Hi guys,

This will sound odd, but I have never owned an optic of any kind (ok ... glasses and jewelers loupes). But for a gun rail, nope. I just bought a Ruger PC9 9mm with a rail which I intend to make useful as a defensive weapon for 5 - 50 meter kind of ranges. I'm not interested in reaching<i> way</i> out, and frankly, neither myself, nor that rifle/caliber combination would likely be very good at it.

I like the idea of something that allows easy use of either the optic or the iron sights. Not sure that that's an option, but where it is, please mention that. What do you think? Any ideas? Maybe something Red dot? EOTECH?

Price range? Well, ideally probably $500 or less. But I'm as crazy as the next guy, so.... Who knows.

Thanks all!

I just recently purchased a Scorpion and put a optic on it. A Sig Romeo MSR. My first optic as well. I wanted to full cowitness with the iron sights. Being my first optic I wasn't familiar with the ins and outs of mounting. Turns out the mounting is all wrong for the gun. It came with a tall mount when a low rail mount is needed.

I need to buy a new mount. I'm suspecting you will run into the same thing with the Ruger PCC. Nice gun btw which version did you go with?

I use the Sig Romeo 5 --red dot and I can co- witness using the standard sights.

See M carbo upgrades--charging handle and trigger are worth while. The buffer retaining clip is polymer--stainless is a better option. The extractor has been know to cause stovepipes.
https://www.mcarbo.com/ruger-p...ine-accessories.aspx
The Tandem Cross fiber optic front sight is also a worthwhile upgrade.
https://www.tandemkross.com/Fi...%E2%84%A2_p_606.html
The Romeo 5 with Fiber optic fills the bill for 5-50 meters. The PC9 is a beefed up version of the Ruger 10/22. Paired with a Glock 19--it makes a good defensive combo.

I always say get an aimpoint red dot if your considering it a serious gun. The others are just wannabe's in having a track record of durability. the cheapest of the aimpoints is the PRO, but depending on your setup the size of the included mounting knob may be an issue, but with no experience try it first. I don't have the PC9 so I can't say about cowitnessed irons, I would assume that you use the rail for the rear and an mloc slot rail for the front, but I'm sure an internet search will tell you the how.
If its a play gun any of the available red dots will be fine to start.

Forget the red dot, a flash light is FAR more important for a defensive use gun. Mount a quality flash light with a quality mount, use the gun as is for a year or two, and then decide if you want to mount a red dot on it.

I will certainly support you need a light. But you need sights on the gun as well and I don't know of anyone who is serious about getting good results with a rifle that doesn't put an optic on it (rules, gun setup, eyes and money all variables).

I put a Vortex Viper on mine. Works good so far!

I have 2 Ruger PCC Carbines. One has a Vortex optic, (sorry, I don't remember the model), and the other has a more traditional scope ... A Vortex Crossfire 1-4 Power. Being that I'm closer to seasoned citizen than a young buck, I lean toward the gun with the traditional scope more. From 50 feet to 50 yards, she'll easily make a single ragged hole iffin I do my part.

I watched a Youtube comparison of red dot to holo-sights (Eotech). I guess now I'm probably leaning toward the latter.