Red Dot Footprints: A Guide to Mounting Standards
MOJ, MGT, VOD, RUM, GIN, TEK – what the Vector Optics footprints mean, which standards (RMR, RMSc, ACRO, T-2, C-More, Docter) they match and how to choose the right plate or mount.
Choosing a red dot for a pistol or rifle? The first question to ask is not the dot or the battery life, but the footprint – the shape of the underside of the sight. It is the exact layout of the screw holes and recoil lugs/pins, which must match the counterpart on the firearm, plate or mount. If the footprint does not match, you simply cannot mount the sight.
Why footprints exist
Historically, every major optics manufacturer introduced its own mounting pattern, so today the market has several established standards. Vector Optics uses its own names for its footprints, but each of them is dimensionally identical to one of the industry standards. The pins and lugs hold the sight against recoil, and the screws clamp it to the plate or slide.
Overview of standards
| Vector Optics | Matching standard | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| MOJ | Trijicon RMR | 45.3 × 29.5 mm |
| MGT | Shield RMSc / SMS | 41 × 25 mm |
| VOD | Aimpoint ACRO | 50 × 30 mm |
| RUM | Aimpoint Micro T-1 / T-2 | 53 × 22 mm |
| GIN | C-More RTS / STS | 52 × 27 mm |
| TEK | Docter / Noblex | 46 × 28 mm |
MOJ – RMR pattern
The most widespread pistol standard: two lugs at the front, two screws in the middle. In the Vector Optics range it is used, for example, by the Frenzy FLEX models SCRD-76, SCRD-36, SCRD-37, SCRD-59, the titanium SCRD-T64 and the new SCRD-M76 and SCRD-GM76. For Glock there is the SCRDM-08 plate; for rifles the SCRA-71 riser or the SCFRM-02 offset mount.
MGT – RMSc/SMS pattern
The smallest footprint, the domain of micro red dots for compact and subcompact pistols. You will find it on the Frenzy-S models SCRD-43, SCRD-73, SCRD-66, SCRD-68/M68, SCRD-53, SCRD-55 and the new SCRD-77/C77 and SCRD-GM68. For Glock MOS there is the SCFRM-16 steel adapter; the classic plate is the SCRDM-09.
VOD – ACRO pattern
The standard for enclosed red dots – these have no access to screws from the top, so they are tightened with a single screw from below and held against recoil by a central lug. This group includes the Frenzy Plus SCRD-63, SCRD-SM63, SCRD-75 and the new-generation SCRD-M75. Adapters: MOS→VOD (SCFRM-12), MOJ→VOD (SCFRM-13, low-profile SCFRM-31), plates for the CZ Shadow 2 (SCFRM-18).
RUM – Micro T-1/T-2 pattern
The rifle standard for tube and prism sights: a central slot and two screws on the sides. It is used by the entire Maverick (Gen II–Gen IV), Scrapper and Paragon Mini Prism lines, plus the Centurion SCRD-33. Mounts: the SCPSM-01 cantilever riser, the low SCPSM-02 and, in stock with us, the SCPSM-03 RUM riser.
GIN – C-More pattern
The largest footprint with a correspondingly large window – the choice for IPSC and dynamic shooting. It is used by the Frenzy Plus SCRD-65 (QR), the solar SCRD-SM44, the large-window SCRD-79 and the new SCRD-M79/GM79.
TEK – Docter/Noblex pattern
The classic for open red dots: two screws in the middle, four lugs in the corners. Typically the Frenzy FM SCRD-19II (also in FDE and green-dot versions), SCRD-35 and SCRD-40. The SCRDM-01 to 07 pistol plates differ at the rear – a tab that fits exactly into the rear sight dovetail of a specific pistol (Glock, 1911, P226, Beretta 92, XD, M&P, USP).
SDM – direct to the slide
Some models do not need a plate at all – they are made directly for the optics cut of a specific pistol: SCRD-81 for Glock MOS, SCRD-82 for the CZ P-10 / Shadow 2 OR and SCRD-83 for the Walther PDP.
Universal adapters
If you switch between optics or firearms, there are adapters covering several footprints at once: SCFRM-21 for the CZ 75 Shadow / SP-01 / P-10C (MOJ, MGT, GIN and TEK), the SCFRM-29 45° offset Picatinny mount, and the SCFRM-GK10 / GK11 and SCFRM-30 dovetail adapters.
What to check before you buy
- Find out the footprint of the red dot and the interface of the firearm – only then choose a plate or mount.
- Glock MOS is a system of interchangeable plates – a red dot will not fit directly without the right plate.
- Enclosed red dots (VOD/ACRO) are mounted with a screw from below – keep that in mind when choosing a mount.
- For rifles, the VAS system takes care of heights: centre heights of 38, 49 and 57 mm, and only the footprint plate changes, not the whole mount.
You will find red dots and mounts in our Red dot sights and Red dot mounts categories – and if you are unsure about your footprint, write to us and we will help.
Source of data and diagrams: Vector Optics – Red Dot Footprint & Mounting Standards Guide. Mounting instructions: pistol · rifle.