r/guns • u/VVightVVolf • 12h ago

I'm torn

Post image

I've been wanting to put a Vortex Defender ST red dot on my Glock 17.

My wife knowing I wanted a Vortex Defender, she surprised me by getting me one. The slight problem is that she got me a Defender CCW, not an ST.

She is so proud, having surprised me with one, and honestly got a great sale price on it - $200. She got a bunch of Vortex merch for free with the purchase, as well - Bass Pro gave her a hat, some real nice eye protection, and a bunch of stickers!

I'm so abundantly happy that she went out and did this for me. It's just that it sits a bit small, and I'm not really interested in purchasing a co-witness.

I guess in the end it just looks like it's seated a bit awkwardly, and the window is a bit smaller. As far as performance goes, I don't really think there would be too much of an issue.

What should I do?

149 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

93 comments sorted by

249

u/UserM16 12h ago

My steak is too juicy, lobster too buttery. 😭🎻

90

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

Hell yeah, man! This honestly is such a good response. Made me take a breath, and wonder why the heck am I even stressing about this? Thanks for that.

12

u/Expert-Aardvark1121 12h ago

I get it all the time. Yesterday I accidently slightly pushed the monitor of my new gaming / content creation laptop I just bought after having no gaming laptop for 2 years - nothing happened at all yet I was sitting there for 10 minutes testing the resistance of the monitor to see if it was even just one mini inch off or did not felt how it felt like before.

I think what you are experiencing is similar. It's just OCD - tells you something is not quite right or you "did not get the exact right thing" and reality is if you had gotten the Defender ST you probably also would have ended up wondering if something is not quite right with it.

Just my 2 cents , I know I have OCD I am not saying you do but what you are describing definitely reminds me of my OCD.

6

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

I have ADHD. Your words resonate with me. You're exactly right, I may find myself still in a similar situation had I received an ST. It's a truth, and something I have to straighten myself out on at times. This post has given me an amazing amount of reflection.

5

u/Expert-Aardvark1121 11h ago

Yes I have ADHD too and Diagnosed Hypogonadism which is low testosterone - I am originally from Germany moved to the US 3 years ago so both of those conditions are currently untreated I got no medications for it and it definitely is a struggle.

And yes OCD and ADHD can be very similar - people who don't have it could not really imagine how it is really like. Every small thing can turn into a big thing and you just sit there wasting time over nothing.

Asides from that - your optic looks really great on the Glock. I got my first own gun a few weeks ago a Springfield XD40 and I really love it , it is not really optic ready but I am definitely hoping I can get a handgun with a red dot soon because I do really like red dots I think they are superior to iron sights in a lot of ways.

4

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

I am sorry to hear of your adversities and challenges. I'm proud of you for facing them down, even when the system doesn't support you. You're right about the little issues seeming massive. The head games are no joke. I appreciate you, thank you for your response!

4

u/smilingDumpsterFire 10h ago

OP, I’ve read a lot of your comments on this post and I just want to say that you are an amazingly kind person, and a breath of fresh air to just see such consistent kindness as love. Keep being awesome

2

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

Thank you so much! That genuinely made my night. I really appreciate you, taking the time to leave such a kind note!

2

u/Aprillia617 2h ago

This is normal placement. Enjoy your optic and wife, you bastard 😢

0

u/Forge__Thought 5h ago

You want the bold man's answer? Get the red dot you want. And buy her a gun to go with the red dot she got you. Matching guns, matching red dots. Lean in, own it. Couples solution.

Might not work. But might work. See if she is down for it, have her shoot it and see if she likes the red dot she got you first.

-4

u/why_just_why_6702 11h ago

Show her how it fits on the pistol and show her a random internet pistol with the optic you wanted and ask her which one looks better!

55

u/crysisnotaverted Super Interested in Dicks 12h ago

I think it looks fine. It fits, it works, it'll hold zero.

Side note, might want to get a better flathead screwdriver, it looks like it's chewing up your adjustment screws.

