Thoughts on the Ruger SR9c?

[23 Blast]

Just wondering what those who own or have shot one of these little puppies thinks about them? I see several glowing reviews on the internet, along with several youtubes extolling its virtues.

How does it compare to other compact pistols out there, such as the xD compact, the G19 (or G26, whichever it more closely resembles), and M&P9c?

[Cali-Shooter]

I took one out recently on an indoor range trip. It's accurate yet snappy, I was shooting cheap 115 gr WPA ammo for it also.

The only semi-auto handguns I had to compare with it were my Glock 22C and Glock 35, both in .40S&W. The SR-9c was snappier than both of them, but I enjoyed shooting it. It takes practice to hit where you aim, it's not quite as "point and click" accurate as my Glocks seemed to be.

It's great for LTC, since it has a manual safety.

[Boltz]

I have about 500 flawless rounds through mine and love it. The most obvious difference is the presence of a thumb safety vs those guns you listed. So it goes without saying that if you don't want a manual safety, then the SR9c is not for you.

I choose the SR9c over an M&P because I wanted a manual safety, it was a lot less expensive ($400), heard a lot of good things about Ruger customer service (although from what I hear S&W's isn't too shabby either), was more compact and ergonomic for me.

The only things that I don't like about my SR9c is the still-stiff-as-heck slide stop/release and the fact that you need a tool to break it down (well just a punch or something else thin to push out the takedown pin.

Edit: one more thing, it has adjustable rear sights, which can be pretty handy

[Cali-Shooter]

The only things that I don't like about my SR9c is the still-stiff-as-heck slide stop/release and the fact that you need a tool to break it down (well just a punch or something else thin to push out the takedown pin.

Edit: one more thing, it has adjustable rear sights, which can be pretty handy

Yes, my SR9c has that issue as well. I have to rack the slide to load a round from a magazine, the slide release is too resistant to be pressed down with just my thumb. I'm guessing it needs to be broken in with more rounds, it's still in low round count stage.

[UserM4]

I've had one for awhile now. The slide is extremely stiff at first and after about a 1000rds it's a bit better. Still relatively stiff tho. The slide lever is a slide lock, not a slide release. You should sling shot to chamber a round.

I've got a couple of thousand flawless rounds through it and even shot 1000rds w/o cleaning. It's been nothing but reliable. Although people say the trigger is good, I find that it's a bit heavy and slightly gritty. Not bad by any mean, but not great. I find factory Glock triggers easier to shoot accurately.

The only issue that I've had is the pin above the mag release slowly drifting out a tiny bit. No big deal but I think they need to address this.

Loaded chamber indicator sticks up pretty high but besides the unpleasant look, it doesn't really affect the handling characteristics. I've heard of guys that actually put a grinder to it.

Field stripping is pretty easy but it requires that you push the ejector down through the ejection port area. Also, the safety needs to be disengaged to rack the slide.

The ambi safety itself is very easy and positive to disengage. Love that.

Overall, I love the size (almost identical to a G26), feel of the grip, the terrific sights that also allow for elevation adjustment, the front slide serrations for press checks, and the safety. With the safety, it gives me the option to use it when keeping it in my dresser and leaving it off while holstered. I train both ways so it's been a non issue for me. The mags are pretty expensive but you can use the full size mags especially with the mag extension sleeve.

It's a great CCW imo. I like it almost as much as a G26. The reason I say almost is because the overall fit and finish on Glocks are great. Rugers are hit and miss. I know because I own several Ruger products. I love their guns but the finish has been a bit rough. Slight deburring and polishing will take care of most issues.

[redhemi]

I've had my SR9c since last may and have not had one single problem with it. I can't compare it with the others you have mentioned because I have not shot them but I can say I belive it to be a great little shooter.

I like the fact that it does have a safety, it makes me feel a little more comfortable.

I also have the SR9 and the c to me has not much more recoil than the full size.

[Bill Steele]

I shoot my SR9C better than any other 9 I have owned, that includes full sized H&K USP's, P2000 Beretta 92FS, etc. etc. For me it is just a natural shooter, excellent trigger, very accurate. The only handguns I shoot more accurately are my 1911's.

The comparison to my Glock 26 is the Glock racks much smoother (the Ruger is kind of stiff and crunchy). The SR9C is only slightly thinner but feels much thinner against the body and in the hand.

I personally don't think an added safety is a particularly safer thing on a striker fired gun with this kind of trigger design, so I give the Glock a star for their approach.

I have done the $.25 trigger job on both guns as well as adding Ghost Rocket bars with overtravel stops. I shoot the SR9c substantially better at longer ranges (15yds+).

I think both the SR9C and the G26 are superb PD weapons.

[guitargeak99]

I have an SR9c with about 1000 rounds. I installed a Ghost Ultimate trigger bar when this gun was relatively new, which really shortened the trigger travel.
Now that it has broke in I do not think it is as snappy as most of the compact 9's that I've shot. Adjustable rear sights for windage/elevation, this little gun is a tack driver.
This is the cheapest gun in my stable, the funnest to shoot, and my #2 carry gun on my CCW - next to my Kimber .45. I totally trust it in a defense situation.

[dodger fever]

This pistol has been nothing but reliable for me, You wont be dissapointed if you pick one up. Feels great in the hand,sights are easy to see,trigger is nice not alot of play. Like others have said slide is very tight when racking but that should loosen up with break in. I have fed it everything possible- steel cased,fmj, hollow points,copper fmj, reloads copper and lead, with no issues. american made so cant go wrong.

[doc540]

bought one...shot it a while and sold it

decent piece

no major problems

wasn't a fan of the sharp slide serrations

C+

[h0use]

a friend of mine has one in 9mm and we have shot a few hunderd rounds with out any problems. feels nice and shoots well.

[h0use]

a friend of mine has one in 9mm and we have shot a few hunderd rounds with out any problems. feels nice and shoots well.

[vincewarde]

I know this is resurrecting an old thread, but for the benefit of those who may find it as I did, I wanted to add something I didn't see mentioned.

Several have commented about a "stiff" slide. The reality is that all short barreled 9mm's (or .40's or .45's) will have stiff slides. It's a physics thing. Basically, the slide spring must absorb the same amount of energy as a full sized pistol's slide spring in a much shorter distance. This means it MUST be stiffer. There is no way around it.

This also makes it harder to press down on the slide release lever. On my LC9, I just pull back on the slide because it's almost impossible to push the slide "release" down.

This has proven problematical for my wife. She flat out cannot rack the slide on any compact 9mm. We tried several. As a result, she may end up with a compact 9x18 or .380 that she can operate.

[JNunez23]

Had one, traded it for the SR9. I didn't have a use for 2 compacts at this moment.

Great gun though, I want another one.

[monk]

I've been curious about this gun. As far as feel and "shoot-ability," how similar is it to the XDSC9?