unclenunzie
Contributing Member
Seriously. On clearance for $269. In a way it kind of makes me sad that Ruger went this way. But if you want one, that seems like a good price.
Guess we know who won the micro 9 battle ;) PSA Ruger MAX 9 on clearance 7/25/2023 $269.
- Thread starter unclenunzie
- Start date
Seriously. On clearance for $269. In a way it kind of makes me sad that Ruger went this way. But if you want one, that seems like a good price.
epags
Member
Sounds like the same 'song' as the Ruger P95DC. Gone, gone.
All Ruger had to do was take the nice sleek LC9/EC9 and turn it into a double stack with a slightly wider grip (which it kinda needs anyways). Instead they took the pistol and took it in this direction of block squared of edges to the point it looks and conceals as well as a giant LEGO. I would take a guess that the single stack EC9s are still outselling these by a good margin. Im not normally one to complain about looks but those Max 9 pistols are about as aesthetic as the new Keltecs P15s.
Pretty decent price though for people who like these pistols and are in to that kind of Tonka truck look. I doubt Ruger will discontinue it anytime soon. They normally keep their products in production for a while. Probably see a manufacturer retail price drop to get them moving.
Pretty sloppy offering from Ruger. If they are going to start modifying old designs to "MAX" status they need to do more than change some cosmetics and throw a half assed double stack in it. Take the time to do it right. Make the subframe steel. Design it around +p. Give it a full double stack designed magazine. Streamline it a bit so its not so goofy looking. LC9/EC9 are like a used bar of soap compared to the MAX 9. That Lego squared edge approach is fine for large duty sized pistols but on a subcompact it gets a little silly IMO.
I admit a little bias though being such a fan of the LC9 series. I want to like Rugers new offerings but it seems like every time they offer something new its either extremely sloppy, hideous, or has so many design and quality control problems it becomes a gamble whether or not you get a good one. They should probably bring back the SR9 at this point and design it to be modular to compete against the other manufacturers. Maybe keep Huey Lewis out of the design room with his "Hip to be Square" approach.
Pretty decent price though for people who like these pistols and are in to that kind of Tonka truck look. I doubt Ruger will discontinue it anytime soon. They normally keep their products in production for a while. Probably see a manufacturer retail price drop to get them moving.
Pretty sloppy offering from Ruger. If they are going to start modifying old designs to "MAX" status they need to do more than change some cosmetics and throw a half assed double stack in it. Take the time to do it right. Make the subframe steel. Design it around +p. Give it a full double stack designed magazine. Streamline it a bit so its not so goofy looking. LC9/EC9 are like a used bar of soap compared to the MAX 9. That Lego squared edge approach is fine for large duty sized pistols but on a subcompact it gets a little silly IMO.
I admit a little bias though being such a fan of the LC9 series. I want to like Rugers new offerings but it seems like every time they offer something new its either extremely sloppy, hideous, or has so many design and quality control problems it becomes a gamble whether or not you get a good one. They should probably bring back the SR9 at this point and design it to be modular to compete against the other manufacturers. Maybe keep Huey Lewis out of the design room with his "Hip to be Square" approach.
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Armybrat
Member
I bought one earlier this year.
Haven’t warmed up to it yet, or if I ever will.
Still like my single stack Kahr S9 much better.
Haven’t warmed up to it yet, or if I ever will.
Still like my single stack Kahr S9 much better.
DT Guy
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,843
My last two Rugers purchased were an LCP Max and the .22 Easy Rack, or whatever it's called.
The .22 went back because it wouldn't feed ANYTHING more than 2 rounds running, and the .380 because it shot about 5" low at 20'.
Both got serviced and returned in about a week, and the .22 is now as reliable as most .22's, while the .380 shoots fairly close to POA.
My take is that a Ruger from the production line is a crapshoot, but they DO know how to make them run in the service department.
