2026 Will See More Aimpoint COAs in More Places (Not Just Glock)

Aimpoint's innovative new COA enclosed optic and its A-Cut footprint are now out in the wild after its exclusive contract with Glock has ended.

The COA made news last year when it hit on the Gen5 Glock 19, G43X, G45, G47, and G48 models. We tested them and loved them, finding the optic and its new footprint rock solid, essentially a downsized ACRO. Then, as Glock ended the Gen5 in favor of the new Gen6, the COA-equipped Glock became tough to get.

Aimpoint A-Cut with COA optic mounted G48 — The COA is a closed-emitter 3.5 MOA red dot inside a 7075-T6 high-strength aluminum housing with a super-low deck, vibration tolerances rated to 40,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and runs on a single 2032 battery, rated to produce over 50,000 hours (5 years) of constant-on use. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

That stands to change as the one-year lock that Glock had on Aimpoint's A-cut footprint has expired with the turn of the year, and we saw the COA on lots more guns at the recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas last month.

Aimpoint A-Cut with COA optic mounted Alien — We saw the COA on an Alien at range day. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Aimpoint A-Cut with COA optic mounted Archeron — We also saw it on a Archon Type-B Ported and Comped. (Photo: Seth Rodgers/Guns.com)

Aimpoint A-Cut with COA optic mounted Archon — Note how low the COA sits. In most cases, the deck is low enough to use standard rather than suppressor-height sights to co-witness in the lower third.

Aimpoint A-Cut with COA optic mounted S&W M&P — We also a S&W M&P using the footprint, which could be huge. (Photo: Seth Rodgers/Guns.com)

In a press release at SHOT, Aimpoint was clear that the company has "licensed the use of the A-Cut with major firearm and accessory manufacturers, including many of the most prominent handgun manufacturers in the market. Additional factory-installed pistol and COA combinations are planned throughout the year, reinforcing Aimpoint’s objective to establish A-Cut as the industry standard for optic mounting on pistols."

We can confirm that a major manufacturer plans to release a very popular line of self-defense pistols with an A-Cut/COA installed – we already have the gun in for review, but can't say more than that until the embargo lifts.

Aimpoint is listing the COA currently at $617, so you can imagine packages will be based on the asking price of the pistol it ships on, with roughly that extra amount for the glass.

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