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If you need an optic for your Glock 43X, I’m here to help. The Modular Optic System, or MOS, version of the G43X has a factory cut slide that accepts only micro-footprint sized optics using the RMSc-type base. Not every red dot sight (RDS) will fit.
Initially popularized by the Smith & Wesson Shield series, the RMSc footprint is now used for a range of guns including the SIG SAUER P365 series and the Springfield Armory Hellcat optics. The sights are more compact than normal pistol red dot sights and are necessary for slim guns like the G43X.
I’ve thoroughly researched the use of reflex sights on pistols and have tested more than a few of the options on the market. To help you make a decision on which red dot might work best for your needs, I present my Glock 43X optics list.
These optics will also fit the Glock 48 MOS pistol. While I try to keep the list current, I recognize I may miss a new product release. So, feel free to leave information about anything not on the list in the comments section below.
Overview
Before I get into the details of each optic, here is a comparison table of the features and prices on the options currently available.
Riton Optics X3 TACTIX MPRD | Shield Sights RMSc | Shield Sights SMSc | SIG SAUER Romeo Zero | Swampfox Sentinel | Trijicon RMRcc |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Construction | 6061-T6 aluminum | unknown type aluminum | polymer | polymer | 7075-T6 aluminum | 7075-T6 aluminum |
| Window Construction | multi-coated glass | polymer with anti-reflection coating | polymer with Quartz coating and glass options | polymer with impact resistance coating | multi-coated glass | multi-coated glass |
| Dot Size | 3 MOA | 4 and 8 MOA options | 4 and 8 MOA options | 3 and 6 MOA options | 3 MOA | 3.25 and 6.0 MOA options |
| Manual or Automatic | manual | Automatic | Automatic | auto on, manual adjustments | manual and automatic options | constant on, manual adjustments |
| Levels of Illumination | 10 | unspecified | unspecified | 8 daytime | 10 manual, continuous in automatic | 8 |
| NV Compatibility | Yes - 2 levels | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes - 2 levels |
| Weight | 0.6 oz | 0.57 oz | 0.57 oz | 0.4 oz | 0.62 oz | 1.0 oz |
| Battery Type | 1xCR2032 | 1xCR2032 | 1xCR2032 | 1xCR1632 | 1xCR2032 | 1xCR2032 |
| Water Resistance | stated 100% Waterproof | none | none | none | IPx7 certified | stated waterproof to 20 meters |
| Country of Manufacture | China | England | England | China | China | USA |
| Warranty | lifetime of optic, no paperwork | 7 years on electronics, infinite for all else | 7 years on electronics, infinite for all else | 5 years on electronics, infinite for all else | full warranty for 50,000 rounds of live fire | lifetime |
| MSRP | $299.99 | $472.98 | $346.85 | $219 | $279-299 | $699 |
| Best Online Price |
MSRP prices for the Shield Sights models are estimates based on a currency exchange and inclusion of the VAT imposed by the United Kingdom.
Riton Optics X3 TACTIX MPRD
Riton Optics offers a solidly built mini red dot optic for your slimline Glock pistol. Called the X3 TACTIX MPRD, this sight is made with a 6061-T6 aluminum body and a multi-coated lens. From a durability standpoint, only the Swampfox Sentinel (scroll down) beats it.
The X3 TACTIX MPRD is a fully manual optic with 10 red dot brightness levels. Levels one and two are night-vision compatible while the remaining brightness levels are compatible with the Mk1 eyeball in a range of lighting conditions. An auto-shutoff feature kicks in at 12 hours.
Riton claims a 99.5% light transmission rate with its high-density glass and multi-coatings. The lens coatings are said to reduce reflection, improve clarity in low light and resist scratching.
The company has a simple warranty: if it ever fails send it back and Riton Optics will send you a new one. You don’t need to have the product registered, you don’t need any paperwork and you don’t even need to be the original purchaser. The company’s goal is to have any return processed within 48 hours. It would be tough to beat that kind of service.
The suggested retail price on the optic is $299.99. The sight is relatively new, so you need to purchase it directly from Riton. As it makes its way into the market, I’m sure we will see discounts on this sight through the regular retailers.
