What does footprint mean? Footprint is mounting standards for you to install a red dot on a gun. I know that's still abstract concept in some sense. To make it concrete, footprint refers to the 3D pattern on the bottom side of the red dot.
This article may refer other websites or brands for clarification and instruction.
1. Footprint Compatibility Overview
Before we jump into deeper footprint knowledge, let’s start with the most practical part — which footprint matches which mainstream industry standard.
Here’s a quick compatibility map for easy reference:
MOJ Footprint — Compatible with RMR® pattern
MGT Footprint — Compatible with RMSc / SMS standard
VOD Footprint — Compatible with ACRO® footprint
RUM Footprint — Compatible with T-1™ / T-2™ micro-dot pattern
GIN Footprint — Compatible with C-More® RTS / STS
TEK Footprint — Compatible with Docter / Noblex® mounting standard
These patterns cover almost all major red dot naming systems used in the market today. We also offer a SDM (Slide Direct Mount) pattern for our direct-mount red dots designed for specific pistol platforms, with no adapter plater required.
1.1 Universal Adapter Options
Before diving into the specific footprint knowledge, I would love to introduce some universal adapters for your convenience.
SCFRM-21 Universal Adapter,
Designed for CZ 75 Shadow®, CZ 75 SP-01® and CZ P-10 C®, compatible with Frenzy MOJ/ MGT/ GIN/ TEK footprint red dot sights.
SCFRM-29 Universal 45° Offset Red Dot Sight Mount
Designed for picatinny rail, compatible with Frenzy MOJ/ MGT/ GIN/ TEK footprint red dot sights.
SCFRM-GK10 2-in-1 MOJ / MGT Footprint Universal Dovetail Adapter Mount
Designed for firearm & airsoft Glock® , compatible with Frenzy MOJ/ MGT footprint red dot sights.
SCFRM-GK11 4-in-1 MOJ / MGT / TEK / GIN Footprint Universal Dovetail Adapter Mount
Designed for firearm & airsoft Glock® , compatible with Frenzy MOJ/ MGT/ GIN/ TEK footprint red dot sights.
These adapters help you bridge different mounting standards when switching firearms or optics.
1.2 Why Footprints Exist & How They Work
Before introducing the footprint, we would love to share a fun fact about Vector Optics. We use alchohol acroynms to name after them.
(Vector Optics' Footprint Naming System)
Just in case, some people might be curious about why there is footprint and what is its purpose. Red dot sights were originally developed for pistols, so their width is usually matched to the pistol slide—neither too wide nor too narrow. The length of the sight is determined by its optical design, and the sockets in the footprint keep the sight locked in place under recoil.
You may notice a special footprint (VOD) doesn't have sockets, I would explain why later in the article. The bolts are for set screws, ensuring a tight and secure connection between the red dot and the adapter plate.
With the basics covered, let’s dive into each footprint and break down what makes them different.
2. MOJ Footprint
Dimension: 45.3mm x 29.5mm / 1.78 inch x 1.16 inch
Pattern: Two sockets at the front side for the pins on the red dot, two screw holes in the middle.
Compatable with: RMR®
Our red dot sights with MOJ footprint:
Plates for pistol: SCRDM-08 (GLOCK®)
Mounts for rifle: SCRA-71 (for weaver rail on rifle, MOJ footprint red dot, mount riser), SCFRM-02 (for picatinny rail on rifle, MOJ footprint red dot, offset)
3. MGT Footprint
Dimension: 41mm x 25mm / 1.61 inch x 0.98 inch
Pattern: Four sockets at each corner, two bolts in the middle.
Compatable with: RMSc/SMS
Characteristic: It is similar as the TEK footprint but in a compact size. MGT is the smallest footprint which usually applys to mini red dot sights.
