Greetings all,
Just picked up a gently used PC9 (standard sights) on Friday. Came in the original cardboard Ruger box with one Ruger 10 rnd mag and two no-name 15 rd. mags. No manual or other papers. Price was $299. This is my first long gun and first Ruger product. Purpose is range fun and probably some steel plates. No serious defensive uses envisioned.
Took it straight to my indoor range and put 90 rounds of 115 gr Blazer through it (all I had time for). Initial impressions were quite positive. Functionality was 100% for both rifle and magazines. Simple sights were plenty to keep 1 inch groups at 30 feet (yes feet, I'm a pistol guy remember?) and 1.5-2 inch groups at 50 feet. Double taps and failure drills at 30 feet and 50 feet were natural and easily achieved. Recoil seemed minimal (remembering to keep the stock in tight was a chore for my unfamiliar muscles).
Of course I have a bunch of questions.
Papers - I'm a "read the instructions" kind of guy. I'd like to have a manual to go with the gun. Ruger's web site does not list contact info for their customer service people. Does anyone know how I might go about requesting a replacement manual?
Maintenance - The guy at the shop told me to beware of breaking this weapon down (something I've heard echoed here on the forums). He felt that a bit of lube along the bolt carrier once in a while and a brush and swabs down the barrel was all this little rifle needed (blow back mechanism, Ruger sturdiness, etc.). Once every year or two, he said, simply send it to Ruger for a check up and cleaning. Let them disassemble and reassemble. Now I'm a geek about cleaning my pistols (every time they're fired and sometimes when they're not) so the idea of just dropping a bit of lube and swabbing the barrel is rather difficult for me to swallow. I'd appreciate input on suggested cleaning and maintenance regimes. Please be detailed since I'm really new to this.
Accessories - I've ordered a couple 20 round magazines (the 30 rounders just look too long), the Uncle Mike's butcuff mag holder, and a cheap Gun Mate case. Also a Weigand Weaver-style rail. I'd like to mount some kind of dot sight on the rail and this is where I really need some input. Midway lists BSA brand 30mm dot scopes for $40-55 and Tasco Accu-Dot scopes for $55-65 (Pro Points seem to be $150-250). CDNN is listing Simmons 30mm at $40 and Tasco Pro Point 35mm at $90. I'd rather not spend 100s of dollars on optics for a fun gun but I'd also like to avoid blowing $50 for something that doesn't work. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks very much in advance for any input. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this little rifle.
Just picked up a gently used PC9 (standard sights) on Friday. Came in the original cardboard Ruger box with one Ruger 10 rnd mag and two no-name 15 rd. mags. No manual or other papers. Price was $299. This is my first long gun and first Ruger product. Purpose is range fun and probably some steel plates. No serious defensive uses envisioned.
Took it straight to my indoor range and put 90 rounds of 115 gr Blazer through it (all I had time for). Initial impressions were quite positive. Functionality was 100% for both rifle and magazines. Simple sights were plenty to keep 1 inch groups at 30 feet (yes feet, I'm a pistol guy remember?) and 1.5-2 inch groups at 50 feet. Double taps and failure drills at 30 feet and 50 feet were natural and easily achieved. Recoil seemed minimal (remembering to keep the stock in tight was a chore for my unfamiliar muscles).
Of course I have a bunch of questions.
Papers - I'm a "read the instructions" kind of guy. I'd like to have a manual to go with the gun. Ruger's web site does not list contact info for their customer service people. Does anyone know how I might go about requesting a replacement manual?
Maintenance - The guy at the shop told me to beware of breaking this weapon down (something I've heard echoed here on the forums). He felt that a bit of lube along the bolt carrier once in a while and a brush and swabs down the barrel was all this little rifle needed (blow back mechanism, Ruger sturdiness, etc.). Once every year or two, he said, simply send it to Ruger for a check up and cleaning. Let them disassemble and reassemble. Now I'm a geek about cleaning my pistols (every time they're fired and sometimes when they're not) so the idea of just dropping a bit of lube and swabbing the barrel is rather difficult for me to swallow. I'd appreciate input on suggested cleaning and maintenance regimes. Please be detailed since I'm really new to this.
Accessories - I've ordered a couple 20 round magazines (the 30 rounders just look too long), the Uncle Mike's butcuff mag holder, and a cheap Gun Mate case. Also a Weigand Weaver-style rail. I'd like to mount some kind of dot sight on the rail and this is where I really need some input. Midway lists BSA brand 30mm dot scopes for $40-55 and Tasco Accu-Dot scopes for $55-65 (Pro Points seem to be $150-250). CDNN is listing Simmons 30mm at $40 and Tasco Pro Point 35mm at $90. I'd rather not spend 100s of dollars on optics for a fun gun but I'd also like to avoid blowing $50 for something that doesn't work. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks very much in advance for any input. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this little rifle.