Frequently Asked Questions
We will be working on expanding our FAQ to cover some of your commonly asked questions. If you don't see your question answered here, please feel free to reach out to us at namelessarms@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!
What is your current lead time?
We currently average approximately 4–6 weeks for most service work. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed completion date, and some projects may take more or less time depending on the slide, optic, finish, and work being performed.
Every optic cut is individually match-fit to the specific optic provided. We also clean, inspect, assemble, and quality-check every slide before it leaves our shop. These additional steps require more time, but they allow us to provide the level of fit, finish, and mounting security we believe our customers deserve.
Nameless Armament is a small husband-and-wife operation. Nate performs the machining, coating, assembly, and technical work, while Heather primarily handles customer service, shipping, and receiving. We may not be the fastest shop, but we will never sacrifice quality simply to move work through the shop more quickly.
Occasional delays may also occur because of equipment issues, coating problems, unusual optic dimensions, or circumstances outside our control. We always work to minimize delays and return your slide as soon as we can.
What is included with an optic cut?
Every optic cut includes considerably more than the machining itself.
We match-fit the optic to the slide, clean and inspect the slide and its components, protect the newly machined area, mount the optic using properly sized American-made fasteners, apply threadlocker, torque the screws, and add witness marks as part of our final quality-control process.
We also verify the basic operation of the optic and center its windage and elevation adjustments to the slide to help simplify the zeroing process. Final zeroing must still be performed by the customer through live fire with the ammunition they intend to use.
Installation of customer-supplied sights or internal slide components can generally be completed during service at no additional charge. Please include clear instructions with your order.
What coating or finish should I choose?
Our recommendation depends on the slide material, its existing finish, and the amount of machining being performed.
For stainless-steel slides receiving an optic cut, we typically recommend retaining the factory finish and protecting the machined area with LPS3. This is included at no additional charge.
For carbon-steel slides, Cerakote applied to the optic pocket provides the most permanent corrosion protection while preserving the often superior factory coating on the rest of the slide. If pocket Cerakote is not selected, we still mask and bead-blast the machined area, apply black oxide or cold blue, and coat it with LPS3 at no additional charge. This provides meaningful corrosion resistance, but it is not permanent and will eventually require maintenance or reapplication.
If additional areas of the slide are being machined—such as windows, serrations, or other exterior features—we generally recommend refinishing the entire slide.
Is Cerakote better than nitride or PVD?
Not necessarily. Nitride, PVD, and similar factory finishes generally provide greater wear resistance than Cerakote.
Cerakote remains an excellent refinishing option, especially when a specific color, pattern, or design is desired. It is also well suited for permanently protecting a newly machined optic pocket while allowing the factory finish to remain on the rest of the slide.
If your slide already has a durable factory finish such as nitride, PVD, or nDLC, we generally do not recommend replacing that finish with black Cerakote simply to change the coating. When only the optic pocket has been machined, pocket-only Cerakote is often the most practical option.
We do not currently offer nitride or PVD refinishing in-house. Customers are always welcome to have us perform the machining and send the slide to another provider for their preferred finish.
What happens if I replace the optic on a match-fit cut?
Manufacturing tolerances vary between individual optics, even when they share the same advertised footprint. A replacement optic that measures the same size or smaller than the original will generally fit. A larger replacement optic may require the pocket to be adjusted.
If your replacement optic does not fit, contact us and send the slide and new optic back to the shop. We will re-machine the pocket as needed and restore the coating or corrosion protection in the adjusted area. You are responsible only for return shipping; we do not charge you again for the machining or necessary pocket refinishing.
We understand that this may be less convenient than an intentionally oversized optic cut. However, we believe the increased mounting security of a properly match-fit interface is worth that tradeoff.
Why is your address not listed on the website?
Our address is provided after an order is placed.
In the past, customers occasionally shipped slides to us without first placing an order, without including the required optic, or with slide-and-optic combinations we do not support. This made it difficult to identify, track, and properly process incoming work.
After placing an order, you will receive an order-confirmation email and a second email containing a PDF with our shipping address, packaging recommendations, and instructions explaining exactly what to send.
This process helps us identify incoming packages and ensures we have the information and components needed to complete the work correctly.
Do you provide a shipping label for customers to send their slide to you?
No. Customers are responsible for shipping their slide (and optic, if required) to us.
