I'm pleased with the SR40(Updated first post)

[DemskeetSkeet]

Edit:

Just wanted to say thanks for all of those who helped me in my decision!
One of the posters comments weren't warranted but hey, it's an online forum and I expect that from time to time.

I shot the SR40 this morning and just loved how well she performed. I've shot several .40's and this is by far the lowest/smoothest recoil .40 I have ever shot.

Besides a couple of cosmetic flaws(take down pin cutout and serial number plate) she's perfect and I couldn't be happier with this impulse buy(The only one available to my dealer and her distributor at the time).

I will most likely be getting the Mitch Rossen Holster from shopruger.com for concealed and open carry this winter. I'll then switch back to the LCP during Spring and Summer.

Thank you everyone!!!


Original post:

I just got in my new SR40 straight off the press and have to say I am very displeased......

I am a huge Ruger fan and have purchased several brand new newly released Ruger firearms and this is by far the worst and really the only bad Ruger firearm I have ever purchased. I have not shot it yet(Just picked it up from my FFL yesterday and took it out of the case to clean it today) but the quality control is just awful(I'll get into details a little later).

I currently own the following:
Ruger 10/22 Target model with Bull Barrel/Laminate stock
Ruger Mark III Hunter
Ruger LCP
Ruger Charger
Ruger SR-556c
Ruger SR40

Ruger's I don't own or have shot a lot of:
Ruger SP-101
Ruger LCR w/Crimson Trace
Ruger SR9
Ruger SR9c

Every single one of my Ruger firearms I have purchased above have all been purchased within a month of it being "officially released," except for the Charger.

I own a lot of Ruger clothing all of which I have purchased from Shopruger.com.

I feel as though I am a Huge Ruger fan or even a "fanboy" of Ruger firearms.

My last 4-6 firearm purchases have been through the same dealer online and same FFL and have never had any issues/damages because of them. They open the case for paper work and don't even hardly handle the guns.

Okay, enough of my background.

Here are the problems:
Trigger is absolutely terrible compared to the SR9 and SR9c but everyone says the trigger is the same as the SR9c and it is clearly not. It isn't smooth at all and tends to "break/chop" as you pull the trigger. It's not smooth at all.

I have been shaving access polymer off of the bottom of the magazines and underneath the slide for at least 30 minutes now. Either the machines didn't cut all the way through or someone at the factory was asleep and didn't remove the access themselves(Quite annoying).

Hard to see the polymer here but their was a lot more than what's in the pictures:

Here's just a small piece but their was a lot of this "access" polymer throughout the gun and magazines:

The slide has mill marks and scratches on the front and back on both sides(pictures to follow below).

The serial number steel plate shows a lot of mill marks and is definitely a sight for sore eyes.......

The small "round" cutout for the take down pin to slide in isn't round. It's round to the initial cut but it looks like the bit nicked the top of the cutout on it's way out of the cut!

I thought the gun was absolutely beautiful just looking at it through the plastic protection it was in but to my dismay I have to say it's far from being nice.......

I am at a loss for words really. I hope the pictures can show what I am seeing.

Do you think Ruger can fix this? Fix the trigger, fix the serial number, fix all of the scratches/Mill marks???

I have never had an issue with Ruger firearms until now so I have no clue what to do except for calling their customer service line tomorrow after work.

My friends SR9's magazine catch broke and Ruger was able to fix it and return it to him in about a week and a half.

With winter approaching I'd like to go out and shoot it before the snow starts flying so if I were to send it back to them I probably wouldn't be able to shoot it until spring of next year.......

Sorry for the wall of text but I had to get this all out, very frustrating.....

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

Am I just too paranoid? I'm just looking for advice on what to do....

I've had all sorts of Ruger's right after release and have never had anything wrong with them.

I'm going to bed but I hope to hear from you guyssoon.

Take care
-Matt

 

[mbresortguy]

Your frustration is understandable. Have you contacted Ruger about your issues with the gun? Even though I've never had to use their service department (knock on wood..), I've heard nothing but great and positive things about their customer service, etc. However, I've also heard that with the release of the SR40, their service turn-around times have lengthened somewhat as well. While I don't think that it would take until spring for them to get your gun back to you, it would more than likely be a little longer than their typical 1-2 week turnaround.

Contact them and see what they have to say... that's one thing I will say about Ruger... they stand behind their products rather well, and seeing that you plunked down some of your hard-earned cash for one of their products, I'm sure they'll not disappoint!

I bought my SR40 right after they came on the market and was not disappointed in any way it, well, maybe just a bit with the trigger. I took it apart, cleaned and polished the transfer bar, etc., and reassembled it. While it's still not silky-smooth, it is much improved over what it was, but that was the only thing other than removing the mag disconnect that I've had to do to it.