Shield Sights Ltd
Shield Sights is the longest-running manufacturer of micro red dots for pistols like the Glock 43X. Currently, the company offers two basic models: the RMSc and the SMSc.
The models are similar but have some significant differences. Let’s take a look.
RMSc
Built in England, the RMSc uses an aluminum body with a polymer lens to display a red aiming dot. Shield Sights does not list the type of aluminum it uses for the body.
Shield Sights uses an anti-reflection coating on the lens to reduce glare when aiming your G43X. Polymer lenses are used in a number of reflex sights and tend to keep manufacturing costs down. However, some people report the lenses are more susceptible to scratching.
You can purchase this sight with either a 4 MOA or 8 MOA dot. For me, I prefer the 4 MOA, but the 8 MOA really jumps out at you. For close-in defensive shooting, the larger dot is not a bad choice, so pick whatever you think will work best for you.
Shield does not identify how many levels of brightness the sight can employ. Rather, the dot automatically adjusts based on the lighting conditions.
Shield offers a 7-year warranty on the electronics in the RMSc and a lifetime warranty on the remaining components.
As Shield is an English company, purchases direct from the company require a currency conversion from US dollars to British pounds. Further, purchases will incur a VAT or value-added tax. At the time of this writing, the suggested retail price of the sight is £300 before the VAT. Once the currency conversion and VAT are added, the price is about $472.98 plus overseas shipping.
If you prefer, you can order the sight here for only $430 with free shipping and returns.
SMSc
Another Shield product, this unit has a similar appearance but a few new features as well. The most obvious change is that the SMSc uses a polymer body instead of aluminum.
Shield also gave the lens a rework. Now you can get the polymer lens with a special quartz hard coating on it for increased durability and scratch resistance. You can also have the polymer lens replaced entirely with a glass lens.
As with the RMSc, the SMSc is a constant-on sight with an automatically adjusting brightness. When mounted on your Glock pistol, a sensor measures the ambient light and changes the red dot’s relative brightness.
The SMSc can be purchased with a 4 MOA or 8 MOA aiming dot. It enjoys the same 7-year/unlimited warranty that the RMSc has.
With the quartz-coated polymer lens, the MSRP with VAT for the SMSc is $346.85. A glass lens upgrade will cost an additional $126.13 for a total of $472.98. Coincidentally, that is the same price as the RMSc.
Alternatively, you can try to grab one from a US-based retailer. Right now, however, the only retailer that seems to be carrying them is Springfield Armory. The company’s asking price is $299, but they are out of stock with no expected restock date.
SIG SAUER Romeo Zero
Special Note
Reader Mike W. sent me an email about the Romeo Zero’s compatibility with the G43X MOS. He said that the mounting screws that are included with the sight are too long for the Glock pistol. This mirrors the problem that I discovered when trying to mount the Romeo Zero to the Springfield Armory Hellcat.
I’m trying to track down a drop-in replacement screw set. It has been suggested to me that these M4-0.70x8mm flat head screws are a good replacement, but I have not confirmed this yet.
If you are running a Romeo Zero on your Glock 43X MOS, can you let us know what modifications or alternative screws you had to use?
If you weren’t already aware, SIG SAUER is now an optics manufacturer. The company makes everything from range finders to high power scopes. One of its more recent additions is the Romeo Zero RDS that fits the Glock 43X and other slimline pistols.
The Romeo Zero is manufactured with a polymer body and lens. This lends itself to being light – roughly 0.4 ounces according to the company’s specifications.
For durability, I much prefer a 6061 or 7075 aluminum body. However, polymer has proven to be a durable material for gun parts. Likewise, I prefer a glass lens. Polymer, however, is a proven material for optics so you should be fine with this sight unless you abuse it.
SIG uses a motion activation system to turn the red dot on. The system seems to work well, and I have no issue with relying on it.
The dot brightness is manually controlled. With the Romeo Zero, you get 8 manually adjustable brightness levels. There are two available models: one with a 3 MOA dot and a second with a larger 6 MOA dot.
