1911.COM : Ruger Pistols : Ruger Pistols : Ruger SR9c

Posted: Aug 23rd 2010, 06:03 PM

Anyone else have one? I bought one about 2 months ago and though it's a fine weapon, I had a couple of minor problems. First off, the front AND rear sights came from the factory WAY off center. The manual shows you how to move the sights, but they are VERY difficult to move. I hammered on them a few times but with in fear of marring the finish.

I called Ruger and they took it in and rushed it back to me within a few days, the sights had been moved but were STILL off center. It said "test fired 40 rounds" in the box. As soon as I got it back I drove over to Gander Mountain and their gunsmith straightened them out in 20 minutes, it did cost me like $15 or $20.

Now I noticed that whenever I shoot the pin just below the magazine release walks and sticks out one side. I called Ruger and they want to take it back again....is there an easier fix for this?

In Rugers defense they have been very helpful, and have sent me free parts in the past for other guns even when it was my fault that they were needed. I have never had an issue with any of their other firearms I have own(ed). Anyone else have the SR9c? What are your impressions? I will say mine eats everything I have ever fed it and has had zero malfunctions, which is more critical to me than a walking pin or crooked sights. About 500 trouble free rounds of various types thru it thus far, JHP and FMJ's.

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 23rd 2010, 06:19 PM

the one i shot sounds identical to yours lol. shouldve gotten an xd

Joined:
Location:

Apr 19th 09
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 08:53 AM

I currently have 4, 9mm handguns. H&K , Sig, Glock and FN. They all function perfectly and shoot straight. I would not be happy if I had the kind of problems you describe with your Ruger. Ruger makes some fine firearms but this one sounds like a bit of a lemon.

Joined:
Location:

Jan 6th 08
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 12:07 PM

I'll take a Ruger revolver any day of the week and twice on Sunday, but you can't give me a centerfire Ruger semiauto pistol.... Not a huge fan of their bolt rifles either... I liked my Mini-30 until I sold it and I have heard/read good things about their AR, but none of their semiauto pistols have ever impressed me as anything more than a magazine fed paperweight... Sorry to hear yours has continued in that fine tradition....

Just my dos centavos....

-Tac

Joined:
Location:

Jul 21st 09
AZ US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 06:57 PM

grouse master ill take this lemon off your hands for 100$? ill come to your house right now lol?

Joined:
Location:

Apr 19th 09
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 11:24 PM

I love the gun....it's gotten rave reviews. I know some reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, but there's no doubt it's a good pistol. Read some reviews or check one out at a gun shop(hard to find besides gunbroker). It's basically a Glock copy so the design is sound.......

I know it sounds like I'm trying to "defend my purchase", but crooked sights (were easily straightened with the correct tool) and a walking pin are nothing compared to a functionality problem. The pin will walk maybe 1/4 inch after a few magazines.....and can be pushed back in. It's more annoying than anything, and pisses me off I guess. I'd still trust the pistol with my life, as I said above it eats everything I've ever fed it, has a better trigger than XD's and many others I've shot, Cohen87 can attest to this.

Was mainly curious if anyone else on the forum owned one or have shot one....there's several improvements over the standard SR9.

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 11:29 PM

Tac,

I agree with your post for the most part. I used to have one of their P-95's, and although it NEVER had a single malfunction, it was blocky, ugly, and unrefined when compared to the competition......in all fairness it's price point was like $330 brand new, which is cheap. I have never particularly liked their semi-auto's either until the LCP came out.....that's a fine weapon for CCW. A .380 that's ALWAYS on you is better than the 45 ACP you left in the truck because your wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

The P-345 and SR9c are a pretty big step forward from their past "clunkers", and the price point is great considering the lifetime warranty. Both pistols have had great reviews......I think mine is the exception, and the issues are not critical to the guns reliability, just an annoyance that it left the factory with these oversights

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 11:36 PM

In fact....I've been tempted to pick up a P-345, they can be had from about $425....only thing stopping me is interest in the new Remington R11.......and even more interest in a Glock 36. Any other quality .45's under $700 anyone might recommend?Thanks....

