Vortex Optics Defender CCW Enclosed Solar Micro red dot

March 18, 2026Optics, Product reviewccw, defender, micro, Red dot, rmsc, solar, Vortex, vortex opticswcoldboremiracle

Prologue

Enclosed red dot sights are becoming more and more popular, and I decided recently that I’d jump into them with eyes open. Today we are taking a look at the Vortex Optics Defender CCW enclosed solar micro red dot. Part of the larger Vortex Defender family, this model encloses the emitter and adds a solar power supply all in a micro red dot that drops onto the popular RMSc footprint. We’ll review this sight and give you some feedback on it and how it stands next to its competition.

the Defender CCW was a perfect fit for my Girsan 2311

The Vortex Defender CCW

I’ve had a couple other Vortex Defenders recently, and I quite liked them if I’m honest. So it was with some confidence that I decided to match this new Defender with my latest 2011 style pistol. My Girsan Witness 2311 has an RMSc footprint machined into it’s slide, so I wanted to put a good enclosed sight on the pistol, which led me to the Defender.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, safariland, als holster, — this **Safariland Holster** was a perfect fit with the Defender installed

The Defender CCW Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dot (ESMRD) is a tough built dual-powered sight. It’s large window houses a configurable reticle inside its protected weatherproof housing. This dot is made to fit large weapons down to sub-compact handguns.

Vortex, vortex optics, defender, CCW, red dot, solar, micro, packaging,

Like other Defender dots, this one came with an incredible selection of accessories. A great variety of mounting screws in various sizes, an one-degree angle shim, mounting and adjusting tools. As well as a picatinny mount, and a cute little rubber cover.

Specifications

Mounting Footprint	Shield RMSc
Dot Size	3 MOA Dot / 32 MOA Circle
Dot Color	Bright Red
Magnification	1x
Battery Type	CR2032
Battery Run Time	35,000 hrs. without solar / 150,000 hrs. with solar
Reticle	Multi-Reticle
Eye Relief	Unlimited
Adjustment Graduation	1 MOA
Travel Per Rotation	30 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment	110 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment	110 MOA
Parallax Setting	Parallax Free
Deck Height	7.2mm
Length	1.59″
Weight	1.30 oz.

Mounting the Defender

After removing the sight from my pistol, I sat down to mount the Defender ESMRD. Using a set of screws that came with it, I did a few test fits to ensure it would be properly secured. I always like to put a touch of blue Loctite on the threads and under the screw-head. Nothing worse than your red dot coming loose while shooting, so I snugged it down nicely with the included tool. I love that Vortex red dots come with basically everything you need to mount them.

Powering up the Defender would require removing the battery cover to remove the battery isolation sticker. After which the reticle lit up and allowed me to give it a rough adjustment before heading to the range.

Range-time and Zeroing

Zeroing the Defender was easy, lining up the reticle with the sights as I torqued it down. After that, with a few shots I made some adjustments with the included tools. In no time the Witness 2311 was hitting my point of aim.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, zeroing, adjustment,

We would shoot quite a bit at an indoor range the first time. Getting a good feel for picking up the reticle and focusing on targets. Following the instructions I cycled through the three reticle configurations, this is done by pressing the + and – button together. You can select between a 3 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, or the two together. I am a bit of a circle dot kinda guy so that where it typically stayed.

You can also lock out the buttons to prevent unintended adjustments. Pushing the + button and holding down until the reticle blinks, and easily reversed by doing the same process till it blinks twice.

According to the manufacturer, the Defender Solar Micro will last approximately 35,000 hours on a battery, using the 3 MOA dot with no solar input. That might be the case, but I wasn’t going to find out. As I like the circle dot configuration, and there would certainly be some solar input since I usually shoot in the daylight. But furthermore I was going to engage the auto-shutdown feature that is a must for red dots these days. By holding both buttons down you can engage or disengage this feature.

Optical Performance

While I am not a huge fan of the “mailbox look” , this red dot is a bit larger than other options because it is an enclosed emitter. Its very comparable to other enclosed emitters of the same size, and has a large window. For a micro red dot It certainly felt like a big lens.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot,

I did feel like the Defender CCW Solar Micro had less color change when looking through it. And I also really liked how sharp and clean the reticle looked. No parallax made it easy to focus on whatever I wanted to shoot.

Usability

Adjustments and controls of this Defender were easy to understand and remember. Its included tools made it easy to zero the reticle and the included directions explained everything nicely. I like the dual power source, and the battery is easy to change without removing the unit from the host. I also like that they used the CR2023 battery which is more common than the other options typically used in micro sized red dots.