One of the highlights of this sight is its pricetag: $219. Buying it online brings it below $200 with free shipping. That is the best deal on this list by a fairly wide margin.
Swampfox Sentinel
Currently, the Swampfox Sentinel is my favorite red dot sight for pistols with the RMSc-type base.
The Sentinel is tough and built to take a beating. Swampfox machines the body from 7075-T6 aluminum – the same hardened metal used in forged AR lowers.
For the lens, Swampfox uses an optical glass that has been multi-coated to give it resistance to fogging, water, mud and scratches.
Further, the Sentinel is the only sight on this list with an IP rating: a standardized rating system for measuring water and dust intrusion into electronics and other devices.
The Sentinel is rated at IPX7. That means it is submersible to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. None of the other optics offers anything close to this.
Swampfox offers the RDS in two models: one is completely manual with 10 brightness levels while the other is a constant on version with an infinitely adjustable, automatic brightness level. I own the full-auto version, and it works just as advertised.
The photosensor samples ambient lighting and near-instantly adjusts the 3 MOA red dot. In actual use, I’ve found it works perfectly.
Swampfox offers a 50k round warranty on the Sentinel. In other words, if you have any problems with it during the first 50,000 rounds of live fire, they will make it right. If you shoot 1,000 rounds/year, you will have the company’s backing for the next 50 years. I bet, however, the company would be willing to step up for any defect in its manufacturing regardless of round count.
Due to the incredible popularity of the Sentinel, the sights sell out quickly. However, they are available at a discount here.
Trijicon RMRcc
Trijicon’s RMR line of red dot sights is highly regarded for their durability and performance. For the micro-compact pistols, the company introduced the RMRcc which is both narrower and lighter, but just as rugged as the original.
The RMRcc uses a unique mount that deviates from the rest of the industry that standardized on the RMSc-type mount. But, Trijicon does offer a wide range of mounting plates.
Mounting Plate Note
Earlier reports that Trijicon was making a plate for the Glock 43X MOS were incorrect.
Trijicon currently recommends people purchase a third-party mounting plate from C&H Precision. These plates are $69.99 each and are in production now.
The mount is not the only thing that makes the RMRcc unique on this list. It is also the only optic that is 100% made in the USA – from design to machining to assembly, everything is done with American citizens in facilities located in the continental United States.
As with the Swampfox option above, Trijicon uses a tough 7075-T6 aluminum housing for its red dot sight. Your Glock 43X is designed to take a beating, and Trijicon designed the RMRcc to perform in the roughest of conditions. The company states that the optics have been temperature tested, drop tested, vibration tested and water intrusion tested. While the company does not provide an IP-rating for the optic, it states the RMRcc is good to 20 meters underwater.
You don’t get made in the USA quality for free. This optic is easily the most expensive available for the Glock 43X MOS. However, don’t stress over the “suggested” retail price of $699. You can get one for a lot less through our affiliate link here. And for that money, you get what may be the toughest red dot sight available for the Glock 43X MOS.
Wrap Up
All of the sights on this list will work for your slimline Glock 43, 43X, and 48. However, two stand out to me.
For the absolute best sight, the Trijicon RMRcc is the only choice. They are made in the USA and are ruggedized for combat duty.
If you are looking for near-Trijicon performance without as large a bite in your wallet, the Swampfox Sentinel is the way to go. Even at full MSRP, the fully-automatic sight is less than $300 and you get 7075-T6 construction with IPX7 water immersion capabilities. This is the optic I am currently running on my carry gun.
However, if you are on a budget, the SIG Romeo Zero is tough to beat. This link will get you the sight for less than $200 with free shipping. While the build quality isn’t quite as good as the Sentinel, the Romeo Zero is a full $100 cheaper.
Disclosure
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We earn money on the site through the use of affiliate links. We provide all of our information for free. If you choose to use one of our links, we earn a small commission. I link to partners like Optics Planet and Palmetto State Armory – companies I already do business with. If I wouldn’t purchase from them, I would not send you to them.
If you have any feedback on this article, please leave a message below. Disagreement and recommendations are always welcome. The only thing I ask is that you keep things civil. I want to keep it a family-friendly site.
Awesome article. I love your posts.
