The Aimpoint COA series had quite the rise and seemingly quite the fall. Glock and Aimpoint teamed up in 2025 to release the Glock Gen 5 COA: an optics-ready Glock that used a new A-CUT and an enclosed Aimpoint optic. The COA was in high demand, and when Glock abruptly discontinued the Gen 5 series, the optic went with it.
The Gen 6 and Gen V series didn’t introduce an A-Cut model, and the units already on the market were seemingly gobbled up by law enforcement agencies. For many of us who wanted a COA and an A-CUT gun, the options were nearly nil. Until now, the COA lives. However, it’s not living with Glock alone.
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Beyond the Glock Platform
The COA and the A-CUT have spread to S&W, Springfield Armory, Laugo Alien, and more. S&W is using the A-CUT and COA on the M&P Series, but sadly, the initial run is aimed at law enforcement due to the high demand for the optics.
Springfield Armory showed the COA off on the Echelon and various 1911s. According to the folks at Springfield, they have a few more months before they release the COA models. If they prove popular, they will extend the COA to a variety of platforms. What’s great about the A-CUT is that there are no screws to shear. Have you ever had screws shear and received a nice blow from an optic to the head? I have, and it sucks.
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The COA and the A-CUT
The COA and A-CUT prevent failure by using a front hook and a rear locking wedge. The rear sight screws down to the gun and provides the retention needed to keep the optic attached. The optic sits so low that it doesn’t need higher sights to co-witness either. It’s a brilliant solution to a complicated problem and might be the best optic footprint ever produced.
The Aimpoint COA is an enclosed emitter red dot optic that’s much smaller than the previous incarnations of the ACRO. You might expect a smaller window, but the window size is actually the same between the COA and the ACRO. The optic simply provides a smaller, less obstructed housing for handgun users.
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Durability and Specs
The COA uses a 3.5 MOA red dot and offers a battery life of 50,000 hours. The series was tested extensively by firing 40,000 rounds of 9mm with a single optic. It’s tough as nails and lives up to the Aimpoint reputation. It’s submersible up to 25 meters, made from hardened 7075-T6 aluminum, and features a hardened front lens.
The Aimpoint COA is a tough, duty-ready optic, and I’m glad to see it expand beyond the Glock platform that seemingly left it behind. New A-CUT guns are a benefit to all of us.
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