Red dot co-witness out of the box

[gjgalligan]

What luck are you having a new optic being close to co-witness out of the box?
Most of mine have been close but I have one that looks to be a fair amount off. Haven't had a change to shoot it yet to confirm.

[Pyzik]

Co-witness or be zeroed? Co-witness depends on the height of your sights and optic. Typically it's on you when you order to know your height for your riser/mount. For most AR-15s and "absolute co-witness" is 1.42in. "Lower 1/3" is 1.57in. And then there is 1.93in which is typically for use with night vision.

[gjgalligan]

I'm wasn't very clear on my thoughts.
Pistols, existing sights already zeroed. Then placing an optic on the pistol. I would assume the optic sights so co-witness reasonably close when zeroed in.
I just wonder if new optics are centered at the factory and if so are they close to the existing iron sights.

[Pyzik]

I'm wasn't very clear on my thoughts.
Pistols, existing sights already zeroed. Then placing an optic on the pistol. I would assume the optic sights so co-witness reasonably close when zeroed in.
I just wonder if new optics are centered at the factory and if so are they close to the existing iron sights.

Ah! Some are, some aren't. Luck of the draw I think. I just put a Swampfox (a budget red dot) on my .22 competition pistol and it was WAY off. Like, 9" high and 6" right at 25 ft.
Though, the last Trijicon RMR I mounted was much closer to zero.

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

Yes, you can adjust a red dot sight to co-witness with known iron sights by carefully aligning the red dot to appear directly over the front sight post of your iron sights, essentially making both sight systems appear in line with each other when looking through the optic.
However, it's important to remember to properly zero both the red dot and iron sights independently to ensure accurate shooting in different situations.

...and, as previously mentioned, choosing the correct mounting height for your red dot (and irons) is crucial to achieving proper co-witness - especially if you're wanting an "absolute co-witness" (what you are describing). Instead of using trigonometry and algebraic expressions to 'splain all the maths, here's a universal truth --- not all red dot sights and iron sights are designed to co-witness in every possible combination.