The ODefence plate, though better-looking, will take some finesse to work properly on your Steyr. The mounting screws supplied are 1mm shorter than they should be. You'll want to use 5mm M3 screws instead of the supplied 4mm ones.
If ease of installation is more important to you than cosmetics with your red dot mounting, stick with the OuterImpact version.
Read the thread below and you'll understand.
Being from Massachusetts, and our very restrictive gun laws, it took me a couple months to source and purchase my M9 A1, and I quite like the trap sights. But I was curious about adapting the slide for a red dot. Though having the slide milled is arguably the best way to go, there are other options available. I kind of hate altering the slide considering how long it took me to find the pistol. So, after a few weeks of research, here's what I found.
Available Adapter Plates. Subtle Differences: Outer Impact
The most well-known plate for the M9 is the Outer Impact MRA. The price is good at $55, and the wide variety of red dots that can use this plate is pretty impressive. The plate is a 7075 aircraft build, and looks like a rugged slab, ready to go. The company is in the US, which is a plus. The web site is very helpful in showing how the plate is installed.
The M9 is a nice-looking gun. Adapter plates are not especially aesthetically pleasing. They tend to hang out over the edges of thin-topped slides with angles. Think Walther, and in my case, the Steyr. However, I found another manufacturer with a really small design detail that makes a big difference to me. It's just a little side skirt that drops below the top of the slide.
Oceania Defence
This plate was hard to find, and I first discovered it on Amazon. It's manufactured by Oceania Defence (yeah, that's spelled right.) This company is based in the UK. Oceania's plates are custom-shaped for a variety of individual pistols (20 or so.) Each plate has a slightly different profile, according to the make and model. And I like the fit on the M9 better. It's more expensive, and cost $71.
Yeah, ok, I'm too picky. However, the ODefence model nicely covers over the dovetail so you can't see it from the side of the pistol.
You can see the obscenely minor difference when looking at the slide from the rear. It does appear, though, that the Outer Impact plate is thicker, and, perhaps, stronger. I haven't the slightest idea.
Oceania will also sell you a suppressor-height iron sight that screws into the plate behind the optic. Outer Impact may offer this too, but I'm not sure.
The installation of the plate is pretty straightforward. Remove your iron sight. Install the dovetail adapter, screw on the plate, Place a pair of the retention pins where appropriate, and then screw on the optic. I think my Vortex Venom is a little tall, but that's the optic I have on hand, and it also fits nicely the width of the plate.
So far, with 400 rounds, my Oceania Defence plate is holding up well.
that is actually pretty clean looking. i have been waffling between having the slide milled or this type of option. thanks for the info. it might just sway me toward an adapter plate. very nice execution by Oceania. will look into it.
Hi to everyone. I tried the ADE Steyr Red Dot plate and it fits perfectly using many brands of red dots. The MSRP is about $58.00 and you can order them at the ADE site "Optic Factory" or VT Services Group LLC.
Ordered one of the Oceania plate with the rear sight to check out -
2 issues I've run into -
1) One of the screws holding the plate to the dovetail won't tighten down, can't manually wiggle the plate and it seems like it should hold, but will see what happens once I get a chance to test it at the range - Unfortunately that probably won't happen til after the New Year.
2) Missing the screws to attach the rear sight (not sure I'd actually use it anyway, but still they were missing)
I've emailed the company the other day, will see what response (if any) I get from them and how they handle things and report back
I'm sad to say I had the same problem. The screws that go through the plate to the dovetail insert seem short. I contacted the company, and although they have been responsive, and promised to send new screws, they haven't arrived after 30 days and waiting.
I am currently having some issues with the screws through the plate to the dovetail insert, and have now heard from another member with a similar issue. Please don't order one of these plates until I see if the company properly addresses the issues!
I've been in contact with the company, so far the response has been (just) ok...After a couple of back and forth emails they are sending the screws (that were missing) for the "optional" rear sight.