Alright, so is it possible to mount an RMR to this thing? I realize the RMR is Much wider than the slide but i still want it.
Thanks for your kind words Stephen.
You can mount the RMR to the G43x and other RMSc-type cuts. You need to get an adapter plate. Without digging too deeply, I see Brownells has one for about $85. However, MapleLeaf Firearms in Celina, TX has a plate for $40. I’ve never tested it or know anything about the company but for the price difference, I think I’d give them a shot.
I hope that helps!
If you try it out (or try something different), would you leave a comment about how it worked out for anyone else needing the same thing?
-Richard
Negative ghost rider, the Maple Leaf plate only works with RMR/SRO.
Hi Joe_K,
Thanks for the feedback. Just so we are on the same page, Stephen was asking about the original RMR (not the newly released RMRcc that was announced after he asked.) If I’m reading the Maple Leaf site correctly, the plate is designed to adapt the full-size RMR to the RMSc pattern mount.
Do I have it right or have I gone off the rails here? I don’t want to make bad recommendations to people.
-Richard
Any particular reason you choose to leave out the holosun 507k and 407k?
Hi Matt,
Holosun said those optics are not yet available. I just double-checked the company’s website and it still says “Coming soon”. Do you have different information?
-Richard
so will the 507k and 407k fit though?
Hi Eddi,
According to Holosun, the sights will be “compatible with some standard mounting solutions currently available.”
I’ve not seen an official statement from the company on the pattern/size matching the RMSc mount. Other people online are reporting that it will, so I am hopeful. If it does not, I expect the company will offer an adaptor plate, though that does slightly increase the size and weight of the package.
-Richard
Hi Eddi,
I spoke with a rep for Holosun today. They have no ETA on when the sights might be available. Not even a “by the end of the year.” So, it might be a while.
Also, I confirmed that the K models will use a proprietary footprint. That means adaptor plates will be required.
I hope this helps.
-Richard
The 507k does use the RMSc screw pattern, but not the two corner indexing lugs associated with it. So if a pistol has them, they have to be filed down flat. Other than that, a 507k can go on any pistol with a Shield footprint.
Trijicon basically forced Holosun to go back to it’s small button set up. Once back on the market, they will go right back to being a thorn in Trijicon’s side. All the reliability and durability for half the price.
Thanks for the clarification on the lugs. Holosun definitely brings a lot of competition to the market, which is a good thing. Now that the Trijicon settlement is in, maybe they will start shipping these soon. I don’t know how many people are willing to grind the lugs off though. That seems to limit who will want to buy them. I wonder what I’m missing on that design decision.
-Richard
So regarding the Holosun 507K, I found a company which makes an adapter plate for the 507K onto the Glock 43x. I have not tried it but I have heard good things about it. Here is the link to it: https://chpws.com/product/glock-43x-48-mos-to-holosun-407k-507k-adapter-plate
An rmsc mount for the 507k requires total takedown of the back posts and about halfway on the front two if that helps at all.
What weapon light do you suggest?
I generally lean toward Surefire and Streamlight products based on my experience with them. However, the Olight weaponlights are surprisingly good. I haven’t tested it on the 43X, but the PL-2 Valkyrie might be a good match. If you are looking for something very compact, I am testing a PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie right now on a Hellcat. It is very compact with an easy charger and a respectable amount of light. Both are less than $100.
-Richard
By chance is that a Surefire on the gun (top of page)? Thanks!
Hi John,
Yes, it is a SureFire. However, I do not know which model it is yet. The image was provided to my by Glock and they referred my to SureFire for information on it. I have not gotten a response from SureFire yet, but I will let you know when I have more information to share. I didn’t see anything in the company’s catalog that seemed to be an exact match, so I wonder if it is a new product that just hasn’t been announced yet.
-Richard
Richard, I found the light. It is their new XSC Weapon Light (Price: $329.00).
Hi John,
Yep. It looks like Glock may have released the photo a little earlier than Surefire was ready for. I like the look of the rechargeable battery pack.
-Richard
The SIG ROMEOZero is actually assembled in the USA. You list China.
