SR9 magazine differences?

[War]

I recently purchased 3 magazines from budsgunshop.com. The first thing I noticed was the finish, the new ones have a fairly dull flat black finish. The originals had a very glossy finish. There is also the weight, the new magazines are quite noticeably lighter than the others. I tried to cycle some snap caps (A-zoom) through them and had some issues that worry me a bit, however, these snap caps have been worn a bit, so I can't be certain of the functionality till I hit the range.

Has anyone noticed this? The quality of the originals is far superior IMHO, they're still a pain to load.

 

[jhearne]

My 3 mags are all the same, both in weight and gloss. Maybe an odd batch from the metal treatment to blacken/blue them. Shouldn't effect the performance as long as they all drop reliably from the mag well.

As for the weights, there's no reason there should be any difference between them that's real noticeable. Maybe strip them down individually and clean them to see if there's any gunk internally?

Josh

 

[terryg]

Sound's like it may be a knock off brand or something ...

 

[ct03si]

i bought a new sr9c my 17 round magazine is a flat black but when i bought another ruger factory 17 round mag yesterday it was a shiny black? i was curious about any differences myself.

 

[jhearne]

Sound's like it may be a knock off brand or something ...

If it's a concern, check to see what's stamped on the mags, if it's not "Made in Italy" then yeah, you've got a knockoff. Ruger branded mags are made by Mec-Gar, top quality stuff.

Josh

 

[War]

The stamped text is identical to the others, including the ruger branding on the bottom, same fonts and all.

I cleaned them up, seems that they've gone from a bluing to a coating. This coating is poorly done, lot of flashing material. Think I removed most of it.

The spring is also, how do I say this, not well formed? Put side by side to the others, there is a lot of deformity to the coil shapes I don't see with the originals.

Honestly, my new SR9 isn't that well made after looking at it. NIB, scratches on the black slide, the barrel was scratched all to hell (on the outside), the plastic frame looks a bit chewed up at the front where the bottom of the slide rests, a severe scuff under the accessory rail, and seems to be missing the safety indicator (white dot) on the right side.. just see metal with an indentation. The slide seems to fit very loosely on the frame. That's just the obvious stuff, not sure I want to look for problems. Still haven't fired it, hope it functions.

Most of what I've seen was that these are well made and reliable, Meh, I guess I'm just having a run of bad luck.

 

[jhearne]

You may have grabbed a demo gun from a store shelf? I've seen a P95 that was new but a demo at Academy. It looked like it has been through hell and back.

Whether it functions properly or not shouldn't be due to the physical looks of the gun, most SR9's are just fine functionally.

Josh

 

[Scott]

Mine came from the factory without the white dot on the right side safety. All the other things you describe sound a little fishy. Are you sure it didn't get handled rough at the dealer? Not defending ruger, just sayin it's a possibility. Have you compared it to another new model?

 

[War]

I got this at Cabelas, how it worked was, I told the gentleman I was interested in the black SR9, he handed me the demo from the display case to examine. I already knew I wanted it after researching it here and elsewhere (one of my two first firearms BTW). Handling it just reinforced that it was my choice, told the gentlemen I would purchase one. He placed that gun back in the display case, went to the back to retrieve one from stock, along with my paperwork. He let me examine the gun, it was covered with oil, and appeared to me to be new... I'm guessing noob mistake on my end? It just didn't seem proper to strip the gun on a glass case in the middle of a huge crowd. In hindsight, the big red sticker that stated "ALL FIREARM SALES FINAL!" should have made me rethink accepting it without a good examination. They did say that if I have trouble within 30 days, they will send it to Ruger without charging me.

How would I know if it had been a demo unit?

And the (not) missing white dot seems odd, it looks like something was designed to be there.

Thanks for all the info, wish I had asked more questions before hand

 

[jhearne]

You may have gotten one with a little rougher handling during shipping or in the back rooms. Who knows what or how it happened. Ruger won't fix the slide or frame likely. But you can ask Cabela's what they could do for you. Firearms however are more strict on returns than say a pair of hunting boots. Sorry your particular Ruger has a few external flaws.

Josh

 

[War]

Thanks Josh, and would also like to say thank you for all the info you have put out here regarding the SR9, your right ups and videos should be part of the manual.

 

[Gun Fan 70]

I realize I'm a little late chimeing in on this one, but I've got a couple of comments and questions.

1. A big +1 in thanking Josh for his videos. Made my Ghost install go real smooth. Greatly appreciated!!!

2. Does anyone else have any experience with these flat black mags? Mine are the gloss black Mec - Gars and are very high quality. Wondering if I should grab up as many as I can if Ruger has gone to another supplier or if Mec-Gar is shopping out the work to someone else.