As for the issue with the mounting plate/dovetail - I initially thought that one of the screws and not the insert was the problem, had tried moving the screws from one side to the other, Pictures of the insert and screws were requested (and sent) and in the mean time I decided to try swapping the screws again - wanted to make sure I had actually moved them from side to side, this time I marked the top of one of the screws with a red marker to make sure I had actually swapped positions didn't mix them up on removal (which I should have done to begin with - hindsight and all)
I had told the company that I suspected the screw to be the issue and not the dovetail - in one of the follow up emails I stated the same again, After reviewing the photos I sent they agreed the screw was likely the issue, they also suggested I use loctite on them - I responded that I had every intention of doing so but there was no point in doing that when one screw wouldn't tighten down and the issue was still being troubleshooted .
The last email I got (dated today) I was informed they are now closed until Jan 4th and could send the screw upon the company reopening after the holiday, so 14 days (+/-) later they agreed to send a screw but I now have to wait 13 more days + shipping time to receive said screw - unless I want to source one myself, since they informed me (in this same email) of the size - M3 x 4mm Countersunk.
Overall, not the best customer service I've ever received, sadly though, it also isn't the worst.
Like Larry I had (have) an OuterImpact plate, that while I hadn't had a chance to shoot much with, I had no issues - I ordered the ODefense plate because it was more aesthetically pleasing and figured it was worth a try. As Larry also said, the ODefense plate is thinner then the OI plate, but it does feel plenty solid in hand.
Once I get the screw(s) and get everything mounted, and the pistol out to the range a few times, I'll report back and will say if I can ultimately recommend them or not -
I'll give them a little leeway, but not much - may be able to source a screw myself (but would rather not), worst case scenario I go back to the OI plate, give negative feedback to OD if I see anyone asking (not going to go actively looking to) and call it a day!
At this point I'm gonna agree with Larry and say that anyone who is considering the Oceania plate should reconsider and go with the Outer Impact plate
(or even give the ADE plate a try)
I still have not received the missing screws for the optional rear sight (that were supposedly mailed on Dec 16th) - I contacted them again and was told "both sets of screws were mailed last week" (the week of the Jan 3rd) so 2 weeks after the rear sight set was supposedly mailed - Quite honestly, not expecting to ever receive them, but will post back if I ever do.
Another update - both packages of screws arrived a cpl days apart, the first on thurs and the second on sat. I have not yet done anything with them as far as finishing mounting the dot but will report back again after I do And get it out to the range a few times so I can report as to how it holds up - all that being said at this time for those interested in using a mount and plate I’d still say go with the outer impact (or try the ade)
Guess what. Though I still have not received my replacement screws from Oceania, I revisited the failure on my mounting plate. After careful examination of the plate, dovetail, and specifications online, I discovered the solution. The difference was exactly 1 millimeter.
Yes, I found the root to my screw-stripping issue was that the stock supplied screws connecting the plate to the dovetail insert are 4mm. The screws are metric M3. I did a few measurements with a digital caliper, and discovered there was enough room for a 5mm screw. That seats the screw deeper, and flush with the bottom of the dovetail insert. I reinstalled the plate using the new screws, (which were pretty easy to find on Amazon.)
Yesterday I put 200 rounds through the M9-A1with my Vortex Venom red dot mounted. It ran perfectly. The plate was now solid as could be. I've got to say, using this pistol with a red dot is magnificent. I'm not the most skilled shooter, but this rig was accurate to me out to 25 yards, the longest distance at my range.
There is one more item to consider if you're interested in this plate. After initially uninstalling the plate when it failed a few months ago, I noticed a small bit of scratching on my slide. This scratching may have been due to the loose screws, but the scratches were caused by the not-so-smooth machining on the inside of the Oceania plate. It might be worth running some sandpaper along those inside edges to make them smoother, and avoid any damage to your slide.
Yes, I'm a slave to design. I still like the look and design of the ODefence mounting plate to the Outer Impact. I think the flanges on the ODefence plate make it look like they were part of the original slide. But as you'll see above, it's been quite a hassle to get it all done.
I have an extra ODefence mounting plate with all the mounting screws and pegs. After all the hassle with customer service, the company sent me an entire package. Considering I already have one, I've got this spare. Retail these are $75. I'll take $45 plus shipping if anyone is interested.
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