In the gun world, few things have surpassed the production and demand for a quality concealed carry handgun. In recent years, slim-line pistols have evolved and shaped the status quo. These new firearms push the envelope and give the end user the best in modern capabilities. To make a package even better, many companies are equipping their guns with an optic cut so a red dot aiming device can be added. The main problem is that the handguns with this capability have out produced the available optics that fit these small guns. Options like the P365XL, Glock 43X MOS, and Springfield Hellcat OSP are top sellers, but there never seems to be enough optics around to go with them. Currently, the Trijicon RMRcc, Holosun 507k, Shield Sights RMSc, and Sig Romeo Zero Elite, are the most common options, though others exist from smaller companies. We have found ourselves to be in a quagmire. That is where Vortex Optics steps in.

Vortex for years has garnered the support, trust, and admiration of their customers. Whether it be in the PRS game or here in Ohio atop a deer gun; their company offers quality with assured customer service. While Vortex might be coming a little late to the carry optics game, they have brought an offering that is rich in features that set it apart from its competitors.

With that said, lets start with the features:

• Large hard coated aspherical lens, for a fast, distortion-free sight picture.
• Motion activation with 14 hour auto-shutoff. The optic automatically activates with motion while 14 hour Auto-Shutoff saves battery life.
• 8 daylight brightness settings and 2 night vision settings.
• Programmable brightness setting.
• Shockshield™ polymer insert. Polymer insert absorbs everyday impacts. This helps protect the optic during high G-force impacts during slide reciprocation.
• Shield RMS and RMSc footprint. This has become the most common footprint for slimline pistols, this gives the Defender-CCW an edge compared to some of its competitors.
• 3 and 6 MOA dot size options.
• Six screw packs to fit nearly a dozen different styles of handguns as well as a rail mount to affix the optic to a more traditional scope base.
• Price, $249.99.

The Defender-CCW is a featured rich product from a company that has a fanatic following. Its price point makes it competitive with everything else on the market, but without certain frustrations that other manufactures do not relieve. For example, the optic ships with a tool, that at first looks like a key, to be able to handle all maintenance operations. Most often, the tool is an afterthought by the manufacturer. It is usually a simple Allen wrench, or worse, something made of plastic. Vortex went in a different direction. This tool is made out of aluminum with a #10 star head on one end, a key for the battery cover, and flats to make elevation and windage adjustments. Also, there is a semi-circular cut out on the optic’s top, directly over the battery compartment, so the user doesn’t mare the finish while trying to wedge in a tool to do a battery swap. Second, the owner no longer has to play the game of figuring what is needed to mount the optic. Vortex has shipped an impressive array of screws for various pistol types. The six bags of screws cover nearly a dozen different pistol types. Other manufactures require the owner to buy a separate plate to work with a particular handgun or have the customer go through a third party manufacturer to secure the parts needed to affix the optic to the gun. Third, the housing of the optic protrudes out away from the lens further than most. On the face is aggressive knurling. One-handed manipulation is a common training mechanism for people that take their concealed carry seriously. This features allows the pistol’s slide to be racked by using the optic as mechanical leverage. Whether it be off a belt, counter top, or other hard surface, the optic will not be hurt during this operation. Finally, the optic ships with a one degree shim. This gives the optic some angular relief when sighting in the optic at close distances.

In summary, the Vortex Defender-CCW offers a very robust compliment of features compared to the rest of the market. It is user friendly, durable, has intuitive controls, and is priced competitively. This offering is something many fans of Vortex have been waiting for. Release is set for March 16, 2023.