During the next year I'm going to share my impressions and experiences with Ruger SR9 - one that I've got recently.
Good or bad - I'm not really planning forward to be positive or negative about this pistol. I'm just wondering if this model can be a real alternative to the ever popular Glock 17 or S&W M&P 9. Only time will tell. I have to say that this, particular gun was pre-owned, but never fired before. After the initial inspection I have to agree with such statement. It came in the typical, Ruger plastic box supplied with the safety instructions, 2 magazines (pinned to 10 rounds thanks to the local regulations) and magazine loader (nothing fancy, but it works). It's the latest, so called 3rd generation (even though Ruger is not using such nomenclature) of the first ever, striker fired pistol made by this American company. Black slide on the black, polymer frame. Adjustable rear sights with the three dots system implemented. As we all are aware, Ruger is not afraid to go back to the drawing board and start fresh. That's exactly what happened with this pistol after it was introduced in 2007. I think that it's a good thing to see the company that is not afraid to admit that they made a mistake and fix it without trying to call the problem "upgrade" or blame the used ammo for the problems with the gun.
That's it for today. More details to come. Thanks!
I've had an SR9c for over a year now. I shoot it better than my Glock, and I think the reason is because the SR series really has a tiny grip compared to other double-stack 9mm pistols (much slimmer than a Glock anyway). If my hands were bigger that probably wouldn't be an issue.
Anyway, according to my records, I've put just over 1000 rounds through it so far, without any failures. I like the short trigger pull. Even though it's somewhere around 6 pounds, IIRC, hickok45 calls it almost a hair trigger because it doesn't travel far before it breaks. Probably the other reason I shoot it better.
If the newer full-sized SR pistols have the same trigger as the compact models, I wouldn't hesitate owning one. I prefer the C model, though, because it takes the 17rnd SR9 mags (with mag adapter for a full grip) so IMO I have the best of both worlds. The only downside with the big mags in the compact gun is it's easy to pinch your palm between the grip of the gun and the adapter when you slam the mag home (the pain helps you learn to avoid doing that after a couple of times though :rofl.
what is really nice is in 2012 we have so many good choices out there...glocks, xd/xdm, sigs, CZ, M&P etc. I can remember not so many years ago when we didnt have NEAR the choices. I am a glock fan but that SR9c is a great gun, I wouldn't question owning one, or using for home protection. I feel since Old man ruger died that they have came out with some really nice small guns...LCP, LCR, LC9, SR9, etc. I think the SR9 is a big step up from the clunky P series pistols.
Back from the range. 200 rounds today, with not even a single problem.
Again, I'm not an expert with the pistols in general, but I'll slowly learn.
Trigger was just fine to me, very much Glock like, maybe even less spongy than Glock is. Very positive reset with loud "click" (took me about 2 magazines to remember that I actually can use the reset to my own good).
I couldn't feel any recoil at all. Very mild shooting pistol - probably thanks to very low bore axis. I really like it.
Here is what I don't like: every second or third empty case was ejected in very positive way right at my forehead and if not for the hat that I was wearing I would be even more ugly today than usual.
I was shooting at close range and moved the target to 10 meters (11 yards) and 15 meters (16.5 yards) later on. This particular target was used at 10 meters (head, torso and pelvis) and 15 meters (torso).
Certainly it's combat accurate even in my hands.
That's it for today. Thanks!
I think as long as you got the model with the trigger that came out after the SR9c was introduced you will be pleased. I have a SR9c and consider it a upgrade from my Glock 23. Its just as reliable, feels better in my hand,pretty much fully ambidextrous(mag release and safety on both sides only thing thats not is the slide stop..but then again its a slide stop not a slide release so it really does not matter) fully adjustable sights and thinner than a Glock..win/win all the way around. After a cleaning and breakin period its got around 1500-1600 flawless rounds through it now.
Cleaning day. No excessive wear noticed, pistol was fairly clean actually. 200 rounds in and the very first, quite sophisticated modification was done. With my long fingers the grip was just a bit too thin for my liking. Slip-on Pachmayr grips with the price tag of $8.99 fixed that. Jeeezzz...I almost passed out trying to put that thing on. Quality rubber feels good though...You know :whistling:
I was wondering about the reason behind controllability of this pistol during the range session. There was nearly no recoil and very little muzzle rise (having both arms injured with the left elbow badly hurting in nearly any position I'm more recoil sensitive those days than usual). I did measure the bore axis position and it seems that my initial observation was correct. It's low. Actually the web of the hand is only 0.75 of an inch below the centerline of the bore. That explains a lot.
To give You an idea how low it really is, here is my 1911 in comparison. The same measurement shows 1.70 of an inch.
Speaking of the web of my hand. For some reason the pistol scratched it during the last shooting session. It's not really typical thing for 9mm, so I inspected the frame closely.
Here is what I found...
There was a small, sharp piece of plastic sticking out from the frame and cutting into my hand. Leftover from the frame molding process I guess. Sandpaper corrected the problem.
