| Author | Message | ||
     Macbuell |
I'm about to purchase my first hand gun. I have shot many guns and rifles at different ranges but with the birth of my son, I want to get a gun for home defense and also shooting at the range. After some research I have settled on the Ruger SR9. It fits my budget and everything I have read about it has been positive. I have yet to shoot it though. Anyway, I know there are a lot of gun enthusiasts on this board and I was looking for opinions from anyone familiar with the Ruger SR9. Thanks in Advance. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I have yet to shoot one, so I will be watching this thread too.  | ||
| Pwnzor |
I haven't fired that particular model, but I can tell you that Ruger firearms are excellent in every way. That gun seems to be a good deal even at full retail. I'm assuming you mean this one:  This is the brushed stainless version... | ||
| Blasterd |
Its a great piece, my dad has one. I have fired it off quite a bit and it seems pretty accurate. I have been saving up for a Keltec PF9 for the last 3 or 4 months but every time I get close something else comes up, now the Uly needs tires so... I chose the Keltec because of many reasons including the ability to easily conceal a 9. My 380 is cheap and heavy and all my other pistolas are too big! | ||
| Sleez |
fave ruger forum; http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=2& sid=e00916619a928f09b2d7adbf4ebc2639 | ||
| Macbuell |
Yup. That's the exact gun I am looking at. I can get it for less than $400 with an extra mag, loader, etc. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
You will never go wrong with a Ruger firearm. They aren't the prettiest designs, but they are overbuilt and hell for strong. My sales line when I managed a gun store was "The only thing that'll be left after world war three is roaches and Ruger Firearms." | ||
| Ccryder |
I like Rugers too. I wanted to like the SR9 but it just didn't I have 6-8 Rugers of various calibers but the SR9 fell short. I went with a Walther PPS and XD-M. Depends what size you want/ need. If you have ranges around that rent firearms, that best way to get to know different brands unless you live in TN and you can stop over at my house and try out my collection inmy backyard. Later Neil S. | ||
| Ourdee |
OK, I'll be the nay sayer, sort of. Home defense, Ruger Super Redhawk. .45 or larger for that one shot stop. You don't need a magnum unless you are shooting through stuff to get at the zombies. | ||
| Odie |
I would have to lean towards something larger for home defense as well. CC a 9 is ok. I CC my 45. Getting a Ruger LCP .380 for a small pocket carry when the .45 is just too much. | ||
| 4cammer |
Find a shop/range in your area that rents handguns and try it out. Might want to also take a look at the Springfield XD/XDm series and the S&W M&P semi autos. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I sold my Ruger and bought a Smith & Wesson 357Mag. I really like it too! | ||
| Westmoorenerd |
.357 Mag is my favorite handgun round hands down.... And I'm a sucker for a revolver. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Ruger Super Redhawk. .45 or larger for that one shot stop. With some of the new powders available, a 45 LC can be impressively hot-rodded. Wouldn't need anything else. A six shoooter, and a lever action.  | ||
| Xbmacon |
I dont have that one, but I do own a Ruger P85 mkii and love the gun. Rugers are extremely rugged and can stand long bouts of "neglect". Not that I do that, nor do I condone that sort of irresponsible behavior. If you arent a gun nut and you are busy most of the time, after the initial excitement, a home defense gun does a lot of sitting. It can handle that and be ready. If you are a gun nut and are constantly squeezing the trigger, they handle all you can throw at them. For the money you cant beat a ruger. ---commercial over--- Do try and find that model to shoot. A gun can have the best reviews in the world but if it doesnt fit you, it will be the a bad purchase. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
After some research I have settled on the Ruger SR9. Macbuell, I'll be picking up mine in a couple of weeks, to use as my primary CC. If this thread is still around after I get some range time on it I'll post up impressions. Getting a Ruger LCP .380 for a small pocket carry when the .45 is just too much. Odie, very happy with my LCP. The addition of the Crimson Trace laser grip and a pocket/wallet holster makes it the perfect carry/close-range defense weapon, easily concealable pretty much regardless of attire. Good LCP forum: www.elsiepeaforum.com FB | ||
| Babired |
I've got a Rugar Blackhawk 357 with the 7.5 barrel its a single action cowboy style gun. I have the Mark 3 target pistol 22 LR both are really nice. The Mark 3 is ammo sensitive I have to watch what I load in it. The pistol posted looks really nice I wouldn't mind having one of them too. Hum Motorcycle parts or a new gun to shoot at the range! | ||
| Ccryder |