3.War, sorry to hear about your experience. Guns are tools and tools get wear marks but if you're like me you like to put the marks on them yourself. A new pistol should not have scratches or scuff marks in my opinion. If Cabelas has not been able to help, may I suggest contacting Ruger Customer Service. They may not be able to do anything about cosmetic wear and the only reason I mention it is this:

A. Ruger has some of the friendliest, most professional people working for them it has been my pleasure to deal with. In my experience, if there is anything they can do to help, they will.

B. I've had my blackened SR9 for over a year. Not trying to rub it in but despite many,many times in and out of the holsters (both leather and kydex), under the mattress, in the nightstand, under the front seat, etc., my slide does'nt have any marks on it at all. There is tremendous wear on the face of the take down pin but the slide is clean. Maybe yours was scratched in transport, but maybe there was a problem with the coating during the manufacturing process.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Will

 

[jhearne]

Welcome to RF.com Gun Fan 70,

1) You are welcome sir!

2) I wouldn't worry about it, Mec-Gar is one of the best, if not the best, magazine manufacturer out there and I highly doubt they are outsourcing work.

Josh

 

[Sal1950]

I purchased my SR9C a little over a month ago. The 10 rounder I got with it is shiny blue, the 17 has the matte finish. Just purchased another 17 direct from Ruger and it is also the matte.
Other than finish I don't see any differences between the gloss and matte, they have exactly the same followers in them and look like the bodies were made on the same machines.
Don't know why they changed the finish but seems of no consequence.
Sal

 

[Tam 212]

I'm none the wise as both 17-rnd magazines that came with mine is matte also.

The v1.1 range rental I tried about 2 months ago had a gloss finish.

:?

 

[Gun Fan 70]

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I won't sweat it. I am kind of curious to see what they look like. There is a gun show here in a couple of weeks, maybe I'll get a chance then.

 

[Tam 212]

Just got my spare magazine from shopruger.com yesterday.

It too has a matte finish. All my magazines, are stamped "Made in Italy" (the 2 that came with the gun and this spare I ordered).

I have noticed these magazines have springs that are quite stiff when new. I expect sore thumb the next range trip or two. They need some amount of use before they settle in.

 

[Sal1950]

I have noticed these magazines have springs that are quite stiff when new. I expect sore thumb the next range trip or two. They need some amount of use before they settle in.

Get a Maglula UpLULA loader. they're even on sale this month at MidwayUSA for $24.95. SO much nicer/easier than the loader they give you with the gun, couldn't live without mine.
Sal

 

[Tam 212]

Yah. I picked one up from shopruger.com.

When you register your Ruger at ruger.com, you get a 20% off coupon code for purchases at shopruge.com.

Also picked up a set of Novak tritium night sights.

 

[john16443]

Get a Maglula UpLULA loader. they're even on sale this month at MidwayUSA for $24.95. SO much nicer/easier than the loader they give you with the gun, couldn't live without mine.
Sal

Couldn't agree more. The UpLULA is the way to go and useable on multiple calibers.

 

[Sal1950]

Yah. I picked one up from shopruger.com.

When you register your Ruger at ruger.com, you get a 20% off coupon code for purchases at shopruge.com.

Also picked up a set of Novak tritium night sights.

Yep, I used that deal for an extra 17 round mag and filler, Mitch Rosen holster and a spare striker to experiment with.
Sal

 

[Tam 212]

Sorry for the threadjack...

As an aside to, I ordered the Novak Tritiums before I found a set of Meprolights for the SR9. The cost ended up about the same after the discount but from what I can see, the Meprolights are a lot brighter.

They also have the XS big dot night sights. If carry is ever approved in IL, I may get an SR9c and slap a set of those on there.

 

[NixieTube]

I've got two OEM Massachusetts 10-rounders with a 1.1 SR9 (S/N 330-6XXXX) and they're both *glossy* external finish (except for the plastic retarded part at the bottom), both Made in Italy and both stamped prominently with the Ruger marque and "SR9 9x19mm" on the face of the magazine toward the barrel of the gun.

One thing I have noticed (and that I like) about my magazines is that I can eject them from the magazine well and then reinsert them, leaving them slightly ajar by about 1/8th inch, to the point that they stay in the well but do *not* disengage the magazine disconnect safety. If you pick the pistol up and shake it moderately, the magazine will not fall out of the gun even though it's not positively locked in.

I like that because I have actually slept with the pistol under my pillow. I like being able to engage the mag. disconnect but still have the fully-loaded magazine 1/8th of an inch from interlock, but hard to shake out, in that circumstance: reach under the pillow, grab the pistol, tilt it up, lock the magazine and shut the safety off, all with one hand. And in the meantime the gun is safe as mother's milk.

I've never had a problem with either of them, but the MA/CA 10 rounders must use a different spring than the 17 rounders. In any case mine are finished in high gloss except for the plastic "retard block" at the bottom.