New For 2023: Ruger ReadyDot

by
posted on May 10, 2023
Ruger Readydot 01
Ruger is introducing its own branded optic with the ReadyDot micro reflex sight.
Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Electronic micro optics are becoming ubiquitous on sport and self-defense handguns. To meet demand, manufacturers are making their handguns optics ready from the factory and partnering with an optics company to sell their handgun with a micro red-dot already mounted. Several manufacturers, including, EAA, SIG Sauer and Springfield, market their own branded handgun optic. Add Ruger to that list. The company has recently announced its ReadyDot micro-reflex optic.

Top and back angles of the Ruger ReadyDot micro red-dot optic shown on white.The 1X ReadyDot uses a 12 mm lens and a fiber-optic system for illumination. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.

The ReadyDot is a 1X red-dot sight that utilizes a Shield RMSc mounting footprint popular with compact concealed-carry handguns. Its sighting window is a 12-mm impact-resistant optical-grade polymer lens with multi-layer coating. As “keep-it-simple” is the mantra of many when it comes to their self-defense handgun set-ups, this is also Ruger’s goal with the ReadyDot.

First, the optic does not use a battery as its power source, eliminating the need to change your optic's batteries on the same schedule as your smoke detectors or risk finding yourself with an absent aiming point. The ReadyDot is illuminated with fiber-optic technology that gathers ambient light, which is self-adjusting for brightness. In total darkness, a separate light source is needed, such as a weapon-mounted flashlight, to illuminate the fiber within the optic.

Its 15-m.o.a. aiming point is not adjustable and is optimized for putting your rounds where you need them at self-defense ranges without adding the complication of an adjustment mechanism to the micro-compact sight. As Ruger states, “Eliminating features that are unnecessary for close range pistol shooting makes this the most rugged and reliable, waterproof and shock-resistant pistol optic available.”  

A Ruger MAX-9 handgun shown with a Ruger ReadyDot micro reflex sight mounted on top.While the ReadyDot will work with any handgun that has a Shield RMSc mounting platform, the optic was optimized for Ruger’s own MAX-9 and co-witnesses with that model’s iron sights. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.

While the ReadyDot is compatible with any handgun that uses a Shield RMSc mounting footprint, it was optimized to work on Ruger’s MAX-9 handgun and co-witnesses with that handgun’s iron sights. Weighing only 0.3 ozs. with dimensions of 1.6” long by 0.9” high by 0.9” wide, the ReadyDot adds little bulk to the MAX-9’s already compact package.   

The Ruger ReadyDot’s simplicity also renders it affordable. The sight has an MSRP of $99.95. The Ruger MAX-9 with the ReadyDot mounted from the factory retails for $489. For more information, visit ruger.com.

Latest

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta
NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta

The Rifleman Report: New Developments

Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then.

Arkansas To Begin Mandatory Gun Safety Lessons In Schools

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law requiring public and open enrollment public charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction beginning during the 2025-2026 school year.

Adams Arms Set To Relaunch

Alexandria Pro-Fab, a contract machine shop based in Minnesota, announced that it has purchased the assets of Adams Arms, along with all of the company’s intellectual property, and it plans to relaunch the company in the second quarter of 2025.

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

The Armed Citizen® March 31, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2025: Benelli USA Nova 3 Tactical

This latest update to Benelli’s pump-action shotgun gives users a few upgrades over previous generations, making the new NOVA 3 the most exciting pump-gun yet to come from the Italian maker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.