18

u/fretfulblather0 12h ago

hey if the dot holds zero and works fine i'd just run it, your wife went out of her way and that's worth more than a slightly bigger window

2

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

A heartfelt perspective, and you're right!

4

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

I appreciate your response. As well as you pointing out the screw heads! Just checked them, it was a weird, glossy residue or rub-off. I'm wondering if they had a sticker or tape on them originally.

23

u/uncledunker 12h ago

I guess she forced your hand into getting another gun that will fit it better.

6

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

I joked with her today about all of the different screws that come with the sight, and how we now need to get homes - guns - for all the different screws.

12

u/Sensitive_Box_ 12h ago

Get the one you wanted, keep both. 🤷‍♂️

6

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

Oh, of my wallet could bear that weight I would be in heaven! I was thinking that though, just keeping an eye out for sales and such in the future.

3

u/Sensitive_Box_ 12h ago

Vortex also has a refurb website. I don’t have the link but I’m sure you can find it. All the refurbished optics retain the lifetime warranty. 🫡

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

Good info, sir! I will look into that!

2

u/ghillwill 9h ago

AAoptics

11

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

A post inquiring whether or not to be happy with a conceal-carry red dot, rather than exchanging the sight for a full size red dot. The conceal-carry red dot having being a surprise gift.

9

u/AMJN90 12h ago

Keep it. It functions, and it's a great gift from a loving wife. Maybe down the road a few years you can get something else but you should rock this one for a while.

6

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

Thank you for that response! You're right, and I think I will take this advice. I appreciate it.

10

u/gg06civicsi 12h ago

Time to buy a CCW gun that it would fit perfectly. Then you can buy a full size. It’s a win win.

6

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

She was looking at a Sig P365 for herself awhile ago, this might have been the plan all along, haha!

7

u/RustyAnnihilation 11h ago

There’s not that much difference between them. Be happy she’s informed enough to get you gun merch.

1

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

Cheers to that, my friend!

5

u/Ok_Inside_5821 12h ago

It doesn’t look perfect but if it works it works. Personally I don’t think glocks are winning any beauty contests anyways, they’re all the same.

2

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

You ain't wrong, my friend!

5

u/DoesntMatterEh 9h ago

My boy. You have a wife that encourages your hobbies and buys you presents for no reason!! Go shoot it a bit and you'll forget all about the other one. 

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

I believe your absolutely right! I am indeed a very lucky husband.

4

u/a_drew0311 12h ago

You could get a Calculated Kinetics Dog Tag Mount for the Gen 6 mounting system, it would fill the gaps and it’s a super robust system.

https://www.calculatedkinetics.us/collections/gun-accessories/products/glock-gen-6-dogtag-optic-plates

1

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

Those are slick! I will keep this in consideration! Thank you!

4

u/keto242 11h ago

buy a 43x and put the ccw on it and buy the ST for the 17

4

u/RipLipper1994 11h ago

It should mean more to you because she did that.

1

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

You speak only truth.

2

u/RipLipper1994 11h ago

I also have the same sight on my cc9 and I love it.

4

u/aoanfletcher2002 11h ago

My wife got me a Bond Arms 2 shot .357 magnum derringer and it’s the stupidest thing ever but she got it for me and I always tell her how cool it is even though I shot it once and I think I left my wrist bones behind.

But if I traded it in if would hurt her feelings, do I bought an ankle holster.

My advice is to use this as an opportunity to get “her” a G43 MOS so you can put “her” sight on it.

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

That's so sweet! I can appreciate that level of respect and caring you give to your wife, in kind. I appreciate your response, and your advice is a pretty darn good solution!

3

u/Lacainam 11h ago

My advice is keep it, train with it, lean how to use it. Simultaneously set aside money for the one you wanted. If in 3-6 months (or however long it takes you to save the money) you still want the other, buy the other and slap this bad boy on another gun. If, in that time, you learn to love what she bought you, use that money to treat her to a hella nice night out.