Larry
The .22 went back because it wouldn't feed ANYTHING more than 2 rounds running, and the .380 because it shot about 5" low at 20'.
Both got serviced and returned in about a week, and the .22 is now as reliable as most .22's, while the .380 shoots fairly close to POA.
My take is that a Ruger from the production line is a crapshoot, but they DO know how to make them run in the service department.
Larry
...
And I've found the opposite to be true. I've been carrying my Max-9 AIWB for @ a year and a half now...it's supplanted my 365XL as my CCW. I shoot it better than the Sig, and much better than my EC/LC9S's. It's only marginally wider than the LC9, but the extra girth of the grip makes it infinitely easier for me to shoot. I carry it on a JMCK AIWB under a t-shirt with no issues hiding it. The EC/LC9's seem like they'd be ideal...I've had four. Each time I buy one, then remember why I got rid of the last one...the grips are too narrow (and I don't have large hands). I don't really care what it looks like...it's a tool for me. If I'm carrying it, I can't see it. If I'm not carrying it, it's in the holster in the drawer/safe. If I'm shooting it, I'm looking at the front sight.
And I've found the opposite to be true. I've been carrying my Max-9 AIWB for @ a year and a half now...it's supplanted my 365XL as my CCW. I shoot it better than the Sig, and much better than my EC/LC9S's. It's only marginally wider than the LC9, but the extra girth of the grip makes it infinitely easier for me to shoot. I carry it on a JMCK AIWB under a t-shirt with no issues hiding it. The EC/LC9's seem like they'd be ideal...I've had four. Each time I buy one, then remember why I got rid of the last one...the grips are too narrow (and I don't have large hands). I don't really care what it looks like...it's a tool for me. If I'm carrying it, I can't see it. If I'm not carrying it, it's in the holster in the drawer/safe. If I'm shooting it, I'm looking at the front sight.
Like I said I admit Im a little bias being such a fan of the LC9 series. Also agree they are a little too thin and it takes a little time to get use to them. Put them in something like a smart carry rig though and they basically melt into your body even if you are thin and fairly lean. Ruger did such a good job on the contours and dimensions you can carry them all sorts of ways without printing. My fancy tricked out LC9s have the Hogue's on it so it fills my hand more but thats more for target range shooting. My Carry LC9/LC380s are fairly stock other than triggers.
Sounds like you really like the Max 9. If its your CCW might be the perfect opportunity to pick up a spare. I doubt they will get much cheaper than what Palmetto is clearanceing them out for unless ruger drops the retail down in the $300 range and you find a nice used one. Dont worry Im not trashing your pistol. Just trashing Rugers laziness in the design department and lousy QC.
Funny thing is Ruger could make a simple grip module for the LC9s to take Max 9 magazines. Then you get the added couple rounds and still have the LC9 crowd along with the slightly wider grip. Aesthetics and contours of the pistol basically stays the same. Ruger did a whole lot of work for nothing. No reason both the Max 9 or the LCP max shouldnt have steel subframes and hold up to prolongs +p or high round counts. The American series all have steel subframes so its not like they dont know how to make it happen.
Ruger has been cheaping out for a while now from every angle and its only getting worse. Outside the very first versions of the P85 recall for firing pin upgrades they never had return numbers this bad (Im a big fan of the P series). The pictures that other Ruger fans (like myself) post of their NIB pistols with manufacturing flaws are shocking for Ruger. Unacceptable for me TBH from such a major American Manufacturer with a track record like they had in the past. Seems like they have done a decent job on the MAX 9 in terms of QC and function so your probably fine. The one I shot a bit seemed to be fine but I only ran around 500 rounds through it and they were pretty light loads. I dont try to kill my LC9s with hot stuff either because they are basically a super thin and ultralite somewhat beefed up and enhanced/perfected version of the Keltec Pf9. More of a deep concealment type CCW with the ability to make longer range hits fairly easily. Ruger made the Max pistols look like tanks but they are not built like tanks. Only pistol Ruger makes now built to the old P series tank like standard is the American series. Kinda depressing to see one of my favorite manufacturers take this route. They went in the wrong direction trying to base everything off Kellgren designs. SR9 was 2010 pistol of the year... they dropped the entire line fairly shortly after LOL. Brilliant move there.
