The Infamous Ruger SR9C.... Why?

[triplebike]

Why did Ruger discontinue such a excellent firearm? I've had my SR9C for about 8 months now,have fired it over 2000 flawless times. It's such a joy to shoot and shoot accurately. With the 10 rd mag its carries effortlessly and with the 17 rd mag its a blast at the range. What really blows my mind is the build quality. I've owned many quality handguns over the years but I've never seem anything like this. With that many rds when I take it apart for cleaning It looks unfired. I can't even fine any shiny spots anywhere on any surface or the barrel. If you took it apart you would think it's a new gun, really amazing to me. I can't see how you could wear this gun out. Definably a lifetime firearm. Shame it's discontinued.

 

[<*(((><]

It's not discontinued anymore. Ruger brought back the SR line about a year ago I think.

You can buy them at countless distributors currently.

 

[Armored farmer]

I agree that it's a really good cc gun.
I have two 10rd and two 17rd mags plus a weapon light.
It's a great, easy to shoot compact.
I'm resisting the urge to buy one for mrs. F.

 

[triplebike]

Sorry should have mentioned it's the 9MM I'm talking about. It is still available from Sports South Distributor.

 

[gc70]

It's not discontinued anymore. Ruger brought back the SR line about a year ago I think.

You can buy them at countless distributors currently.

The SR series is not listed in Ruger's 2019 catalog and is only available as a Distributor Exclusive from Sports South.

 

[rbernie]

Still listed on Ruger's web site:

https://www.ruger.com/products/srSeries/models.html

 

[<*(((><]

So it looks like Sports South convinced Ruger to start manufacturing more as an exclusive for them to sell. Smart move on Sports South I would think if that’s the case.

I guess Buds, Academy and a few others have bought them from Sports South then, because they have them on their sites for sale.

 

[gc70]

Ruger did the same thing with the LC9S, which is now only available from Talo.

Ruger has a long history of being willing to make special "Distributor Exclusive" production runs if dealers are willing to commit to buy a large enough number of the guns. I think it is great for customers as well as being profitable for Ruger.

 

[stchman]

There are many that have stated that Ruger should have made an SR9 Pro instead of the Ruger American Pistol in 9.

The SR series is more ergonomic, but the RAP has it's advantages with removable chassis. I just with Ruger would make lowers for the RAP in different colors like Beretta and Sig do. I'd buy one in FDE.

 

[Bartojc]

Every time I shoot my SR9c I wandered why the were ever discontinued. I did not know they were in production again. Really a nice firearm for the money. Not sure what it is but mine is so easy to shoot well.

Jeff

 

[Wishoot]

"Infamous" really isn't the right word to describe this pistol. It's well made, ergonomic, reliable and fun to shoot.

 

[94045]

Either a lot of previous Gen pistols are still in production or someone has a really big warehiuse. Must be the same warehouse full of LCP Gen 2 (not LCP II), M&P 9c and Shield M1.0.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Either a lot of previous Gen pistols are still in production or someone has a really big warehiuse. Must be the same warehouse full of LCP Gen 2 (not LCP II), M&P 9c and Shield M1.0.

Bravo to the Ruger SR9C. Clearly NOT the standard Ruger semi auto. A clear cut above everthing thing they have done from the guns I have seen over the years. And Probably years to come. I believe the SR9C was just too expensive for them to make or it competed too much with Ruger American. I would recommend this gun all day long.

PS The LCP GEN 2 (not LCP ll) is still manufactured in a Plant in North Carolina.

 

[gc70]

Either a lot of previous Gen pistols are still in production or someone has a really big warehiuse. Must be the same warehouse full of LCP Gen 2 (not LCP II), M&P 9c and Shield M1.0.

The LCP Gen 2, M&P 9c and Shield M1.0 are still shown as production models on their manufacturers' websites and were listed in their respective 2019 catalogs.

 

[94045]

The LCP Gen 2, M&P 9c and Shield M1.0 are still shown as production models on their manufacturers' websites and were listed in their respective 2019 catalogs.

Yes, but manufacturers have been known to leave models in the catalog after production ceases if they have a supply on hand.

Regardless my comment about the LCP, M&P 9c and Shield were somewhat in jest as I know manufacture did not cease when the updated models came out. I have no personal knowledge as to exactly what happened with the SR9C or why.

As long as a model continues to make sense financially they are not going to discontinue it. If it doesn't it won't matter how good it is.

 

[jmr40]

The Security 9 is basically the SR9 replacement. Less frills, even less cost and probably just as good.

https://ruger.com/products/security9/models.html

I had a SR9C and it was a good pistol for the money. But there are better pistols for not that much more.

 

[94045]

The Security 9 is basically the SR9 replacement. Less frills, even less cost and probably just as good.

https://ruger.com/products/security9/models.html

I had a SR9C and it was a good pistol for the money. But there are better pistols for not that much more.

The problem at the local LGS is which you prefer for a $15 difference.

For the same price range locally I do prefer the PPS M2.

 

[Armybrat]

The Security 9 chassis is aluminum, the SR9’s is stainless steel, IIRC.
I bought an SR9 several months ago from CDNN for $300, then another from Sportsmans Warehouse last week for $250. Hard to improve on those values for a quality gun, as I paid $430 for my first SR9 10 years ago.

 

[Jonesy814]

A friend and I have both had an SR9c since 2013. We have each run 4000-5000 rounds through our guns with zero malfunctions. Triggers are great and we both shoot the Ruger better than any other semi auto and between us we have over a dozen. Mine doesn't look much different than when I got it.

 

[94045]

Forgot to ask.... Why is the Ruger SR9C infamous?

 

[Jeb Stuart]

The Security 9 is basically the SR9 replacement. Less frills, even less cost and probably just as good.

https://ruger.com/products/security9/models.html

I had a SR9C and it was a good pistol for the money. But there are better pistols for not that much more.

The Security 9 and the SR9C are a world of difference, not even close to being the same gun. You can see the amount of steel here.



Here is a comparison of the Security 9 on the left and the SR9C on the right. You be the judge.

 

[94045]

Double Post.

 

[94045]

The Security 9 and the SR9C are a world of difference, not even close to being the same gun. You can see the amount of steel here.

View attachment 882984

Here is a comparison of the Security 9 on the left and the SR9C on the right. You be the judge.

View attachment 882985

For $15 I know how I vote.

 

[triplebike]

Ok, Ok, Infamous is a bad choice describing the SR9C. My bad. I agree with Wishoot; It's well made, ergonomic, reliable and fun to shoot.

 

[gc70]

Back to the original question:

Why did Ruger discontinue such a excellent firearm?

The SR models were good guns, but they were at a price point where it was not really feasible to build a different and less expensive model.

The US military contract was too enticing to ignore. Ruger built the American, which is a fine, robust gun that is undoubtedly more expensive to produce than the SR models.

The price spread between the SR and American was not big enough to justify both models; one would simply be sucking sales from the other.

A less expensive model -like the Security 9- would have enough price difference from the American to justify two model lines. However, that left the SR models awkwardly in the uneconomical middle.

In short, Ruger could have continued with one old line of guns, but chose to move forward with two new lines of guns.