Initially developed by Agency Arms, the Agency Optic System (AOS) is an optics-mounting configuration that is billed as "the most robust optic cutout in today's market." Springfield Armory first adopted the AOS for its double-stack Prodigy handgun, and now, fans of the traditional M1911 can find this versatile system in a number of Springfield's single-stack offerings.
“The 1911 is easily the most respected—and proven—pistol in history,” said Steve Kramer, Springfield Armory’s vice president of marketing. “With the new 1911 AOS, Springfield Armory is taking a revered 20th-century design and updating it for the 21st century with the ability to accept a wide range of today’s most advanced optics.”
Handguns equipped with the Agency Optic System ship with a contoured cover plate that incorporates a rear sight. To install an optic, simply remove the cover plate and add any one of a number of plates compatible with a wide range of optic footprints. Each plate integrates a rear sight that can be easily co-witnessed through virtually any red-dot optic. Plates are available to fit most of today's optic footprints, including the Trijicon RMR, Shield, Leupold Delta Point Pro and Docter.
At launch, Springfield is offering the Agency Optic System in its Operator, Emissary and Ronin handgun lines, with four different models in each line equipped with the AOS cut. This gives handgun fans 12 different options to choose from, ensuring they can pick the Springfield M1911 model that best fits their needs while also having the ability to mount a red-dot sight.
Pricing on AOS-equipped Springfield Models starts at $967 for the Ronin line, rises to $1,184 for the Operator line and tops out at $1,378 for the Emissary. For more details on the Agency Optic System and compatible Springfield models, visit Springfield Armory's website here.