Cheers!

 

[jhearne]

Sorry to see shoddy QC work, but the only explanation I can see logically (doesn't justify anything though) is that with the SR40's release the QC got lax on this and a few other pistols.

Best advice for poor QC is to call your dealer in the morning, not Ruger. Have them take the gun back and swap it for another SR40...that you personally inspect before taking possession of. If you can do this great, you might have to fill out more paperwork, but you atleast take home a new and hopefully ideal SR40. You get to shot it when you want. If you end up not being able to do this, call Ruger and tell them what's up. Be honest, but not abrasive either, give them the chance and they'll try to make it right. Just be aware Ruger is under a heavy workload as recent repair trips are looking at 2-4 weeks depending on the product and work necessary.

My SR9 has the same marks on the slide sides, I can't remember if they were there when I got it, but they are now....doesn't bother me now, but I understand. The plastic is just left over from the mold process that never got trimmed....most likely overlooked.

As for the trigger, if it functions, Ruger won't do anything to it. Technically it's within their specs. I suggest clicking the how-to in my signature (after you sort out the aesthetic issues) and do some polishing. This will take out any stacking or grittyness of the trigger. The How-to is made for the original SR9, but internally the SR9/c/40 are, for all intents and purposes, the same gun.

Good luck with the swap if you go that route, and with the polishing if you choose to.

Josh

 

[revhigh]

Trigger is absolutely terrible

I have been shaving access polymer off of the bottom of the magazines and underneath the slide for at least 30 minutes now.

The slide has mill marks and scratches on the front and back on both sides(pictures to follow below).

First ... ALL Ruger semi auto triggers are TERRIBLE. I'd do what jhearne says in his post

Second .... a little polymer from the molds isn't all THAT terrible, is it ? Shave it off. I guarantee YOU'LL do a better job than Ruger will 'fixing' it.

Third .... I'd say they're handling marks rather than mill marks. Pretty much just touching the slide will result in those type of marks. Just handling the slide to assemble the gun, or from having a few slides touch each other will cause that. Get yourself some metal polish and an old T-shirt ... probably take you 10 minutes.

You paid about $400 for the gun. That's about $150 to $200 cheaper than the competing Glocks, S&W's, and Springfields, and almost ANYTHING else. The only gun cheaper than the SR series guns with a real name are KelTecs. You get what you pay for in a Ruger ... a rugged, reliable weapon .... not a showpiece.

Sorry but I just don't see that your gun is any different than most other Rugers I've seen in stores. If you want to lose your gun for a few months because of a few cosmetic issues ... that's your choice ... just don't be surprised when it comes back not appreciably different than it is now, or maybe worse. If it really bothers you that much, I'd shave and buff it yourself ... forget about the takedown pin cutout (or Dremel it in 10 seconds) ... it's a non-issue, and go shoot it this weekend. You'll get worse scratches than those just by laying it down on the shooting bench.

Remember, you bought a Chevy at a Chevy price ... not a Mercedes.

Today's Rugers aint the Rugers of yesteryears .... ESPECIALLY the semi-autos.

REV

 

[wixedmords]

That one would be going back if it were me. Too bad you didn't look at it at the FFL, you could have sent it back then.

Where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking DemskeetSkeet? Who shipped it to your FFL?

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys!

I thought I was going to bed but I can't sleep(not because of the gun : p )

NBA season is starting so it's hard to sleep with Basketball on ; )

I don't know what to do, all of my Ruger's right off the press have not been bad at all.

Not even sure if this trigger is savable, the worst trigger I have ever felt on a Ruger.

I'm still thinking about it, I'll still call Ruger to see what they say. I have an Uncle that has a metal shop so maybe I'll see what he thinks about the scratches.

By the time I get it back to my dealer(Mississippi, I'm in Michigan) the gun will be worth $500 to me now, plus the transfer fee(I'm sure my FFL will wave the fee if I go this route).

I haven't turned in the purchase permit paper work back to the Sheriff's office yet so do I just throw those away and start over if I exchange it?

Their was a lot of access Polymer all over the magazines and lower, and I mean a lot. Normally it wouldn't take this long to remove it all.

The serial number is for sure milling, it's absolutely horrendous!!

My Dealer only opened the gun to make sure everything was their, she never handled the firearm.

My FFL never touched the firearm until I arrived and only myself handled it(That's why I like who I deal with because I am frugal when it comes to my firearms.

They are an investment for me, they'll be passed on generation to generation when the time arises.

Thanks everyone!

