Home / Optics / Vortex Defender-ST / Moving it between pistols

Moving the Vortex Defender-ST between pistols

Page last updated September 29, 2026. Data compiled September 2026 by the site administrator.

You already own it. Here is what changes from one slide to the next: the plate, the screw thread at each joint, the torque, the tools and any thread trap. 23 kinds of slide, covering 95 pistols, grouped by how the optic mounts and then alphabetically. Nothing is ranked. The Vortex Defender-ST page has its specs and the per-pair answers.

The screws are not the same on every slideAcross these slides the optic's screws go into 2 different threads (4-40, M4), and the screws from one pistol's box are often wrong for the next. Check the thread for the slide in front of you, and start every screw by hand.

21 of the 23 blocks have a figure marked not on file: no maker publishes it where this site could find it, so the plate maker or a gunsmith is the source. How the data is checked.

Mounts straight to the slide

SIG P320 optic cut (Romeo1Pro pattern)

Direct (cross-fit) Direct mount — cross-compatible

7 slides: SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry, SIG Sauer P320 XCompact, SIG Sauer P320 XFive Legion, SIG Sauer P320 XTen, SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion / AXG Pro, SIG Sauer P320 Spectre Comp, SIG Sauer P320-M17 / M18

Optic → slide: M4 × 0.7Supplied with the optic.
Optic torque: 20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

Springfield Echelon VIS

Direct (cross-fit) Direct mount — cross-compatible

3 slides: Springfield Armory Echelon, Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C, Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 4.5C

Pins → slide: No thread — interference fitSupplied with the pistol.
Optic → slide: M4 × 0.7Supplied with the optic.
Optic torque: 20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, Tweezers, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

Mounts on a plate

Beretta 92X / M9A4 plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

7 slides: Beretta 92X RDO, Beretta 92X / 92XI / 92XI SAO, Beretta 92XI Squalo, Beretta 92 GTS, Beretta M9A4, Beretta 92FS X Performance OR, Beretta 94X Performance

Plate: 92X / M9A4 → Leupold DPPBeretta factory; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Beretta APX A1 / APX RDO plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

3 slides: Beretta APX A1 Full Size, Beretta APX A1 Compact, Beretta APX RDO

Plate: Universal type FOptics Spot
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Canik optic plate system

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

5 slides: Canik TP9 Elite SC, Canik TP9 SFx, Canik SFx Rival / Rival-S, Canik TTI Combat, Canik TTI Combat Master

Plate: Canik kit → DeltaPoint ProCanik factory, ships with the pistol
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

CZ P-10 OR plate system

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

3 slides: CZ P-10 C Optics Ready, CZ P-10 F Optics Ready, CZ P-10 S Optics Ready

Plate: P-10 OR → DeltaPoint ProCZ factory, ships with the pistol
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

CZ Shadow 2 OR plate system

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

2 slides: CZ Shadow 2 Optics Ready, CZ Shadow 2 Compact Optics Ready

Plate: Shadow 2 OR → DeltaPoint ProCZ factory, ships with the pistol
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

FN MRD plate system

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

5 slides: FN 509 MRD / Tactical, FN 509 Midsize MRD / Compact MRD, FN 509 LS Edge, FN 510 / 545 MRD, FN 509 CC Edge

Plate: FN MRD → DeltaPoint ProFN factory, ships with the pistol
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

GLOCK Gen6 ORS

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

Slide: GLOCK 17 / 19 / 45 Gen6 (ORS)

Plate: ORS Plate 04GLOCK factory, ships with the pistol
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

GLOCK MOS — 10 mm / .45 frames

Plate Adapter plate required

4 slides: GLOCK 20 Gen5 MOS (10 mm), GLOCK 21 Gen5 MOS (.45), GLOCK 40 MOS (10 mm), GLOCK 41 MOS (.45)

Plate: MOS Plate 08GLOCK factory; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: 13.1 in-lb (1.5 Nm)
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $313–475approximate street prices, September 2026

GLOCK MOS — standard & full size

Plate Adapter plate required

12 slides: GLOCK 19 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 17 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 45 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 47 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 49 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 19X MOS, GLOCK 34 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 26 Gen5 MOS, GLOCK 17 / 19 / 34 Gen4 MOS, GLOCK 22 / 23 Gen5 MOS (.40), GLOCK 35 Gen5 MOS (.40), GLOCK 44 MOS (.22 LR)

Plate: MOS Plate 04GLOCK factory; 2 other plates on the pair pages
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the pistol, in the box with the cover plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: 13.1 in-lb (1.5 Nm)
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $313–475approximate street prices, September 2026

