Ruger SR9: First Impressions
Before I dig into more detail, I need to eat a little crow. But just a little. When rumors of the new gun first started circulating, my initial response was this:
What are the chances that it’ll sport an integral key lock, magazine safety, loaded chamber indicator and billboard-size warning on the slide? I’m placing the odds at 50 to 1.
Well, I was right on two of the four counts. There’s no integral key lock and the warning is small and molded into the frame, instead of huge and carved into the slide. The loaded chamber indicator, while basically useless, shouldn’t cause any problems. The same can’t be said for the magazine safety, though. From the Ruger manual:
CAUTION: Dry firing your RUGER SR9 with the magazine removed may result in damage or unnecessary wear to the striker blocking mechanism.
Didn’t we just go through this with the P345? Guys, if you just HAVE to include a mag safety, at least go to the trouble of engineering it so the damn thing won’t break like that.
EDIT:
On the bright side, from looking at the parts diagram, removing the mag safety should be a simple and straightforward operation; knocking out the roll pin above the magazine release will release the safety lever and spring from the frame.
The above is incorrect; I was looking at the tiny diagram on the sales flyer and misinterpreted it. Looks like the mag safety is a plunger and spring in the slide, behind the firing pin block.
With that out of the way, here’s some first impressions:
Hits
- Ruger got the bore axis nice and low.
- The grip is nicely contoured towards the top, which should improve the trigger reach for small-handed shooters.
- Reversible backstrap insert is genuinely clever. Not revolutionary, but nifty.
- Field stripping doesn’t require the trigger to be pulled, a la the Glock. I never really understood why some people make a big deal of that, but those folks should be happy with the SR9.
- 1911-style thumb safety is a nice touch, though it may be positioned a bit too far rearward for shooting with your thumb atop the safety.
- Both the thumb safety and the mag release are ambidextrous.
- Bonus points to Ruger for putting out a PDF chart of compatible holsters. Hopefully they were also smart enough to get gun molds distributed to holster makers right away.
Misses
- The above-mentioned stupidity re: the mag safety.
- Trigger pull distance is on the long side at .48″. Hopefully you can “ride the reset,” Glock-style.
- Lack of originality. This isn’t a flaw per se, but come on. Take one look at the parts diagram and it’s crystal-clear we’re looking at a Glock clone with a couple of extra safety doodads tacked on. Ruger could replace their “Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens” tagline with “The Technology of 20 Years Ago Today!”
- Full-size 9mms aren’t exactly the hot market segment right now. If a more compact version for the CCW market and the option of .40 S&W aren’t already in the works, they damn well should be. Then again, Ruger still likes to pretend that the CCW market doesn’t exist…
Conclusion
Yawn. The SR9 looks like a solid but thoroughly unexciting offering in an already-crowded market segment. I doubt it will displace the Glock, XD, and S&W M&P as the market leaders.
[...] Unforgiving Minute has a less than positive review: CAUTION: Dry firing your RUGER SR9 with the magazine removed may [...]
Pingback by Ruger SR9: New polymer-framed 9mm | The Firearm Blog — October 18, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Perhaps it’s not a revolutionary change, but I wouldn’t exactly call it a clone. First of all, it has a frame-mounted thumb safety that goes on and off in the right direction. Only a few custom-modified warrantee-voided Glocks have that.
Second, it looks a bit thinner in the grip than a Glock, and a bit more rounded in the slide. And narrower in the slide than a M&P. So that’s an evolutionary (not revolutionary) improvement.
So it’s very similar to the Glock and the M&P, but in some ways perhaps _slightly_ better (for some people) and (knowing Ruger) maybe slightly cheaper and stronger.
Besides, the various traditional-double-action wondernines were not anymore distinct from one another than these.
As for me, I’d like to see one in 40s&W (or even .45acp), with a much shorter grip.
Comment by fsilber — October 24, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
Ruger has designed the magazine safety to be able to be user deactivated. Maybe they should have started with it off, and made it so that the user could activate it. Overall, I am impressed and think it’s a good gun for someone who doesn’t already have a striker-fired, polymer handgun, or any Ruger collector.