Dud after dud for years now. Flash in the pan stuff that quickly gets forgotten once the "influencers" on youtube do their reviews. Best thing they could do at this point would be to bring back the P series as a legacy line and update it for a 10mm like everyone always wanted. Then bring back the SR9 series updated. SR9s were always popular. Ruger has all sorts of things they can do to create market share but they need to get off this lazy kick they are in of trying to copy everyone else with ugly pistols that are not tested well before release. Until that happens they are just gong to continue to go downhill IMO.
LOL, Ruger rant complete for now. Apologies.. I have a thing for American firearms manufacturers and places like Turkey are kicking Rugers tail right now because people dont care who makes their firearms anymore and where the money goes. I try to support all the USA based companies but Ruger is making it very difficult.
Coyote3855
Member
I put a Hogue Handall on my EC9. Fixed the too thin problem. Decent gun but I carry Glocks.
crestoncowboy
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,307
Ruger is the king of "flops". The only guns they actually sell and don't kill off in 5 years are their revolvers. They simply can't innovate. Excellent revolvers but nobody cares about their semi autism and if you do (I have a bunch of p rugers) you know full well that they will leave you with a gun and no parts for it.
If they want to rely on their old stuff to make money then great. Works for colt and winchester and such.
If they want to rely on their old stuff to make money then great. Works for colt and winchester and such.
I'm still disappointed that Ruger killed off the LC9. The EC9 with fixed sights just sucks in comparison. I just cant recommend the EC9 when it's impossible to add night sights to it. There's too many better options out there. One of the things I like about my LC9s Pro is the trigger is light & smooth, like a Glock trigger.
I read somewhere that the Ruger Max 9 uses the same trigger as the LCP Max 380. While I do own a LCP Max, I'm not a fan of the trigger. There is wall that takes considerable force to get past. The trigger dingus is meaningless in the LCP Max trigger. They should just put a solid trigger in these guns.
I also find the Max 9 and LCP Max to be blocky. They don't fit my hand very well. Seems like the top of the backstrap on both pistols needs to be shaved down so it fits your hand better. I find that to be the case with my LC9s Pro as well.
RE PSA Max 9 pricing - I note they really reduced the price on the thumb safety version. The non-thumb safty Pro version is selling for about what I would expect to pay at a gun shop. Making a broad generalization, I find a lot of younger folks don't like external thumb safeties on their pistols. Being left handed, if a pistol is going to have a thumb safety, it needs to be ambidextrous for me. It could be that this Thumb Safety version is just not selling for PSA.
I read somewhere that the Ruger Max 9 uses the same trigger as the LCP Max 380. While I do own a LCP Max, I'm not a fan of the trigger. There is wall that takes considerable force to get past. The trigger dingus is meaningless in the LCP Max trigger. They should just put a solid trigger in these guns.
I also find the Max 9 and LCP Max to be blocky. They don't fit my hand very well. Seems like the top of the backstrap on both pistols needs to be shaved down so it fits your hand better. I find that to be the case with my LC9s Pro as well.
RE PSA Max 9 pricing - I note they really reduced the price on the thumb safety version. The non-thumb safty Pro version is selling for about what I would expect to pay at a gun shop. Making a broad generalization, I find a lot of younger folks don't like external thumb safeties on their pistols. Being left handed, if a pistol is going to have a thumb safety, it needs to be ambidextrous for me. It could be that this Thumb Safety version is just not selling for PSA.
