In Phoenix
By now you’ve probably seen the big news about Ruger’s SR-556 piston AR. I checked it out with Alan, Breda and Mike W. yesterday, and the consensus was a resounding “meh”. Nothing WRONG with it, per se, but it’s another late-to-the-party, me-too item like the SR-9 and LCP. Also, $2k MSRP. Ouch.
I haven’t spent too much time on the show floor yet, but I was happy to see that Winchester fixed the lousy Model 70 stocks that I bitched about last year. The S&W 396 is just as cool as I’d remembered it, but the folks at Smith continue to put an integral lock in it. I voiced my displeasure once again.
Back out to the floor now, looking for the new’n'cool. Updates to follow.
Well, Ruger is notorious for having an MSRP significantly higher than actual retail – ARFcom is reporting that it will have a street price in the 1600 dollar range. And you’re not the only one complaining about Ruger’s “Me too” itis. Between the LCP(an obvious ripoff of the Keltec P3AT) and SR-9(A polymer striker fired 9.. Just like Glock, XD, Taurus, Kahr, and S&W). They also brought back the 77/44(much to the rejoicing of suppressed carbine fans). What they should do is bring back the Deerfield, only instead of that $%$##$ 4 shot rotary, a stick mag(how hard could it be to use a Deagle mag?) – it’s the one major complaint about the things.
I too, am a big fan of the 5 shot 44s – I was so happy when they introduced the 396 Nightguard. Also like you, I detest the lock. I just don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. Remember, S&W was bought by the Saf-T hammer – the people that invented that very same lock. Now if only they’d offer a 5 shot Scandium Lframe in 45acp/Super…
Comment by HTRN — May 17, 2009 @ 11:12 am
The SR9 does look like a pretty decent piece, and I remember when Glocks…were priced like, well, Glocks. And XDs were even cheaper. Dunno what happened.
John
Comment by J.R. Shirley — May 19, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
The SR9 isn’t a bad gun (though the thumb safety is misplaced), but Ruger didn’t get it out until after the Glock, XD, and M&P were already ubiquitous, and they didn’t innovate. Plus it’s now two years later and there’s no compact/subcompact models, no .40s, and no .45s.
Don’t get me wrong, I like a lot of what Ruger makes… I just end up shaking my head at a lot of their management decisions.
Comment by TD — May 19, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Ruger seems to be late to the game on everything these days.
As for their new piston AR…….nice try, but meh.
Comment by mike w. — May 20, 2009 @ 10:01 am