Ruger semi-Auto reliability? (P95, LC9, SR9)

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CoyoteSix

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Hey all, newbie here again. I recently asked an LE instructor about duty pistol recommendations, (Some of you might remember that thread) and he said Ruger semi auto pistols were just not reliable at all. :scrutiny:

How true is this? I've recently been eyeing Ruger's handguns. I'm familiar with the company and love there customer service. In my experience there products are pretty durable too! :D

If you have had issues Ruger's pistols: Were they early models? Were they ever sent back to the factory? Did you allow a break in period? :scrutiny:

This is more pertaining to the newer P95s and the LC9.

On a side note: I've been looking at the PF9 too, however a some posters on the Kel Tec owners group (KTOG) said it was never meant to have a high round count. (big problem for me. I want to buy guns that out-live me, they should never be considered disposable ["after xxxx amount of rounds get a new one"] :fire: Thats such BS!

THANKS
 
I have never know Ruger semi autos to have a bad rep for reliablity. Only complaints I know of are big and ugle (P95) and too many saftey features (LC9)
 
I recently asked an LE instructor about duty pistol recommendations, (Some of you might remember that thread) and he said Ruger semi auto pistols were just not reliable at all.
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He doesn't know what he's talking about.
Just because someone is a LE instructor doesn't mean their opinion is right about all things. My LE instructor's knowledge was "weak" in several areas.

I've own a LOT of Ruger pistols and the only one that's been unreliable is the MK III. The MK I and II are totally reliable.

I own two LC9, two SR9C and a SR40C. All are totally reliable.

I put over a thousand rounds through the first LC9 in eight days. Now it's shot over 1,800 rounds of mixed ammo and hasn't had a single gun caused malfunction.

I haven't shot the three SR and other LC9 as much but they also have been totally reliable.

That doesn't mean that Ruger hasn't made some stinkers. I haven't owned all of Ruger's pistols.
 
Every gun maker can have a problem now and then. I don't believe that Ruger has a bad reputation. I've only got 200 rounds through my recently purchased SR9c, but no problems at all. It will be my carry gun when out of state, or when Maryland becomes 'shall issue'.
 
I have a P95 and an SR9C with over 3000 rounds through each without a single problem. Here is a link to Guns and Ammo's review or the SR9/SR9C.
My only experience with a PF9 was shooting my buddies at a range. As often as it jammed (for both of us) it would take a long time and a lot of work to get a high round count. When it did shoot between jams it was a long stiff trigger pull with a hard recoil.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/rugers-new-9-ruger-sr9c-review/
 
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I have no first hand experience with Ruger centerfire pistols. Never really considered buying one as I think they are the definition of ugly in pistols, rivaled only by the Hi Point.

That said, most owners speak very highly of the reliability and durability of their products. If they didn't hurt my eyes quite so much I wouldn't hesitate in owning one.
 
Hey all, newbie here again. I recently asked an LE instructor about duty pistol recommendations, (Some of you might remember that thread) and he said Ruger semi auto pistols were just not reliable at all.
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Absolute, compete, and *utter* bunk. Ruger in general makes some of the most reliable pistols in the industry. As a matter of fact I'd bet on a Glock jamming before a Ruger P95 (and I own both).

IMHO though they lack in a few niche areas, Rugers offer more bang for the buck than other other firearms company today.

On a side note: I've been looking at the PF9 too, however a some posters on the Kel Tec owners group (KTOG) said it was never meant to have a high round count. (big problem for me. I want to buy guns that out-live me, they should never be considered disposable ["after xxxx amount of rounds get a new one"] Thats such BS!
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Unfortunately, ALL guns will wear out after a certain number of rounds - it's just that with the Kel-tec PF-9 its a lower number. The number usually given by the manufacturer is 6000 in this case. A lot of that has to do with the small size though - a lot of the smaller polymer framed pistols like this simply are less "over-built" and will wear faster.

Most polymer full-sized guns like a Glock or such will go 75k to 100k rounds but all will wear out with sufficient use.

That said, for what it is, 6000 rounds probably isn't too limiting for the Kel-tec. If you plan on it being your only gun that you shoot every week - then yes, bad choice. HOWEVER, if it's going to be a gun that you mostly carry and occasionally shoot (doing most of your range shooting with full-sized guns and such) then 6000 rounds is more shooting than it sounds like. If you put 2 magazines through it per month to keep proficient then it'd last you 35 years at that rate. Not a bad ROI.
 
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P95s are known for being utter and absolute tanks. Sure, occasionally you'll hear of one that has an issue, but that's a pretty rare thing. They are considered highly reliable, and I've put many thousands of rounds through mine without issue.

Dunno about the LC9, but my experience has been that the smaller 'pocketable' pistols, as a class comprised of many manufacturer's pistols, do not hold up to heavy use as well as their larger cousins. When you make things smaller and lighter, it gets increasingly hard to also make them as long-lived as larger, less space/mass optimized designs.

I have also had very good luck with the Ruger SR series, and consider them to be the best value in double-stack poly framed pistols. Although I carry a 1911, I'm usually also found within a step or two of a loaded SR9 wherever I travel, so it's a safe bet that I think well of them.
 
I've owned two P-95s (and still own one. I gave my brother the other one because he wanted something reliable for HD). They're like teenage boys; they'll eat anything and come back for thirds. I've got a Mk II that runs and runs and runs. I switch recoil spring assemblies every couple thousand rounds, clean it every brick of ammo or so, and she keeps shooting. I got a neighbor into shooting and his SR-9 hasn't had any problems.
I can't tell you about the LCPs or LC9s, never owned one.
 
