My SR9 was my first pistol purchase and it has been 100% reliable. I shoot mine very well. The only thing I might have done differently and you may consider this as well since you mentioned concealed carry in addition to home defense, maybe the SR9c (compact) may be a better choice. A little smaller for concealed carry, but large enough to control very well.
Is the SR9 worthy?
I'm looking to buy my first striker-fired 9mm, for the dual purpose of home defense and concealed carry.
I have narrowed my choices to the SR9 full-size and the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 full-size; both are double-stacks and very close in size, feature set and cost.
How does the SR9 stack up to the M&P9, in terms of reliability and accuracy?
Are there any known issues with the SR9?
Thanks for the assist, guys.
I have narrowed my choices to the SR9 full-size and the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 full-size; both are double-stacks and very close in size, feature set and cost.
How does the SR9 stack up to the M&P9, in terms of reliability and accuracy?
Are there any known issues with the SR9?
Thanks for the assist, guys.
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Welcome to the forum TeleGuy53! The SR9 is a fine weapon. Ruger offers an inexpensive version called an SR9e. It has a simple blue finish and non-adjustable rear sight for about $100 less than the SR9, give or take a few bucks. The finish on the SR9 and 9c is hard as a rock and you will appreciate the adjustable rear sight when you change ammo unless you are in the 5 to 7 yard range target crowd.
I shot my SR9c in competition for 3K rounds and only changed my front sight to a fiber optic style. This cut my time to first target and splits by 50%. The weapon has 4K rounds through her now and I have only changed the striker spring a couple of times. The weapon is my main carry piece and is still like new!
I now compete with an XDM 5.25 9mm in IDPA and 3gun. I see a lot of M&P 9 long barrels and they seem to work great. There are some great aftermarket trigger upgrades for the M&P among other mods but not many for the SR9's.
My SR9c is very accurate! Even with me shooting it. Den
I shot my SR9c in competition for 3K rounds and only changed my front sight to a fiber optic style. This cut my time to first target and splits by 50%. The weapon has 4K rounds through her now and I have only changed the striker spring a couple of times. The weapon is my main carry piece and is still like new!
I now compete with an XDM 5.25 9mm in IDPA and 3gun. I see a lot of M&P 9 long barrels and they seem to work great. There are some great aftermarket trigger upgrades for the M&P among other mods but not many for the SR9's.
My SR9c is very accurate! Even with me shooting it. Den
Hey Teleguy -
I have the S&W for home defense. Reliable and accurate but way too big for me to conceal.
By the way, I'm a "HamerGuy".
I have the S&W for home defense. Reliable and accurate but way too big for me to conceal.
By the way, I'm a "HamerGuy".
The SR9C is a awesome pistol. Easy shooting, accurate and hungry for any ammo available. Great trigger. I personally do not carry it to conceal. Just took big for my purpose. I carry the LCP or the LC9S in winter.
I'll take a look at the SR9C, but I really don't like the idea of magazine grip extensions; I prefer three fingers on the grip.My SR9 was my first pistol purchase and it has been 100% reliable. I shoot mine very well. The only thing I might have done differently and you may consider this as well since you mentioned concealed carry in addition to home defense, maybe the SR9c (compact) may be a better choice. A little smaller for concealed carry, but large enough to control very well.
Also, I'll probably only be carrying in our gated community, since my wife and I often walk there. The community is densely wooded and we've already seen bears, coyotes and copperheads!
I'm familiar with the 9E; however, as you mentioned, I prefer the adjustable rear sight. I also like the added safety features on the SR9 (this is my first pistol).Welcome to the forum TeleGuy53! The SR9 is a fine weapon. Ruger offers an inexpensive version called an SR9e. It has a simple blue finish and non-adjustable rear sight for about $100 less than the SR9, give or take a few bucks. The finish on the SR9 and 9c is hard as a rock and you will appreciate the adjustable rear sight when you change ammo unless you are in the 5 to 7 yard range target crowd.
I shot my SR9c in competition for 3K rounds and only changed my front sight to a fiber optic style. This cut my time to first target and splits by 50%. The weapon has 4K rounds through her now and I have only changed the striker spring a couple of times. The weapon is my main carry piece and is still like new!
I now compete with an XDM 5.25 9mm in IDPA and 3gun. I see a lot of M&P 9 long barrels and they seem to work great. There are some great aftermarket trigger upgrades for the M&P among other mods but not many for the SR9's.
