dot adjusted to POA/POI with the current set up. I put a call in to UM Tactical who were very polite and quick to respond. Owner is going to take a look at the problem tomorrow and get back to me. They make shims for other more standard pistol optic options, but not for Aimpoint/PA style mounts.
If I can get a shim to adjust the dot, despite the height over bore I can make this work. If I can't, its either a new optic, drilling the slide of one of my CZs for a CZ custom frame mount and a new optic, or back on the Glock train if I want to build a red dot pistol. None of those options sound like a lot of fun, so I'm hoping UM Tactical can come up with a shim for me.
I'd kill for ALG to come out with a CZ compatible 6 second mount, but I don't ever see that happening. Frankly, if UM went to a flat top plate pre drilled to mount optics instead of the current rail set up you could mount an optic a good inch lower, which would be great.
Despite not getting it perfectly zeroed, between spending time with this at the range today, and shooting CWOCKs and USPSA open guns with frame mounted optics in the past, I'm convinced they're a great way to go if your priorities are speed and precision. There is no better way to make fast accurate hits than a frame mounted dot.
Maybe I just need to find a machine shop to do some work for me and introduce a new CZ accessory to the world.
