SR9C and Glock 19

[Speed_Six]

Please help me out. I am not interested in getting rid of the Glock, but I am interested in getting something new in 9mm that I can shoot better than the Glock and that feels right in my hands. I have a Glock 19, but I really don't shoot it as well as I would like. I think it mostly has to do with my finger size and the trigger. And, when I do shoot a lot of rounds, the trigger digs uncomfortably into my finger. Nevertheless, I like the Glock enough to keep it.

So, currently, I am considering an alternate to the Glock for purchase. I would also like to find a smaller carry gun, and have been looking at the LC9 as well. However, to hit two targets with one round, I have pretty much settled on a Ruger SR9C for both carry and home defense/range practice. And, keeping in the back of my head that I can always get the smaller LC9 later.

Although I have never fired a Ruger SR9C at the range, I have handled it in a local gun shop and I have worked the trigger, and to me the trigger feels really good and the ergonomics feel really good, too. And, I have to say that after weighing the pros and cons, I would not mind the thumb safety on the Ruger and would train using it. For me that would be the significant difference between it and the Glock. Also, I am wondering if the trigger really is that much different/better than the Glock 19. I know that the gun is smaller than the Glock 19, but it doesn't appear to be that smaller with the finger pinky thing on the magazine at the bottom.

I would intend to use that finger plate, and I would consider shortening that pinky guide a little so that it pretty much fit flush with my particular hand and supporting the pinky (if need be).

Some of my questions are... will it be that much of a difference from the Glock 19 as far as concealment? Are there still a lot of bugs being worked out in this gun (the 9mm version SR9C)? Are holsters and sights (preferably TruGlo TFO Tritium Fiber Optic Sights) readily available for it? Is the slide on the black version durable, or would the stainless hands-down be the best bet (I like the all black look, better)? And, is there anything else that I should know to help me make my decision. If it works as good as it feels, I will eventually probably get the SR40C to use for carry and relegate the 9C to cheaper range practice and get rid of the Glock 23. However, I still intend to keep the 19. Lastly, have their been "upgrades" to the 2011/2012 made SR9C that I should be aware of when purchasing?

If it really isn't that much difference to the G19, then I might consider going ahead and getting the LC9, or even the full sized SR9.

 

[Clovishound]

I can only relate my limited experience. I was in the market for a CC weapon. I have shot a variety of different handguns in the past, and owned a Mark I target for years. My buddy has a Glock 19. I have shot it several times. I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it. I really don't like the trigger pull on it. I think that is the problem with it for me. I rented a couple different 9mm guns at the range and the SR9c was the winner hands down. The trigger was the main thing that sold me on this gun.

After a couple hundred rounds through it, I am able to put 10 rounds through a coke can sized circle or smaller at 7 yds. Not great shooting, I know, but definitely a far cry from what I was able to do with the Glock. FWIW I shot nearly as well with the LC9 I rented. I just didn't like either the trigger, or the recoil on the LC9.

I don't shoot nearly as well with the SR9c as I do the Mark I target. I don't, however, expect to. Apples and Oranges. For a carry weapon, I like the idea of a striker trigger which gives me the same pull regardless of first round, or subsequent round. It also gives a lighter pull than most other style DA only triggers. For a range weapon I would choose a full sized, DA/SA.

Go rent one, and then make up your mind. If you do buy one, don't worry too much if the trigger doesn't feel as smooth as the rental. Mine was somewhat gritty out of the box. It is much smoother after several hundred rounds and a couple good cleanings.

 

[Speed_Six]

Thanks for the heads up. I am pretty much in the same boat. I shoot my apple... Ruger Mark II target very well, but the Glock orange not so well.

I guess the answer is to go and rent. It will be the cheaper alternative in the long run. I have medium hands on the slightly smaller side and the Glock trigger just doesn't work too well for me. I shot a friend's 1911 Kimber and was putting the shots where I wanted them every time. Again, that would be comparing to a pear as well.

 

[Clovishound]

If you are OK with a DA/SA trigger for carry, then you have a lot more options. Most pistols in SA mode have short, crisp, light pulls in comparison to DA. The strikers are somewhere in between, but lean more toward the DA only side. The SR9c has one of the lowest pull weights (around 6-7 lbs) for a striker. It is a long pull, but not excessive for this type of trigger. Of course, you could just put a Ghost kit in you Glock. They aren't that expensive, and are much cheaper than buying a new gun. Of course, if you just WANT a new gun, far be it from me to dissuade you.

I am not bashing the Glock. It is a fine weapon. I just don't happen to like the trigger pull on it.

 

[jdavis]

I agree with Clovishound. The Glock 19 is a fine weapon, but so is the Ruger SR9C. The SR9C trigger is quite good but the G19 can be made much better with just a few minor modifications. The G19 trigger pull can be brought to a smooth 4 lbs or so with just a new 3.5 connector and a $.25 home trigger job. It is no surprise that you can shoot your Ruger .22 better than your 9mm. I will bet that you don't practice with the 9mm as you do the .22. Recoil of the 9mm although mild, is enough different from a .22 to make a difference. I really like and enjoy my SR9C but with a little work you can enjoy the G19 about as much.

