6.9.2025

Own a rifle or handgun that doesn’t come optics-ready? No problem. With smart solutions – and skilled gunsmiths – you can still mount an Aimpoint® sight as low and stable as possible.

Mounting the Aimpoint® Acro® on Your Rifle or Handgun – Even Without a Dedicated Optics Cut

When it comes to mounting red dot sights on handguns and carbines, some settle for standard solutions. Not Action Reaction Sports (ARS). This Stockholm-based company, founded by Anton Wallin and Leo Sandström, has made a name for itself by offering custom mounts that keep the sight as low and secure as possible.

From Passion to Profession

Anton Wallin’s journey into firearms engineering began the same way it has for many others – out of frustration.
“I started modifying my own guns because the available options were just so boring,” he says.

Anton earned his hunting license at age 17 and had previously trained with various firearms through Sweden’s FBU youth program – a national organization offering military-style training for young people. But the selection of hunting rifles left much to be desired, so he began rebuilding his own.

“Then I started working on friends’ guns, and when it turned into friends of friends, I realized I could start charging for it.”

A turning point came when he met an older machinist at his former workplace.
“He had a workshop and let me use it – I learned so much there.”

That marked the beginning of ARS, officially founded five years ago by Wallin and Sandström. Leo entered the field through his passion for CNC milling and programming.

A Craft Backed by Competition

For Wallin, the hands-on craftsmanship is only half the thrill – the other half plays out on the range.
“At first, building was the most fun – but testing the gear in competition and seeing how well it performed became just as important.”

Today, he actively competes in multiple IPSC disciplines: handgun, rifle, and PCC (see fact box). He also takes part in military-style matches abroad.

“You crawl through mud and climb over all kinds of obstacles – it’s about pushing both gear and shooter to the limit.”

The Challenge: Mounting Optics as Low as Possible

At ARS, optic mounting is a core specialty – particularly when it comes to red dot sights on handguns. While many gunsmiths offer basic mounting solutions, Wallin and Sandström take it a step further.

“We always aim to mount the optic as low as physically possible – that’s what sets us apart.”

One example is how they work with the Aimpoint® Acro® series.
“We don’t just mill the slide – we also modify the sight itself by removing material from the bottom to lower the overall height.”

On certain handgun models, they even modify the firing pin safety to create space for the mount – all while preserving full functionality.

“Our philosophy is simple: we can mount any sight on any handgun – and we’ll make it sit as low as it can go.”

Customization Still Matters – Even in an Optics-Ready World

Even as more handgun manufacturers offer optics-ready models, demand for ARS’s services remains high.
“It’s often two to three thousand kronor cheaper to buy a standard handgun than an optics-ready model. If you bring it to us for milling and mounting, the total cost ends up roughly the same,” Wallin explains.

The Aimpoint® Acro® remains one of their most requested sight models.
“It’s extremely rugged – perfect for club guns or any pistol that sees heavy use. For firearms that will be handled by multiple shooters and need to stand up to rough conditions, we always recommend the Acro.”

Thinking Outside the Box

While handguns and carbines make up the bulk of their work, ARS enjoys pushing boundaries. One standout project involved milling a sight mount directly into the receiver of a semi-auto shotgun.

“It’s the same idea as a pistol slide cut – except on the back of a shotgun receiver,” Wallin explains.
“We’ve done a few of those now, and it’s always fun applying our knowledge to new platforms.”

So if you’re considering mounting a sight on your rifle or handgun, reach out to a gunsmith near you. Your local gun shop can help you get in touch if you don’t already have someone in mind.