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 24th 2010, 11:41 PM

the 1911-R1 is a nice choice, XDM is a good option nowadays. There's a new entry to the market I was watching but I can't for the life of me think of its name right now (long day, transformer blew and took out some equipment) so I'll have to come back and update.

Joined:
Location:

Sep 3rd 07
CO US

Posted: Aug 25th 2010, 03:25 PM

Grouse.. Brother, I am not saying that the newer Ruger pistols aren't better than the older Ruger pistols, I'm just not a fan of any of them. I was born and raised in Northern Az. where they built the Ruger pistol plant and I know a lot of people who either currently work there, have worked there or have a family member working there. Needless to say, the area is flooded with Ruger pistols because thats what they get for a "christmas bonus", a choice of a pistol made there... So many of them end up at the local gun stores and pawn shops in the area that they are a dime a dozen.

I have handled and shot the LCP, LCR, SR9 and P-345, and I still do not like any of them much more than the P85-series guns. The polymer frames are a huge improvement over the cast frames of the P85 series, but the triggers and cluncky actions of the Ruger pistols just turn me off completely. With that being said, they are usually built like a tank and if my only choice was between a Ruger pistol and a Loricin or Jennings... I would reluctantly pick up the Ruger. The only exception to this is the LCP. It is the most redeaming of the Ruger pistols (centerfire) in that it is basically a copy of the Kel-Tec and "finished" slightly better than the gun it copied. (I own a Kel Tec and your observation regarding the .380 in the pocket vs. the .45 in the truck is accurate, but I NEVER carry the .380 as my only gun. It is strictly a back up to something larger.) Having shot my partner's LCP side by side with my Kel Tec, we experienced more malfunctions with the LCP round for round, over several boxes of ammo. Neither one is pleasent to shoot for more than a couple of mags, but the LCP edged out the Kel Tec in that regard, simply because of it's slightly thicker grip. Either way, the Kel Tec is cheaper to pick up when bought new... Neither would be my first choice in a CCW gun.

When it comes to "price", I have to agree, Ruger gives you a lot of gun for the money, but even when they are "giving them way" (Christmas bonus' guns), I would rather carry something else.

My "Ruger-phobia" aside, as far as .45 ACP guns under $700 goes, I would recommend several that I personally own and trust. Starting with the Springfield XD (XDm if you can find one and get it for that price range), Sig P220 (might be pushing the $ amount, but used police trade in or thier "Blue line" guns/Factory re-builds are much cheaper and will run forever) Kahr Arms CW45 (less fancy version of the P45), this is my "daily carry" gun and is actually smaller/lighter than a Glock 36, but has a longer/smoother trigger. I paid $460 retail for mine. The Smith & Wesson M&P45 is also a favorite and cost me $525 new a couple of years back (but I still see them for under $550 around here). I can't give personal recommendations on 1911s under the 7 bill mark, because I don't own one that qualifies at the price point, but of the seven I do own, the Sig GSR, Springfield, Kimber, Brolin Arms and Colt are all worth every penny I spent on them. The problem with 1911's is that they are addicting... so be warned... If you go with the Remmy R1, you might be on the first steps toward .45-rehab...

-Tac

p.s. remember opinions are like assholes, we all have one and mine stinks as much as yours does...

Joined:
Location:

Jul 21st 09
AZ US

Posted: Aug 25th 2010, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful and respectful reply. I can't stand when people get pissy about differing opinions on these forums, and your clearly above any of that pettiness.

First of all, the company I work for has our western headquarters in Phoenix...I may be going out there soon, if the Rugers are a "dime a dozen" like you said .....I may come home with half a dozen new pistols! Also, I live in Minnesota and have understand what my threats are, and what type of confrontations have occurred in this state. I hope this isn't blasphemy, but I understand the odds of me using my LCP for defense in tiny. When I travel to other areas for work, which I do regularly (Louisiana, St. Louis, Milwaukee) I usually pack my SR9c in my briefcase or IWB, if not my S&W model 36 IWB. In these areas I detect MANY more threats than I do in the upper Midwest.

If I lived in AZ, there's no question I would be better armed, with all the illegals, violence, kidnappings, civil unrest, etc....my co-workers out there prefer a .357 in the IWB holster.

