Frequently Asked Questions
What is your turnaround time?
Turnaround times are an estimate and can vary based on workflow and military commitments. That being said, our general turnaround time is 3 days for an optic cut. Cerakote drop-off and pickup occur every Wednesday, which adds approximately 7–10 days to turnaround time. Please note that return shipping times also add to total turnaround time.
How do I ship my slide to you?
Please see our Shipping page for specific instructions. Please read carefully before sending.
I didn’t see an option for this on the website — can you do the work?
Possibly! We try to keep to optic footprints that will be popular with more than one customer. The drawing and measuring for each new slide take approximately two (very full) days to complete, so if it’s not something that can be sold to multiple people, it may not be worth the time. That being said, I do like knowing what my customers want and will try to accommodate.
Do you offer custom Cerakote colors?
We offer a standard set of colors to keep things simple for our Cerakote partners. No custom colors are available at this time. Please see the list of offerings in the optic cut product description.
Do you offer cut-area-only Cerakote?
Yes, we do. Please purchase from the following link: https://vigilantemachine.com/cut-area-only-cerakote/
Do you provide black nitride?
We have a third-party provider that we send out to for black nitride. This does increase turnaround time by approximately 3–5 weeks. Please note, once it is shipped to the third party, we cannot control their turnaround times.
Do you install the iron sights, and is there a fee?
If iron sights are included, we install sights for free!
Do you bore sight the optic prior to sending my optic and slide back?
If you include your barrel and recoil spring, I will bore sight your optic for free.
What size iron sights do I need?
We are currently offering Angry Bear Arms iron sights for the firearms that are supported. The correct size iron sights will be determined in-house—no need to figure out the specifics, leave it to us!
Will I receive my old iron sights back once my cut is complete?
Yes, but they could be damaged upon removal. Removal is necessary to cut and Cerakote.
Will this optic fit on my firearm?
If the optic is listed on our website as compatible with your firearm’s footprint, it will fit.
If you don’t see your optic listed, reach out — we’ll review your setup and see what we can do.
You don’t offer cold blue on your website. Is this an option?
By request only. Please note, cold blue is not a protective coating—it should be considered strictly cosmetic. This will not keep your firearm from rusting.
Why do you require the optic to complete the service? You say you do match-fit optic cuts. What is that, and what does it entail?
The slide is cut to match the recoil lug bores of the optic. The optic is a tight fit in the pocket without screws. If you have a bottom-loading battery, it will not affect your point of impact when you replace your battery. Match-fitting an optic removes most of the shear force from the screws, allowing the screws to hold the optic in place. This provides the highest durability and reliability you can receive from an optic cut—this is why the optic is required at the time of service.
What if I need to replace my optic, will my new optic fit since it was match cut?
Due to the match-cut, there's a strong likelihood that replacing your optic with another product from the same brand will result in a proper fit. Most tolerance shifts occur when switching between different brands. If you decide to go with a different brand and the new optic doesn’t fit for any reason, just send it back — I’ll re-fit it at no extra cost. You’ll only need to cover the shipping. (Must have been originally cut by Vigilante Machine).
What does Vigilante mean?
Vigilante Machine is named after the Montana Vigilantes. The Montana Vigilantes were a group of concerned citizens in the 1860s who took it upon themselves to bring justice to the territory. During that time, there were a lot of thieves in the area—these thieves robbed cattle, horses, gold, unsuspecting travelers, and more. The Vigilantes were ruthless and hung many but restored peace and safety to the territory in a short amount of time. Soon, formal law was founded in the territory, and the Vigilantes were disbanded. This is a strong part of Montana history. If you ever visit the state, you can go to Bannack State Park and Virginia City to learn more.