My SR9c is very accurate! Even with me shooting it. Den
From what I am seeing, it appears that Ruger has a closer relationship with its customer base. Also, their striker-fired line-up is much smaller than Smith & Wesson's, which makes me believe that their product development may be more deliberate, with fewer issues getting out of the factory. Plus, as a first gun, the Ruger seems to be a better option for me. Thanks.Hey Teleguy -
I have the S&W for home defense. Reliable and accurate but way too big for me to conceal.
By the way, I'm a "HamerGuy".
See my note to silverfox1.The SR9C is a awesome pistol. Easy shooting, accurate and hungry for any ammo available. Great trigger. I personally do not carry it to conceal. Just took big for my purpose. I carry the LCP or the LC9S in winter.
I'm familiar with the 9E; however, as you mentioned, I prefer the adjustable rear sight. I also like the added safety features on the SR9 (this is my first pistol).I'll take a look at the SR9C, but I really don't like the idea of magazine grip extensions; I prefer three fingers on the grip.
Also, I'll probably only be carrying in our gated community, since my wife and I often walk there. The community is densely wooded and we've already seen bears, coyotes and copperheads!
I believe the 9e has the same safety features as the others except the loaded chamber indicator is a window instead of a lever that pops up. The 9c slide is a little harder to rack than the SR9/9e. The 9e rear sight is drift adjustable. It does not provide height adjustment. The high capacity mags. for the 9c are actually the same mag. for the full size model but with a plastic sleeve that slides over it to extend the grip. You can't tell it is there. It is not a Mickey Mouse piece that mounts to a short mag. to add capacity.
Any SR series weapon will be great! Right now the 9e's are $300! Den
I didn't realize that a full-size SR9 mag could be used in the SR9C. That said, I do not foresee concealed carry playing a major role with this pistol, so I think I would be best served with the full-sized SR9.
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
I'm not sure any 9mm is the proper tool for bears. I'm pretty sure a 9mm would only piss off a bear and a pissed off bear is not your goal.I'll take a look at the SR9C, but I really don't like the idea of magazine grip extensions; I prefer three fingers on the grip.
Also, I'll probably only be carrying in our gated community, since my wife and I often walk there. The community is densely wooded and we've already seen bears, coyotes and copperheads!
I'm familiar with the 9E; however, as you mentioned, I prefer the adjustable rear sight. I also like the added safety features on the SR9 (this is my first pistol).
From what I am seeing, it appears that Ruger has a closer relationship with its customer base. Also, their striker-fired line-up is much smaller than Smith & Wesson's, which makes me believe that their product development may be more deliberate, with fewer issues getting out of the factory. Plus, as a first gun, the Ruger seems to be a better option for me. Thanks.
See my note to silverfox1.
I would not deliberately shoot a black bear, unless there was no other option. Black bears are typically reclusive and will avoid human contact, when possible. Loud noises will usually scare them away. I think the report of an SR9 would satisfy the "loud noise" requirement! :wink:I'm not sure any 9mm is the proper tool for bears. I'm pretty sure a 9mm would only piss off a bear and a pissed off bear is not your goal.
I would say the M&P and the SR9 are equally reliable. I'd give the SR9 a slight nod in accuracy over the M&P, but from only what I've read. My SR9 is a very tight shooter.
There are more accessories for the M&Ps than the SR series, and overall, the M&P has been a higher volume seller ... those two things are related.
The SR9 has more safety features, not a bad thing to consider for a first firearm.
There are more accessories for the M&Ps than the SR series, and overall, the M&P has been a higher volume seller ... those two things are related.
The SR9 has more safety features, not a bad thing to consider for a first firearm.
Good points, PattonWasRight, all of which validate my leaning toward the SR9!I would say the M&P and the SR9 are equally reliable. I'd give the SR9 a slight nod in accuracy over the M&P, but from only what I've read. My SR9 is a very tight shooter.
There are more accessories for the M&Ps than the SR series, and overall, the M&P has been a higher volume seller ... those two things are related.
The SR9 has more safety features, not a bad thing to consider for a first firearm.
You might want to shoot the SR9C first before you make your decision. The SR9C is actually a very nice design and feels great in the hand. Their is very little recoil with this weapon. And if you do want to carry or conceal, this would be the choice. In my opinion you would be getting the best of both worlds.:victorious:I didn't realize that a full-size SR9 mag could be used in the SR9C. That said, I do not foresee concealed carry playing a major role with this pistol, so I think I would be best served with the full-sized SR9.
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for the insight.
This is an old thread, but I'll contribute for the next people to Google the topic.
