I had checked the Ruger website for authorized dealers. I discovered that my local shop is on the list. So, I called them today and sure enough he got in 4 of the SR9 pistols. Right after work I ran over there and picked one out. $469 out the door (no tax in New Hampshire)
Here is my initial impression.
FEEL - The gun feels superb in the hand. It's very thin and feels lighter than the specifications say it is. It actually feels like a single stack pistol. Very nice indeed.
DESIGN - The overall design of the gun is really nice. The grip size, grip angle and the overall size is perfect. The gun actually feels a lot smaller than it looks in the photos.
TRIGGER - Here's where things could be better. The trigger is very gritty and rough. It's light enough and has a crisp break. The reset is kind of long at nearly .5 inch. Hopefully it will smooth up with use.
SAFETY - Let me start by saying that I like a thumb safety on a pistol. I like that the SR9 has a thumb safety. I do wish that it was better executed. When I saw the photos I thought that the safety looked too small and too far to the rear of the frame. In actual use...my initial thoughts were correct. The safety is too small and is too far to the rear. It also happens to be very stiff to put in the safe position. It is very easy to flick off when the gun is in shooting position. It is nearly impossible to put on safe without shifting the gun out of the shooting position. I hope that Ruger offers an extended safety lever for retrofit.
SIGHTS - Nice design and easy to pick up quickly. I do wish that they came centered from the factory. My front sight is way off and I'll need to adjust that tomorrow.
MAGAZINE RELEASE - Nice ambidextrous design. Stiff to operate. I'm sure that it will break in.
MAGAZINES - Nice design and nicely made. A little stiff to load to full capacity but most brand new mags are. The mags are identical in style, quality, design and engraving to the S&W M&P magazines. It appears that Ruger and S&W are using the same magazine vendor.
BACKSTRAPS - I guess that Ruger had to have interchangeable backstraps like everyone else. I don't notice a big difference with the backstrap in either position. They could have left this feature out without it making much difference.
MAGAZINE DISCONNECT - I don't mind a mag disconnect. It all depends on how you train.This one is user removable so if you don't like it then you can take it out. No big deal. BUT, Like the P345, The manual states that the gun can be damaged by dry firing with the mag removed. You have been warned.
LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR - Sticks up way too high. A little careful use of a file can fix that right up.
OVERALL - This is a very nice gun. It needs a little refining but it's a great base gun. The photos don't do it justice as far as size and expected feel. It truly is an amazingly thin gun. It's a little bigger than my Springfield XD but it feels like it's half the size. It feels downright petite compared to the XD.
I'll update once I get it to the range.
Here is my initial impression.
FEEL - The gun feels superb in the hand. It's very thin and feels lighter than the specifications say it is. It actually feels like a single stack pistol. Very nice indeed.
DESIGN - The overall design of the gun is really nice. The grip size, grip angle and the overall size is perfect. The gun actually feels a lot smaller than it looks in the photos.
TRIGGER - Here's where things could be better. The trigger is very gritty and rough. It's light enough and has a crisp break. The reset is kind of long at nearly .5 inch. Hopefully it will smooth up with use.
SAFETY - Let me start by saying that I like a thumb safety on a pistol. I like that the SR9 has a thumb safety. I do wish that it was better executed. When I saw the photos I thought that the safety looked too small and too far to the rear of the frame. In actual use...my initial thoughts were correct. The safety is too small and is too far to the rear. It also happens to be very stiff to put in the safe position. It is very easy to flick off when the gun is in shooting position. It is nearly impossible to put on safe without shifting the gun out of the shooting position. I hope that Ruger offers an extended safety lever for retrofit.
SIGHTS - Nice design and easy to pick up quickly. I do wish that they came centered from the factory. My front sight is way off and I'll need to adjust that tomorrow.
MAGAZINE RELEASE - Nice ambidextrous design. Stiff to operate. I'm sure that it will break in.
MAGAZINES - Nice design and nicely made. A little stiff to load to full capacity but most brand new mags are. The mags are identical in style, quality, design and engraving to the S&W M&P magazines. It appears that Ruger and S&W are using the same magazine vendor.
BACKSTRAPS - I guess that Ruger had to have interchangeable backstraps like everyone else. I don't notice a big difference with the backstrap in either position. They could have left this feature out without it making much difference.
MAGAZINE DISCONNECT - I don't mind a mag disconnect. It all depends on how you train.This one is user removable so if you don't like it then you can take it out. No big deal. BUT, Like the P345, The manual states that the gun can be damaged by dry firing with the mag removed. You have been warned.
LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR - Sticks up way too high. A little careful use of a file can fix that right up.
OVERALL - This is a very nice gun. It needs a little refining but it's a great base gun. The photos don't do it justice as far as size and expected feel. It truly is an amazingly thin gun. It's a little bigger than my Springfield XD but it feels like it's half the size. It feels downright petite compared to the XD.
I'll update once I get it to the range.