The shipping charge collected at checkout covers return shipping back to you after your work has been completed. Because customers ship from locations all across the country using different carriers, packaging preferences, and insurance amounts, we do not provide prepaid inbound shipping labels.
We recommend using a carrier that provides tracking and purchasing enough insurance to cover the replacement value of your shipment. While shipping insurance is optional, it provides valuable protection should your package be lost or damaged during transit.
Once your order is placed, simply package your slide securely, include your order information, and ship it to the address provided in your order confirmation. As soon as your package arrives, we'll check it into our system and begin the intake process.
Please Note: For all match-fit optic installations, both your slide and your optic must be sent to us. We individually measure and fit every optic to every slide to provide the most secure mounting interface possible.
Should I add shipping insurance for my return shipment?
We strongly recommend it.
By default, return shipments do not include shipping insurance unless it is added to your order. This allows you to choose the amount of coverage that best matches the value of your slide, optic, and any other components being returned.
If your return package is lost or damaged during shipping, insurance provides financial protection through the carrier. Without shipping insurance, the package will be returned uninsured, and Nameless Armament LLC cannot be held responsible for loss or damage once it has been accepted by the shipping carrier and has left our facility.
Adding insurance is quick and can be done at the time you place your order. You can select the coverage amount that best reflects the replacement value of your shipment by visiting our Return Shipping Insurance page.
For customers sending in high-value slides or optics, we believe shipping insurance is inexpensive peace of mind and highly recommend adding it to every order.
Do I need to send my optic with my slide?
Yes. Your optic must be sent with your slide for all match-fit optic-cut services.
The pocket is individually sized to the specific optic you provide. We cannot properly match-fit the interface using only the optic manufacturer’s published dimensions because individual optics can vary within their manufacturing tolerances.
Sending the optic also allows us to verify fit, select the correct fastener length, mount it properly, and perform our final quality-control checks before returning the assembled slide.
Will my optic be mounted when the slide is returned?
Yes. Unless other arrangements are made, your slide will be returned with the optic mounted.
We use properly sized American-made fasteners, apply the appropriate threadlocker, torque the screws, and add witness marks. Witness marks help confirm that final assembly and quality control were completed and allow you to visually check whether a fastener has moved.
Customers should still inspect their equipment regularly and follow all applicable optic and firearm manufacturer maintenance recommendations.
Will my optic already be zeroed?
No. A true zero can only be established through live fire using the firearm and ammunition you intend to use.
We center the optic to the slide and verify that its windage and elevation adjustments appear to function correctly. This will often make the initial zeroing process easier, but the optic must still be confirmed and adjusted at the range.
I do not see my slide and optic combination listed. Can you machine it?
Possibly, but it depends on the platform, optic, available material, and the amount of development required.
Some slides do not have enough material or the correct internal geometry to safely accommodate a particular optic footprint. Other platforms may not be suitable for an optic cut at all.
New slide-and-optic combinations require inspection, measurement, programming, test fitting, and sometimes dedicated tooling or fixtures. During busy periods, we may not have the capacity to take on new program development while maintaining reasonable lead times for existing services.
We also decline work involving optics or mounting systems that we do not believe provide a reliable long-term result. If another reputable shop is better equipped for the combination you need, we are always happy to point you in the right direction when possible.
Contact us before placing an order for any combination that is not currently listed.
Why do you decline certain optics or platforms?
Our goal is not simply to machine as many combinations as possible. Every service we offer must provide a result we can confidently support.
Some optics vary substantially from their advertised footprint dimensions, lack sufficient durability, or create mounting limitations that cannot be corrected through machining. Some slides also lack the necessary material or internal clearance for a safe and structurally sound optic cut.
If we do not believe a combination will provide a reliable long-term result, we would rather decline the work than sell a service we cannot fully stand behind.
Can you install sights or slide components while you have my slide?
In most cases, yes.
If you would like us to install customer-supplied sights or internal slide components while the slide is already in our shop, include them with your shipment and provide clear written instructions. We generally perform straightforward installation at no additional charge.
We will also inspect the slide and its components during service. If we notice damage, unusual wear, missing parts, or another issue, we will contact you before proceeding.
Do you work on one slide at a time?
Yes. Machining, fitting, coating, inspection, and assembly are performed with individual attention to each slide.
Our process is intentionally hands-on. If something does not meet our standards, it does not ship until it is corrected.