Comment by Robert — October 26, 2007 @ 4:04 am
At first look, seems to be well engineered. But the comments about Ruger pretending the ccw market doesn’t exist are, in some part, true. I do carry a P-89 in the winter,but is too large to be practical in the summer. I have called the Prescott facility once a year to see if a compact version will be in development. From the specs on the website, the SR9 is a little thinner (which is good and I emphasize just a little) but the other dimensions are not much different then the P89. The website also mentions that the SR9 is the first out in the line. Maybe a compact version is in the works but they are keeping it quiet. I have been patiently waiting for a smaller model more practical for CCW use but wont wait too much longer. I like the XD sub compact but feel it is just a little bit too thick. Im am a fan of Ruger firearms but I’m not the only one that wantS a compact model. ATTN RUGER….PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR A LINE OF COMPACT MODELS…..LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS AND GIVE IT TO THEM…..PLEASE!
Comment by Brian — November 11, 2007 @ 9:57 am
I shoot competitively - both IDPA and Tactical Pistol matches. I exclusively shoot 9mm, so was pleased to see the SR9.
It had been 2 1/2 years since I last competed (Walther P99) and wanted to hit come out with something new.
The first tactical match that I shot I had the fewest points down - the VERY first time I shot the weapon. The groups were tight, the trigger pull was decent… I am overall pleased.
My SR9 is stock, and one of the first 1000.
Acoustic.
Comment by Acoustic — December 30, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
I’ve been carrying my new Ruger SR9 concealed for about two weeks now. It works great as a concealed carry piece–much easier to live with than an all steel Government Model. Trigger pull is good for a CARRY gun, with a short reset that feels more like a TDA or Glock than an XD9 or Para LDA.
Two friends (both new shooters) had a few malfuctions where the slide did not lock closed while firing. I believe this was caused by limp wristing. I did not have to grip the gun hard to prevent this problem, but I did have to keep the Ruger SR9 lined up with my shooting arm.
This pistol has low recoil, is easy to control, feels great in the hand and carries lots of bullets. What’s not to like? I agree with Acoustic that the SR9 makes a fine pistol for IDPA, IPSC or Action Shooting. It has become my number one carry gun.
BONUS TIP FOR RUGER: Offer drop in extended safeties and trigger kits for people who just “gots to have it.” The pistol is modular and modifications should be easy. Remember, people will pay more for what they WANT, than for what they NEED. It is completely possible to make more money selling upgrades than you made on the original handgun.
Comment by Commander Crusty — January 4, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
What’s the angst about a magazine safety? It can be a lifesaver in a gun snatch and if little ones end up getting hold of the gun. (Please don’t preach to me about training/safes/responsibility. I know ‘em all and have taken proper precautions with my 2-year old. Nevertheless, kids will be kids and the mag safety could prevent tragedy.)
Comment by Bill Lester — January 5, 2008 @ 11:09 am
[...] comment just came in on an old post where no one would see it, but it raises a good point: What’s the angst about a magazine safety? [...]
Pingback by The Unforgiving Minute » On Magazine Safeties — January 5, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
First impressions:
1) The safety - I like safety, but out of the box on an unfired gun, it was extrememly difficult to operate. If the safety was on and I depressed the trigger, then tried to take the safety off, it would not disengage. A little trouble shooting revealed that the trigger had to be pushed forward with my index finger to get it back to its starting position before the safety would work. The good news s that the safety has loosened up after 100 or so rounds and is now functioning properly.
2) Jams - I had one jam on the first magazine and my girlfriend could not even shoot the gun without jamming it. Now I must come clean and say I am shooting left handed due to a cast on my right arm (yes, I am right handed), so perhaps it is because of my limp wristed shooting style. I know the gf does not hold the gun securely. After holding the gun a little tighter, it seemed to function OK. Once the cast is off, I will give it a more honest assessment.
3) Accuracy - no comment as I was shooting left handed
4) Trigger - different. I’ve never had a striker fired pistol before, so I have no baseline. Considering the purpose of the gun, which in my case is home defense, I find it acceptable.
5) Thoughts - barring the 3 jams which may have been my fault, I like it. The gun feels great and holds lotso bullets, which is why I bought it in the first place. More shooting will ensue….
Comment by Mike — January 8, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
We just put 200 rounds through an SR9 purchsed for my 27 year old son for CCW purposes. I tried to steer him to a Glock but he researched this pistol and made his decision to go with the SR9.
200 rouds with no malfunction of any kind. The trigger is getting smoother. The gun hit dead nuts on right out of the box. Serial number is in the first 1300 range. Came with Columbia River Knife & Toll folder.
