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Finally Got One: :) Post #107 Ruger's Getting Back on the path-New Max 9

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7.3K views 125 replies 41 participants last post by  heydrich  
#1 · (Edited)

Ruger® MAX-9® Centerfire Pistol Model 3514

beta.ruger.com beta.ruger.com

This is probably gonna see street pricing of $249.99. That's gonna be impossible to justify a Taurus or beat it in this market. An American company is coming after the budget CCW line, aggressively. Optics ready still...... Basically a 10+1 EC9s, optics ready, with removable sights. That was the Max 9's Achilles heel, was pricing was kinda hot for what it was at first, and some initial issues fumbled it a bit. However, for sub $300, and two mags, optics ready, this thing will do well I'll bet.

This is a slightly boiled down Max 9, with basic sights that appear to be Glock compatible (Max 9 sights are not), and you're still getting two 10 round mags with both baseplate options. Why more companies aren't jumping on Glock sights, I don't know, but Ruger's getting the memo!

My Max 9 has been stupidly reliable. Magazines that Ruger makes for them are among some of the finest made magazines I've seen for a small gun, that don't cost $50+ a piece.

I bet this will be a mover for Ruger. :)
 
#3 ·
Yeah, I'm gonna get one because as much as I love my Max 9, this is just better looking, and better sight options. Already have 6 mags for the Max 9, so I'm good.

The LCPs are market leaders man, they're just good guns.

I still find it funny when people crap on the LCP and P365 for being Keltec clones. No. Just no. The P-11 is so trash compared to a P365 it's a stupid comparison, and the systems aren't even close. Finally saw one in the wild, and had to look at it up close and try trigger, etc. Not even close.

I digress 😆
 
#8 ·
Yup. :)

And, what many don't know, and I did confirm this with a tech I've corresponded with several times and have gotten to know at the Prescott facility: The Max 9 is just a redesigned LC9s/EC9s to accept the new 10 round magazine they designed for the modern P365/Hellcat market. The exterior definitely got a cosmetic only facelift and added features like sights and optics ready, but internally, the Max 9 is almost identical to the EC9s and LC9s. Even the trigger shoe looks just like it, if you look closely.

This new Max 9 appears to use the exact same Max 9 lower, and a less expensive to machine and produce slide. Which is odd, I don't hate the Max 9 slide, but this one definitely looks better and more simple. Glock sights, simpler slide, and god I hope they price them at $249.99. They won't be able to keep them in stock.

Here's the real Glock 43, P365, Hellcat killer. The system has already had its burps with the Max 9 initial release. The system is now pretty solid. The Max 9 suffered from the craziness, poor marketing, and initial release issues. A lot of people complain that the Max 9 rattles. Yup, mine does, too; it's a slightly looser than average slide to slide rails tolerance and it's a non-issue. Also boringly reliable, accurate, and durable.
 
#7 ·
Nice. Might be a potential decent replacement for my CS9?

0.2" longer barrel than my CS9, and the magazine holds 3 more rounds. Almost a quarter inch shorter in length, and approx 1.5oz lighter.

Too bad they don't offer it in .40 S&W, though, as I'm seriously thinking about a Shield 40. :)
 
#11 ·
Planter21 said:
I wonder what recoil will be like?

That didn't use to be an issue with me but now it is.
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It's comparably jumpy to the Hellcat the P365, etc. All these small 9mms are about the same. I own or owned almost all of them, and have side by sided them. The Hellcat, which is internet infamous for being the snappiest isn't any harder to shoot than the P365 or Glock 43. The Shield Plus is a hair better, but it's also a bigger gun.

Borg Warner said:
It's a nice size for a 10 round capacity pistol but the thumb safety needs to be optional before I would consider buying one.
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The Max 9 Pro came out, and that's what I have. No safety. I actually want this new one with a manual safety. I'm totally fine with or without it, and have trained it into my brain accordingly.
 
#16 ·
PilatusTurbo said:
It's comparably jumpy to the Hellcat the P365, etc. All these small 9mms are about the same. I own or owned almost all of them, and have side by sided them. The Hellcat, which is internet infamous for being the snappiest isn't any harder to shoot than the P365 or Glock 43. The Shield Plus is a hair better, but it's also a bigger gun.