Question, what's wrong with the R11? I've heard nothing but good things, although I've only held and dry fired one. I hear it's 100% American made, which is attractive to me. I like my foreign guns, but I guess the USA made was a factor. If the Ruger Sr9c was also made in Austria, I would have bought the Glock for the proven history of the pistol.

I appreciate your opinions on the LCP and the new Ruger pistols in general, but your in the minority (which doesn't mean shit, I'm usually against the grain to) when it comes to your opinions of these pistols if you read around forums. If you read the articles online showing what the pro's have to say, you'll see that your opinion is quite polar opposite. I don't give the pro's opinion anymore weight than I do yours, because I don't know if they have certain marketing motives, and you obviously know your guns to.....

If you've only shot an SR9 you should definitely try an SR9c....maybe it will brighten your opinion a bit.

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 25th 2010, 11:37 PM

Also,

My reluctance on the XD series was the fact you could buy them a few years ago for less than half the price from that metal works company in Croatia.....I know their great pistols....but their as much a knockoff of a Glock as the LCP is of the Kel-Tec (I know a few obvious differences, but same basic platform). Anyway.....I just wish they would make their pistols here like the original Springfield Arms company did, as long as they are going to use their name. My wife's uncle has one of their GI 1911's....it's just strange to have the huge "U.S." stamp on the grip with the "made in brazil" stamping right next to it.

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US

Posted: Aug 26th 2010, 05:18 PM

Grouse,

I usually don't get into the politics of the guns arena. I like the XD for the way it fits my hand, the way it shoots and the overall design. It is similar to a Glock the same way a Toyota and a Chevy are similar (They both have wheels, they both get you where you need to go, both have 4 doors, etc.) But the XD is a stroner built gun and has a better trigger system and take down manual of arms (my opinion).

As for the Remmy R1, there is nothing wrong with them at all (that I am aware of). I was just saying that a good 1911 is like a drug... you will get addicted to them and want more.

I don't usually buy the media hype behind the gun trade either. I take it all into consideration, then I handle the gun and if possible, shoot it for myself, and make up my own mind what I like/don't. Guns are like shoes/boots in a lot of ways. What works for me, may not be your preference, and I am fine with that. As many around here can tell you, I am not a fan of the Glock pistols. I am an armorer for them and have almost 20 years experience with them, but they do not fit my hand and I have a decided dislike for their trigger and their take down requirements, as a result I refuse to own one. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't... Same goes for the Ruger. I have my reasons for not liking them. If it works for you, then go for it and I hope it serves you well.

If you visit Az and hope to find some deals on handguns (or any firearms for that matter), you will have to look for private sales, as the gun shops can't sell to you unless you are a resident (handguns) or live in a "connecting state" (long guns). The Ruger pistol plant in located about an hour and a half north of Phoenix in Prescott. Its out next to the airport on the northside of town. They used to do tours, but I am not sure if they still do or not. The "flood" of Ruger pistols is most prevelant around the Prescott area. Not as much in the Phoenix market.

-Tac

Joined:
Location:

Jul 21st 09
AZ US

Posted: Aug 26th 2010, 06:17 PM

thats funny tac cause i was just talkin to him about the same thing the other day and said i dont like the feel at all and they are a huge pain in the ass to take down. he called me an xd fanboy which i am but its for good reasons not just to be a fan. i will say every glock i have ever handled has had a better trigger reset than any xd ive handled. yes even the xd-m .45 still had a fairly long reset compared to the glocks from what i saw and felt.

Joined:
Location:

Apr 19th 09
MN US

Posted: Sep 10th 2010, 09:00 PM

If anyone is still paying attention, I got my SR9c back from Ruger today. They completely replaced the frame (I requested it because I marred the plastic around the pin a little bit from repeatedly pounding it back in per their instruction. They also re-finished the slide which made a couple of marks I made trying to adjust the sights disappear.

The pistol looks brand new and came with a note saying "125 test rounds fired, no malfunctions".

I could not be happier with the service Ruger has provided. They clearly lost money on this pistol, but still bent over backwards to satisfy their customer.

Joined:
Location:

Jul 18th 10
MN US