Hi John,
Thanks for the note. The Romeo Zero’s last substantial transformation (last major assembly action) happened in the US which allows SIG SAUER to claim “Assembled in USA.” Sadly, it is not made in America. If it was, the company would just say that.
Following the FTC guidelines, SIG cannot claim that it is made in the USA since either all or a substantial number of its parts are made overseas.
Refer also to:
Complying with the Made in USA Standard
Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims
I hope this helps.
-Richard
The ROMEOZero is assembled in Wilsonville, Oregon. Rumors abound in the optics industry of companies that simply put a battery in a red dot, or put a scope inside of a box and claim “Assembled in USA”. But I can assure you that every major component of the ROMEOZero is physically put together here in the US.
Hi John,
Seriously?
I’ve correctly listed where the Romeo Zero is manufactured. Final assembly and where the parts are made are completely different things as you well know. For those that are not aware, feel free to read the FTC guidance in the links above.
If you could have claimed made in the USA, you would have.
I’ve not talked about rumors on any optics and unless you are trying to confuse potential buyers, I’m unsure why you are bringing that up. Any company that does as you state the rumors claim would appear to be committing fraud and subject to FTC enforcement.
Finally, so readers have a full understanding of who is playing white knight for SIG SAUER, I’ll just post your own words:
– Richard
Hi Richard.
“Made in” and “Assembled in” are 2 different things. Nobody is saying “Made in” except you.
Assembly of all the major components into a working unit takes place in the USA, which is all I’ve said here.
Thank you.
Hi John,
Of course I’m saying where products are made. I’ve been crystal clear about that all along.
Using terms like “Assembled in the USA” is considered an obfuscation by many people. Not only does it annoy many consumers, but the FTC has to put out guidance on the use of the phrasing to keep companies from committing outright fraud.
My question is why won’t your company be clear about where its products originate?
A much better marketing play would be something like:
I think most consumers would respond well to that.
Also, I’d like to point out that I list your product as “…the best deal on this list by a fairly wide margin.” I still think that. But you are really going a long way to ruin whatever small win that might have been for your product.
-Richard
Always nice to see a company double down on attempts to mislead consumers. So unnecessary. Nothing Richard wrote made your company look bad. YOU are making your company look bad. Just stop.
Agreed. After reading that exchange, SIG certainly lost me for any future purchases. Richard, your article was fair and informative and your ‘replies’ were spot on. Excellent work, thank you for introducing me to Swampfox. I had not heard of them even after watching and reading reviews for weeks on optics. I did discover that Shield makes an RMSw which they say is watertight at 20m for 30 min.
Thanks KK! My Swampfox is still going strong. While I wish they were made in the USA, I can’t know the quality or the price.
-Richard
This is the reason why Sig is out forever in my books. Sig knew the issue with the P320 and only sent the fix to mil while leaving LEOs and civilians out of the loop for too long. Only until after two incidents of guns going off in holsters on video were captured, did they pony up. This review was honest and they were in good standing for me on the zero as an option for a personal gun, but now I will be using this entire thread to educate rookie officers on the importance of finding solid companies. Makes it easier to share this information when you guest instruct firearms at a regional police academy.
Thanks LB. Stay safe out there – these are weird times.
-Richard
Some one asked but I did not see a reply. In the top picture it appears to be a surefire on the 43x MOS.
Can you clarify what flashlight is mounted on this pistol.
Thanks
Martin
Hi Martin,
You are correct: it is a SureFire light. The photo was provided to me by Glock who confirmed the manufacturer. However, when I asked about the model, the Glock rep referred me to SureFire. I am waiting for a response from SureFire as to which model it is. It doesn’t look like anything I have in my catalog, so I am wondering if it is something new that hasn’t been announced.
When I get more information, I will share it.
-Richard
Thanks Richard
Hi Martin,
SureFire just announced that is the new XSC weaponlight. It is specifically designed for the Springfield Armory Hellcat, SIG SAUER P365 and Glock 43X/48 series of pistols. It is a rechargeable light with a wide beam (bright, short-range illumination) with 350 lumens and only 2,000 candelas. The MSRP is $329.
I hope this helps!
