Ruger SR9 vs S&W M&P9

[KeithCo88]

Hi folks

Last thread I could find on this comparison was over 3 years old around the time of the Ruger recall so I wanted to reopen the discussion between the Ruger SR9 and Smith & Wesson M&P9. If you've shot both do you have a preference or have you noticed a substantial difference in accuracy or perhaps reliability after a decent number of rounds without cleaning?

To my knowledge both are virtually the same materials so I'm not super concerned with durability. The takedown of each seems pretty straight forward (if anybody has nightmare stories please share). In my area (NJ) they're pretty comparatively priced and since carry and hi capacity both aren't options I'm not super concerned with either of those factors.

The one thing swaying me to the S&W a bit is the factory rails on the front for a flashlight or something. Also was thinking about night sights, which would understandably jump my budget a bit.

Before anybody says Glock, yes I very much considered it but I just don't like the feel in my hand & the grip angle. Nothing against a proven firearm, just doesn't meet my personal preference.

Thanks for any insight
Keith C
New Jersey

 

[snakeman]

Whatever fits your hand the best.

 

[mgmorden]

I've shot both, and own an M&P (9L).

Here's my take on it: I really wanted to get the Ruger after shooting it. The trigger was good enough, the ergonomics were great (I think I'd say I like them better on the SR9), and I really like Ruger overall. The SR9 is also typically about $75 less.

Things that turned me off were the mag disconnect, manual safety, and obnoxious LCI. If you happen to like those things S&W has them available on the M&P too, but they're thankfully optional, and I was able to buy one without all that.

I also was looking for a competition gun at the time and liked that the M&P was available in a 5" barrel. Though it didn't play a part in my decision at the time, I've also discovered at this point that the M&P has a lot better support as far as aftermarket accessories/parts go.

If you don't mind the lawyer features, I'd say to take snakeman's advice and go with the one that feels the best in hand. Otherwise, go M&P.

The rail thing you'll have to determine the worth of on your own. I personally find nothing more useless than rails on the front of a pistol.

 

[Bobson]

What purpose will the gun serve for you, OP? If it's just general plinking and a nightstand gun, I'd go with an XD over the M&P or SR9.

The XD I had was excellent in just about every regard. Only thing I didn't like about it was it wasn't as accurate as I had hoped it would be, and in all fairness, it's the only handgun I've owned, so for all I know (nothing to compare it to), it was just fine. After having some sense knocked into me here on THR, I regretted selling it; but what's done is done, and I've since moved on.

I strongly dislike the M&P trigger, to the point that I'm shocked the M&P line has so many fans. In addition to the trigger, the fit of the M&P I shot felt very poor. There was more noticeable (though not significant) play in between the slide and the frame than in any other handgun I've ever handled. It's something I just couldn't get over.

No personal experience with the SR9. The manual safety all but kills it for me, and the ugly design (my opinion) of it finish the job, and bump it off as any future potential for me.

 

[labhound]

Ruger SR9 which also has a rail for a light/laser. I personally like the mag disconnect, loaded chamber indicator and manual thumb safety.

 

[papa_bear]

The mag disconnect on the sr9 comes out with ease. I think my wife threw mine away. No matter as I have no use for it. It's just a u shaped piece of metal that sits under the firing pin. Ruger recommends removal if you want to dry fire.

 

[LawScholar]

I prefer the M&P based on fully subjective criteria. I'm sure 99% of either will give an owner thousands of happy, trouble-free rounds.

 

[rbernie]

Both are fine pistols - I have owned both and shot many thousands of rounds through both platforms. Of the two, I prefer the trigger and ergonomics of the Ruger and would choose it over the M&P.

 

[Oldnoob]

M&P9. It's a step better on the build quality.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

M&P is my choice, but SR9 feels GREAT in-hand.

 

[easyg]

I have an M&P45c and I have an SR9c.

If Ruger offerd an SR45c I probably wouldn't have the M&P45c.

 

[JR24]

Personally can't get over the M&P Trigger, and I love my Ruger SR9c. Can't really speak for the full size though.

If (when I hope) they make a SR45 I'll be in heaven.

 

[Yarddog]

I have the M&P 9c, Great CC Gun ; ) PS I've not shot the SR9c
Y/D

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I have both: an SR9 with the Ghost Products trigger (apparently not needed with the newer production guns) and a M&P Pro in 9mm. (The Pro is the same basic gun with a slightly longer barrel.) My M&P has had trigger work done by SpeedSpecialities, so it better than your average M&P Pro.

I like the M&P Pro better, but that's a very subjective response for a gun set up for IDPA (and USPSA). I think the SR9 would be better for concealed carry -- which I do from time to time.

If you get a chance, shoot both. They're both good guns.

 

[wristtwister]

Well, not bragging, just stating a fact... I have an SR9, SR9C, SR40, SR40C, SR1911, M&P .40 Pro Series, and M&P Compact in .357 Sig. I would pick up any one and defend the plantation from the Huns. As for "what's the best gun?" questions, it's all subjective and opinion. I own about 50+ guns, and trade them all the time... sometimes for something I like better, sometimes for something I want to try.

As someone who works in a gun store, I get to play with a lot of guns... but there are lots of them I'd buy if I was rich, but I don't drool all over them just because they're a Colt or S&W or Ruger. I've seen good guns from almost every manufacturer, and some that I wouldn't use for boat anchors... it all depends on how much you want to spend to make the same bullet go "bang"!

I just traded for a nickel plated model 28 S&W today... and it's georgeous. I traded one back to the shop a couple of weeks ago for a Beretta 92L which is a gun I've always liked, and the S&W I traded was "spot on" ... shot like a dream, and right where I pointed it.

My gun "collection" spans a lot of calibers and lots of manufacturers, so trying to blow up my pants legs with "best gun" arguments won't really go far. Every manufacturer makes some good guns, some bad guns, and some that are just mediocre. I collect and shoot the ones that feel best for my hand, and do what I expect them to do at the range.

I don't buy Glocks or Kimbers because my experience with them is not good... and they don't fit my hand as well as some other guns. Believe it or not, some of the best shooters are cheapie imports that I did a little touch-up on, and they shoot better than the thousand dollar ones. I like both S&W and Ruger, as well as Beretta, Para, Springfield, Rock Island, Sig, and others... and don't even get me started on rifles...

WT

 

[XxBulletBendeRXx]

Ruger.... Has a better Trigger.