There is no standard mounting platform for pistol sights. Unlike optics purpose-built for rifles—most of which are compatible with Picatinny or M1913 mil-std mounts—a pistol user must pay careful attention to their specific red dot footprint. The only way to force an incompatible red dot onto a pistol is with an adapter, which raises the sight’s point of aim and can impact accuracy.
Sightmark’s pistol red dot sights are built on four different footprints for maximum compatibility. This guide is meant for firearm owners who buy a pistol and walk out of the gun show or shop without ever asking, “What kind of red dot footprint do I have?”
Docter/Noblex Red Dot Footprint
This is not a typo. Docter is spelled with an “e” because it’s named after Bernhard Docter of Docter Optics, later acquired by Noblex. This footprint is one of the most common in the shooting world due to its stability. It’s easily recognized by two central holes for screws and four holes for pins. On Sightmark products, this footprint is featured on the Mini Shot M-Spec and Mini Shot Pro-Spec red dots.
RMR Red Dot Footprint
This red dot mounting standard has two rear screw holes and two sockets for pins. Originally designed by Trijicon for their Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR) Sight, this footprint was intended as a successor to the Docter-style optic. It’s now widely used for full-size optics like the Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec M2 Solar.
RMS/RMSc Red Dot Footprint
Developed by Shield Sights, the RMS (Reflex Mini Sight) was designed for subcompact pistol use. While visually similar to the Docter/Noblex, its screw holes sit closer to the rear sockets. The RMSc variant is even smaller. These footprints are commonly found on compact concealed carry pistols and are used on optics like the Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec M3 Micro.
Aimpoint Micro Red Dot Footprint
Introduced in 2007, the Aimpoint Micro footprint is characterized by four screw holes and a central recoil-stop trench. Originally created for a rugged compact rifle optic, this footprint is used on the Sightmark Wolverine—a recoil-tolerant red dot known for its 1 million hour battery life and rugged design.
Understanding the red dot footprint of your pistol is crucial to ensure a proper fit and optimal performance. Choosing a red dot sight that matches your firearm's footprint improves accuracy, reliability, and shooting confidence.
