Trust your life to an inexpensive handgun?

[Univibe]

For 20 years I've carried a compact 1911.   I always scorned plastic framed, striker fired guns as an abomination on the altar of John M. Browning.  If it was my life, it had to be cocked and locked.

Then I was offered a Ruger SR9, barely fired, at a great price (gun + 3 mags = $300).   I figured I couldn't lose;  if I didn't like it, I could sell it for that much, or trade at a gun show.

I squirted some CLP on it, and took it to the range.    I shot cast lead handloads, Cor-Bon +p 115 grain, Cor-Bon +p 90 grain, Winchester NATO, IMI, RP 115 grain JHP, American Eagle 115 and 147, Federal 9BP, 9BPLE +p+, etc etc, whatever was laying around in a partially-fired box, I shot it.   I didn't know how to make it not work.   

I think it is, for me, an improved Glock.  I never like the Glock's lack of a safety, or the grip angle when point-shooting.    Behold, the SR9 points just like a 1911, and has a thumb safety.


1.  Thumb safety.
2.  17+1
3.  Points like a 1911
4.  Feeds anything.
5.  Fires and ejects anything.
6.  Ultra-easy field strip and clean up.
7.  Mags are affordable (2 pak $36)
8.  Thin as a 1911
9.  Low bore axis
10.  Stupidly reliable


So now the 1911 is retired to the safe, a concealment holster is purchased, and I have a new every day carry gun. 

[sqlbullet]

Good post!  Now I am checking out Sr9's.  Just what my bank account needs

[Kenk]

Gosh, for reliability like this, coming in under $400.00, it's totally worth a look

[Pablo]

That is a great price!

But I trust my Glock and my other plastic guns as well. I certainly would never carry ANYTHING that wasn't reliable.

[Kenk]

Absolutely, trust my Glocks completely

[Rojo27]

Big ol 1911 hard for me to justify in the summer (when not working, typically rocking shorts & flip flops or slip on shoes....  the plastic Glocks, HKs, S&Ws sure make easier proposition and Lower radar profile...

In the colder months with jacked & layers, much more likely to incorporate the 1911's or G-20 back into the mix.  If planning to be in sticks (which never needs much of an excuse) it's G-20. 

[Kenk]

Absolutely, Minnesota winters allow me to carry most anything, not so much when it's 90 and humid

[Univibe]

Absolutely, Minnesota winters allow me to carry most anything, not so much when it's 90 and humid

How about in TX when it's 108 and humid?   Better have a plastic and stainless gun.

[Rojo27]

Course "inexpensive" is absolutely relative!
While I have absolutely no reservations with carrying plastic HK, S&W, Walther, Sig, Glock or a Ruger (SR9), wouldn't say the same about Kel-tec, Bursa or a Hi-Point.
I personally wouldn't pick any bottom of the barrel dwellers; much more import variables beside saving a buck. 

I admire a handsome, well crafted piece with soul, style & flair as much as the next aficionado.  While
they may not be super sexy, the list of Tupperware pistols at the top have well earned reputations for reliability when things get hairy. 

[Kenk]

Absolutely, plastic soulless weapons like the Glock certainly have their place, not to mention, I trust my Glocks completely

[The_Shadow]

The Ruger LCP 380 although cheap and small it does serve a purpose as primary or secondary backup piece.

[Kenk]

So you like the Ruger LCP for the most part?, anything about it you don't care for?

[The_Shadow]

I like the pistol, but it is a tiny gun in my hands!  Understand that this is a very up close quarters pistol.  It hides in the watch pocket of some of my jeans! 

[Kenk]

It sounds similarly sized to my old SW Bodyguard

[Kenk]

My Bodyguard was a fun little gun, but would not trust my life with it. It would feed perfectly for 50 or 100 rd's, and then fail, and then work, and fail again, not a great attributefor a carry weapon