365 days with Ruger SR9

Nestor

Nestor

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During the next year I'm going to share my impressions and experiences with Ruger SR9 - one that I've got recently.
Good or bad - I'm not really planning forward to be positive or negative about this pistol. I'm just wondering if this model can be a real alternative to the ever popular Glock 17 or S&W M&P 9. Only time will tell. I have to say that this, particular gun was pre-owned, but never fired before. After the initial inspection I have to agree with such statement. It came in the typical, Ruger plastic box supplied with the safety instructions, 2 magazines and magazine loader (nothing fancy, but it works). It's the latest, so called 3rd generation (even though Ruger is not using such nomenclature) of the first ever, striker fired pistol made by this American company. Black slide on the black, polymer frame. Adjustable rear sights with the three dots system implemented. As we all are aware, Ruger is not afraid to go back to the drawing board and start fresh. That's exactly what happened with this pistol after it was introduced in 2007. I think that it's a good thing to see the company that is not afraid to admit that they made a mistake and fix it without trying to call the problem "upgrade" or blame the used ammo for the problems with the gun.
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Ruger SR9 is less expensive pistol than the models offered by the competing companies by about $225-250 - which for many people is a lot of money. As already mentioned the original model was recalled very soon after it was introduced. Ruger installed the new trigger assembly very Glock-like in appearance, but nothing as nice in terms of trigger pull. Owners were still complaining about heavy, gritty trigger pull, sticky magazine release button that could render the gun to be inoperable and fixed sights. To answer those complains Ruger made another modifications implementing the trigger group taken from the compact models along with the new magazine release button and adjustable sights. Also the slide was slightly modified as You can notice by looking at the pictures of the older guns.
Very first thing that I've noticed is how nice this pistol fits into my hand. Nothing like Glock 17. More like 1911 really and for good reason.
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Unloaded pistol with the magazine inserted shows 731 grams (25.79 ounces) on my kitchen scale. I believe it's a bit more than M&P 9 or Glock 17, but not by much. Maybe because the sights are made out of steel?
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Let's take a closer look at this pistol.
Thin grip frame with very simple, but functional reversible backstrap to accommodate the wide variety of hand sizes. The backstrap is not exactly as fancy as the solutions offered from the competition though. Single pin holds the backstrap made out of rubber of some kind in place and You have a choice between two sizes - flat which in my opinion simulates 1911 grip with flat mainspring housing and wow! ...curved one that reminds me GI mainspring in feel.

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I really like the shape and size of the megazine release button. It's easier to use than any, oval one that I tried before. Finger works against the edge to release the drop-free magazine - quite similar to Glock pistols from what I can remember. Flat engagement surface to the rear helps to create positive inward push in my opinion. What I don't like is the ambidextrous button instead of the reversible one. I think that for the people with the big hands there is a slight chance of engaging the button on the other side of the frame while holding tight to the gun.
Since there is a magazine safety installed (that can be easily deactivated though) one may find himself during the firefight in really bad situation if such accident will occur, however here in Canada it's not exactly a real concern.

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Trigger reach is short, so I'm sure that the ladies would love this gun, especially because of the thin grip - just a bit wider than standard 1911. I can't verify the trigger pull weight, but according to the tests posted on the internet it should be 6 pounds with the reset distance of 0.33 of inch.
For those wishing to "mess up" with the trigger - Ghost Inc. offers the trigger connector for the SR pistols that suppose to improve the trigger pull significantly eliminating any overtravel and smoother up the pull. I have a standard configuration here and I'm going to keep it that way for now.
Trigger has a smooth surface that is easy on the finger. Of course there is a safety lever located inside the trigger face - exactly like on the Glock pistols.
That's it for today.
 
I liked them the only thing I found to be an issue was the safety raking my fingers when I pulled the slide back. Certainly the nicest looking centrefire pistol they make.
 
Love mine! I have about 2500 rds through it so far, i think its a great gun at a great price. Mine doesnt like 115gr, but other than that it runs like a champ. GREAT review, keep it coming!
 
So want to jump on this. I handled the SR40 in the store and it felt very nice in my hands. I like how narrow it is (my hands are not large). Please follow up with a range report.
 
I've had mine since January with about 500rnds through it so far. I love it, the fiance likes it and the guys I shoot with all like it. It eats everything but shows an affinity for 124gr. My only issue is that I need more mags.

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I'll be heading to the range on Sunday, so hopefully a short range report will follow.
I cleaned the gun today and have some more pictures and observations for You.
The sights on the SR9 are adjustable for both windage and elevation and pretty easy to acquire even to my "getting older" eyes. I know that the fixed sights are available from XS Sights if that's your preference (maybe some other producers are also offering their products for this pistol, but this I don't know).

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I like the fact that the rail is nearly invisible on this pistol - I personally don't like the rails, but I can see some use for them at times. Anyway - it's there is You need it.
Pistol has very low bore axis and good pointability - it comes on the target in quite natural way - not like the Glock pistols which are anything, but natural pointers to me.
I don't understand the safety idea really. I don't like it and I wish Ruger to remove it sometimes down the road. No problem with disengaging it though - I just can't see much use for it on the combat pistol with Glock-like safeties.
Pistol is absolutely safe without one. Huge loaded chamber indicator is overkill in my opinion as well.
Another thing - I wouldn't mind to see some more positive gripping areas on the slide. Slide serrations are fine while the hand is dry, but a bit of oil, sweat or...blood and it's quite difficult to rack the slide (at least on the new pistol).
Magazines have a nice feature though - flat ledges on each side, so the magazine can be easily removed from the gun in the event of a double feed. All You need in such case is to unload and reload the gun without need to lock the slide open before stripping the magazine. Could be a life-saving idea.
Quality of machining is ok, but I've noticed a few rough spots here and there, however it shouldn't affect the function.
After disassembly the pistol reminds me Glock platform a lot.