We tested the gun on a day when the outside temperature was six degrees. The gun has been fine up to this point. No jams. The feel is better that any gun I’ve carried in my life. I have been a police officer since 1976. I carry a Beretta 92 daily on duty and a Glock 19 daily off duty. I wish the Ruger was approvable by my department. With the manual safety and magazine safety; it will never be approved on my department.
Conclusion:
My son is well armed.
Comment by William Davidson — January 21, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
the loaded chamber indicator is useful for checking in the dark. to make sure one is in the chamber.
Comment by russell hibbs — January 22, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
IMHO, the trigger, as delivered, is unacceptable. Disassembled pistol after 100+ rounds, found bore where striker runs was extremely rough. It was wearing a bright spot on the striker, and if you pushed the striker thru its travel, you could feel the roughness. About 10 minutes with a jewelers file and some light polishing with 320 paper yielded a nice smooth finished. Metal doesn’t seem very hard, so if you attept this, go very slowly and remove very little metal.
When you pull the trigger, you can see the cocked indicator move rearward as you pull it thru. I found that there is a metal shim built into the plastic piece that the striker spring pushes against. Mine rides high in this bore, and i found the edge of the shim is square edged, and was trying to dig into the plastic as it passed thru it. Again, 5 minutes with the jewelers file produced a small radius and drag is eliminated.
I removed the roll pin (no easy job) in the striker and inspected the bore, which was finished properly. I coated the bore with a light coat of Rig SS lube as it was virtually dry from the factory, and reassembled it.
If you turn your slide upside down, try pushing the striker to the rear thru it’s travel with a straight blade screwdriver. If yours is not silky smooth, I believe you can benefit from the mods listed above. If you are not mechanically inclined, find a gunsmith to do this for you.
If you think you trigger was acceptable before, wait til you try it after!
Ruger are you listening?? My airsoft pistol has a better trigger than the one you shipped me. This was not rocket science, and should never have left the factory like this.
Comment by Sub-1MOA — February 17, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Ruger has to have a polymer frame pistol, although they already have one. The reason is cost of production. You simply can’t compete in the market without one. All the safety features on this new pistol are in response to legislation. Some states already require a magazine disconnect safetyor soon will. The same with the other features, Even Glock couldn’t sell their pistols in some markets without a safety catch. ( yes, there are Glocks with safety catches).
I am a firearms instructor of long experience and I favor magazine disconnnect safeties. I have personnaly witnessed numerous accidents prevented by them and numerous accidents that they could have prevented, had they been installed. There are an astonishing number of negligent discharges, even among trained people. You don’t hear about them because nobody wants that kind of press. i just had my new Ruger SR-9 delivered and i bought it because of it’s safety features. You can’t trust people to always act safely. Having been almost killed a few times, I trust nobody with a loaded gun.
Comment by Daniel Dolan — March 30, 2008 @ 12:21 am
My first experience with the SR9 a few days ago was not what I would call a good one. After reading about the problems that some of you were having with the trigger, failure to eject, and stovepipeing, I thought that I would look into these problems before getting one myself. I have a P89 (great gun) and a P95 (KP95DC, super great gun) and wanted to compare the trigger pull of the SR9 to the P95. One of the local gun dealers sells both guns so I decided to compare the two side by side. The trigger pull of the SR9 was not much different then the single action of the P95. After two or three dry-fires with the SR9, I felt something shoot out of the rear of the gun and go up my coat sleeve. It was the “striker status indicator” rod. It broke on the inside where it connects to the striker. The rod is about two inches long. The magazine was in the gun at the time I was doing this. The indicator rod is cheap plastic. This was the dealers display model and never had a live round through it. This was not a good sign and as a result I will not be owning a SR9 anytime soon and may wait until the second or third generation of this model before I spend money on one. I am a loyal Ruger fan and I am somewhat concerned. I hope that this is not a trend of things to come. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the new LCP 380. I hope that we will not be referring to the new Ruger guns as “post Bill Ruger Rugers” like pre and post 1964 winchester’s.
The limp wrist is not in my opinion a good excuse for a bad gun design. If you think about it, in a self defense situation one may not have the luxury of a firm locked wrist prior to discharging their gun. I want a gun that I can depend on like my P95. I would not trust my life with the new SR9.
Comment by Russ — April 2, 2008 @ 3:32 pm