I have several rugers, markIII, P95dc in 40cal ,Sr9c, sr1911,lcp 380. These aren't gunsafe queens. They all get put to use punching paper fairly often. I've never had a misfire or jam out of a single one aside from a long neglected to clean MKIII that stove piped ,And that was after almost 2000 rds.
The sr9c is my go to carry gun. For a compact it is very accurate. I've always had a fondness of ruger for their quality vs price compared to similar firearms of similar quality and higher price.
First problem I've come across is in my recent purchase on the SR1911. Part of the breach face is raised from the rest just slightly. No problems firing or cycling,accuracy is great. I only noticed this after collecting brass and seeing a slight detente in the brass. Give me a couple days and I'll tell you how they handle warranty.
 
The P series are probably the most reliable pistols ever made---by any company at any time.

My MkIII has been flawless for over 1000 rounds---I need to get out and shoot it more. No duds --even with cheap bulk pack.

The SR series---not so much-----mine had to go back to the factory after less than 100 rounds and was promptly sold when it came back-------I've looked them over from time to time since then but I doubt I'll ever buy another. This was 3 years ago.
 
Never really considered buying one as I think they are the definition of ugly in pistols, rivaled only by the Hi Point./QUOTE]

I know a lot of people think the P series are ugly but the SR9 and 9c's ?
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If guns were cars, most Rugers would be good old American pickup trucks. They may not be extremely pleasant to look at, but everyone could have a use for them and they get the job done. In general they don't fail, they don't give you problems, don't require a huge amount of maintenance, but there may be an occasional lemon. But just like trucks, the small ones may not take the abuse that the big ones can.
 
I've never considered the Ruger any uglier than HK or Glock. Any of them resemble a brick with a handle on them.

I own an original P85 (pre MK.I) that was retrofitted by Ruger for the early problem. It's going on 25 years old, and is still chugging along, eating anything.

We have a pair of early, smooth P95 pistols, and have never had any issue with them in literally tens of thousands of rounds. I also have a P94(early, in 9x19), a KP97DC, a KP90, a P345, an SR9 and SR9c, a MK.II, and a 22/45. Then ,there are the Ruger Revolvers, too.

NONE of them has had a Warranty Issue in 30+ years of shooting (the Mk. II was bought in 1974).

Are you sure that your instructor didn't say Glock or S&W? :)
 
Thanks for all the replies folks! Love THR, its just a fountain of wisdom. UNBIASED WISDOM which is the important part. I'm leaning towards the P95, even if it won't be allowed as a duty pistol its still worth it to me for the value. :D

Also, I asked about the LC9 for more of a CCW or stowed away truck gun (Or in my case Jeep gun!:neener:). It appeals to me because I've known Ruger guns to take a beating pretty well, and the only thing I THINK could beat the LC9 would be a Glock 26. (Durability wise)

On a side note, would the SR22 make a good understudy for P95? I want one anyway but I was wondering since it has the same trigger-ish (DA/SA) it seems like if one would ignore the shorter site radius, smaller size, ridiculous safety features, and the weight it could be used pretty well to master the trigger system for less money. (More of a marksman ship trainer, .22s are never good to practice "rapid fire" in place of a center fire of course)

Excuse my wall-o-text.
 
On a side note: I've been looking at the PF9 too, however a some posters on the Kel Tec owners group (KTOG) said it was never meant to have a high round count. (big problem for me. I want to buy guns that out-live me, they should never be considered disposable ["after xxxx amount of rounds get a new one"] Thats such BS!
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Look at the size of the pistol, man!

If it's a full size service pistol, it'll easily outlast you unless you shoot so much that the cost of a new gun is totally irrelevant to you.

If it's one of the little pocket guns, than you'll just have to accept the limitations that come with a service caliber in a micro gun, and one of those is shorter lifespan.

It's not a gun in the ordinary size envelope for the caliber it comes in, so it is going to have some major compromises that you don't have to make in a gun of a more conventional size for the chambering. A Glock 26 will last a hundred thousand rounds, probably twice that, provided you undertake your basic preventative maintenance like you would with any pistol.

A PF9 will never make it a hundred thousand rounds, not without some serious coddling, ultra light target loads only, and a lot of luck. That's not really a failing of the PF9, it's just the way it is when you've got a full size caliber in a gun smaller and lighter than many old-school .32 and .380 pistols.
 
Thanks for the insight NG VI. I guess I am expecting a little too much out of a pocket gun.

Curse my obsession with compacts! :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
The SR9 is my main carry weapon. It's what I used to qualify for my Texas CHL and what I keep beside me when I sleep. In almost 5000 rounds I've only had one malfunction, and that was the ammunition I was using. Firing pin hit, round never went out. I assume a bad primer.

Now, granted,I might have a bias toward Ruger, as my defense, plinking, and "fun" gun was a 2" .357 Mag. as a kid. The only pisto/revolver my family had as I was growing up.
 
The good news is they only cost a couple hundred bucks to begin with, and from what I understand Kel-Tec is pretty good about warranty work.

The other good thing is the subcompact service pistols like the small Glocks, XDs, and M&Ps all shoot extremely well and don't seem to be any less durable or reliable than their larger counterparts.
 
My old Ruger is an old .40 caliber P94. It is reliable. My only experience with a P95 was a few shots at a rental range. It is a good gun in my opinion.

I don't have experience with the PF9 but I do own a PF11. The Kel Tecs & the larger Rugers are 2 different animals. For what you say you want between the 2 I'd go with the Ruger.
 
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