 

[revhigh]

Shave it, buff it, Shoot it !!

Good luck whatever you decide !!

REV

 

[jhearne]

Well in that case, Rev is right, shave, buff, polish and shoot. There are more aftermarket trigger options coming. I reviewed some SR trigger components this weekend that I really liked.

Josh

 

[wixedmords]

I'd be calling that "dealer". But, you seem to want to cut the dealer a break.

Sleep sounds more important right now. You can take care of it tomorrow.

 

[gatorhugger]

I don't know, but those look like handling marks to me.
Like being set down on glass in the shop.
I used to work in a gun store and after a few months of putting the guns
up for the night, our "new" guns looked 50 time worse than yours.
Maybe yours was handled a bunch and put back in a box without your knowledge

One question though for you.... well actually a couple questions.

1. Your example of the horrendous serial number MILL MARKS picture, looks NOTHING like the first picture of the serial number. What's up with that?
The picture you use as an example has the last digits blacked out( too late BTW when you can see it in other photos), and the example of the horrendous quality has all kinds of black marks and smudge marks, I guess you are saying are mill marks, this horrible example is an obvious photoshop. That serial number looks normal in the previous photo besides having some purple reflection on the top half of it which is also being reflected on the slide as well.
Which has me concerned. Why the photoshop? I don't see any mill marks on the first photo.
Why does the second photo used to prove your disgust look so vastly different than your other photo of the serial number?
You didn't just black out some numbers for security, this entire picture has been made to look terrible.
yeah it's a sight for sore eyes. In photoshop.
The first picture looks quite normal to me.

2. You bring up you are almost a Ruger "fanboy" and list your guns and even clothing, I guess to show how unbiased you are.
Well you are on post number 3 here right?
Didn't feel like posting about all those other rugers that were nice?

3 You state the trigger is horrible. Ever think of trying it out before your bought it?

Seems like you have a well handled gun, marked up fairly badly, haven't even fired it yet, and have some buyers remorse and maybe are exaggerating Ruger QC just a bit?

 

[Verndog]

If that were mine, I'd take it back to the point of purchase and tell them it's not been used and you as a loyal Ruger customer have come to expect more. Don't focus on the marks as much as trigger or any real mechanical hang ups, and they'll be more apt to work with you, and they should exchange it. My SR9c is immaculate, no scatches anywhere on the slide or obvious cutter gouges, trigger is great. I found a few burrs that I took care of and cleaned it, and just finished 150 more rounds (675 rounds @100%). I inspected the gun thoroughly before taking delivery also, and the local gun shop had no problem letting me do that.

If you dont feel good about the purchase, make them make it right!
Good luck
Kevin

 

[45K20E4]

Sorry to hear about the quality problems. Maybe they screwed up and sent you one of the pre-production test guns. :shock:

I have the SR9c and after 300 rounds and absolutely happy with it (and I am VERY picky about my firearms). I would have to say that in the realm of DAO/striker fire pistols, the SR9c (mine at least) is on par with any Glock or Steyr series, and is far better than the Walther P99 that I fired.

 

[Gizmo42]

The How-to is made for the original SR9, but internally the SR9/c/40 are, for all intensive purposes, the same gun.

*intents and purposes

Sorry, but for some reason that one bugs me when someone gets it wrong.

8)

My 9c has a little bit of the same stuff but not bad. I never really looked at it all that closely and didnt really care. If you want to see really bad machining marks, polish off the coating on the chamber where it shows through the ejection port. The coating on my 9c and kp944 were both wearing off and looked horrible so I polished it off. Took a lot of work to get the machine marks out.

 

[jhearne]

you got me Giz.

Fixed 8)

 

[revhigh]

Kinda like access (excess) polymer ....

REV

 

[revhigh]

I'd be calling that "dealer". But, you seem to want to cut the dealer a break..

He bought the gun online, as he said in the OP. I'm sure that the return, re-ship, and re-FFL would (as he said) quickly make a $400 gun a $500 gun ... personally, I'd sure spend that $100 on ammo or reloading components and fix the minor cosmetic stuff myself.

REV

 

[FergusonTO35]

I wonder if the lack of QC applies to other new production Ruger products or just the recently introduced ones?

 

[revhigh]

1. Your example of the horrendous serial number MILL MARKS picture, looks NOTHING like the first picture of the serial number. What's up with that?

3 You state the trigger is horrible. Ever think of trying it out before your bought it?

Seems like you have a well handled gun, marked up fairly badly

Hey gator !

Regarding the serial number, if you look closely, you can see the 'imperfections' in the first pic as well ... it seems to be a function of lighting and angle as to how bad it looks. Obviously they're not 'milling marks' that would make no sense as there's no milling going on there. It looks like the serial number plate may be scratched up a little of scuffed.