Value

MSRP on this red dot from Vortex’s website shows $400, but as usual you can find this red dot on places like Optics Planet for much less. I have other similar red dots that retail for more that I don’t like as much as this Defender. Even if you broaden the search to other larger red dots of different footprints, I still think this one offers more for less.

Pros and Cons

First off, this thing is handsome. And we can’t pretend that doesn’t matter, it looks like a great quality fit for nice handguns. The controls are easy and comprehensive, external battery mounting and the plethora of included accessories and mounting options make it a slam dunk. Its big clear window makes for quick finding and engaging of targets, and the reticle selection is a big plus. All this for a reasonable price when compared to others.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, reticle,

If there was anything I would change about this red dot, it would probably be a bigger circle option. Nothing wrong with the 32MOA, but I wouldn’t mind like a 50 or 60 MOA circle option too. But of course these are subjective preferences. I also wouldn’t mind if they incorporated a notch on the base to double as a rear sight if needed.

Concluding Thoughts

Every time I get a new Vortex red dot, my inventory of fasteners and tools is enriched. Vortex packs some great added value with their red dots, and that’s a pretty big feather in the cap for this sight. My selection of Defenders continues to grow, and this one is probably my favorite so far. The simple controls and all the options are what seal the deal for me. I am uninterested in red dots moving forward that don’t have auto-shutdown, this and other features make the Defender CCW Solar Micro very adaptable to various applications. I look forward to the bright future and reticle with this combination.

-CBM

First Shots with the Charles Daly 301 12-gauge Shotgun

March 16, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12-gauge, charles daly, model 301, shotguncoldboremiracle

Prologue

Charles Daly has been manufacturing firearms for over a century, importing a variety of firearms to the United States market. And recently they have even moved to begin manufacturing some of their products domestically here in the US. Today’s topic is one of the company’s meat and potatoes products, we will be reviewing the Charles Daly 301 shotgun, chambered in 12-gauge. One of many different firearms including various shotgun types and handguns patterned after the 1911 and other 9mm firearms like their PAK-9.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun

Charles Daly 301

I purchased the Charles Daly Model 301 pump as a gift for my son; every kid needs a pump-action shotgun. As I was looking at the gun,, it looked like it was very closely patterned to the Remington 870 I bought as a kid myself. With hopes of a similar good experience in mind, I figured it was worth a try.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, disassembly, field strip, cleaning, — the Stripped down model 301, note choke selection

The Model 301 uses a pump-action design to feed cartridges from the tubular magazine into its 3-inch chamber. It’s vented-rib barrel is 28-inches long, and compatible with the WinChoke system. At the tip of the rib there is a brass bead for aiming. Included with the gun is a set of three chokes (IC, M, F).

The shotgun is stocked with synthetic polymer furniture and features a rubber recoil pad at the back. The controls are all located in the trigger/sear assembly pinned into the receiver. There is an action-unlock button on the front of the trigger guard, and the safety is behind the trigger.

Locking the bolt closed is much like the 870 design. The bolt rides on top of a wedged carrier, and when the bolt meets the breech of the barrel, the wedge pushes a locking lug up through the 12 o’clock position. The locking lug engages a reciprocating cut in the barrel extension.

Specifications

Caliber:	12GA-3”
Action:	Pump-Action
Barrel Length:	28” (711 mm)
Capacity:	4+1 Rounds
Feed In:	Magazine Tube
Trigger System:	Single
Stock:	Chk. Synthetic – Black
Forend:	Chk. Synthetic – Black
Safety:	Manual
Chokes:	Beretta/Benelli Mobil Choke Threads, MC-3 (IC, M, F)
Total Length:	48.25” (1226 mm)
Material:	Aluminum Receiver, Steel Barrel
Net Weight:	7.40 lb
Finishing:	Matte Black
Extraction:	Auto Ejection
Ships Loose:	Manual
Ean/Upc:	8053800941037
Note:	Receiver Grooved For Scope Mount

Shooting the Charles Daly Model 301

Our initial test of the shotgun would be shooting clay targets thrown by hand in the nearby mountains. Anticipating a great deal of shooting, we brought a case of shells and clays both. Initial impressions of the Model 301 were like this; it seemed a touch bulkier in the grip areas than other shotguns. Not a big deal unless you have tiny hands. There was a ever so slight zipping sound when you run the pump back and forth. I attribute this to tiny tooling marks on the sliding surfaces of the magazine tube and action. A very small issue, and as far as I can tell it has no effects on function.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, clay target, clay pigeon, — Junior had a great time shooting the 301

Swinging the Charles Daly 301 felt very familiar to my old Remington 870. The textured rib stands out against the dull sky, and the brass bead gives a clear aimpoint. The controls too are very familiar and worked flawlessly. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that a gun at this price point has many plastic parts, but I was surprised to see the trigger/sear pack was made of plastic.

