ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 13,828
Background: I mostly shoot 1911s, but was looking for an inexpensive range / beater 9mm. I'd considered a S&W Sigma, but they don't hold value, and if I'm gonna shoot something with a DA revolver like trigger, well, it's gonna be a used S&W K Frame for the same money. I like the S&W M&Ps, but haven't been able to find a clean used one locally at a reasonable price. I'd thought about used Glocks. I don't even shoot Glocks that well (they're a bit blocky for my short wide hands, and I don't care for the steep grip angle), but they have decent triggers, and they just plain work. I happened into a Colt All American Model 2000 at a great price. The AA 2000 was actually a pretty good gun, despite all the horror stories. It was perfectly reliable with 124gr NATO spec, and 124 gr & heavier standard pressure SAAMI spec ammo. It just didn't like anything lighter, nor higher pressure. Not running cheap 115 gr ammo kinda killed the cheap range gun aspect of it.
The Pistol: Last night I wandered into the LGS (well one of them) and they'd just taken an SR9c in on trade. I somewhat reluctantly took a look at it. I'd handled the standard SR9 when it first came out; and loved the grip, but hated the trigger. I'd kind of written off the SR series another also ran from Ruger: Another Ruger pistol that was almost there, but priced too close to others that were all the way there. This little SR9c had a far better trigger than I remembered the SR9 having. The grip was still very nice, just like I'd felt before on the full size. The thumb safeties, again as I remembered from the standard SR9, were located & operated naturally for my 1911 accustomed thumbs. The new matte black slide really helped tone done the huge SR9c block letter logo opposite the ejection port. The small Ruger Phoenix logo, and "Ruger Prescott, AZ USA" inscription under the ejection port was no worse than any other manufacturers markings.
Then came the price. Between the Colt I'd be trading in, and a tiny bit of cash, I'd have $350 (tax included) in the little Ruger. That included the manual (yes I know I can get a PDF or physical one free from Ruger), mag loader tool, one 17 rd. mag w/ spacer, and two 10 round mags. So, I bought it.
I got it home last night, and Googled the details on the little 9c. I found pictures on the Ruger Forum of the 9c laid over the top of a Glock 26, and the G26 laid over top of it. Despite official measurements, the two pistols are darn near identical in size. The new matte black finish is apparently called Nitrodox Pro, and is Ruger's Ferritic Nitrocarburized finish (same concept as Melonite & Tennifer). Apparently Ruger also came out with an improved trigger group that premiered in the SR9c - explains the noticeably improved trigger.
I took it to the range today, and it didn't disappoint. I consider myself an average pistol shooter. I'm not bad, but I'm not great either. Once I dialed in the adjustable rear sight (nice touch Ruger) the little SR9C would easily hold the 10 ring of a BT-5R/S silhouette target at 15 yards. That's with my average skills, and the flat floor plate 10 round mags.
Overall, I'm very pleasantly surprised. Ruger has fixed the the few issues that kept the SR series from being almost there. I think it's all the way there now. The SR series now has a trigger and finish appropriate for a service or carry pistol. At a little over $400 new, Ruger is now making a pistol that matches competitor's offerings in even the little details, and it's selling for 20% ($100) less. I wish Ruger had gotten it right from the start. I fear too many people like me had written off the SR series based on the first guns, and never found out about the improvements. So, if you're reading this, and you're on the fence about the Ruger SR series, give them a try. Even a 1911 / S&W revolver snob was impressed enough with them to write this detailed review.
The Pistol: Last night I wandered into the LGS (well one of them) and they'd just taken an SR9c in on trade. I somewhat reluctantly took a look at it. I'd handled the standard SR9 when it first came out; and loved the grip, but hated the trigger. I'd kind of written off the SR series another also ran from Ruger: Another Ruger pistol that was almost there, but priced too close to others that were all the way there. This little SR9c had a far better trigger than I remembered the SR9 having. The grip was still very nice, just like I'd felt before on the full size. The thumb safeties, again as I remembered from the standard SR9, were located & operated naturally for my 1911 accustomed thumbs. The new matte black slide really helped tone done the huge SR9c block letter logo opposite the ejection port. The small Ruger Phoenix logo, and "Ruger Prescott, AZ USA" inscription under the ejection port was no worse than any other manufacturers markings.
Then came the price. Between the Colt I'd be trading in, and a tiny bit of cash, I'd have $350 (tax included) in the little Ruger. That included the manual (yes I know I can get a PDF or physical one free from Ruger), mag loader tool, one 17 rd. mag w/ spacer, and two 10 round mags. So, I bought it.
I got it home last night, and Googled the details on the little 9c. I found pictures on the Ruger Forum of the 9c laid over the top of a Glock 26, and the G26 laid over top of it. Despite official measurements, the two pistols are darn near identical in size. The new matte black finish is apparently called Nitrodox Pro, and is Ruger's Ferritic Nitrocarburized finish (same concept as Melonite & Tennifer). Apparently Ruger also came out with an improved trigger group that premiered in the SR9c - explains the noticeably improved trigger.
I took it to the range today, and it didn't disappoint. I consider myself an average pistol shooter. I'm not bad, but I'm not great either. Once I dialed in the adjustable rear sight (nice touch Ruger) the little SR9C would easily hold the 10 ring of a BT-5R/S silhouette target at 15 yards. That's with my average skills, and the flat floor plate 10 round mags.
Overall, I'm very pleasantly surprised. Ruger has fixed the the few issues that kept the SR series from being almost there. I think it's all the way there now. The SR series now has a trigger and finish appropriate for a service or carry pistol. At a little over $400 new, Ruger is now making a pistol that matches competitor's offerings in even the little details, and it's selling for 20% ($100) less. I wish Ruger had gotten it right from the start. I fear too many people like me had written off the SR series based on the first guns, and never found out about the improvements. So, if you're reading this, and you're on the fence about the Ruger SR series, give them a try. Even a 1911 / S&W revolver snob was impressed enough with them to write this detailed review.
