Security 380 replaces my Security 9 Compact

[dweis]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I'll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I'll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness. More to follow in a few days.

 

[9x19]

Congrats, I have one, bought for the same reason, though I am not quite there yet, I know it's coming. Mine works just as well as yours.

 

[18 r0bert]

D i t t o

 

[laterider7]

Glad to hear these are functioning well, can't say same for the SW 380EZ I picked up several years ago. Plan was to have it for the misses, but ran across too many cycling issues. Another at range had purchased same EZ and both had similar issues, I did get to learn what stovepipes look like...

 

[the_leper_colony]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday...

I've been thinking about those - do you like the manual safety?

 

[dweis]

I've been thinking about those - do you like the manual safety?

I have no issues with a well designed manual safety. I carried a M1911 for 8 of my 10pm years in the Corps. We had to have the safety engaged and an empty chamber. We cheated on the empty chamber in battle, but we engaged the safety at the half cock setting. With a bit of practice you can sweep the safety off in a split second. Same is true of the Security series pistols. Comes off with the swipe of the thumb, if you choose to engage it. The beauty of the safety is that it takes engaging the safety accidentally is almost impossible be it cannot just be swiped up. You have to apply force to the very rear edge of the safety to engage it. Otherwise it won’t move so if you do engage the safety it cannot screw you up.

The Security 9 models were the same. I mostly engaged the safety when hacking in woodlands and tough terrain. I will continue that practice. However, I used to carry my Security 9 Compact in an outer coat pocket in winter. I did engage the safety than because I used no holster.

 

[the_leper_colony]

I have no issues with a well designed manual safety. I carried a M1911 for 8 of my 10pm years in the Corps. We had to have the safety engaged and an empty chamber. We cheated on the empty chamber in battle, but we engaged the safety at the half cock setting. With a bit of practice you can sweep the safety off in a split second. Same is true of the Security series pistols. Comes off with the swipe of the thumb, if you choose to engage it. The beauty of the safety is that it takes engaging the safety accidentally is almost impossible be it cannot just be swiped up. You have to apply force to the very rear edge of the safety to engage it. Otherwise it won’t move so if you do engage the safety it cannot screw you up.

The Security 9 models were the same. I mostly engaged the safety when hacking in woodlands and tough terrain. I will continue that practice. However, I used to carry my Security 9 Compact in an outer coat pocket in winter. I did engage the safety than because I used no holster.

Thanks, sir, very much appreciated!

 

[larry8]

Just got mine and only 100 rounds of ammo. Can't wait to get to the range to try it out.

 

[jbenedetto2]

Going to try my new Security 380 today. Hope it goes well.

 

[Mike J]

Glad to hear these are functioning well, can't say same for the SW 380EZ I picked up several years ago. Plan was to have it for the misses, but ran across too many cycling issues. Another at range had purchased same EZ and both had similar issues, I did get to learn what stovepipes look like...

We had the same issue with the 380 EZ I bought my wife. I sent it back to S&W. Came back with the same issue. I called them & asked for new magazine springs. I cut one of the old springs in half & nested the halves in the new springs it worked. I posted about this on the S&W forum & someone there suggested using I think it was LCP II magazine springs. I had to bend the end of the spring a bit to get it to work. The magazines aren't EZ to load anymore but the pistol works.

 

[jbenedetto2]

My range day did not got so well. MAJOR fail to loads. Had to eject 3-5 rounds per magazine loads. First were 200 rounds of Freedon Munition 100 gr RNFP New. Second were 50 rounds of Norma MHP 85 gr Extreme Terminal Performance. Same as before 3-5 failure to load. Third were 40 rounds of Federal 85 gr PUNCH JHP's. Zero trouble. Fourth were 40 rounds of Sig Sauer 90 gr V-Crown JHP. Zero trouble. A few of the fail to loads I was able to hit the slide and get it into battery. Most had to be ejected and reloaded. I'm hoping its just a break-in thing. Going to try it again Saturday. Wish me luck.

 

[larry8]

I've found that the 380 JHP ammo to be expensive. Anybody know what brand is cheaper, around .50 cents a round?

 

[jbenedetto2]

I've found that the 380 JHP ammo to be expensive. Anybody know what brand is cheaper, around .50 cents a round?

Not .50 cents but not that expensive. I wouldn't trust my life on a .50 cent bullet.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...paign=ba&utm_content=product+browse+message+1

 

[Cholo]

I'm hoping its just a break-in thing.

Good luck! I doubt it's a break in thing. A good semi auto should shoot over 90% of the different factory ammo just fine. I always start out with a cleaned and properly lubed gun.

Just my 2¢ thoughts on the subject. I'd try either Speer Gold Dots or Hornady Critical Defense. If it chokes on either one I'd say you have a gun problem.

Perhaps a trip back to the Motherland is in order before you waste any more expensive ammo.

 

[larry8]

In case anyone is wondering, I just bought 300 rounds. 100 jacketed hollow point, and 200 just full jacket. All for $120 at a gun shop here in SC. So thats about .40 cents per round. All name brand. I guess if you look hard enough and long enough, you can find it for the right price.