As to the second point ... ALL Ruger semiauto triggers are horrible ... they may get better with use or buffing, but they're STILL bad. You either need to get used to it or replace it with an aftermarket trigger group.

I don't think the gun is any more 'handled' than any other new Ruger gun. Those marks will polish out with ease as far as I can see from the pics. During assembly ... it's likely that a few parts will rub together

REV

 

[Mike J]

I can understand your being aggravated about the polymer not being cleaned up. The handling marks probably would not be that big a deal to me as any gun I carry tends to wind up with some "character" marks. I do understand that we as customers should be the ones to add the character marks though. As for the trigger you could polish it or use aftermarket parts. Personally I would probably just shoot & dry fire a lot as this should both smooth it out & give me more proficiency. My experience is that often triggers improve with use.

If you are really upset about the QC issues you could contact Ruger & send it in as others have said. I don't know if you will wind up better off for it or not but like you pointed out returning it to the dealer would be a losing proposition for you.

 

[Al James]

Late to the party here. I handled my first SR40 at a local GS and when dry firing the pistol I was not overly impressed either. I felt that my SR9 1.1 had a better trigger. I was under the impression that the SR40 featured the same revisions that Ruger employed on the SR9c. From the photos you can see the new D shaped mag release, and new style take down pin. One would assume that they would also use the most current [best] trigger setup. I may have been wrong.

When I dealt with Ruger regarding my SR9 I dealt with a man named Joe Cramer. He was very helpful and took care of the recall and the QC issues that the pistol had. I would recommend dealing with the manufacturer of the pistol rather than your dealer/online seller.

The polished flats of the SR series pistols are not the best for hiding small scratches/handling marks IMO. That said I think your gun was ill handled after leaving Ruger by the Seller or your FFL transfer dealer or both. Also regarding the trigger--you are dry firing the weapon with the mag in place correct? If not that could be part of the terrible trigger.

 

[147 Grain]

My new SR9C is flawless other than rainbow colored distortion on the serial number plate.

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

That one would be going back if it were me. Too bad you didn't look at it at the FFL, you could have sent it back then.

Where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking DemskeetSkeet? Who shipped it to your FFL?

I have a dealer in Mississippi and she has taken really good care of me so it's not her fault. She does feel bad that she didn't notice the scratches/imperfections. I have talked to her since then and she does feel terrible.

I just don't want to have to spend any more money than I have to, so I feel that I'll have to go through Ruger.

I couldn't call them today because I have lost my voice unfortunately. Working in extremely windy conditions forced me to almost yell at co-workers this whole week........

I will call them tomorrow and see what they say. I'm sure I can sure up the trigger myself, just hope that it gets a lot better with polishing.

What would you guys suggest for polishing up the slide???

 

[wixedmords]

I understand you not being able to send it back DemskeetSkeet. But, you are now the owner of the issue imo.

Sounds like your spirit is getting better. Hang in there.

Wouldn't want to see you become that guy that always talks negative about Ruger firearms at every given chance.

Got one of those already.

I'd take a little 0000 steel wool to that with a little oil. You might want to tape off the top of the side so you don't end up polishing above the side. You may find you need to move on to a little polishing compound and a good cotton cloth.

Best of luck.

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

I don't know, but those look like handling marks to me.
Like being set down on glass in the shop.
I used to work in a gun store and after a few months of putting the guns
up for the night, our "new" guns looked 50 time worse than yours.
Maybe yours was handled a bunch and put back in a box without your knowledge

One question though for you.... well actually a couple questions.

1. Your example of the horrendous serial number MILL MARKS picture, looks NOTHING like the first picture of the serial number. What's up with that?
The picture you use as an example has the last digits blacked out( too late BTW when you can see it in other photos), and the example of the horrendous quality has all kinds of black marks and smudge marks, I guess you are saying are mill marks, this horrible example is an obvious photoshop. That serial number looks normal in the previous photo besides having some purple reflection on the top half of it which is also being reflected on the slide as well.
Which has me concerned. Why the photoshop? I don't see any mill marks on the first photo.
Why does the second photo used to prove your disgust look so vastly different than your other photo of the serial number?
You didn't just black out some numbers for security, this entire picture has been made to look terrible.
yeah it's a sight for sore eyes. In photoshop.
The first picture looks quite normal to me.

2. You bring up you are almost a Ruger "fanboy" and list your guns and even clothing, I guess to show how unbiased you are.
Well you are on post number 3 here right?
Didn't feel like posting about all those other rugers that were nice?

