When Vortex released the Defender CCW, it was perfectly sized for a compact handgun. I have mine mounted on my IWI Masada Slim, and it’s been a great optic.
It only made sense that they would also release the Defender SL, a standard-sized optic for mid to full-size handguns. But I’ll admit, I was a little surprised when they released the Defender XL. Not that there isn’t a need for it, but because larger handgun optics like this just aren’t as popular.
So, why release a large-window optic?
Competitive shooting is becoming more popular, and larger window optics are often preferred in competitive shooting. For everyone else, compact optics have been the gold standard. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see larger window optics become popular outside of competitive shooting.
We do this little song and dance with style, size, and features with just about any product, don’t we? Look at the trends with sunglasses. They started out smaller, got bigger, then we were back to small and sleek again. Now we have people like Patrick Mahomes making shades the size of ski glasses a “cool” thing.
Vortex does a great job looking ahead when they design a product. My guess is that when they released the micro CCW optic, they were already planning to release the trio of all three optics. And I bet larger-sized windows on handgun optics will grow in popularity.
So, if you are a tad bit curious about this larger size window optic, here is a quick rundown of the Vortex Defender XL.
Vortex Defender XL
Vortex starts with a piece of solid 7075 aluminum stock. If you look at the most expensive optics on the market, they start the same way. The frame is machined from this solid stock, so you get a frame that is both durable and light.
After that, Vortex adds an additional layer of durability with their “ShockShield” polymer insert. This insert absorbs shock and dampens the impact from the recoil as the gun is fired. It’s an internal buffer that basically soaks up the force of the slide as it cycles back and forth.
I was able to spend a little time on the floor at the Vortex facility, and it’s an impressive process. Their tolerances are so tight that just a fluctuation of two degrees in the room temperature is picked up by their machines. Everything they make is inspected multiple times, from the machining process to the final unit, before shipping.
Now, when it comes to the specifics of the Defender XL, the optic has a larger window compared to most standard handgun optics. The window dimensions are 25.5mm wide by 23.3mm high. This large window allows for a great field of view, which is a necessity in the competitive shooting world.
It runs on a single CR2032 battery with an estimated run time of 25,000 hours. Like the other two optics in the Defender line, it has a top-mount battery compartment with a quick-release button that opens the battery lid. So, no screwing the lid on and off to change a battery.
It uses the DeltaPoint Pro footprint for mounting, which is a popular footprint. My personal preference would have been an RMR footprint, but we can’t have everything we want…
Vortex Defender XL Specs:
- Window Size: 25.5mm (W) x 23.3mm (H)
- Weight: 1.93 oz
- Length: 2.03 inches
- Battery: CR2032
- Battery Life: 25,000 hours
- Mounting Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Reticle Options: 5 MOA Red Dot or 3 MOA Green Dot
Why a Large Window Optic?
Now, back to my first question in the beginning, why a larger window?
A larger window on an optic offers several advantages for anyone, not just competitive shooters. The most obvious is that it provides a more generous sight picture. This makes it easier to find the dot quickly when you draw your gun. Besides target acquisition, it also helps with faster follow-up shots.
For a defensive handgun, target acquisition under stress is much harder than it is at the range. A larger window will help you find the dot faster. It also allows for more flexibility in shooting positions, another benefit for those in a stressful incident.
The Defender XL is available with a 5 MOA red dot, which is perfect for self-defense. For those who want a smaller dot for shooting out to further distances, the 3 MOA green dot is a great option.
Operating the Defender XL
I use all three optics in the Defender lineup, so the fact that they all operate the same is refreshing. Optics should be simple and quick to use. But, even when they are easy to use, you need to be familiar with them or you may run into problems in the field. With all three of the Defender optics having the same “functionality,” I can jump from one gun to another and not have to “remember” how to change a setting.
As I’ve mentioned in other articles on the CCW and ST, using the Defender XL is easy. To power it on, press either the up or down brightness button. To power it off, press and hold the down button for about five seconds.
The optic also has a motion-activated feature. It will turn off automatically when there is no movement for more than 10 minutes and back on when it senses movement. To adjust the brightness, use the up and down buttons on the side.
The optic also has a button lockout mode to prevent accidental changes to your settings. You can activate this feature by pressing both buttons at once.
Mounting the Defender XL on a Glock 47 MOS
I mounted the Defender XL to my Glock 47 MOS. Vortex provides a Glock MOS plate with the optic, making this an easy install. Simply screw the optics plate onto the slide of the gun, then screw the optic on. You can also apply a small amount of blue Loctite to help keep the screws from ever coming loose.
The Glock 47 MOS is what Glock now offers in place of an optics-compatible Glock 17. My favorite holster for a Glock 17 or 19 is the 6354RDSO. Because the holster is designed with an “open” top molded area for an enclosed emitter optic, it works with just about any size of handgun optic. I didn’t have any trouble with it fitting my Glock 47 and Defender XL combo.
AmmoToGo.com provided some 9mm, 115-grain Blazer ammo for the review, so I was able to put several hundred rounds down range with the Defender XL on the Glock 47. Of course, a few hundred rounds aren’t a lot for a Glock handgun or a Vortex optic. But I wanted to put enough through in one setting that I felt comfortable knowing the optic would stay sighted in.
It’s not really surprising, but the Defender XL didn’t have any problems staying sighted in. The windage and elevation adjustments are 1 MOA per click, so it was a simple process to get it sighted in.
Small, medium, or large Optic?
Deciding what size optic you want gets a little harder when companies start giving us so many options. But I’ve always said, options are a good thing. Now, what I would call the “normal” size optic could also be called a medium when you compare it to the other two sizes.
I personally like the large optic window for those full-size handguns like the Glock 17, Walther PDP 5”, and others. For those mid-size guns like the Glock 19, the SL is a great size optic. And of course, the CCW optic is perfect for compact guns you wish to conceal.
With this new addition, Vortex now offers an optic for just about every size of gun. So, try a few sizes out and find out which one is right for your favorite handgun.
