Security 9 longevity

[Blkhrt13]

I’ve been searching on here and don’t see a long term review on the Ruger security 9. I’m a budget type of guy and I see the good in having the carbine and the pistol with the same mag. I would look at the security 9 based on a few reviews here. but they were mostly first impressions. Also does the compact take full size mags?

 

[Dudedog]

As a FYI if you are considering the Ruger carbine and a pistol, the Ruger carbine comes with an insert to allow you to use Glock mags (aftermarket Glock mags are about 1/2 the price of Ruger mags)
I am not a Glock guy, but you could also do a Glock and the Ruger carbine.
Not saying anything bad about the Security 9, don't own one so can't say, just mentioning an option.

 

[HB]

They feel pretty cheap to me but that doesn’t mean it won’t hold up. About like a large LCP.

I have a feeling less than .5% produced will every “wear out”

 

[MAKster]

It is an LCP II enlarged for 9mm. The drop-in chassis is held into the frame with plastic pins and it has what seems like a thin barrel. So I wouldn't buy a Security 9 if you planned to put 10,000 rounds through it. But for 99 percent of people that will not be an issue.

 

[Fiv3r]

I concur. There are some inexpensive guns out there that are made with cost savings at the expense of finish that will hold up to all but the most hardcore of shooters. I lump many of the Charter Arms guns in there and some of the all steel imports.

However, the Security 9 does nothing for me. I can live with the LCP being built lightly. It's a belly gun. For a pistol big enough to be fun to shoot a lot, the Security 9 feels pretty flimsy. I think the EC9S feels more substantial tbh.

I would look at the Glock if you are thinking about a Ruger Carbine. Glocks are probably in last place when I think of the top 3 or 4 polymer duty sized guns that I would prefer. However, they are ubiquitous and reliable to a fault.

 

[bannockburn]

Blkhrt13

If you're in the market for an inexpensive Ruger 9mm. that's well designed and built, maybe look at an SR9c.
The trigger is great, the sights are quick and easy to pickup, and the gun has some nice ergonomics going for it.

 

[Hartkopf]

The Security 9 is “ok” for the price. I have one and I can see minor (very minor) slide wear after 600 rounds. I tested the gun to make sure it feeds the ammo I like and I’ll probably hardly ever shoot it now. It’s in a hidden spot and I’ll probably only shoot it 100 rounds a year from here out.

All of the guns I care about for defense are Glocks and most of them get shot quite a bit. I’ve been a budget guy most of my life but I have no problem spending $499 for a Glock. You save a good bit of money on Glock mags so it lowers cost of ownership some.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I'm sure the Security 9 is a good gun but it simply doesn't look to be as sturdy as some of its opponents in the same price range.

 

[Mike J]

I have never shot or handled a Security 9. The pictures I saw in a write up about it remind me a lot of a Kel-Tec P-11 I used to have. The P-11 always worked fine for me but if I were going to buy a Ruger Semi my pick would probably be the American or a SR series. I believe either one is better made than the Security 9.

 

[ugaarguy]

Also does the compact take full size mags?

You just sent me on a search. Yes. However, there's more to the story. Stay with me.

Ruger cuts a notch in the center, front of the Security 9 mags so that they can run in the PC carbine using the SR9 mag well. BUT, the Security 9 uses a side notch to lock the mag in place. So, you can put a Security 9 full size (15 round) mag into an SR9c, but not a full size SR9, because the SR9's grip is made to take slightly longer 17 round magazines. The Security 9 has a right hand only mag release. The SR9 and SR9c have ambi mag releases that use that front, center notch. They predate the Security 9 series, so SR9 mags lack the side notch needed to lock into the Security series. The SR series apparently would have been discontinued, but it's currently being kept alive with the entire series now offered as a Sports South distributor exclusive line. The Ruger American replaced the SR series. The American series full size 9mm has a 17 round capacity and an ambi mag release utilizing a notch on the front of the mag like the SR9. BUT, Ruger slightly offset the front notch to one side so that SR series magazines aren't compatible. This also made the American series incompatible with the Ruger PC Carbine, at least until Ruger or an aftermarket company company starts making an American series mag well as a work around. Those kind of shenanigans would make me not buy a Ruger pistol.