3 You state the trigger is horrible. Ever think of trying it out before your bought it?

Seems like you have a well handled gun, marked up fairly badly, haven't even fired it yet, and have some buyers remorse and maybe are exaggerating Ruger QC just a bit?

My first gun was a Ruger, my last gun will be a Ruger.

I was trying to make sure this post wouldn't receive these marks but I guess it has.

I have never photoshop'd anything in my entire life. I didn't realize my serial number was showing up in another pic or I would have blackened it out.

Want me to take a video of it for you and post it on youtube because I will.

I have always come to this forum for knowledge and pictures and have now just decided to join because of one bad firearm from Ruger for just some suggestions and that's it.

I removed the other picture because of the serial number but you could still see the different lighting in the mill marks that are showing up.

If you want me to shoot videos and pictures of all my wonderful Ruger firearms I will, if that justifies anything for you.

I am not lying when I decided to post this for help, it's truly the worst QC firearm I have purchased and that goes for all of my firearms(Glock, S&W, CZ, Ruger, etc.).

I just don't appreciate someone coming into my thread saying I "photshopped" something.

Edit: Forgot to mention that it clearly states in the first post that I purchased this gun online and had it shipped to a local gentlemen with a FFL.

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

I understand you not being able to send it back DemskeetSkeet. But, you are now the owner of the issue imo.

Sounds like your spirit is getting better. Hang in there.

Wouldn't want to see you become that guy that always talks negative about Ruger firearms at every given chance.

Got one of those already.

I'd take a little 0000 steel wool to that with a little oil. You might want to tape off the top of the side so you don't end up polishing above the side. You may find you need to move on to a little polishing compound and a good cotton cloth.

Best of luck.

Oh believe me I will always love Ruger. I have clothing, hats, accessories, etc.

What kind of oil would you use on it? Hoppe's work?

I am going to call Ruger and see what they say about the serial number steel and the take down pin cut out. Maybe they'll let me send it in to them in a week or so because I really want to get out and shoot this before the snow hits. After that I can clean it up and send it back to them.

I have never sold any of my firearms and never will so the sr40 will be with me forever so I'd like to get these issues resolved.

To the person that asked about the trigger pull and magazine:
I do know that the Ruger's SR semi pistol line-up features the Magazine safety so I did have the magazine in it(I've shot the SR9/c a lot).
Thanks for pointing that out though!!

Especially thanks to Rev as I think you really read through and studied my posts and clarified many points that I made to others.

I have dealt with my Dealer and my local FFL for many years now and have never received a gun with handling marks like this(I'm not ruling out that they did produce these marks, it's still a possibility, a low one at that with many years).

It was the last one at the distributor at the time.......

I'll take care of most of these issues but I dont think I can fix the serial number steel nor the bad take down pin cutout.

Thanks everyone!

 

[revhigh]

Glad to have you aboard DemskeetSkeet.

Stick around and participate !

Try some Mother's or Maguiars mag wheel polish with the 0000 steel wool. It works great on my motorcycle and every other metal item I've used it on.

REV

 

[DemskeetSkeet]

I wonder if the lack of QC applies to other new production Ruger products or just the recently introduced ones?

I have purchased several Ruger's within weeks of them officially being released without a problem so just one has slipped through the cracks on my end.

I think I listed the Ruger Firearms in the OP that were purchased within weeks of their announced release.

Thanks for your question!

Take care
-Matt

 

[Verndog]

What would you guys suggest for polishing up the slide???

I do alot of machining and metal polishing as a trade and here is what I suggest. First you'll notice there is a directional linear "grain" direction to the finish running the length of the slide. Make sure all work keeps working that same direction. Start with some fine scotch brite pad and some metal polish like Mothers billet polish. If you dont have that even a decent liquid car wax will do the job. Cut off a very small piece of pad and put a couple drops of polish on it and run the direction of the slide. Do this on all scratches for a good 10-15 mins. then wipe down and look to see whats left. Try the tough spots again and see if they improve. If not go to about a 600 grit wet emery paper and work the deeper scratches in the same direction (keep damp with water). Finish back to pad an polish. This should get all of what I saw, if they dont catch your fingernail then they'll come out. Those looked more minor then that.

Good Luck
Kevin

 

[josh2415]

Remember, you bought a Chevy at a Chevy price ... not a Mercedes.

I have to agree with rev. The serial# plate finish on my SR9c is less than perfect too - bugged me a little at first. But when I only paid $400, I can't demand perfection. You don't buy a pickup and expect it to always look like it did on the showroom floor - the sooner it gets that first scratch in the paint, the sooner you can take her out and get some work done with it.