Ruger Max-9 and Viridian RFX11: Best CCW Combo For the Price?

The Ruger Max-9 and Viridian RFX II green dot may be one of the most reliable, budget-friendly combinations out there. I feel like the Max-9 got overlooked a little because of the success of the LCP and LCP Max pistols. Making a larger-framed gun in 9mm was a smart move, but it didn’t take off like the LCP Max did. This surprised me because I’ve been nothing but impressed with the Ruger Max 9 since day one.

I’ve done multiple reviews comparing the Max 9 to other models in the same price category. It’s just hard to beat the options that come with the Max 9, not to mention how comfortable it is to shoot. It also provides that in-between size for the CCW folks who don’t want a full-size gun but find the micro-size options too small. I carry the LCP Max in the summer when it’s too hot to wear anything but a T-shirt. But when it’s cool outside, the Max-9 has become a favorite.

The combination of price, looks, feel, and upgrades make it a gun that is hard to beat. You must look around to find the best deal, but they’re out there. I found mine on sale for a little over $350.00. If you have a bigger budget and want a higher-end gun, there’s nothing wrong with that either. But for those looking for a well-made self-defense gun on a budget, the Max-9 should be considered. And because the Max-9 can accommodate an optic, the Viridian RFX 11 pairs nicely with it.

Ruger Max-9 9mm handgun

Sometimes you’ll buy a gun, and it just stands out to you a little more than others. And don’t get me wrong: this isn’t the only one that has stood out to me. I’ve covered some other compact guns about this size, like the Masada Slim and the Springfield Hellcat, that I absolutely love. But you pay a lot more money for the Hellcat, and the Masada Slim doesn’t have some of the features of the Ruger Max-9.

The one complaint I have with the Max-9 is the way it breaks down. It’s not bad, but it’s annoying. Some type of small punch or paper clip is needed to get the retaining pin out. It’s not a huge deal, but everyone else has made theirs much easier, so I’m spoiled now. Besides that, I love most other features of the Max-9. The grip has a light texturing that is just right. The grip itself is not angled much, which is better on smaller guns, in my opinion.

They did a nice job on the slim trigger, which is about 4.5 pounds. Some light serrations on the slide make it easy to chamber the first round but are not too aggressive. Those extra features that I was talking about are the tritium fiber optic front day/night sight and the removable optic plate. The mounting pattern works with Shield and JPoint micro red dot patterns.

Viridian RFX II Green Dot

Any red or green dot with the correct footprint will work on the Ruger Max-9. I didn’t even intend to put a Viridian on this gun, but I found it on sale for a price that was too good to pass up. It was one of those impulse buys, and once it came in the mail, I had to find a gun to mount it, too. The Max-9 didn’t have an optic on it yet, so I thought, why not? Once it was installed, they looked like they were made for each other.

One thing that is different with the RFX 11 than some other dot sights is the operation of it. As in there is none. You put in a battery, and it runs. It has built-in auto shut off and auto on. This means you can’t adjust the brightness setting, but I only paid $170 for it. It’s rated for 30,000+ hours of run time with the CR2032 battery. For a cheaper green dot on a cheaper pistol, I can live with that. It’s a pretty bright green dot, but it’s not bad.

I’m guessing it wasn’t designed for long-distance shooting anyway, but for self-defense instead. It comes with a battery and a small wrench needed to adjust the sights. I’ve used Viridian lights, lasers, and rifle optics for years and they’ve never let me down yet. Once you spend some cash on a few high-end optics, it gets exciting to see a decent optic at this price point.

Holsters and lasers

Everyone has their own taste in guns, optics, and everything else gun-related. But when you’re on a budget, this optic/gun combo is a great match. I picked up a CYA IWB holster that accommodated the green dot. It’s comfortable to carry, and I have just over $550 in the whole setup (gun, optic, and holster). Safariland, Viridian, and DeSantis also make holsters for the Max 9.

Just check optic compatibility when choosing a holster. If you don’t want to go the green dot route, Viridian also makes a laser attachment just for the Ruger Max 9. Their IWB holster is compatible with the green dot as well.

A worthy combo for the price?

As I said earlier, everyone has their own preferences. The Max-9 is just a comfortable gun for me to carry and shoot. I like how it looks, carries, and shoots, and the green dot works great with it. Sights are lower 1/3, so you can still see the top of the sights in the optic window. So, if you are looking for a good quality gun, optic, and holster setup that’s affordable, I encourage you to check out the Max-9 and RFX 11 green dot.