 

[Sinkhole]

My problem is I love my SR9c, but, I recently acquired a S&W M&P45 full size with 4.5" barrel and found I could put 10 in a 2"circle at 10 yards, the 1st time out. I have not been able to attain this level accuracy with my SR9c. I'm at about 4-5" with it. It's just plain frustrating and it has me wondering if it's actually the right gun for me. I have 500 rounds through the SR9c and I treat all my guns to a thorough cleaning and lubing after every use. I'm wondering if a little polishing and a Ghost Ultimate 3.5 will help the issue. I'd hate to sell it, but if I can't shoot it well, I might have to trade it away.

 

[Clovishound]

My problem is I love my SR9c, but, I recently acquired a S&W M&P45 full size with 4.5" barrel and found I could put 10 in a 2"circle at 10 yards, the 1st time out. I have not been able to attain this level accuracy with my SR9c. I'm at about 4-5" with it. It's just plain frustrating and it has me wondering if it's actually the right gun for me. I have 500 rounds through the SR9c and I treat all my guns to a thorough cleaning and lubing after every use. I'm wondering if a little polishing and a Ghost Ultimate 3.5 will help the issue. I'd hate to sell it, but if I can't shoot it well, I might have to trade it away.

One of the trade offs with a compact weapon is they are not normally as accurate as a full sized. If nothing else the reduced sight radius can make a big difference. On the other hand, if you plan on CC with a weapon, the smaller size is big, big factor. Having said that, you must be able to shoot well enough with what you CC to be effective with it in the event you have to use it. Hopefully, that day will never come, but you must be ready for it, if you carry.

I've got a couple hundred rounds through my SR9c. When I went to the range last week, I was able to put 10 round groups in 2" - 3" circles at 7 yds. Every time I go to the range with it, my groups get smaller.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I have an SR9c. Its a great gun, I think its more enjoyable to shoot than the Glocks because it doesn't feel as top heavy. I can shoot my SR9c better than my buddy's Glock 17. The trigger on mine has improved dramatically on its own since I got it. The only thing I wish Ruger had done would be to give the SR9c a slightly longer grip, maybe the size of the Glock 19. Nonetheless, you can put the pinky rest mag base on and its almost as good.

 

[Clovishound]

I have an SR9c. Its a great gun, I think its more enjoyable to shoot than the Glocks because it doesn't feel as top heavy. I can shoot my SR9c better than my buddy's Glock 17. The trigger on mine has improved dramatically on its own since I got it. The only thing I wish Ruger had done would be to give the SR9c a slightly longer grip, maybe the size of the Glock 19. Nonetheless, you can put the pinky rest mag base on and its almost as good.

Do you have a 17 round mag with the grip extension? This makes the grip into a full sized grip. I find that I tend to shoot with the 10 round mag with pinky extension most of the time. One reason is I plan on carrying with the 10 round, and so want to practice with it. The other is I don't like the way the grip extension "squirms" a little when holding it. Not a deal killer with it, just a minor annoyance. The fact that I could easily convert between compact and full sized grip was one of the decisions that made me buy the 9c.

 

[Sinkhole]

I have an SR9c. Its a great gun, I think its more enjoyable to shoot than the Glocks because it doesn't feel as top heavy. I can shoot my SR9c better than my buddy's Glock 17. The trigger on mine has improved dramatically on its own since I got it. The only thing I wish Ruger had done would be to give the SR9c a slightly longer grip, maybe the size of the Glock 19. Nonetheless, you can put the pinky rest mag base on and its almost as good.

Do you have a 17 round mag with the grip extension? This makes the grip into a full sized grip. I find that I tend to shoot with the 10 round mag with pinky extension most of the time. One reason is I plan on carrying with the 10 round, and so want to practice with it. The other is I don't like the way the grip extension "squirms" a little when holding it. Not a deal killer with it, just a minor annoyance. The fact that I could easily convert between compact and full sized grip was one of the decisions that made me buy the 9c.

I fixed the extension on mine by putting a small piece of electrical tape in the front and back of the extension then sliding onto the mag. problem solved it no longer moves at all.

 

[Speed_Six]

I am not looking for distance range gun, the Mark II or the Beretta 92FS have that covered. This would purely be a defensive gun for about 7 yard target practice and the possibility of carry.

I am also considering waiting for the FNS-9 Compact that will be released, or possibly the Stoeger Cougar 9mm compact. Still, if I knew that the Ruger SR9C would work out of the box with no problems, I would strongly consider it. It does feel good in the hands, and I would only be able to use the shorter magazines with the pinky extensions where I live. I would not be able to take advantage of the longer full-size grips, unless I could get them with modified 15-round magazines.

I don't want to modify the trigger in a defensive gun, and would not modify the Glock trigger.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I do have the grip adapter but I prefer to shoot with the short mag and finger rest base.