As I disassembled the gun for cleaning after a range trip I did notice how strikingly simple the design is. It was easy to take it down to component pieces for easy cleaning and lubricating.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, shooting, ejection, — positive extraction and ejection were the norm

Our Experience

Both my son and I went round after round shooting clays in the clear mountain breeze. For me it was like a familiar memory shooting my 30-year-old Remington, and for my son it was his own beginning to a similar memory.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, ammunition, shells, — we shot a variety of ammunition from **Federal**, Remington and **Fiocchi**

Both of us are around average height, and we found the length of pull to be forgiving. And the reach required to operate the gun’s action was also average. As usual, it took us a little bit to figure out the lead and feel for this gun, it was a little easier when we swapped out the Modified choke for an Improved Cylinder.

Operation was flawless as you might expect, I’ve found that pumps either work or they are visibly broken. With little room in between. The model 301 had no problem shucking shells through the action, with excellent extraction and ejection throughout our shooting. We shot a variety of ammunition from Federal and Fiocchi, both 1-1/8 ounce as well as some 1-ounce loads. We even shot a box of Remington steel loads to see how this gun would do for waterfowl hunting next fall.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, loading, magazine, — feeding the magazine was a little touchy, but once you figured it out everything went smooth

Pros and Cons

Charles Daly’s Model 301 does a fine job of fulfilling our purposes. As I mentioned I think it’s a crime for a young man not to have an inexpensive pump-shotgun to follow him through life. This gun for sure will spend some time in this alpine wilderness pursuing grouse and other game. The operating action of the gun seems reliable and solid; I am unsure if it is a direct copy of the 870 or just similar. But it does have many of the same functions and features, and even has a couple things I wish my 870 had. The barrel-nut has a nice ball-detent, with a broad surface for turning by hand. The inclusion of a set of three chokes was a nice addition that not every shotgun at this price point offers.

Finish Reading Here

Shootability

As an entry level shotgun, this gun must have some good shootability atributes. And we found it to be very comparable to the other entry level shotguns we brought that day. The long textured rib made a nice non-reflective contrast in the sky, and the bead popped enough to be useful.

I’m not sure why but it felt like the grip areas were a touch thicker than they needed to be, but otherwise perfectly fine. Both me and the boys all had no issues getting comfortable with the gun, and getting it on targets. One of them is left-handed, which made figuring out the safety a little different. But he otherwise had no issues shooting the 301.

The weight of this gun makes it easy to get up and swing on targets fast. Its controls are simple and easy to operate, pumping through box after box of ammunition.

Reliability

We experienced exactly zero malfunctions while shooting the Charles Daly Model 301. Over the course of several days and rangetrips we put nearly a case of ammunition through the gun. Of various types but mostly 2-¾ rounds shooting 1Oz and 1-1/8Oz loads. The claw extractor worked great at pulling spent shells from the chamber, and they were thrown clear of the action flawlessly and consistently. Like any gun, the Daly 301 seems to have broken in a bit since we first pulled it from the box. And I expect it will continue to smooth up even more.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, bolt, bolt disassembly, firing pin, — the disassembled bolt of the Model 301

Ergonomics

Gripping this shotgun gave a natural sight picture. The comb-height and rib lined up great for me. Again, as an entry level shotgun I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary. The controls were all easily reached from the low ready and shooting positions. The rubber buttpad gave both ample softness as well as sticking in the right spot in your shoulder pocket.

charles daly, model 301, pump-action, 12-gauge, shotgun, bolt, bolt disassembly, firing pin, barrel extension, breech, — here you can see how the bolt engages the barrel extension

Accuracy

Hitting targets with shotguns is about knowing patterns and leads. We found the Charles Daly 301 to be consistent in its patterns, which in turn allowed us the ability to learn and institute proper lead on flying targets. We did change out the choke once to see if it better fit our shooting style, and were pleasantly surprised by increased hits. Not all guns in this price point come with a selection of chokes, which greatly increases your ability to customize the pattern.