HK VP9 / SFP9 OR plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

4 slides: Heckler & Koch VP9 Optics Ready, Heckler & Koch VP9 Match OR, Heckler & Koch VP9SK Optics Ready, Heckler & Koch SFP9 OR (European VP9)

Plate: VP9 / SFP9 → Leupold DPPC&H Precision; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: M4Supplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: 4-40 (into the plate's T-nuts)Supplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Plate system — fitment not published

Plate Verify Adapter plate required

3 slides: Walther WMP, Ruger American Pistol Competition, Rost Martin RM1S

Plate: Ask the maker → DeltaPoint Pro familyUnconfirmed
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Rost Martin metal optic plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

Slide: Rost Martin RM1C

Plate: Leupold DeltaPoint Pro metal optic plateRost Martin
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Ruger RXM optic cut

Plate Adapter plate required

2 slides: Ruger RXM, Ruger RXM Compact

Plate: RXM → DeltaPoint ProAftermarket
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

S&W M&P C.O.R.E. / Optics Ready

Plate Fits on the plate in the box

8 slides: Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Optics Ready (4.25 / 4.6 / 5 in), Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact Optics Ready, Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal, Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Metal / Spec Series, Smith & Wesson M&P10mm M2.0 Optics Ready, Smith & Wesson M&P9 C.O.R.E. (pre-M2.0), Smith & Wesson M&P Carry Comp, Smith & Wesson M&P Competitor

Plate: Factory kit plate — DPP familyS&W factory, ships with the pistol; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereLook in the pistol's box, with the plates. If there are none, buy a pair made for this plate.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $300–450approximate street prices, September 2026

Shadow Systems optic plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

5 slides: Shadow Systems MR920, Shadow Systems DR920 / DR920P, Shadow Systems XR920 / XR920P, Shadow Systems Foundation Series, Shadow Systems MR920 Elite / Combat

Plate: SS → DeltaPoint ProShadow Systems
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Springfield AOS

Plate Adapter plate required

3 slides: Springfield Armory Prodigy (1911 DS), Springfield Armory 1911 DS Operator AOS, Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP

Plate: AOS → DeltaPoint ProSpringfield factory
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Staccato / 2011 optic plate system

Plate Adapter plate required

4 slides: Staccato C2, Staccato P, Staccato XC, Staccato XL

Plate: Staccato → DeltaPoint ProDawson Precision
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Taurus T.O.R.O. plate system

Plate Verify Adapter plate required

2 slides: Taurus G3 TORO / G3X TORO, Taurus G3C TORO / G3X TORO

Plate: T.O.R.O. Plate #4Taurus factory; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $313–475approximate street prices, September 2026

Walther PDP 1.0 optic cut

Plate Adapter plate required

7 slides: Walther PDP Full Size (1.0), Walther PDP Compact (1.0), Walther PDP F-Series, Walther PDP Pro SD, Walther PDP Pro, Walther PDP Steel Frame, Walther PDP Compact F-Series

Plate: PDP 1.0 → DeltaPoint ProWalther factory
Plate → slide: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: per plate maker, not on file hereSupplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Walther PDP 2.0 optic cut

Plate Adapter plate required

2 slides: Walther PDP 2.0 Full Size, Walther PDP 2.0 Compact

Plate: PDP 2.0 → Leupold DPPC&H Precision
Plate → slide: M3Supplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: 4-40 (into the plate's T-nuts)Supplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Walther Q4 SF / Q5 Match SF optic cut

Plate Adapter plate required

2 slides: Walther Q5 Match SF, Walther Q4 SF Optics Ready

Plate: Q-series → Leupold DPPC&H Precision; 1 other plate on the pair pages
Plate → slide: M3Supplied with the plate.
Optic → plate: 4-40 (into the plate's T-nuts)Supplied with the plate, not the optic.
Plate torque: per plate instructions
Optic torque: per plate maker, not on file here (20 in-lb (confirm current Leupold spec) is the optic maker's figure for mounting it straight on a slide)
Tools: Torque wrench, Driver bits, Calipers, Degreaser, A parts tray, Witness-mark paint or lacquer
To mount: $325–510approximate street prices, September 2026

Steps and safety: installing a red dot, from the makers' manuals. Mounting an optic is gunsmithing; confirm the pistol is unloaded first. Screw length is never listed here because it depends on the whole stack: each pair's build sheet has a calculator that works from your own caliper readings.

Something on this page wrong? Tell us what it should be, and include a source: nothing changes without one.