-Richard
What light is mounted on the G43X MOS that is pictured at the beginning of the article? It appears to be a Surefire based on the logo on the side of the light? Can you confirm this? I have tried lights from Olight, Inforce, Surefire, and Streamlight and cannot get any to fit the rail on my G48 MOS.
Thanks
Hi Frank,
The photo in question is a press photo sent to me my Glock. I confirmed with Glock that it is a SureFire light. When I asked about the model, they referred me to SureFire. SureFire has not responded to my inquiry yet.
Like many of you who have asked, I cannot find a light in the SureFire product line that seems to match it. I wonder if this is something new.
-Richard
Hi I see the rail version of the 43x show here & a 48 with rail mentioned in the comments. I thought those were only available in Europe?
Both the G43X MOS and G48 MOS have the Glock Slim Mounting Rail for lights and other accessories. They were announced in August 2020 and are available in the US.
I hope this helps.
-Richard
Hi Frank,
SureFire just announced that is a new weaponlight called the XSC. It is designed for thin guns like the Glock 43X and Springfield Hellcat. Throws a reasonable 350 lumens but has a limited reach that is suited for these kinds of handguns. SureFire is selling them for $329.
-Richard
I got my Glock 48 MOS last week and this is the only article that I found that list the mini red dot sight options.
I carry a Glock 45 with w Trijicon RMR on my duty weapon.
I want to get the Trijicon for the Glock 48 MOS but cannot find the AC 32099 mount. Web sights show unknown ETA for back orders.
I also like the shield sight but there is no availability. The Optic’s Planter web sight says 5-7 mouth order time.
I’ll research the others a bit more.
Thanks you very much for the information.
Hi Stanley,
A lot of gun-related stuff is selling quick – especially for new guns like this one. It looks like the SIG optic is still in stock at a variety of locations. The Trijicon is showing a 10-19 day shipping window which is longer than I would hope, but better than body armor right now! I would imagine the plate has a similar time frame (or less since the machining of those is likely easier.) The Swampfox looks like will have more in October.
Crazy times! Thanks for reading!
-Richard
Stanley, I have the Glock 43X MOS and the Trijicon RMRcc. I spoke to Trijicon and the AC 32099 will not fit the RMRcc if that’s what you have. C&H Precision is developing an adaptor plate for this optic to fit. I preordered one and should be out this month. Of course I will probably have to find taller fixed sights.
Thanks John, presenting the C&H Precision solution, it will solve my problem. I was debating whether to get the slide on my 48 MOS milled or sell it and put the RMRcc on a non MOS 48 after milling. That would have negated the effort and cost to get the 48 MOS. Thanks again, I have a C&H adapter on order and hopefully it will be here a couple of weeks.
Tom,
Glad I could help. My adapter plate just shipped. The challenge now is finding taller sights that co-witness due to the fact the optic pretty much sits on top of the slide. I reached out to C&H and they are trying to confirm the sight height (He believes it might be .400″). That height is available for Glocks but I’m having trouble finding that height for the 43x MOS.
hello
just brought a Glock 43x MOS will the SHIELD SMSC MICRO RED DOT from Springfield mount directly.
I’ve got the new Glock 43X MOS. I’ve also got a Shield Sight RMSc. There is a 1″ shim in the RMSc box. What is it for? I mounted my RMSc directly to the gun, and it seems fine. Also, in the RMSc box there are four screws, two are 8mm long and two are 10mm long. When I installed the RMSc on the gun, one 8mm screw and one 10mm screw seemed to be what was needed. However, a MOS card in the Glock box says to use 8mm screws. Can you clarify the purpose of the shim in the RMSc box and which screws to use to mount the RMSc to the 43X MOS? Thanks, Robert
Great article, this helps a lot.
I just wanted to add a quick observation…
I currently have the 43X MOS with the Sig RomeoZero mounted, in the units description from the factory you listed above it state that the RomeoZero is not NVG capable. While there are things I wish I could change on the RZ I have found that they are indeed NVG capable with the PVS-31’s I am running. Perhaps there is a different standard on how that is rated but it absolutely works for me.
Again, great article!
thanks,
Brian