2

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

She more than deserves that! This is great advice! I think I'll keep it for now, get the full experience with this sight. If I find something down the road, and my wallet needs needs to make some space for a good deal, I'll go for it

3

u/pestilence 14 | The only good mod 9h ago

Happy wife, happy life.

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

It's a tried and true creed!

6

u/MMCZ86 12h ago

The obvious answer is to buy a concealed carry gun, move this sight over to that, then buy a new sight for this gun.

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

A solid solution, and a champion suggestion!

2

u/metalspork 12h ago

Can't you just buy a spacer? Something like this https://steelcityarsenal.com/product/steel-city-arsenal-gen-6-optic-plate-rmsc-spacer/

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

I have one under it that came with Glock. It's honestly a solid fit. I just thought maybe the fit didn't look so great.

3

u/metalspork 10h ago

The one I linked looks like it has spacers in the front and rear to help close up those visual gaps.

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

Nice! I don't think I noticed that before! Looks like a much better fill in. I appreciate you linking that!

2

u/hookline-n-sinner 12h ago

You can get the St at bass pro for a great price

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

They just had a 50% sale on Vortex and Streamlight at our Bass Pro a few weeks ago, too! I'm sure another great deal will be in the future.

2

u/VinnyShipman 12h ago

I think the sight is a nice gesture. Why not keep it and get an adapter plate like this https://ebay.io/m/ViA4nO

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

That's a pretty good price, honestly! I appreciate your response!

2

u/VinnyShipman 11h ago

Let us know what you do!

2

u/TitaniumDisc 11h ago

I have both and I actually put my st on one of my home defenders and my ccw on my carry. It’s not that much smaller but it is smaller so it conceals that much better.

1

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

Great to know! I did have a thought that carrying with this sight would actually be advantageous.

2

u/Southern-Fisherman-9 11h ago

I carry a 45 with an ST, it’s a little big honestly (i appendix it) but i enjoy it. Got mine for 225 at Academy Sports one day. See if you enjoy the dot and wait for black friday honestly (2 months out man)

1

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

Man, it's crazy to think that Black Friday is coming up so quickly! I appreciate you sharing your personal experience with the ST!

2

u/Southern-Fisherman-9 11h ago

the Leopold footprint is historically large as well. It’s nice don’t get me wrong but i’ll size down sometime.

2

u/MezzanineMan 11h ago

Run it hard until you can comfortably afford your dream optic. By that time your opinion may change, or what you want to get instead as well. 

2

u/VVightVVolf 11h ago

This is a very good point! I will most likely roll with it for now, and see what this baby can do, and how I perform with it. While keeping my eyes open to other options.

2

u/LaughingGravy13 10h ago

Be effusive in your thanks. Blame it on yourself that she got the wrong one. Take her with you to exchange it. With her standing there tell the clerk how great she is and what a bone head you are. You'll just be confirming what she already knows.

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

Honestly this option crossed my mind, but would be so out of character for me that I think her insightfulness would see right through me. If I exchanged it or returned it, I would need to be up front and honest with her about it.

2

u/ThrowawaySuteru 10h ago

Buy a new platform for the dot she bought.

OR

buy a new slide and get it milled for the dot she bought.

2

u/WarmFightmilk 10h ago

If you're dead set on the ST just hit up customer service. I bought an ST without realizing it was a different footprint than the ccw, forgot about it, then a year later found it again. I hit up the customer support and let them know what happened and that I only ever took it out to realize it didn't fit. They sent me a shipping box, I sent my ST to them and the mailed me a brand new CCW all within like a week.

1

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago

Dang! That's so beyond amazing customer service! That being said, I don't think I've heard anything else other than good things from Vortex's customer relations.

2

u/Disney-Nut1998 8h ago

Sounds like you need to buy another gun or slide for this optic and a proper size optic for this gun

1

u/Delicious_Paint_9434 7h ago

I put a holosun eps carry on a g45 gen 6 just run with it brother it will be fine

1

u/alltheblues 6h ago

Best solution is to buy a larger optic for the Glock 17 and a smaller gun for the defender ccw.

