The Ruger MAX-9 pistol is well established as an optic-ready rugged and reliable daily carry option. It is now available paired with a factory-mounted Ruger ReadyDot micro reflex optic. Co-witnessed with the tritium fiber optic front sight, the ReadyDot allows the shooter to keep both eyes open, focus on the target, and maintain depth perception when engaging targets at various distances. The ultra-reliable Ruger ReadyDot uses the light-gathering properties of fiber optics, giving the user an optic that is self-adjusting for brightness and never needs a battery.
Chambered in 9mm Luger, this model of the Ruger MAX-9 has an impressive 12+1 capacity and features a loaded chamber viewport, manual safety, and two E-Nickel Teflon coated magazines. This striker-fired pistol is built on a precision-machined, rigid aluminum fire control housing and fitted with a durable, through-hardened steel slide.
The Ruger ReadyDot micro reflex optic is an ultra-reliable 1X reflex sight with a Shield RMSc footprint designed specifically to co-witness with the Ruger MAX-9 micro compact pistol. The 15 MOA dot is highly visible and optimized for rapid target acquisition at pistol distances. Unlike optics that utilize batteries and micro electronics to generate their aiming dot, the Ruger ReadyDot utilizes the light-gathering properties of fiber optics so it is self-adjusting for brightness and never needs a battery. The fixed, co-witnessed dot avoids the necessity for delicate adjustment mechanisms, making this one of the most rugged and reliable, waterproof, and shock resistant pistol optics available.
For more information on the Ruger MAX-9 or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com, Facebook.com/Ruger or Instagram.com/RugersOfficial. To find accessories for the MAX-9 and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms. To purchase the Ruger ReadyDot as an accessory visit ShopRuger.com.
I guess I’m old fashioned, but I don’t want a battery-powered holographic sight on a compact carry pistol.
The whole point is “compact,” so if I need a special holster to accommodate the sight, it’s already too bulky.
I also don’t want electronics and batteries, a.k.a. “stuff that can stop working at the worst possible moment” in what’s intended as an “Oh sh*t” self-defense weapon.
I see it doesn’t need a battery, so I take back that part!
My Max-9 is in my pocket right now. I like it. I’ve thought about adding a red dot site, but think that would push it out of the “pocket sized” category.
You also can’t adjust windage or elevation – so; it’s a pretty stupid concept.
I could see that being an argument 10 years ago, but not today. I do agree with the battery tray though. The worst thing they can do is place the battery underneath the red dot. I’ve had multiple ones fail and drain battery life that are like that. Since I got the Holoson that has the side battery tray – no issues. Holsters, no issue. The fact is, most guns you are going to get a specific holster for anyways so an red dot cut is simple. And most kydex options now days are even designed that way because most people use red dots. Also why it’s to not invest in a gun that doesn’t allow for back up irons you can see through the red dot. But if you are paying attention, there is no reason your red dot should “stop working” when you need it. Check it before you holster it daily.
It also looks like the battery tray is on the top of this red dot.
I’m not saying you are wrong btw, or that you should invest in a red dot. Just that time of worry has passed and it’s easy to transition.
I’d worry more about fogging or precipitation obscuring the view through the lens. I guess in a typical draw and shoot situation, there wouldn’t be time for rain or snow to mess with your view too much. Does the lens ever fog up? I have a pistol cut for an optic, but I haven’t bothered to pick one up yet. It has tall enough sights to use for backup.
Both eyes open shooting makes this largely irrelevant at pistol distance as I found out on a bet with an aimpoint that had a front lense cap rigged on. Not sure how far it would work but 75m at least with m4.
I’ve never had one fog up.
Montana unless you had a tube that was somehow breached (older models obviously) or in some insane hot and humid environment from air conditioning I would be amazed if you ever would. Should still work well enough if it did so long as it held zero.
“It also looks like the battery tray is on the top of this red dot.”
Um, no, it doesn’t use any batteries, so there is no battery tray.
It uses fiber optics for light gathering, just like the Trijicon RMR that costs five times as much!
Uh-oh, I just noticed, a huge drawback, huuuuuge: It’s a fixed red dot, with no possible way to adjust it for elevation, windage, or distance, so if it’s off target when you attach it to the pistol (and there’s a 99.9% chance it will be off target — I never had an optic that didn’t need to be sighted in and zeroed), it will stay off target forever. Ruger admits, “The 1X reflex sight is fixed in both elevation and windage.”
Interetsing. I’m curious what that circular thing with the screw in the middle of it is then. Looks like a battery tray, but I didn’t do any research on it so that’s definitely a first for me to see this kind of sight.
But as for zeroing. Most are zeroed to 25-30 meter distance. I’ve only had to make minor adjustments to mine and it’s usually due to grip. No reason you should need much of a zero if your fundamentals are sound, unless you are shooting beyond 30 meters – which very few will do. Even then, a 30 meter shot with a pistol at high adrenaline situations – phew… good luck. Probably a shot I’m not going to take 90% of the time. I can’t say that I’ve ever had to adjust any red dot to account for windage and elevation. Scoped sights, yes. Red dots not so much. Usually it’s you adjust your sight picture to account for those things on sites zeroed at 30 meters.
That battery looking thingy looks to be the fiber optic light gathering element.
As for adjustments, it’s fixed but it does have a 15 moa dot which subtends what, 3 3/4″ at 25 yards, so:
1. At least some of your shots are bound to be on the dot, now and then…
2. It ain’t made for precision shooting. More like torso hits at slap fight distances.
Maybe, Ruger & Co, focus a bit more on expanding the lever line…
ReadyDot… lol, oh Ruger…
It was either that or Ruger RebrandedDot. Or maybe they actually designed this one?
I look forward to checking one of these out, but this type of optic (non-battery powered reflex) sound hood on paper but usually aren’t that impressive in actual use. To overcome the lack of light available at night most of these types of optics have included Tritium in the past. Examples include the dual illuminated RMR along with Trijicon’s other rifle oriented reflex optics and the Mepro M21. They all have problems with shooting from a dark area into bright light and the use of flashlights. I can see how they made sense before modern battery powered optics with battery life measured in tens of thousands of hours, but I can’t see buying one now unless it’s on an airsoft gun or maybe a .22lr.
I played with a Max9 when it came out. Crap trigger. They are practically going to Taurus GX4 prices. I’m not getting a micro 9 anytime soon so whatever. Choice is good🙄
The giverment puts tiny cameras in all the red dot sights so they can see what your shuting.
Just laughing their asses off at my groupings.
I agree! Plus smart phones are government surveillance devices.
Just cause I’m paranoid does not mean they are not after me.
Madeline Kahn said it best, “My, how ordinary.”
Why does a pistol with a thumb safety need a stupid trigger-dingus?
Ruger makes a “pro” model without the manual safety. I guess it’s cheaper to just use the same trigger in both models.
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