SR9 Backstrap Pin As Lanyard Attachment?

[NixieTube]

I'd just like to have some comments from the group about the wisdom (or lack thereof) of using the pin that holds the adjustable backstrap on the SR9/c as a lanyard attachment point?

The pin seems stout enough to hold approx. 2 lbs of pistol on a lanyard + a few dozen pounds of force without deforming. And Ruger molded the backstrap insert with enough of a channel in the rubber that you can get a pretty good-sized clip in there, so it's kind of begging to be used that way.

However, the manual does *not* mention using the pin as a lanyard attachment point. Also, I notice that the pinhole is set pretty close to the edge of the plastic of the grip. I worry that if you attach a lanyard and pull a little too hard, you might crack the grip/frame, and then the gun is off to Sturm, Ruger with however much money they charge to put a new frame on the gun. OTOH the plastic seems to be very durable. I wonder how it will last with ozone and UV + perspiration and other schtuff working on it before it becomes brittle? Hopefully Ruger chose a compound that will last a long time before anything really degrades it.

Has anyone used theirs like this? Most of the time there wouldn't be any force on the pin -- lanyards are there to keep you from losing the pistol in adverse situations, mostly, and I can think of situations where it might be nice to have one (a-la the 1911).

Why would Ruger have made that channel in the rubber so large -- since you drive out the pin from the side anyway -- unless they intended it to be used as a lanyard point, but then not mention it in the manual? It seems to me that it's a feature they don't even talk about.

 

[jhearne]

If you break the frame it'll be costly to fix as it's the serial numbered part of the gun, meaning entire new gun.

Interesting idea nonetheless. It's not about holding the weight of the gun, but the force exerted when it falls. Those 2 lbs turns into 6 or 10 fast. That said, I still think it would hold.

May want to give Ruger a call regarding the question though to see what they say, they may not want us doing this hoping we don't break the frame. You could live with a cracked frame, but if the pin won't hold, you have no backstrap in there less you find a way to keep it in place with some adhesive or something. (Rather not do that)

Josh

 

[NixieTube]

Thanks Josh, that's close to what I was thinking. I've put a clip and lanyard on mine, held it from the lanyard, bounced it up and down a few times with a loaded magazine, and pulled on it with moderate force and nothing bad happened. I wouldn't have raised the question if I hadn't been willing to try it first myself.

I definitely don't want to crack the frame or encourage anyone to push it or torture-test their SR9/c that way, but it does seem that you could use it that way in an emergency. I liked it once I thought about it, and I was glad Ruger molded the grip insert that way. Not something you'd use all the time, but if you had to, it seems like it would work fine and maybe get you out of a jam. In a way it strikes me as an "undocumented feature".