I've got the Walther PPS in .40S&W & 9mm. For CC the PPS is hard to fault. It even feels and shoots better than my Glock 27 (.40 S&W). It's easier to conceal too.  A nice CC holster is:  http://www.activeprogear.com/27-belt-quick-release .html Easy on, easy off, hold tight to your body and with the thumb break it VERY secure. I have the XD-M in .40S&W and 9mm (XD-M 3.8). I like to have the same frame in multiple calibers for a number of different reasons but you need to practice with both. Many rounds down range is the only way to go. Time2Work Neil S. (Message edited by ccryder on August 05, 2010) | ||
| Macbuell |
Thanks for all the input everyone. I did look at the Springfield Armory XD models but just wasn't sure it was worth the extra $150 or so it would cost over the Ruger. I also liked the Beretta PX4 but the price was once again a little steep. Just so everyone is clear, I am NOT going to be shooting this gun on a very regular basis so spending a lot of money on it does not make a lot of sense to me. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I'll jump back in with my personal preference on a CC weapon:  "leave no brass, and they won't catch yo ass!" | ||
| 4cammer |
Macbuell, you might not want to shoot it all the time, but make darn sure you purchase a gun that will shoot all the time. That being said, for a seldom shot (meaning seldom trained with) handgun, I'd lean to a .357/.38 revolver and load with suitable 38 defensive loads. Will always be ready if needed and the learning and memory requirements are much lower than with a semi auto. Especially if your wife ever needs to use the weapon. Ruger GP100 is a hell of a good choice if you go that route, and used ones are a good buy. I'd stay with Ruger and S&W in regards to a revolver. | ||
| Nukeblue |
i held the ruger when i was shopping recently and didn't like the feel in the hand at all. it felt too squared off and blocky. the early ones had a recall, i'm thinking for the firing pin?? i went with the s&w m&p. that has turned out to be the best fighting pistol i have ever owned hands down. excellent quality & fits like a glove. now by fighting pistol i mean it goes "bang" every time you tell it to. it's not a bullseye gun but it shoots better than i do! and around these parts you can get them for $429 on sale | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
4cammer, I like wheel guns, and agree with the points you make above. That said, I favor semi-autos for their ability (depending on model, of course) to put more rounds down-range without the need to reload. Ruger now offers their LCR - Lightweight Compact Revolver - which appears by all accounts to be another great pistol from this well-respected company. However, it only holds five rounds. Hopefully that'd be enough in a fight to save your life, but for defensive purposes I prefer knowing I have 18 rounds at my immediate disposal. FB | ||
| 4cammer |
Jerry, agree 100%. If one takes the time to practice with their chosen defensive arm a semi-auto is a good way to go. If not, a revolver is still king. My home defensive weapon is currently a Ruger PC9 9mm carbine with 45 rnds at the ready. Too much? Not if I need 46....  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
My home defensive weapon is currently a Ruger PC9 9mm carbine with 45 rnds at the ready. Very nice. | ||
| Buellhusker |
My son is the producer for a TV show "Concealed Carry School" that is shown on Spike Network on Saturday mornings and they use Ruger pistols for this school. so take time to check out this TV program (I have to put a plug for my boy's show) | ||
| Bosh |
You can't go wrong with a Ruger SR9. I haven't read anything bad about it (that's the only Ruger I don't have I think LOL. I was going to pick up an SR9 but ended up with a Springfield XD. Nothing wrong with the XD but I personally like the Ruger's form factor a little more as the XD is a little on the chunky side. And a 9mm with premium ammo is a fine choice for home defense BTW. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I knew within 20 shots that a dual stack 9mm Ruger just didn't feel right for me, and within 20 shots that a 1911 fit my "natural swing" perfectly. Both great choices, but with a really different feel. If you aren't doing concealed carry, and aren't trying to impress friends, I have been very impressed with surplus CZ handguns. I've handled a couple of $200 (one $130) gun and they were outstanding utilitarian firearms. A $200 CZ-82 or a $150 CZ-52 (less standard ammo, but not that hard to get) is a tough deal to beat. | ||
| 4cammer |
Fellas this: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?s=2e9131 0ed69450b86560af801345ce01&showforum=198 is an excellent forum to get information on what the pros and non pros are using for shooting competitions with production pistols. If the gun is crap it is not tough to find that out here, and if the (stock format) gun is good enough for 1000's of rnds in competition it is more than likely good enough to sit on a nightstand. Or locked up in states that require that....with a 10rnd magazine of course. | ||
| Ccryder |
Jim: That's a great show! I have my DVR set up to record that and Personal Defense, can't remember which channel it's on. Two good show that have loads of helpful info. |