 

[kaylight033]

Same here,Just got mine and only 100 rounds of ammo.Thanks for sharing

 

[jbenedetto2]

Took my FTF Security 380 to Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday to see what they could do. I have their warranty. They polished the feed ramp, cleaned and lubed it. Going to the range later and will find out if it's fixed. If not, they will ship it to Ruger. Hope polishing the feed ramp fixes the FTF problem.

 

[jbenedetto2]

Still had the same problems as before. Sportsman's Warehouse is shipping it back to the mother ship. Now we wait and twiddle our thumbs for a while.

 

[bandaidmd]

Glad to hear these are functioning well, can't say same for the SW 380EZ I picked up several years ago. Plan was to have it for the misses, but ran across too many cycling issues. Another at range had purchased same EZ and both had similar issues, I did get to learn what stovepipes look like...

Hmmn, First range trip with my wifes ez 9 was the same as yours with the 380

 

[jbenedetto2]

Picked up Security 380 from Sportsman’s Warehouse on Friday 3/24/2023. I thought it would take longer. Been under the weather all week and haven't gone to the range to see if it's fixed. I'll update when I hit the range. Another surprising thing was, I sent a Taurus TX22 for fail to lock back on last round. Thought I wouldn't see that one til maybe June or July. It was also there when I picked up the Ruger. Could this be the new Taurus turn around time?

 

[gc70]

Glad to hear these are functioning well, can't say same for the SW 380EZ I picked up several years ago. Plan was to have it for the misses, but ran across too many cycling issues. Another at range had purchased same EZ and both had similar issues, I did get to learn what stovepipes look like...

Wolff now sells +10% magazine springs for the 380EZ; they substantially enhance magazine performance.

 

[9x19]

I bought a second Security 380, and took it to the range with three factory loads. No issues and good accuracy for me. Hope they got the problems sorted for those folks above.

 

[jbenedetto2]

Looks like my Security 380 is running fine. Ruger replaced the slide assembly. After a few hundred rounds of various brands and grains, it works great. One fail to fire, (good primer hit, bad ammo). So far, so good. A few hundred more rounds and it may go into daily carry service. Just need a few more 15 round mags.

 

[kudude]

I recently purchased my Security 380 for the reasons others have mentioned and find it to be nice in the hand, easy to rack, and relatively fun to shoot. My negative issues are a really gritty trigger and that when reloading the slide will not unlock and chamber a round forcing me to use the slide release. This method is not recommended in tactical manual of arms for auto loaders. Has anyone else encountered this problem, and, if so, got a solution???

Really like the pistol overall, but I can't change my tactical reload drill. Kudude

PS: I've been around a while, but don't show up often. Retired Army Reserve, Retire State employee, hunted Africa too much, and work on church security team. Reload for all my pistols (Scty 380 loves most of 'em) and rifles (everything from 6.5cm to 375HH.)

 

[Hvymax]

I've found that the 380 JHP ammo to be expensive. Anybody know what brand is cheaper, around .50 cents a round?

Easy, Cheap, Reliable pick 2. Decent defensive ammo isn't usually cheap. It looks a lot like my Max 9. The optic on the Max 9 can assist with cocking as well. A decent rear sight can be used as well. Choose something that won't damage/be damaged and let gravity help you.

 

[NFB]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I'll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I'll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness. More to follow in a few days.View attachment 17319

I am considering the Security 380. I love the Underwood Extreme Defender that I shoot in my Sig 365 (now having trouble racking it). Great defense round. Did you get to shoot it in your Security 380 and if so did it cycle well. It doesn't in my Sig P238 380.

 

[jbenedetto2]

Looks like my Security 380 is running fine. Ruger replaced the slide assembly. After a few hundred rounds of various brands and grains, it works great. One fail to fire, (good primer hit, bad ammo). So far, so good. A few hundred more rounds and it may go into daily carry service. Just need a few more 15 round mags.

Over 2,000 rounds since Ruger replaced the slide assembly. Zero problems. I really like this 380.

 

[laterider7]

Still considering a polymer 380 if can find one that proves reliable and overall I like Ruger stuff. Even with wolff +10 springs suggested here, my SW EZ 380 will just be a range gun with all the feeding issues. I'm watching here to see how these 380s are doing but for now have what I need already with a PPK. I added a comfy grip sleeve and +1 mags and it just works without issues. Looked at the Glock42, its just 6rnd and no safety which still seems to be a think for me. On PPK with +1 mag I can have 8 and use the de-cocker/safety. Had it at the range last week and yes the sights are small but was doing ok with it staying on 4" targets at 7yrds. I'm still learning.

With above said I hope these are performing well, I do like the 10 rnd capacity and the safety.

 

[jimbo1096]

Just read the article in the American rifleman on the security 380 and I believe it’s going to be my next purchase for concealed. It may take some getting used to the switch over from LCP max and the 1911 but I’m looking forward to carrying less weight, if I can get 15 rounds in the magazine, I’m good.

 

[paljoee]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process.

Glad you're enjoying your Security 380. Great choice. I too bought a Security 380 and love it. I'm 80 years young and had previously bought a S&W Shield EZ to accomodate my weak and arthritic hands. After taking it to the range, I found I didn't like the safety grip and found it to be a little too difficult to squeeze so I went out and got the Security 380. No regrets. Happy shooting.