270 rounds total today:
50 of American Eagle 147 grain TMJ
50 of American Eagle 124 grain FMJ
10 of Remington Golden Sabre 124 grain JHP
10 of Federal Guardian Dog 105 grain EFMJ
100 of Winchester White Box 115 grain FMJ
50 of reloads 115 grain FMJ
Zero problems to report. 100% reliable. Trigger is smoothing up and I'm starting to have better feel for it. Only one in five - six empty casings were ejected at my forehead this time, so big improvement there. I like the slip-on grip a lot. Having much better control of the pistol is always nice. It seems that the pistol has slight preference for 124 grain loads with most consistent accuracy noticed. Those two groups were fired from 7 meters away using 124 grain ammo. 1 round fired every 1-1.5 seconds. I'm sure that the pistol is far more accurate than I'll ever be. So far so good.
The other day I broke out my Glock 17 and SR9 to do some dry firing. Both felt good in the hand but the SR9 did feel better. It also has a more natural feel and easier target alignment , the trigger also goes to the SR9. reliability has to go to the Glock based on the number of years in service, although I have had no issues with my SR9 and am very happy with it. Be safe.:supergrin:
Great job on the review and shooting, Adam.
The latest generation of polymer guns really do bring the bore axis down, the undercut tangs and more aggressive grip angle make a difference.
Thanks again :wavey:
Here is what I don't like. I already mentioned about the huge loaded chamber indicator. Overkill, but look at the barrel here:
This is the spot where the indicator is resting between the two small, lugs. It's real pain trying to clean that spot. I wish to see the indicator to be smaller and located somewhere else really.
On the positive side. Case is fully supported in the chamber.
I also like the design of the magazine. Look at that:
It's very easy to grab the magazine and pull it down if for whatever reason it will stuck inside the grip. Ejection of the magazine is very positive though with the both release buttons working very well so far.
Just use some Hoppes(or what ever cleaner/bore cleaner you use) and a old toothbrush and that area where the loaded chamber indicator cleans up VERY easily. And according to the Ruger rep at a gun show the reason on the gun the loaded chamber indicator is like it is is because they wanted it to be able to be FELT in no/low light situations where you may not be able to see the indicator..Im not a giant fan of it either to be honest and the mag safety is long gone(think I removed that first week I had it) but I dont let that one feature ruin it for me .
Here is what I don't like: every second or third empty case was ejected in very positive way right at my forehead and if not for the hat that I was wearing I would be even more ugly today than usual.
oh no. are you storing your new ruger too close to your late GEN3 or early GEN4 Glocks? is the "ejected to my face" disease spreading?! quick!! separate them immediately and get that ruger on some anti-biotics!!!! :whistling:
my first new pistol was a ruger P89 in early 90s and loved that gun. some may say, 'cheap taste, cheap guns', but i didnt care. i shot it well and never let me down. maybe its time to look at ruger again. looking forward to more updates in the future. in the mean time, i'll visit my LGS and handle one of these just to see how it feels in my hand.
250 rounds of 115 grain FMJ today.
That wasn't my day as I was only able to squeeze maybe 3 decent groups during the whole session.
On the positive side the pistol functioned without a single problem.
It's funny how the trajectory of the empty casings was changing during this month. When the pistol was new (as You can remember) my forehead was constantly bombarded by the ejected empties.
Later only 1 out of 5 was landing on my head.
Now all the empties were ejected just over my head and usually landed...in the hood of my hoodie. I need to change the outfit going there next time :supergrin:
Round count so far is 720 without single malfunction of any kind.
Glad to read your followup report. Good to read the fired cases aren't hitting you in the face anymore unlike my 3rd gen Glock 19. I haven't shot the current SR9, but I'm glad to read Ruger has improved the trigger.
You know Murph, after moment of reflection, I really like this idea of collecting the brass in the hoodie. Some people are crawling all over the space and all I have to do is to dance a bit to empty the hood once I'm too rear heavy :supergrin:
You know Murph, after moment of reflection, I really like this idea of collecting the brass in the hoodie. Some people are crawling all over the space and all I have to do is to dance a bit to empty the hood once I'm too rear heavy :supergrin:
It's my understanding that the loaded chamber indicator can be removed and replaced with non-functioning piece of steel.
Serial number plate?
Easy to paint yourself.
I can't really comment on the prices South of the border, but I just realized that SR9 is $300 less expensive than Glock Gen4 here and so far I'm very happy with its performance.
Who knows?
Maybe it's worth trying?
Way too early to really say anything for sure, but so far so good.
It's my understanding that the loaded chamber indicator can be removed and replaced with non-functioning piece of steel.
Serial number plate?
Easy to paint yourself.
I can't really comment on the prices South of the border, but I just realized that SR9 is $300 less expensive than Glock Gen4 here and so far I'm very happy with its performance.
Who knows?
Maybe it's worth trying?
Way too early to really say anything for sure, but so far so good.
I'd considered the paint idea before but do they make kinds that can stand up to wear ans tear and gun oil wipedowns etc..... Had not heard of the metal bar before. Wonde if that could work against you in court ?
Looks like a nice gun. I almost got the SR40 before I decided to go Glock (and didn't look bock haha). Anyway, I liked the price of the gun but I LOVE Ruger. I didn't really wanna go with a foreign made gun, I wanted American. But I decided to go Glock for one reason or another, and am curious to know how this gun works out for you.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Glock Talk
21M posts
185.2K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more!