Ruger SR9

Talk to me. I'm looking at it or a Glock 17 as a first handgun.

I don't know much at all about the subject. Also, I'm a lefty, if that has any bearing on the subject.

Both are great pistols, but the SR9 has ambi controls. I'm a righty & I prefer the Ruger SR series and S&W M&P series to Glocks, but that's largely based on grip feel & those pistols pointing more naturally for me. The best thing to do is get your hands on both. See which is most comfortable, and which points most naturally for you. You aren't going to go wrong either way.

I bought the SR9 instead of a Glock, XD or M&P because it felt the best to me in my hands. I have never had a FTE, FTL or a stove pipe using factory ammo, or both soft and hot reloads.

I found the SR9 very easy to take down and clean and reassemble, and I have zero regrets about buying it!

There's a ton of polymer choices out there that will meet your needs.
Xd
M&P
Fnh
Etc...
Go grab some and see which one fits you better!!

Can't speak for the full size, but I love my SR9c. As advised above, look at all the common polys and try to shoot, or at least handle as many as you can as you decide. Fit to YOUR hands is quite important (in my opinion) for a first handgun. If you don't like how it feels, you probably won't shoot it as much.

Ruger, Glock, Smith and Wesson (M&P), Walther, Springfield XD are all solid brands and choices.

Ruger is a very under rated company. They make great revolvers. I have no experience with their semi autos, but everything I've read would indicate a) they are a great value b) most people who own them seem to have a positive opinion of them c) they have obnoxious safeties and loaded chamber indicators

The 20 or so rounds I shot through an SR9 showed me that they are a nicely accurate gun. And that the grips fit a medium to smaller hand best but still work OK for a guy like me with big mitts. The one downfall was a long, spongy and gritty trigger travel.

The one downfall was a long, spongy and gritty trigger travel.

If you ever get a chance to try a SR9c I wonder if you'll feel it is better, I would call my trigger none of those three things in regard to trigger travel. But I have often heard this issue with the full sized ones, especially the older ones. My SR9c's trigger is the best striker trigger (in my opinion) I've used (vs glocks, Walther p99, XD, XDm, M&P 9) yet.

But then again, trigger "feel" is all up to the individual shooter, in my opinion.

The original SR trigger was not great. The redesign is much better every regard, and is the primary reason that I was willing to try 'em out.

I've had excellent service from mine and they have become my EDC and house guns. I'm probably coming up on 3K rounds through my range mule with zero issues of any kind.

I recently picked up a Ruger SR9c.....I don't really know why expect that it felt great in hand and the trigger was so damn crisp...The pistol is still a baby, I only have ~200 rounds through but function is 100% and its a blast to shoot.

The one downfall was a long, spongy and gritty trigger travel.
When the 9c came out the whole SR series got the improved triggers. They're far better now.

I prefer the trigger pull and grip shape of my SR9c to the Glock I have shot. Sample size of one for each though, take it for what it's worth.

I've had several Glocks, still have a 35, and recently picked up an ANIB SR9 -- apparently one with the original (older design) trigger. I didn't like the trigger (the newer SR9C-based trigger is now, apparently, much better) so had the Ghost trigger installed. Except for the trigger now being a bit heavier than I like, it's quite good. Very crisp with no creep or slop.

The gun has all of the features of the Glock, except the Glock's utter simplicity, but really does all of it BETTER, as far as I'm concerned. It's a more natural pointer, and has proved to be very accurate. (None of this is intended as a slam against Glocks. I still love my 35 -- particularly given the fact that I don't dislike the Glock triggers.)

I'd seriously consider an SR9C if I ever I get rid of something else.

I had an original SR9 and now have a new model. The trigger on the new SR9 is much improved over the original mode. It has ambi mag release and ambi thumb safety which you might like since you're a lefty. Great gun, accurate, reliable and soft shooting.

I don't care for Glock grips... at all. I've fondled the SR9 and SR9c a few times and really like they way they feel in my hand. The trigger is pretty darned nice too. They also have a good rep. The SR9 would definitely be my choice. The SR9 has ambi thumb safety.

I recently purchased a Ruger SR9 over the Glock 17, the S & W M&P9 and the SA XD and or (m) because the Ruger just felt better. The Glock and SA both felt like a 2x4 in my hand and the feel, and reputation of the M&P trigger just threw me of it. Though it really did feel good.

That being said, all the above are fine weapons and will last a whole lot longer than any of us will be around and will service the next generation to follow for years after. My advice would be to put all your choices next to each other and compare with a "Devil's Advocate" mentality and shoot as many of those you are able to. Then go with what you feel is right for you.