Whenever I see discussions surrounding which full size 9mm is "best", which to buy, etc I always see the usual contenders - Glock, Sig, HK, etc. Rarely if ever do I see the Ruger SR9 included in the list. A few weeks ago I picked up a lightly used one on a whim and must say that I am thoroughly impressed with this handgun. Its very comfortable, points naturally, has fully adjustable sights, fit and finish are excellent, has been 100% reliable through 500 rounds, simple to tear down and clean, high capacity (17 rounds), has an excellent trigger (at least mine does), is American made, and is backed by Ruger CS. And oh yeah, it priced significantly less than other pistols on this "list". I'm just curious why it doesn't get more "love and attention" when it comes to discussing service sized 9mm's. Mine is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Why no love for the SR9?
- Thread starter marb4
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Not sure, really. I only see them show up at competitions every once in a while, and never in the hands of anyone who's skills would give me a good sense of the gun's comparative merits.
Don't they all come with a magazine disconnect "safety?" If so, that would probably have something to do with it. (IDPA doesn't let you remove that if the gun comes with it, and very very few shooters want them.)
Don't they all come with a magazine disconnect "safety?" If so, that would probably have something to do with it. (IDPA doesn't let you remove that if the gun comes with it, and very very few shooters want them.)
Bozwell
Member
I don't think there's really anything wrong with them. They feel great in the hand, seem to be reliable guns and Ruger has great CS. I hated the trigger in the one I shot, but I hear the SR9c's are better in that regard, and I typically do a trigger job/have one done anyways on handguns, so that's probably a resolvable issue.
mgmorden
Member
I think they're a great value personally, but for me they put in more lawyer features than I'd like. For me to REALLY embrace the gun I'd want the following:
1. Remove the manual safety - or at least make it both with and without.
2. Remove the magazine disconnect - its just a plain annoying feature.
3. Remove the shark-fin LCI and just use a witness hole instead. Ruger already does this on the LCP, so they're not completely opposed to the idea.
4. Make a version with a barrel between 5" and 5.25".
I realize that particularly on #2 and #3 those can be done yourself, but as Sam stated removing the mag disconnect isn't allowed for IDPA (though it is in USPSA which is my game of choice), but I don't think disabling the LCI is legal in either sport - unless it comes from the factory that way.
I still may get one eventually (like I said for most people they're a great value), but if they did all of the above I'm about 84.2% sure that I'd pick up one of these over my M&P to start shooting competition with.
1. Remove the manual safety - or at least make it both with and without.
2. Remove the magazine disconnect - its just a plain annoying feature.
3. Remove the shark-fin LCI and just use a witness hole instead. Ruger already does this on the LCP, so they're not completely opposed to the idea.
4. Make a version with a barrel between 5" and 5.25".
I realize that particularly on #2 and #3 those can be done yourself, but as Sam stated removing the mag disconnect isn't allowed for IDPA (though it is in USPSA which is my game of choice), but I don't think disabling the LCI is legal in either sport - unless it comes from the factory that way.
I still may get one eventually (like I said for most people they're a great value), but if they did all of the above I'm about 84.2% sure that I'd pick up one of these over my M&P to start shooting competition with.
I dearly love my SR9c.
Why, to answer your question? It has a thumb safety (don't use it if you don't want to). It has a mag disconnect safety (easy to remove). It has a loaded chamber indicator that IS large but doesn't get in the way or is even visible when shooting the gun.
But it has EVERYTHING else any gun enthusiast would ask for: reliable, accurate, some of the best customer service in the world.
At a price point below the rest.
Why, to answer your question? It has a thumb safety (don't use it if you don't want to). It has a mag disconnect safety (easy to remove). It has a loaded chamber indicator that IS large but doesn't get in the way or is even visible when shooting the gun.
But it has EVERYTHING else any gun enthusiast would ask for: reliable, accurate, some of the best customer service in the world.
At a price point below the rest.
The SR9 was my first handgun. I really liked the way it felt, but I got a good amount of the dreaded barrel peening that was supposedly "normal wear and tear", and I hadn't even shot it that much.
Don't get me wrong. I'm still a Ruger guy. I love my revolvers, my Mk iii, my P-89, and LCP. However, that left a sour taste in my mouth.
As chunky as it is, I prefer a Glock these days. Certainly not "perfection", but it works for me.
Don't get me wrong. I'm still a Ruger guy. I love my revolvers, my Mk iii, my P-89, and LCP. However, that left a sour taste in my mouth.
As chunky as it is, I prefer a Glock these days. Certainly not "perfection", but it works for me.
The smiling swordsman
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I have only shot one SR9 and I loves the look and the feel of the gun but hated the trigger.
...something Ruger long ago corrected.
M2 Carbine
member
I liked my first SR9C so well I bought a second one. Then I bought a third SR40C.
The smiling swordsman
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If that's the case then I might look into them again. Like I said I loved the feel and the look.
MarshallDodge
Member
Probably because for a little more money you could pick up a Springfield XD, S&W M&P, and of course a Glock.
Not saying that there is anything wrong with the Ruger but the amount of aftermarket support for the above mentioned models is far greater.
Not saying that there is anything wrong with the Ruger but the amount of aftermarket support for the above mentioned models is far greater.
M2 Carbine
member
I heard the early SR9 triggers were bad but that Ruger corrected the problem and is now like the SR9C.
The SR9C trigger is what finally sold me on the gun.
The SR9C trigger is what finally sold me on the gun.
RBid
Member
Newer SR9s do have the improved trigger, as found on the SR9c.
I would assume this is exactly what prompted the OP. I guess it depends on how much after market support one needs, but I get all the aftermarket support I need for my SR9c. So why spend more for above listed?
Mikey Idaho
Member
I've thought about his topic before as my brother in law has a SR9 and it's a perfectly capable gun. Though compared to my M&P9 and Glock 21 the fit and finish and "solid" feeling isn't quite the same. Also if you look at high level competition and LE/military use it is essentially completely absent as far as I know which probably is the reason the aftermarket for the SR isn't nearly as vast as for it's higher level competitors.
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atblis
Member
Not low enough IMO. If they were sub $300, they'd get my attention. I'd probably snag one just to try.
JTQ
Member
I'm not a competitor, but didn't that rule get changed within the past year or so? It seems like I may have even read it here on this forum or maybe a Hi-Power focused forum.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Ahhh, you're right! I do believe that changed back in March. Too me a minute to jar that fuzzy memory loose. 
How long ago was this?
Gato Montés
Member
Go on...
LOL! I'm sure if the SR was priced bellow a Sigma we'd all have at least one. Unless of course you were saying that the Rugers quality was so low that it SHOULD be priced lower than a Sigma, all without trying one first funny enough.
I too cast off the Rugers, then I shot one, now I'm a fan. The SR9c I rented felt better in my hand, shot more comfortably and produced better accuracy for me than my G19 ever did. If you have an XD, Glock or M&P and it's working out for you, awesome, but don't for a minute think the Ruger is a lesser gun.
atblis
Member
Interesting you bring up the Sigma. I'd put the SR9 and Sigma in the same market segment. They have a similar look to them.
It was around the first generation back in late 2008 or early 2009, I believe. It was enough to get me to trade the gun off. I would give the gun another chance if I fell into one. However, when I was compact 9mm shopping, even the grip comfort and price point of the SR9c could not steer me away from the G26.
The peening barrel, while I'm sure is a non-issue, just didn't give me confidence in the pistol.
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