A coaxial switch includes a conductive housing defining a central bore and a front plane that is oriented transverse to the central bore, a switch assembly including a stationary contact including a stationary engagement end, a stationary coupling end opposite the stationary engagement end, a movable contact including a movable engagement end, a movable coupling end opposite the movable engagement end, and a planar conductor engagement region positioned adjacent to the movable engagement end, where the movable engagement end is positionable in an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a dielectric front pad positioned between the conductive housing and the movable contact, where the dielectric front pad defines a central aperture through which the planar conductor engagement region has an unobstructed line of sight with the front plane of the conductive housing.