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Process of taking the pistol apart is fairly easy probably similar to M&P 9 from what I was reading except for removing the slide stop pin. That's it for today. Thanks!

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Nice Pictures!
I love my SR9 as well. In fact I love it so much I now own two! One will be going up for sale on the EE though. Ruger really hit a home run with this pistol imo. For the price it really is a well designed, accurate, and reliable 9mm. I've put close to 1000 147gr AR through it without it missing a beat. Will proly try some 124 gr next.
 
Nestor:

Nice job on the photos and writeup!!!!

On the ammo used, my SR9 (one of the OD ones :p ) eats anything I feed it. AE, Blazer, CCI Lawman, Winchester White Box, handloads, you name it. I've never owned a pistol that eats ammo like the SR9. No jams, no malfunctions. Very impressive, especially for the price.

You might find that the trigger is heavy and somewhat gritty, and there are 2 possible solutions:
1) there is a spring kit out there (don't know who makes it or where it's available in Canada) the takes care of the trigger "issue" some shooters have with the SR9;

2) Shoot it, shoot it lots!! After between 300-500 rounds, the trigger will smooth out remarkably. It just needs some breaking in (my solution).
 
My buddy removed the magazine disconnect, removed 1.5-2 coils off the trigger spring and along with breaking it in...over the 2000 round mark now the trigger is awesome and never has had any light primer strikes with having the spring slightly shortened!!!
 
Back from the range. 200 rounds today, with not even a single problem.

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Again, I'm not an expert with the pistols in general, but I'll slowly learn.
Trigger was just fine to me, very much Glock like, maybe even less spongy than Glock is. Very positive reset with loud "click" (took me about 2 magazines to remember that I actually can use the reset to my own good).
I couldn't feel any recoil at all. Very mild shooting pistol - probably thanks to very low bore axis. I really like it.
Here is what I don't like: every second or third empty case was ejected in very positive way right at my forehead and if not for the hat that I was wearing I would be even more ugly today than usual.
I was shooting at close range and moved the target to 10 meters and 15 meters later on. This particular target was used at 10 meters (head, torso and pelvis) and 15 meters (torso).

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Certainly it's combat accurate even in my hands.
That's it for today. Thanks!
 
As for the empties being sent on your head or down your back, mine did that for the first 500 rnds, then it seemed to smarten up and discharge more so to the side.
 
Day 25
My new owner finally gets me to the range, but sheesh 115gr? and whitebox at that??? what am I a cheap piece of Chinese junk or some Turkish tart dressed up like a Hot Czech girl?? Man like I the king of the Ruger line now feed be some decent ####!! 124gr Golddot would taste so good in my chamber, maybe, just maybe he will buy some of that cool zombie ammo, then I can really show that wanker M&P who's boss!

Day 26, man is it dark in the safe

Day 27, I heard he is going to put a spring kit in, man that's like a boob job for a pistol!

Day 28, Yea he opened the safe, What??? not the revolver take me, take me!

Day 30, My owner took me out and then..... he stuck me down the front of his pants, oh god the horror, there like this weird icky snake down there that liked me way to much and now I got his sweat all over me. I think I have a curly caught of the slide. God I am going to need therapy....
 
having a problem with mine....failure to feed in the chamber all the way? It stops about 1/4" from going in all the way so i have to smack the back for it to load? Anyone have this problem?happens about 1 round per mag. I think i need to send it in to Snap Cap in Quebec. i use rem umc.
 
zelly_101 said:
having a problem with mine....failure to feed in the chamber all the way? It stops about 1/4" from going in all the way so i have to smack the back for it to load? Anyone have this problem?happens about 1 round per mag. I think i need to send it in to Snap Cap in Quebec. i use rem umc.
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Haven't had or heard of this problem. Have you tried different ammo? Different mags?
 
Mine hangs up loading chamber too!

zelly_101 said:
having a problem with mine....failure to feed in the chamber all the way? It stops about 1/4" from going in all the way so i have to smack the back for it to load? Anyone have this problem?happens about 1 round per mag. I think i need to send it in to Snap Cap in Quebec. i use rem umc.
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This is the problem that I seem to have from time to time. Usually a palm on the back of the slide and it's ready to go. One round wouldn't do that the other day. I've been working my way through a bulk shipment of Wolf Bullets 124gr TMJ. I picked up a couple boxes of UMC the other day but haven't tried it yet. I have about 30 rounds of Federal HST2 JHP 147gr through it without a problem.

When this happens I am second guessing that I'm the problem.. maybe limp wristing... I dunno... I have no problem with my other semi-autos. I marked the mags, finally, and will see if it's only happening on a certain of my two mags. We'll see. With all the other talk, I'm kind of disappointed with it.

This is the latest version of the gun with the new d-shaped mag release button.
 
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