The Max 9 Pro came out, and that's what I have. No safety. I actually want this new one with a manual safety. I'm totally fine with or without it, and have trained it into my brain accordingly.
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I don't like the dinky little mini-safeties on the mini-guns They just are not as ergonomically positioned or as instinctive or as intuitive to use as a thumb safety on a 1911.
 
#15 ·
oh goodie, another 9mm europellet gun...
what next?
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#19 ·
I had to get my Max9 out to see what the difference is, cosmetically. Doesn’t seem like much of a difference to me, I don’t really see how someone thinks the old one is ugly and the new one isn’t. I didn’t buy it for its looks. That said, if it proves to be as accurate and reliable as the old one, and around $250, I would pick up another due to mag compatibility. It’s small and light and therefore a bit snappy to shoot, but not all that bad. And of course it conceals well. The fact that it comes optics ready is what’s made me pull the trigger in the first place - I like small concealable guns, and I wanted to dip my toe into the handgun red dot world without spending a fortune.
 
#22 ·
powernoodle said:
Just to be clear so people aren't confused, this is not a "new" Max-9. Is the original Max-9 with cheaper sights, 1x 10-round magazine instead of 1x 10-round and 1x 12-round, new slide serrations and a substantially lower MSRP. Its that last part that is the real kicker.
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Yes, it's new but not new. I kinda clarified that. I have 3 10 rounders and 3 12s. I never shoot or carry the 12s, I'm fine with two 10s. Most people will be, as long as they do include the pinky extensions. The price is excellent, and I've seen tons of comments on Reddit about how it does look sleeker, but to each their own. :)
Schrag4 said:
I had to get my Max9 out to see what the difference is, cosmetically. Doesn’t seem like much of a difference to me, I don’t really see how someone thinks the old one is ugly and the new one isn’t. I didn’t buy it for its looks. That said, if it proves to be as accurate and reliable as the old one, and around $250, I would pick up another due to mag compatibility. It’s small and light and therefore a bit snappy to shoot, but not all that bad. And of course it conceals well. The fact that it comes optics ready is what’s made me pull the trigger in the first place - I like small concealable guns, and I wanted to dip my toe into the handgun red dot world without spending a fortune.
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I do like a gun to look a certain way, but agreed. I won't buy it if it's an unreliable piece of just because it looks good. The price and mag compatibility is a big plus to many who already own the Max 9.
And to your point, Ruger mags are cheap and quality in almost all their cases. As I said, if it's a 10 round gun, I just carry a spare of the same. I have several 13 round Shield Plus mags, I still carry a spare 10. I donno why, I just don't want a bigger spare mag.

Redeemed said:
I never it shot with it on, but my lc9 slide fits on my max9
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Yeah, that's what I was eluding to, it's mechanically an LC9s, with a different feed system.
 
#23 ·
My neighbor and shooting buddy carries an LCP most of the time. I've shot his LCP on several of our range trips and it seems like a nice small carry gun with a pretty stiff trigger. For its intended use it seems fine.

This past weekend he bought himself a new Ruger for Father's Day. It's an EC9s on sale at a local Rural King Father's Day special for $199.00. I love Ruger .22s in pistols and rifles, but never owned one of the small Ruger handguns. They all look like double 1st cousins to me and their owners seem to love them.

Funny thing is we moved into our present house and neighborhood 8 years ago this month and my neighbor and his wife moved from California into the next door house four months before our move. He is also a Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran so we quickly became friends. Didn't take long to corrupt him. He owned no guns when he moved here to Northeast Tennessee, but after the first couple of trips to the range with me he corrected that. I'm not sure how many handguns he now owns but it's several and he quickly joined the NRA.

I've corrupted him in air gun shooting too since he now owns a Ruger air rifle and an air pistol. I have an air guns range in the back yard where we shoot on nice summer late afternoons. Unfortunately it's log backstop was demolished when we were hit by a sever straight line downdraft on the day Helene created so much damage in Western North Carolina and farther east of us in Tennessee. It uprooted a number of our trees along with some of our neighbors trees including some large ones. That severe wind uprooted and dropping a couple of large cherry trees right on top of the log backstop. I haven't had time to rebuild due to a couple of injuries this winter and spring. Soon though that will happen.

Looking forward to shooting his EC9s, if it ever stops raining.
 
