Milling slide vs buying a new one that’s RDS ready?

[N83]

Title pretty much says it all. I’m thinking of getting a red dot for my handgun but I’m not sure if I’d rather have my slide milled or buy a factory red dot ready slide. I just want to make sure I’m considering all options. Is the only benefit to buying one ready for a red dot is because then you have two and can swap back and forth? Thanks!

 

[Slowhand]

I bought one for not much more than milling my old one. And it came with new iron sites, suppressor height. I should sell my old one and buy a boat.

 

[outrider58]

It depends on the slide/gun brand. I've done it both ways. It's usually pretty much a wash, depending on slide unavailability.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Depends on the Handgun?
If it is a Glock/Clone,, you can order one of 10 thousand slides that are optic ready for any foot print you could imagine.

On the other side of the spectrum: If it is a CZ Compact/PCR/P-01 , the only option is to send it out to be milled.

 

[N83]

The type in question is an Sig P226 Legion. Thanks!

 

[outrider58]

I'm guessing it's going to be a lot cheaper milling your slide. Usually, milling a slide for red dot runs $100-$150

 

[holesonpaper]

For a p226 Legion, my opinion is to buy another slide. Preserve the original for resale value.

 

[smokey]

Milling it also means a custom fit to your specs. You want sights on the ejection port side of the optic? You can have it milled that way. You also don't worry about plates and can have the optic sunk deeper into the slide.

 

[John from MD]

For a p226 Legion, my opinion is to buy another slide. Preserve the original for resale value.

I don't think the P226 Legion is going to be a big collectable.

 

[Frankced]

If youre the type to keep one optic on one gun, get it milled.

 

[outrider58]

For a p226 Legion, my opinion is to buy another slide. Preserve the original for resale value.

If he has the original slide milled, he will have the option of including a plate for it. I believe that would actually add value, should he ever decide to sell the gun, but keep the dot.

OP said he likes the idea of having two slides though, so he can switch back and forth between the two. If he's just setting out to learn to shoot with the dot, switching back and forth would probably not be a good option.

 

[Crosseye Dominant]

Depends some on the dot. A factory legion optics ready slide is great if you want to run a sig sight or the holosun SCS 320 (enclosed super low mount). Putting an RMR or RMSc on that same slide would need an adapter plate though, and this elevation means you might have to get taller sights for cowitness.

 

[outrider58]

Depends some on the dot. A factory legion optics ready slide is great if you want to run a sig sight or the holosun SCS 320 (enclosed super low mount). Putting an RMR or RMSc on that same slide would need an adapter plate though, and this elevation means you might have to get taller sights for cowitness.

Since you mention co-witness sights, I'll leave this thought; if someone is a beginner to red dots on a pistol, I would strongly suggest omitting the co-witnessing sights. They will only teach bad habits and slow the learning process. A person should think of this as learning to shoot all over again. The entire aiming process is different.

No problem leaving the original sights on though.

My comment is not aimed at you Crosseye.

 

[yeehall]

Best to buy imo, footprint favoritism changes over time, and once you mill one it can't be remilled easily for another footprint. When you buy a dot buy a slide to go with it.

 

[N83]

I don't think the P226 Legion is going to be a big collectable.

Especially mine after I start carrying it in a holster. I’ve read that the finish isn’t super tough.

 

[N83]

If youre the type to keep one optic on one gun, get it milled.

I honestly have no idea, this will be my first. I’m not opposed to starting with an Sig Romeo as I’ve been happy with the Romeo5 on my AR.

 

[dbledoc]

I honestly have no idea, this will be my first. I’m not opposed to starting with an Sig Romeo as I’ve been happy with the Romeo5 on my AR.

Get a separate slide. If you find you don’t like using the dot then you can sell the slide. If you mill your slide and decide you don’t like the dot you will either have to get a plate for it, accept the ugly empty slot or get a new slide.

 

[outrider58]

I honestly have no idea, this will be my first. I’m not opposed to starting with an Sig Romeo as I’ve been happy with the Romeo5 on my AR.

They're good enough for ICE/DHS...

Get a separate slide. If you find you don’t like using the dot then you can sell the slide. If you mill your slide and decide you don’t like the dot you will either have to get a plate for it, accept the ugly empty slot or get a new slide.

On the other hand, a pistol that is dot ready is worth more than one that isn't. Just make sure whomever mills the slide can also supply a cover plate. Some do and some don't.

I believe the OP has already taken his decision. I'm just putting this out there as food for thought.

 

[pleasant1911]

What’s the price difference? Milling old and cost of factory slide if you don’t want the red dot against selling what you have a buying a slide optic ready. Chances are if you like the red dot, you ll never go back to iron

 

[outrider58]

What’s the price difference? Milling old and cost of factory slide if you don’t want the red dot against selling what you have a buying a slide optic ready. Chances are if you like the red dot, you ll never go back to iron

Factory slides(red dot ready) run from anywhere between $350-$450, depending on the cut.

Average cost for milling usually runs around $150