Our red dot sight with MGT footprint:
Adapter Plates for Pistol: SCRDM-09 (GLOCK®), SCFRM-16 (MOS to MGT, adapter for GLOCK® with standard MOS), SCFRM-19 (HK® SFP9)
Mounts for rifle: SCRA-73 (for weaver rail on rifle, mount riser), SCFRM-11 (for weaver rail on rifle, cantilever style mount), SCFRM-03 (for picatinny rail on rifle, offset mount).
4. VOD Footprint
Dimension: 50mm x 30mm / 1.97 inch x 1.18 inch
Pattern: No sockets or bolt, a cut in the middle for a recoil stopper.
Compatable with: ACRO®
Characteristic: This one is special with no sockets or bolts. It is kind of like a variant of weaver rail. You will need one screw to connect the red dot and the adapter from the bottom side of the red dot. This footprint usually applys to enclosed red dot sight, which you have no place to screw in from the upper side.
Our red dot sight with VOD footprint:
Plates: SCRDM-10 (GLOCK®), SCFRM-18 (CZ SHADOW® 2), SCFRM-20 (HK® SFP9)
Adapters: SCFRM-12 (MOS-VOD), SCFRM-13 (MOJ-VOD)
Mounts: SCFRM-14 (for weaver rail, low mount), SCFRM-15 (for weaver rail, riser mount), SCFRM-17 (for dovetail rail, low mount)
5. RUM Footprint
Dimension: 53mm x 22mm / 2.09 inch x 0.87 inch
Pattern: A cut in the middle, two screw holes on both sides
Compatable with: T-1™/T-2™
Characteristic: This one was also developed for tube sight, which could be applied on rifle.
Adapters: N/A
Mounts: SCPSM-01 (for picatinny rail, cantilever mount), SCPSM-02 (for picatinny rail, low mount)
Our red dot sight with RUM footprint:
6. GIN Footprint
Dimension: 52mm x 27mm / 2.05 inch x 1.06 inch
Pattern: Four bolts, two at the front side are smaller than those at the back side
Compatable with: C-More® RTS/STS
Characteristic: This footprint has the biggest dimension. Usually the red dot with GIN footprint is designed for IPSC (The International Practical Shooting Confederation) matches. It would realize the biggest window to provide good field of view. It sometimes also applied on the rifle.
Adapters: N/A
Our red dot sight with GIN footprint:
7. TEK Footprint
Dimension: 46mm x 28mm / 1.81 inch x 1.1 inch
Pattern: two screw holes in the middle, four sockets at each corner to fit the pin on the red dot sight.
Compatable with: Docter/Noblex® mounting standard
Our red dot sights with TEK footprint:
Plates for pistol: SCRDM-01 (GLOCK®), SCRDM-02 (M1911), SCRDM-03 (P226), SCRDM-04 (BERETTA® 92), SCRDM-05 (Springfield XD®), SCRDM-06 (S&W M&P®), SCRDM-07 (HK® USP)
As depicted below, the back sides of the adapters vary to accommodate different pistols, with plugs designed to fit into rear sight slots of various sizes.
Mounts for rifle: SCRA-67 (for weaver rail on rifle, mount riser), SCFRM-01 (for picatinny rail on rifle, offset), SCFRM-04 (for dovetail rail on rifle, mount base)
8. SDM (Slide Direct Mount)
SDM (Slide Direct Mount) red dot sights are designed for specific pistol platforms. Red dot sights with the SDM pattern attach straight to the slide without the need for an adapter plate.
SDM red dot sights:
Frenzy FA 1x16x21 Standard MOS Red Dot Sight (SCRD-81)
Frenzy FA 1x20x24 CZ® P-10 / Shadow 2 OR Red Dot Sight (SCRD-82)
9. Red Dot Mounting Guides
Now that we’ve covered the different footprints and how they relate to mainstream mounting standards, the next step is putting everything into practice. Installing a red dot can look a little different depending on whether you’re setting it up on a rifle or a pistol, so we’ve prepared two step-by-step guides to walk you through the process. Choose the one that fits your setup below.
1. How to install a red dot sight on pistol?
2. How to install a red dot sight on rifle?
