These older CZ TS models, as well as newer ones, are not factory optics ready. Nevertheless, you have options for mounting a red dot on them. One, and at the same time the simplest, of these is the optic plate. On these models, you can even choose where to install it. Read on.
Compatibility with CZ model
When selecting a mount, first focus on making sure it fits your firearm. Individual CZ models differ in slide shape, type and dimensions of the dovetail or screw spacing, and mounts correspond to these differences. Choosing the correct mount is therefore absolutely crucial.
In this category, you will find mounts designed for the following models:
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CZ TS Czechmate
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CZ Tactical Sports Orange
Compatibility with your firearm can be easily verified in the description of each item.
Compatibility with red dot
Your firearm is sorted, now you need to pair the mount with a red dot. Red dots, in turn, have various footprints with specific screw spacing, capture pins, mounting surface sizes, etc.
Fortunately, there are several most common types of footprints used by a large number of red dots:
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Trijicon RMR footprint standard
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Shield RMSc footprint
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Leupold DPP footprint
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C-More RTS footprint
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Aimpoint Acro footprint
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Holosun K-series footprint
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Venom / Docter footprint standard
The most popular and most frequently used footprints are Trijicon RMR, Shield RMSc, and Vortex Venom.
Because many red dots share the same footprint, you then have more options for which one to install on the mount.
2 options for mount placement
1. Mounts into dovetail
For some models, this is the only possible way to attach a mount. The mount simply replaces the rear sight on the slide. This means you lose the ability to use standard sights until the red dot is swapped back for the rear sight.
TIP: At that point, the front sight also becomes unnecessary. To prevent it from being distracting, cover it with a
front sight filler.
Side mounts
This unique option is originally available only on certain CZ TS and TS 2 models. If your firearm has a thumb rest, the mount can be attached in its place. Simply unscrew the thumb rest and replace it with the mount. Besides the CZ TS Czechmate and CZ TS Orange, this modification can also be found on newer
CZ TS 2 models.
Side mounts are definitely a more elegant solution because you can use a side racker instead of the rear sight, and also mount an additional thumb rest on the side mount — adding extra functionality to your TS 2.
Even if the configuration of your CZ TS 2 allows for side mounting, you can still choose to mount it into the dovetail. It all depends on your personal preferences.
Classification by red dot compatibility
Universal mounts
You can purchase a universal mount that allows you to attach red dots with different footprints.
However, be careful – if you later decide on a red dot with a smaller mounting surface, the universal mount may be unnecessarily large.
Mounts for a specific red dot
If you already have a red dot and there is a mount available with that specific footprint, we recommend purchasing a mount designed directly for it instead of a universal mount. You still have the option to choose from other red dots with the same footprint.
Does the material the mount is made of matter?
Mounts are made of steel or aluminum. Steel weighs more, so steel optic plates are also heavier. If you are trying not to add any unnecessary extra grams, choose aluminum.
We have excellent personal experience with aluminum mounts and also positive feedback from customers. The only thing to watch out for with aluminum is not to use a higher tightening torque during installation than specified in the instructions. Aluminum, as a softer material, tends to deform, and aiming might not function as it should.
How to install a mount?
The mount is simply replaced with the rear sight on the slide. By doing so, you lose the ability to use standard iron sights until you replace the red dot back with the rear sight.
TIP: At that moment, the front sight also becomes unnecessary. To prevent it from being distracting, cover it with a
front sight filler.
Can I install a red dot mount myself at home?
Yes, if you already have experience installing a rear sight, or if these technical tasks do not pose a problem for you, you can replace it with a mount.
Procedure:
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First, unscrew the retaining screw(s) of your current rear sight and push the sight out.
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Then clean the dovetail and ideally also lubricate the contact surfaces.
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Next, press the red dot mount into the rear sight dovetail and secure it with the retaining screws (if the given mount type has them).
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Once the mount is firmly fixed in place, you can install the red dot on it.
For instlalation of side mount you only need to unscrew the screws holding the thumb rest and replace it with the side mount. Once in, you can install a red dot to it and you are good to go.
If you do not have sufficient experience, do not hesitate to entrust the replacement to a gunsmith.