420Stainless
Member
I shoot the Max 9 very well and like the way it looks and conceals. It certainly is nothing fancy, but few of the Tupperware pistols are. Unfortunately I paid quite a bit more for mine, but have always been glad I got it. Haven’t tried, or want to try, any of the other micro nines.
dweis
Member
My guess is that Ruger offers dealers a special to reduce the inventory to make room for the MAX 9s with the new red dot sight. I’ll bet a Ruger is going to push that model.
I ordered one from PSA Memorial Day weekend. I got the $279.99 deal they were running. They were bundling them together with a miniature Ruger range bag.
I did have one stovepipe in the first 50 rounds. I also had the slide locking back when there was still ammunition in the magazine. It wasn't the guns fault though. It is a small pistol & I wear extra large gloves. I haven't had any problems since I found out I was pushing up on the slide stop with my thumb. Now when I swipe the safety off with my thumb knuckle I rest my knuckle on the edge of the safety with my thumb putting downward pressure on it.
The safety has taken some getting used to but it isn't horrible. It is just a matter of being willing to put the time in to establish muscle memory. That can be done dry. Since I have been carrying it AIWB I don't mind it being there.
The Max-9 trigger is not bad at all. There is some creep & a rolling break. It is about 4.5 to 5 pounds. Some people put a Maxxis trigger from Galloway Precision in. I haven't used one but they say it eliminates the creep there is about 1/8" of take up & then you are on it.
I like it better than the Kahr CM9 I have but that is because there is more to hold on to.
I am sure there is nicer stuff & better looking stuff out there. I still kind of like the looks of the Shield Plus but I believe the Ruger will serve me just fine.
I did have one stovepipe in the first 50 rounds. I also had the slide locking back when there was still ammunition in the magazine. It wasn't the guns fault though. It is a small pistol & I wear extra large gloves. I haven't had any problems since I found out I was pushing up on the slide stop with my thumb. Now when I swipe the safety off with my thumb knuckle I rest my knuckle on the edge of the safety with my thumb putting downward pressure on it.
The safety has taken some getting used to but it isn't horrible. It is just a matter of being willing to put the time in to establish muscle memory. That can be done dry. Since I have been carrying it AIWB I don't mind it being there.
The Max-9 trigger is not bad at all. There is some creep & a rolling break. It is about 4.5 to 5 pounds. Some people put a Maxxis trigger from Galloway Precision in. I haven't used one but they say it eliminates the creep there is about 1/8" of take up & then you are on it.
I like it better than the Kahr CM9 I have but that is because there is more to hold on to.
I am sure there is nicer stuff & better looking stuff out there. I still kind of like the looks of the Shield Plus but I believe the Ruger will serve me just fine.
My LC9s will remain in my posession. It gets carried seldom since I got the Shield Plus, but like starling said, nothing I have melts into my body (except my wife) like that little pistol.
My issue with Ruger is sticking to a platform. S&W is a familiar gun no matter what it spits.
My issue with Ruger is sticking to a platform. S&W is a familiar gun no matter what it spits.
Their revolver life cycle is measured in decades, but for semi-autos it's measured in weeks.
I have had LC9, EC9s, Max9, plus a pile of other guns including a Shield, G43. CW9 and some large frame stuff.
All that's left are the G43, EC9s and the Max9.
Carry the Max. G43 beside the bed (with green laser) and EC9s in a console holster.
All that's left are the G43, EC9s and the Max9.
Carry the Max. G43 beside the bed (with green laser) and EC9s in a console holster.
bsms
Member
LC9 has been around since 2011 and evolved (because most people don't like DA trigger pulls) into the LC9s & EC9s. Still selling. LCP variants (I still used the plain LCP) have been around and selling since 2008. Nothing wrong with updating models from time to time. The micro-9s may have a limited market since they all WILL have some snap. I'm tempted by them but since I already have a Glock 27 & EC9s and LCP, I'm not sure what a Max9 or P365 offers that I really need. I'd like better sights but the nail polish on my LCP & EC9 hasn't worn off so...;>)