I bought an SR9c as my first pistol. It was not even on my radar when i went to a shop with a range/rental guns. My short list included the similarly sized Glock, S&W, and HK.
The range master was intrigued (and the range was nearly empty). As he watched me shoot, he suggested i add the Ruger to the lineup.
The HK felt best in my hand. The Ruger was the least "cool" as they lay there on the table. However, i shot that gun better - dramatically - than any other.
Oh, and it cost 20% less than the cheapest alternative.
I decided accuracy was paramount. Why would i spend more to shoot worse? Here is the kicker - you could as easily shoot better with one of the others. Shoot them side by side. One will win. Only if you shoot equally well with both will the minor differences be worth debating on a forum.
Lastly, i compared the SR9 with the SR9c. The compact version uses the same 17 round magazine or a smaller 10 round. With the full size magazine, the two guns are nearly identical in weight, dimension, and handling. The prices were comparable, so i chose the flexible option. It was the right choice for me.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I bought an SR9c as my first pistol. It was not even on my radar when i went to a shop with a range/rental guns. My short list included the similarly sized Glock, S&W, and HK.
The range master was intrigued (and the range was nearly empty). As he watched me shoot, he suggested i add the Ruger to the lineup.
The HK felt best in my hand. The Ruger was the least "cool" as they lay there on the table. However, i shot that gun better - dramatically - than any other.
Oh, and it cost 20% less than the cheapest alternative.
I decided accuracy was paramount. Why would i spend more to shoot worse? Here is the kicker - you could as easily shoot better with one of the others. Shoot them side by side. One will win. Only if you shoot equally well with both will the minor differences be worth debating on a forum.
Lastly, i compared the SR9 with the SR9c. The compact version uses the same 17 round magazine or a smaller 10 round. With the full size magazine, the two guns are nearly identical in weight, dimension, and handling. The prices were comparable, so i chose the flexible option. It was the right choice for me.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I have been looking over a thousand post about bears and what weapon etc. Not that I would ever encounter a Grizzly, Brown, or Polar bear in Tidewater Virginia. Yes, hunting near the Dismal Swamp is having a serious increase in the black Bear Population. Yet after purchasing a Blackhawk in 357, just intrigued me to do some research. I have never shot a bear, only have seen their tracks while hunting in North Carolina and Virginia. Not much worry there, as I usually had a 12ga. shotgun with me. Ok, I love the Rugers and love the SR9C, my gosh is it reliable. But how about this super reliable semi auto in 9mm for a bear attack? Or maybe carrying the Blackhawk 357 out west. Hey, this Blackhawk is fun to shoot and easy to get on target, and faster than I ever believed a single action could be. I most likely will never need to defend against a bear, but love to shoot and love to dream about certain scenarios. So much garbage is on the internet. I did the same research on my home defense shotgun in 20ga. (I have a lot of experiece from youth to senior with shotgun hunting) lol, so I now own a 20 ga. for home defense and will emphatically say that is the best in my opinion. Yet have a number of 12 ga. for other purposes. So you read the crap on the best bear pistol/revolver and best ammo etc. so where did I end up with what I would carry in my dreams? The makers of Buffalo Bore Hunter ammo. They made sense to me.
I grew up in the South and hunting deer with the mandatory shotgun with buckshot. A member of many clubs and hunted every weekend and a whole lot in between. Saw a lot of deer taken down. You know what sticks in my mind? How many of the old timers carried 20guage.
Interesting read: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=108
I grew up in the South and hunting deer with the mandatory shotgun with buckshot. A member of many clubs and hunted every weekend and a whole lot in between. Saw a lot of deer taken down. You know what sticks in my mind? How many of the old timers carried 20guage.
Interesting read: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=108
I'm doing a handgun IDPA shooting event in a couple of weeks ... own a lot of handguns. I'm taking the SR9 as well, as that one is the I shoot the best with, when balancing accuracy and speed.
SR9 is a very decent gun. I wouldn't turn one down if offered. My tastes lean to 1911s so low probability of my buying a SR9, but I sell a few every week and no one comes back with any complaints about it.
I own an M&P in 40 S&W and two SR40s. They are both good firearms.How does the SR9 stack up to the M&P9, in terms of reliability and accuracy?
Are there any known issues with the SR9?
Thanks for the assist, guys.
Accuracy is fine. Function is fine.
I wouldn't use a 9mm on a black bear. Get a 10mm or a 357.But how about this super reliable semi auto in 9mm for a bear attack? Or maybe carrying the Blackhawk 357 out west.
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