American firearms manufacturer Ruger has a history of manufacturing many innovative and iconic handguns that withstand the test of time. The latest addition to the Ruger Max-9 lineup, Model 3315, is the only variant that comes factory-equipped with the Ruger ReadyDot micro reflex sight and an external manual safety.
About the Max-9 Model 3315
The Max 9 is a high-capacity, locked-breech, striker-fired micro compact 9mm semi-automatic pistol that ships (where legal) with one 12-round and one 10-round stainless-steel magazine. Despite the capacity, the Max 9 still maintains a relatively narrow and short grip frame that is easily concealed and turned out to be remarkably comfortable to shoot.
Seven of the eight available Max 9s come standard with a 1911-style safety located on the left side of the frame in addition to the Glock-style drop safety located on the trigger. As with a 1911, once the safety is applied, the slide is locked until the safety is disengaged. However, unlike a1911, the safety of the Max 9 can be applied without needing to rack the slide first.
The magazine release is well-positioned on the left side of the frame but can be reversed to the right side. The slide release is positioned on the left side of the frame and is not reversible.
The trigger feels smooth with about ½ inch of take-up, and the pull weight measured 5 pounds, 5.4 ounces — light enough for most shooters to operate confidently and comfortably.
The grip is ergonomically formed and has well-placed light stippling all around. The stippling is just enough to add additional purchase to the Max 9 when held in a shooting grip but will not cause any discomfort or cause clothing to hang up on it.
The slide has front and rear grasping grooves, even though a press-check isn’t needed to verify that there is a round in the chamber since Ruger provides a viewing port to accomplish that task.
Ruger Max 9 Model 3315 Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 12+1
One 12-round and one 10-round magazine included
Slide material/finish: Hardened alloy steel/black oxide finish
Safety option: External manual safety lever
Grip frame: High-performance glass-filled nylon
Front sight/rear sight: Tritium fiber optic/drift adjustable rear
Barrel length/twist rate/finish: 3.20 inches/1:10 RH/black oxide
Overall length: 6 inches
Weight: 18 ounces
MSRP: $489
Shooting the Max-9 with ReadyDot Sight
I took the Ruger Max 9 out to a friend’s range on a sunny spring day with a box of Federal’s 147-grain Syntech Training Match ammunition. This easy-to-control load has a muzzle velocity of 1,000 feet per second and delivers 326 foot-pounds of muzzle energy from its flat-nosed, synthetic-jacketed bullet. The bullet is just right for shooting paper targets and steel plates without splash back.
Starting from 21 feet, I fired six rounds at the orange X-ring of a B27E PROS Silhouette target. The Ruger ReadyDot sight’s large red dot stood out vividly even in the sun. At the distance we were standing, the red dot almost completely covered the orange X-Ring. Recoil was light and easily controlled even in this Ruger micro-compact. The grip width was also more comfortable than one would find with a similar-sized single-stack 9mm.
The six rounds landed in a 6-inch group with two inside the X-Ring at 12 o’clock and four just above in the 10-ring. My friend managed a 3-inch group.
Moving on to the Federal Punch defensive ammo, the recoil was more noticeable but far from uncontrollable or unpleasant. I fired seven rounds at the scoring chart on the target. Six rounds again landed within a 3-inch cluster, with one flyer opening up the group size to 5 inches. My friend had a tighter group in the 3-inch range. There were no failures to feed or eject with either load.
How the Ruger ReadyDot Performs in Bright and Low Light
The Ruger Max-9 is an excellent micro-compact 9mm in any of its eight variations — reliable, comfortable to shoot and ideal for concealed carry. However, one factor worth considering (especially for older shooters) is the visibility of the Ruger ReadyDot sight in low-light environments.
On a sunny range day, both my fellow evaluator and I were impressed by how clearly the ReadyDot’s large red dot stood out. Initially, we assumed the optic used a battery. But upon closer inspection, we discovered there was no battery door, no windage or elevation adjustments, and no power switch. That’s because the ReadyDot is solar-powered, relying on ambient light to project its reticle.
It performed well outdoors and indoors with sufficient lighting. But what about total darkness? To find out, I confirmed the gun was unloaded and tested it in a dark closet. With the lights on, the red dot was easy to acquire. Lights off? The dot became very dim and hard to locate, even with some ambient light coming in.
To rule out my own diminishing night vision, I had my 10-year-old son try it. He also found the dot bright with the lights on but thought it dim in the dark. He could, however, still see the tritium front sight glowing faintly through the lens … something I couldn’t detect.
Using a flashlight, I observed that shining it directly or reflecting it off a white ceiling noticeably brightened the dot. The ReadyDot works well in bright conditions, but those who carry at night may want to consider a traditional battery-powered red dot for better visibility in low- or no-light settings.
Is the Ruger Max-9 the Right Sub-Compact for You?
The Ruger Max 9 is a great micro-compact pistol from a historically reliable company and is very reasonably priced at $439 for most of the available models. It is pleasant to shoot, accurate and easily concealed. Models with the manual safety option add an additional layer of safety for users.
The Ruger ReadyDot sight is also ingenious, rugged, compact, reliable and inexpensive, adding only $30 to the cost of the basic pistol. If you’re searching for a reliable sub-compact Ruger for everyday carry, this high-capacity, striker-fired micro-compact 9mm combines concealability, red-dot readiness and shootability at a very competitive price.
Sources
Ruger: Ruger.com
Federal Ammunition: FederalPremium.com