#84 ·
Tuscany said:
My neighbor and shooting buddy carries an LCP most of the time. I've shot his LCP on several of our range trips and it seems like a nice small carry gun with a pretty stiff trigger. For its intended use it seems fine.

This past weekend he bought himself a new Ruger for Father's Day. It's an EC9s on sale at a local Rural King Father's Day special for $199.00. I love Ruger .22s in pistols and rifles, but never owned one of the small Ruger handguns. They all look like double 1st cousins to me and their owners seem to love them.
Click to expand...
We made it to the range last week and gave my neighbor's new EC9s a good workout. Surprising to me after shooting his LCP on numbers of occasions, is that his new EC9s has a good trigger. He likes the gun and I like it as well. It will be his new carry gun most of the time with the LCP reserved for other occasions. There were no hiccups of any kind during that range session.

I guess no one actually pays list for a Ruger firearm (I never have) but the list price of his EC9s is $349 and he bought it for $199. The gun seems worth the price to me if one is looking for that class handgun.
 
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#25 ·
The (original) LC9 was the first approved auto for backup use when I was a police officer. It was the one which was hammer fired. When they went to the LC9S which is striker fired, the trigger improved drastically, but I'm still comfortable with my old one. I don't carry it anymore, but I would still feel comfortable with it.
 
#27 ·
I have the original Max-9 and also bought the same in the 4" version when the 4'ers were priced at some ridiculous price. I like the original Max-9 the better of the two but the 4" also has it's place. It would be cool if the 4" was in .40S&W.

After having these two, for me, I would not be a buyer but, I could certainly see how someone would have an interest in this stripped-down model with the good history. Since this new release is made in Prescott not in Mayodan, it should hold up well and have a good service life. I've learned, from sad experiences, to try to avoid any Ruger product made in Mayodan with their lousy CS and arrogant attitude.
 
#29 ·
Jslow said:
Maybe it’s just me but it’s “looks” are very similar to HK’s new CC9
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That's what it is! I couldn't put a finger on its appearance, but yes, it does kinda doesn't it.

Bluescot said:
I have the original Max-9 and also bought the same in the 4" version when the 4'ers were priced at some ridiculous price. I like the original Max-9 the better of the two but the 4" also has it's place. It would be cool if the 4" was in .40S&W.

After having these two, for me, I would not be a buyer but, I could certainly see how someone would have an interest in this stripped-down model with the good history. Since this new release is made in Prescott not in Mayodan, it should hold up well and have a good service life. I've learned, from sad experiences, to try to avoid any Ruger product made in Mayodan with their lousy CS and arrogant attitude.
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Sadly you're not wrong on any of that. Mayodan and NH Ruger stuff seems to.... Not be as good...
 
#30 ·
PilatusTurbo said:
That's what it is! I couldn't put a finger on its appearance, but yes, it does kinda doesn't it.


Sadly you're not wrong on any of that. Mayodan and NH Ruger stuff seems to.... Not be as good...
Click to expand...
To me it looks like a Rugerized GX4. But makes sense since people say the HK looks like a Taurus anyways


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#31 ·
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All of my 380’s are Rugers …all are great

My only Micro 9 is a GX4 … absolutely a great little pistol.. solid .. definitely doesn’t feel like a Taurus.. The Max-9E will sell well .. mostly because of price and Ruger’s customer service.
Im on the fence right now about ordering a Max-9E ..
Im not a micro 9 fan… I lean toward true Sub-Compacts and Compact pistols.
In fact I just received a LE trade in 26 that is ready to slip in to my carry rotation, if Im able to put down my 27 .
Having said all above.. I have been on the look out for a bargain priced used 43 … being its a out of style worthless single stack 🤣
 
#34 ·
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I’m certain this will be a good seller for Ruger, but it is not for me. Micros pistols are ok and have their place. I am trending in the opposite direction with traditional size subcompact and compact pistols.
 
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#36 ·
18.4 oz is comparable to all the guns in this micro high capacity 9mm. I don't think I'd want a 9mm any lighter than 15 or 16 oz; it would become very difficult to shoot. The super light LCPs and other 380 pistols often get that complaint, so I think that 17 to 18 oz is realistically as light as a 10 round 9mm can be. :)
 
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