Ruger SR40c Update - XS Big Dot Sights

One of the most popular posts on this site is my January 2012 review of the Ruger SR40c .  Seldom does a day goes by without hits on this post from a Google search.

A couple of months ago, I replaced the factory sights with XS Big Dots. For my personal safety I also  “opted out” of the Nanny State magazine safety disconnect, which puts your life in danger in a personal protection/self defense situation. 

These Big Dot sights are unique, providing the shooter an unobstructed view of the huge front sight at all times. When you press out with these sights, it is impossible not to pick up the front sight right away, unlike standard sights, if you are misaligned slightly left to right, the front sight remains visible. That front sight visibility and fast acquisition are paramount to making quick and accurate shots in a self defense scenario.  The shooter simply “dots the I” for proper sight alignment. 

These sights afford the same level of accuracy relative to other sights I’ve shot out to 50 feet.  I shoot as accurately at 50 feet with these sights as I do with the standard trijicon sights on my Sig P239 SAS and my Glock 26, which surprised me.  If you’re on the fence between standard or the Big Dot sights, I would say without a doubt that I’m very pleased that I pulled the trigger on a set of Big Dots for my primary personal protection/self defense, concealed carry pistol.

By the way, I don’t plan on putting these sights on all my pistols. XS Big Dots are expensive.  These sights are designed for life saving self defense distances of less than 10 yards.  Big Dots are not the best sights for target or competition shooting at the range.  These are fighting pistol sights.

When it comes to personal protection/self defense, I’m fortunate enough to have many options in all the popular pistol and revolver categories.  When I retired (4 years ago) I purchased a Glock 36, which became my primary concealed carry pistol.  I’ve owned and carried Glocks for personal protection/self defense for over a quarter of a century.

The Glock 36 is a .45 ACP pistol, which holds 6+1 rounds of proven self defense ammo.  The SR40c is chambered in .40S&W caliber and holds 9+1 in the standard magazine and 15+1 in the extended magazine. Both pistols can be comfortably carried and concealed. 

Trigger is a matter of personal preference. I prefer the trigger on my Ruger SR40c to the one on my Glock 36. I’ve shot over a thousand rounds through both pistols, which are accurate and reliable, making both excellent concealed carry personal protection/self defense handguns.

The bottom line is that the Ruger SR40c has become my primary concealed carry pistol.  The Big Dots sights, ergonomics, trigger, magazine capacity and reliability have all combined to make this Glock fan boy, a huge SR40c fan. That’s not to say I don’t carry other handguns.  On any given day I may carry a Sig, a Glock or a Smith and Wesson pistol or revolver.  But for my primary daily carry self defense/personal protection, concealed carry handgun is now my Ruger SR40c.

The police can’t stop an intruder, mugger, or stalker from hurting you. They can pursue him only after he has hurt or killed you. Protecting yourself from harm is your responsibility, and you are far less likely to be hurt in a neighborhood of gun owners than in one of disarmed citizens. – Harry Browne