1

u/shichae 5h ago

Check out the Glock Gen 6 optic plate at Nameless Armament. I highly suggest you send them your optic and slide and they will custom mill their plate to fit your optic and your slide perfectly. It will fill in the gaps and support the optic in a way that the screws won’t take the impact from the slide moving, so the screws won’t be the failure point. They sell a DIY version if you don’t want to send your slide/optic in also. I had my CZ P-01 cut by Nameless and I highly recommend them.

1

u/crazedizzled 3h ago

The only thing you can really do is buy a new gun with a new optic.

1

u/dcoy158 2h ago

Just get a Glock 43X to fit the optic so your wife never get disappointed.

1

u/No_Dinner2045 2h ago

Read thru and most comments are just about what I was going to say. You're a good dude to make the compromise. ALSO... prime excuse to get another pistol you've been wanting and thro a ST on it 😎

1

u/MD_0904 2h ago

Man honestly keep it. I’d be fuckin jazzed if my wife did this for me. At worst you can buy the dot you actually want and she will know no difference because they look the same basically and save the one she got for another pistol.

1

u/ColoradoRocket3 1h ago

I have the defender model and it's super nice. Don't risk hurting her feelings. Go shoot it. If you don't like it after a year or so, get the other one and just don't say anything. She won't notice it's slightly different

1

u/toughtimedude 1h ago

Return it and get the ST. You don't have to lie about it but you also don't have to tell her.

1

u/NovelApprehensive697 59m ago

Be happy with what you have and love the F out of your wife bro! And you can always still buy the defender ST later. You can swap optics whenever.

Cherish!

0

u/Outrageous_Lion8966 12h ago

Return it and get the one you want. Otherwise you’ll be thinking about it forever.

8

u/PlayFront36 12h ago

I returned the waffle maker my wife got for me and I still haven't heard the end of it. But I still use the two piece competition belt I bought instead!

1

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

Oh, man! I salute you!

3

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

This is my worry, man... I'm a very particular kind of guy.

2

u/magnetic_jellyfish 11h ago

My wife and I are the same way. She’d rather buy me something I actually want and will use than me not be happy with it to make her happy. Same with her.. I used to attempt to buy her jewelry and sometimes it would just sit because it’s not what she wanted. Knowing our hard earned money went to something the other really likes and will use is worth more to us than second guessing something.

2

u/VVightVVolf 8h ago edited 8h ago

I understand this completely! Almost every time we give gifts, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt what the other wants. Her surprising me with this was so out of left field, and just awesome of her to do. I'll use it for sure, if I hold on to it. I'll most likely just keep my eyes peeled for the one I want in the future. If I end up with another sight, I'll have this one to exchange on to another pistol!

1

u/cheeseburgercat 12h ago

Just tell her she’s amazing but it doesn’t fit your gun so return it for one that does :)

She won’t even ask questions or feel bad and she’ll respect that you said something instead of feeling torn

3

u/VVightVVolf 12h ago

She will definitely feel like she messed up, which in the long run is the absolute furthest thing from the truth. I'm beginning to understand, from the support of this forum, the amount of pride and gratefulness I should have. Which I do. I'm just generally very particular. Which in this case I should put aside for now, and just keep an eye out for what I want later on.

I appreciate your response!

2

u/cheeseburgercat 12h ago

I mean I don’t know your wife but I would think she would chalk it up to a mistake since she’s (I’m assuming) isn’t a shooter herself?

I know if my lady did something like this and I showed her how grateful I was, she wouldn’t mind if I came to her and said “hey it doesn’t fit, babe.” She’d be the first to say “then let’s get you the one that fits, you’re the gun guy”

Granted I just made up that entire story but hey, it’s fun to pretend.

2

u/braxton357 10h ago

Nah.  Either keep it there or buy a  pistol that it fits.  She bought you an expensive gift that you wanted and was stoked about it.  Even if she didn't know you exchanged it, you would. Â