Red dot/Security 380 question

[Fox Mike]

I was wondering if anyone had mounted a red dot sight on a Security 380. If so what plate was used and what sight? I asked the people at Ruger and they said they had never tried one. They were worried about the added weight might cause cycling problems.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

If Ruger doesn't offer the option of optic ready slide or recommend it, I wouldn't do it. I've seen Galloway Precision optic plates for them, but they look bulky, tall (could max out adjustment) and you may need to tune your ammo/spring to ensure proper function. Not worth the hassle in my opinion.

 

[s4s4u]

I was wondering if anyone had mounted a red dot sight on a Security 380. If so what plate was used and what sight? I asked the people at Ruger and they said they had never tried one. They were worried about the added weight might cause cycling problems.

How would you attach the red dot? If there is no cut-out in the slide, the red dot will have to attach via the rear sight dovetail which will present the sight well above the slide and there will be no option for co-witness. I have found that in order to locate the dot quickly, on a pistol, it needs to be mounted as low as possible. Then there are holster considerations as well.

I wouldn't....

 

[9x19]

I've not tried one, but I'm too slow with a top-mounted optic, so if I'm going to use something to augment the sights, I prefer a bottom-mounted laser. No cycling worries either.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

How would you attach the red dot? If there is no cut-out in the slide, the red dot will have to attach via the rear sight dovetail which will present the sight well above the slide

Exactly. The slide isn't designed as optic ready, so the aftermarket options for slides w/out removable plates are too tall. A lot of reviews for them document red dots maxing out adjustment. Then you need to shim it and that adds more to the bulk and something else to go wrong. In my opinion I wouldn't add an optic to a semi auto slide that isn't engineered for one.

 

[Mobuck]

Adding a dot optic to what's considered a 'hide away' pistol seems counter productive.

 

[Fox Mike]

How would you attach the red dot? If there is no cut-out in the slide, the red dot will have to attach via the rear sight dovetail which will present the sight well above the slide and there will be no option for co-witness. I have found that in order to locate the dot quickly, on a pistol, it needs to be mounted as low as possible. Then there are holster considerations as well.

I wouldn't....

As mentioned above; Galloway makes a plate that will attach to the Security 380 frame and the Red Dot mounts to it. As far as carry goes I carry the Security 380 in a holster of my design and it would be little or no trouble to design and make a holster to fit a red dot

 

[s4s4u]

As mentioned above; Galloway makes a plate that will attach to the Security 380 frame and the Red Dot mounts to it. As far as carry goes I carry the Security 380 in a holster of my design and it would be little or no trouble to design and make a holster to fit a red dot

It's only money, try it and see if you like it. My experience with an aftermarket mrds mount, mounted on top of a slide was not positive. It takes too long to locate the dot. The best situation I have found is for the front sight to be visible in the lower 1/3 of the red dot's sight window. That aids in getting the dot on target and can also provide for a rough co-witness should the red dot fail.

 

[s4s4u]

Adding a dot optic to what's considered a 'hide away' pistol seems counter productive.

Exactly. I usually pocket carry the little guns and a red dot might inhibit that ability somewhat.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I just had dinner a couple nights ago with a good buddy who's a SGT for MCPD in MD. They are transitioning into red dots AND lasers. Nobody is happy about it. This, and some of the far too liberal crud MD departments have to deal with is quickly leading him to retirement. Which sucks for me as he is a very good friend of my family and will be headed to retirement in NC to escape MD.

 

[RUT]

Mine has the Galloway plate and works just fine.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Agree with Hunter. Bottom mount or trigger guard laser.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Agree with Hunter. Bottom mount or trigger guard laser.

.....Biden?

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

.....Biden?

9x19, who posted it.

 

[s4s4u]

Agree with Hunter. Bottom mount or trigger guard laser.

9x19, who posted it.

Hunter is a membership level, as buckeye is yours, not his handle...

 

[s4s4u]

Mine has the Galloway plate and works just fine.

Thanks for posting that pic.

It illustrates the sight height issue that I didn't care for. If it works for you, that is all that matters.

I hadn't considered a laser on a subbie either, but that little CT laser shown in post #4 hides rather well. I think where a laser would excel is when you can't get the gun into a position to line up the sights on a target. Hipshot!

 

[RUT]

>>It illustrates the sight height issue that I didn't care for<<

Well, I'm removing the plate anyway and going back to the stock rear sight. It's not that it didn't work, but rather that I'm selling the gun off. It was fun to play with but I can get the same enjoyment from my .22 offerings, and for a whole lot less money.