Value

There is a lot of good competition for great shotguns in this price range, so the 301 has some adversaries. Among them there are some great values on pump shotguns under $300, and so far as I’m aware they are mostly manufactured overseas. All that said, I found the Charles Daly 301 to be worth what I paid for it. I think there might be a competitor with a slight dollar value edge, but we’re not talking about much. A few boxes of shells might cost you more than the difference between this gun and its competitors, so it basically comes down to which one comes with the features you prefer.

Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo 12-gauge Shotgun

March 13, 2026Product review, Shooting hardwarecombo, field grade, model 320, savage, savage stevens, stevenscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Pump shotguns are perhaps the backbone of the shotgun market.They offer reliable function for an affordable price while still taking on nearly every duty a shotgun might be charged with. Today we are taking a look at one of these affordable options, we will be reviewing the Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo. A combination shotgun that comes with both a 28-inch hunting barrel and an 18.5-inch security barrel.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, — the Stevens 320 was a joy to shoot

Savage Arms has a long history with American firearm enthusiasts. A popular brand for affordable firearms, which was further broadened with the purchase of Stevens Firearms some time later. These days it appears that the Stevens name has been brought back by Savage as a discount brand with firearms manufactured overseas. This may or may not be a big selling point for some, but in today’s example it was reason enough for me to purchase this firearm.

the disassembled 320 for cleaning

The Stevens 320

The Stevens 320 action is a rotating-bolt pump-action, the bolt-carrier changes the linear motion of the pump into a rotating action where the bolt engages the breech of the barrel. The gun is fed from a tubular magazine that holds 5-rounds when the plug is removed.

the magazine plug to reduce capacity to hold 2-rounds

While the 28-inch barrel has the traditional rib with a sight-bead at the front, the shorter 18.5-inch barrel has just a simple bead. The aluminum alloy receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail to allow additional sight options.

receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting sights

The action is fed from a traditional tube magazine that gives the gun a total capacity of 5-rounds. This particular model is the Field Grade combo, that also includes an 18.5-inch security barrel. This gives you the option for a great 28-inch field gun for hunting upland game and waterfowl, as well as a compact choke-less barrel for investigating bumps-in-the-night.

easy controls make operation simple

The Stevens 320 uses simple and inexpensive polymer furniture, and also includes both a front and rear sling stud should you wish to install one. There is a safety at the front of the trigger-guard, and the bolt-release is just behind the trigger-guard. On top of the receiver, it is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail.

Stevens 320 Background

Savage has been around for quite some time in the American firearms market. The Stevens name comes from the late 19th century manufacturer that was later purchased by Savage. After the end of the Great War, Savage and Stevens continued making firearms as independent brands. In more recent times like the current century, Savage brought back the Stevens name, releasing several models branded so. It appears to at least the author that the Stevens name is being used to delineate between American made Savage products and foreign built Stevens models.

The Stevens model 320 copies much of the design from the very popular Winchester model 1300 shotgun. Using the same rotating bolt design and other features of the iconic Winchester who’s demise came a short few years before the Stevens 320 was released. I remember those dark times when Winchester died …

For now, the Stevens 320 shotguns are manufactured in China, and imported to the US by Savage for sale here. It’s a long way from Shandong Province to Westfield Massachusetts, but the popularity of this shotgun would suggest they are doing a good job there.

Into the Field

To give the Steven 320 Field Grade shotgun a good test, we took it for a round of hand-thrown clays. Together with a couple other shotguns for comparison, I figured it would be a great opportunity to get a feel for it.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, security barrel, — the field combo adds great value with two barrels

We brought a couple cases of White Flyer clay targets, as well as an assortment of ammo. I had brought both Remington Gun Club as well as Winchester Target both with 1-1/8 ounce loads. The 320 came with a Modified choke from the factory, and since it uses the Win Choke system (.812″-32 tpi), there are plenty of options you can change it to. With the Modified choke we would be fine for now.

Shooting The Stevens 320

It didn’t take long to get the Stevens 320 warmed up, we would take turns throwing clays for each other and rotate shooters. Loading the tube magazine is straight-forward, and allows 2-rounds with the plug installed. We did notice that at first there was a touch of a challenge to get the shells past the retaining clip. But this went away with some use.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, loading,

The sticky grip of the rubber recoil pad made it stay in place against your shoulder. And I found that I liked the angle of the grip area, giving great position for the trigger finger. The controls were simple and quick to operate, even the novice’s amongst us. Running the pump was smooth and easy, which only got better as the gun broke in a little bit.

Looking down the rib of the barrel to lead the clays reminded me of my early years of shooting my old Remington 870. The broad rib with the bead at the end makes a very familiar and clean sight picture.