Just spend a little extra money on a used Glock. You'll have decades of factory magazine compatibility, lower cost aftermarket mags like PMags if you go 9mm, and tons of widely available OEM and aftermarket parts. You also won't have to worry about durability.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

As a FYI if you are considering the Ruger carbine and a pistol, the Ruger carbine comes with an insert to allow you to use Glock mags (aftermarket Glock mags are about 1/2 the price of Ruger mags)
I am not a Glock guy, but you could also do a Glock and the Ruger carbine.
Not saying anything bad about the Security 9, don't own one so can't say, just mentioning an option.

This is my thought too. OEM Glock mags can be had anywhere for $25 or under and are utterly reliable. Between buying a Security 9 to share Ruger mags and buying a Glock to share Glock mags, the latter makes a lot more sense. There's no questions about whether a Glock will hold up either.

If you're on a tight budget that's one thing, if you're just not a fan of Gaston's 2x4-shaped perfection that's another, but a Glock 19 is only about $200 more than a Security 9 new, and you can subtract at least $15 in cost savings for each magazine you plan to buy. That's a delta that makes sense to me, and if you buy a used Glock like @ugaarguy suggested it could shrink even further.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I guess I can look at a 19. I have only held 1 Sr9 and one security 9. Never ran either. I used to run a Gen 2 Glock 22. It was utterly bomb proof for me. But it was stollen. Part of my problem is how it points. I always had to lift, them adjust my sight picture. Since then I have discovered the 92 beretta and the cz75 are more natural pointers for me. I’m actually low key looking for a full size-compact 9mm that my tiny arthritic handed wife can run. Glocks grip seems thicker.

 

[bannockburn]

Blkhrt13

Part of my problem is how it points. I always had to lift, them adjust my sight picture.

I had the exact same problem with a Taurus PT111 I owned. Just not a natural pointer for me. Found the sights on the Ruger SR9c, CZ P01, and CZ P07 to be much faster and easier to acquire.

 

[URIT]

An S&W M&P 9Shield EZ would be worthy of a hard look if you are actually looking for a 9mm that your tiny arthritic handed wife can run. The gun is EZ racking, recoil, and disassembly but I don't know how well it will fit her hand. The 9mm version is a bit larger than the .380 version that won the American Rifleman Ladies Pistol Project 2019 competition. The below outlines other option too... https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/4/8/right-for-you-ladies-pistol-project-3-results/

 

[ugaarguy]

I guess I can look at a 19. I have only held 1 Sr9 and one security 9. Never ran either. I used to run a Gen 2 Glock 22. It was utterly bomb proof for me. But it was stollen. Part of my problem is how it points. I always had to lift, them adjust my sight picture. Since then I have discovered the 92 beretta and the cz75 are more natural pointers for me. I’m actually low key looking for a full size-compact 9mm that my tiny arthritic handed wife can run. Glocks grip seems thicker.

The Gen 5 Glocks are a tiny bit thinner than previous gens. I bought a 19x yesterday (17 grip with a 19 slide), and it feels just right in my hand. Glock also has their newer slim 9mms, the 43, 43x, and 48. I've always thought Glock slides were a little easier to rack than most other brands. Of course, the new slim 9mm Glock mags won't run in the Ruger PC, at least not yet. Since the PC has a modular mag well, I'd be shocked if we don't see aftermarket companies making mag wells to adapt it to use other popular pistol mags. Worst case, just get whatever pistol you like, and don't worry about mag compatibility with the Ruger carbine. MagPul Glock mags are currently going for about $12 each for the 17 or 19 round, so that might help your decision.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have both the regular and a newer compact. Both have over 1000 rounds through them without any issues. Both shoot well also. The compact is an excellent choice for a carry gun. Reliable, low cost and you don’t have to worry about it getting roughed up.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

