Should I want a Ruger SR40c?

[TigerShark]

I've been concentrating on 9mm and 45acp, and skipping over 40sw so that I don't have to buy another caliber of ammo. Just recently, I've started thinking I should get the SR40c to have that option.


PRO's
40 was the most available (least gouged) round last year
More knockdown power than the 9mm round
Cheaper than the 45acp round
Identical platform to what I know (SR9c)
Very good reviews
More kick sounds like fun
ANOTHER GUN TO HAVE

CON's
More ammo to buy and store
Only 9 rounds per mag
I already have several handguns waiting to DROS
I've already overspent this years budget
ANOTHER GUN TO HAVE

I love the SR9c and the SR40c model is identical size so I'm sure I would love it too.
What the heck should I do?

[TigerShark]

If you were you'd know the limitations from 40s, Rugers and compact guns.

Please tell me about the 40sw and Ruger limitations.

[Marquand]

I got the chance to fire a SR40c at my local indoor range recently thanks to a friendly guy in the lane next to me who asked some questions about one of my handguns. We traded pistols and a couple of magazines for a few minutes. I walked away with an appreciation for the Ruger's feel, accuracy, and trigger - all of which were better than I expected.

Taking all of your pros and cons into consideration, I'd say buy it. With the Handgun Roster shrinking, more anti-gun legislation down the road, and a President who's recently announced that he's going to stretch his executive order privileges to the limit, now is the time to buy a firearm...or ten.

[bruss01]

I have the SR40c and it is my primary carry gun.

I like this gun a lot. It is very easy to live with in terms of size and weight. I thought that would translate to "brutal recoil" but it's actually very easy to shoot.

I handled the SR9c... are you sure we're talking the same gun? The SR40c seemed wider and fit my hand like a glove. The 9 seemed just wrong, off somehow. I think they are different frame sizes.

Ruger will take care of you. Had a minor issue with mine, called them, they took care of everything, no charge, even picked up the shipping both ways. Couldn't be happier.

40 is a good round, I'm a believer. It's my most frequently carried defensive round. I enjoy shooting 9's and 45's but in my pocket it's .40 S&W baby. I can't justify it on paper but shooting it feels like I'm getting more out of every shot, a sense of potency. Ballistic gel testing of the Hornady Critical Duty has convinced me this is the route to go.

[Deimos887]

From someone whom's shot significantly more .40 than 9mm or .45acp... the whole ".40 is ridiculously snappy" argument is completely overblown... shooting stout 9mm out of G19 and stout .40s&w from G22 I can barely tell the difference. So while it does have a sharper recoil impulse, it isnt significant. This and consider that in terms of kinetic energy and comparing similar factory .40 & .45 loads, theyre near equal.. with a slight edge to .40 in most cases. While similar, theyre not equal, there's pros and cons to both, but with .40, your getting a more compact package (9mm framed), with (in a free state) higher capacity, and cheaper ammunition. To each his own, and I love both. But my bedside handgun is chambered in .40...

Besides, learn to shoot .40 well, 9mm well be that much easier

[TigerShark]

I have the SR40c and it is my primary carry gun.

I handled the SR9c... are you sure we're talking the same gun? The SR40c seemed wider and fit my hand like a glove. The 9 seemed just wrong, off somehow. I think they are different frame sizes.

According to the specs, the SR9c and SR40c have the identical dimensions and weight. One of the reasons I know I'll like the 40 is how well I like the 9.
Maybe you are thinking of the LC9 - That is very different.

[CAGLS]

Here's mine I used to own. For a compact chambered in 40sw it is very soft shooting and controllable with the help of the dual recoil spring guide rod system. I installed the Ghost Rocket 3.5lb trigger bar with TCT (hand filed to eliminate trigger over travel, reduce trigger pull, reduced reset. It also has Galloway Precision polished plunger, GP traction grips, GP aluminum polished striker indicator, replaced stock springs with GP performance springs on trigger safety and trigger reset, Ameriglo Ruger Sr9/40 3 Dot fixed Tritium night sights. I also polished the barrel. Not sure if the slide is wider than your SR9C. I did like that gun but sold it to buy all steel CZ's.

Here's a review on the SR40C by Jeff Quinn on Gunblast.com.

[Deimos887]

^ nothing formal, just local matches at my default range from time to time. Still paying my way through school, dont really have the time or money for serious competition for the forseeable future. I grew up with my dad shooting compitetion fairly heavily however, .40 was his preference... I think you can fill in the rest. The difference in recoil between 9mm and .40 while not purely subjective, isnt significant either... Im a bit faster on target with 9mm, but much more experienced with .40 and not far behind. To say .40 is a worthless cartridge is to say .45acp and everyother cartridge that isnt 9x19 is worthless as well. I'll say it again, to each his own. I shoot .40 quite well, and it works for me, a bit slower than 9mm, but a bit more energy. Whether that makes a difference or not is another story... I shoot 9, .40, .45 and .357sig... like them all, but perfer .40.

Anyway my early post wasnt a "caliber/cartridge debate" just a justification for enjoying variety.

Btw, for a subcompact CCW pistol (not a CCW holder, in my county, until recently that was impossible).. I'd stick to 9mm.

[neouser]

I got the chance to fire a SR40c at my local indoor range recently thanks to a friendly guy in the lane next to me who asked some questions about one of my handguns. We traded pistols and a couple of magazines for a few minutes. I walked away with an appreciation for the Ruger's feel, accuracy, and trigger - all of which were better than I expected.

Taking all of your pros and cons into consideration, I'd say buy it. With the Handgun Roster shrinking, more anti-gun legislation down the road, and a President who's recently announced that he's going to stretch his executive order privileges to the limit, now is the time to buy a firearm...or ten.

Did you notice how soft it shoots for a 40? The SR40 is one of the few 40 cal pistols that really impresses me.

[TigerShark]

Thanks for the input. I went for it and I'm happy.
It goes off the roster on 4-17-14 and they're already not very easy to find at a decent price. Next month it will get worse.
D*** Roster........

[rogervzv]

I have two SR40c pistols and really like them. The pistol really surprised me the first time I shot it because the recoil was very, very manageable. I was expecting a much harsher recoil than the gun and round delivered. These guns have proven to be very easy to shoot, accurate and reliable, and easy to clean and maintain. Ruger got this one right.