Forgot to add that I also have a SR9c. Great gun, but heavy to carry.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

I guess I can look at a 19. I have only held 1 Sr9 and one security 9. Never ran either. I used to run a Gen 2 Glock 22. It was utterly bomb proof for me. But it was stollen. Part of my problem is how it points. I always had to lift, them adjust my sight picture. Since then I have discovered the 92 beretta and the cz75 are more natural pointers for me. I’m actually low key looking for a full size-compact 9mm that my tiny arthritic handed wife can run. Glocks grip seems thicker.

If you already own a Beretta 92 try giving the Beretta CX4 9mm carbine a look. It uses the same mags as the 92, with 20 and 30 round mags readily available

 

[PapaG]

A friend has one with over 3000 rounds through it and no issues.

 

[Mike J]

SR series magazines will work with the carbine. Glock magazines will work with inserts provided with the carbine. I looked at a carbine for sale online & it said inserts are available at ShopRuger that make it possible to use American pistol magazines in the carbine. There are options. It just depends on what you want.

 

[ugaarguy]

SR series magazines will work with the carbine. Glock magazines will work with inserts provided with the carbine. I looked at a carbine for sale online & it said inserts are available at ShopRuger that make it possible to use American pistol magazines in the carbine. There are options. It just depends on what you want.

I totally missed that. Still, that's another $20 to run mags that are $25 each, and part of Ruger's magazine shenanigans. Then again, I've seen versions of the Ruger American down in the $300 to $320 range. I'm also seeing the black slide SR9 and SR9c under $300 at a few places online. I guess if one isn't interested in picking up more than a couple of spare mags, then the Ruger pistols are a good deal. I liked the SR9c that I once owned, so I have no problem with Ruger's quality.

 

[bassjam]

I can't comment on the longevity of the Security 9. But. I bought an LCP new in 2010, and last summer (2019) it locked up on me during practice after a touch over 1000 rounds. I called Ruger, they asked to see it, and shortly thereafter they mailed me a brand new LCP.

So if you happen to wear out a Security 9, I'd assume Ruger would take care of you.

 

[armedwalleye]

Member Bannockburn beat me to it. I bought my PCC with the SR magazine adapter, bought a number of Ruger 17 round SR mags, and have several 10 round SR9c mags. All interchange back and forth. I had the SR9C first, and for quite a while, so the PCC with the SR magwell was a no brainer. I've shot the Ruger Security, and didn't care for it. YMMV.

 

[zaitcev]

This also made the American series incompatible with the Ruger PC Carbine, at least until Ruger or an aftermarket company company starts making an American series mag well as a work around.

Compatibility with RAP magazines for PC Carbine was available from Day 0:
https://shopruger.com/PC-Carbine-Magazine-Well-Insert-Assembly-American-Pistol/productinfo/90655/

 

[zaitcev]

Since the PC has a modular mag well, I'd be shocked if we don't see aftermarket companies making mag wells to adapt it to use other popular pistol mags.

Well, about that. I was considering making some of those adapters, but the design of PC Carbine is not conductive for alternative magazines. The problem is, the magazine catch in the carbine itself is the Glock catch. Thus, the magwell adapter in the carbine has no catch of its own, it's just a piece of plastic. Ingenious! But then it makes adapters for other magazines with side catch tabs almost impossible, because all of them have notches in the about the same area, but slightly different, and thus there's basically no space to place some kind of transfer bar or latch. Both of the alternative magazines from Ruger use center catches that are located way lower. The Glock catch actuates a transfer see-saw inside the adapters for those. In the same time, the angle of those magazines permit a Glock catch to move without interference. I think the only other magazine that I can stuff in there is Walther P99.