SR9C Preemptive peening question?

[cyclesteel]

Hi I just purchased a new SR9C a few days ago. I really like the size and ergonomics of the gun. I have had my share of Glocks and an M&P9 and the SR9C is just a better fit for me.

My question is about the barrel peening and how much of a problem is it really? I noticed on my brand new unfired SR9C I have some slight wear in the area where the peening happens. I attached some pics. Also the barrels finish is kind of nasty but from doing some image searches it seems as though it is typical for Ruger.

In one of the other threads somebody mentions that Ruger is now machining these into the barrel to prevent the peening issue and to do a search on it. Well I have and could not find any relevant threads. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction of that thread.

My SR9C was finished 07/19/2010 according to the sticker on the shell casing bag. I will try to get 100-150 rounds through it this weekend and put up some after pics. Hopefully I will not have a problem but I have horrible luck when it comes to buying new guns.

 

[jhearne]

As far as the machining on the barrel itself, it's normal, like you found.

You might have a gun that peens. It still happens from time to time, but it's much rarer a case. We've still not seen but one SR9/c that has failed due to the peening getting so bad. I'd keep an eye on it and if it becomes an issue, mechanically or just aesthetically, call Ruger and they will take care of it.

Some wear is normal, but it's up to you to decide how much is too much.

Josh

 

[john16443]

I know from previous discussions with Ruger Customer Service that they consider the slide and barrel a matched set, meaning they won't replace either component without making sure the entire assembly works properly.

cyclesteel, I think your comment about Ruger just breaking the edge off the top of the barrel to prevent the probability of peening is correct. The rest of it looks very much like my SR9, and I agree with Josh - normal.

Let us know what you find after you've had a chance to shoot it. Do take the time to open it up and remove the factory grease, oil, etc., especially from the firing pin and firing pin channel. Josh's videos stickied at the top of this section, or the Ruger SR9 videos from their web site.

 

[GrumpyOldFart]

I've put about 500 rounds through my SR9c, and have peening in the same spot and on one of the ears. It has not affected performance or accuracy and has seemed to have stopped after a few hundred rounds. I am keeping a good eye on it so if it peens anymore than it already has I will be sending mine in to Ruger.

 

[cyclesteel]

Thanks for the info guys. Sometimes reading all the forums makes me start looking for problems that do not exist. You only hear about the one or two lemons on the web and never the thousands of happy customers. But for some odd reason over the last few years I have had 6 or 7 guns that I have had to go back to the factory. I sort of expect it at this point. I think I do a good check at the funshop but I always miss something. Hopefully the SR9C is a keeper.

 

[cyclesteel]

Well I decided to call Ruger and see what they had to say about it . I explained what the issue was and he said that it is perfectly normal. They barrel will show a small amount of peening in that area and it is nothing to worry about.

I feel better now :D

 

[Scott]

I know my full size SR9 has significant more wear than yours is showing now; it showed up after about 50 rounds, evened out at about 200, and is not getting worse now after a couple thousand(I think - I've lost count)

 

[Raminator]

Both my SR9 and SR9c have about what you show in those pictures. Seems to be the norm. I don't mind it as long as it does not affect functionality and reliability. My SR9's are fighting guns.

 

[aWoods]

One thing you may want to try is to wiggle the barrel when a snap cap or round is in the chamber. Keep an eye on how much it wiggles. I believe that this could affect accuracy.

 

[john16443]

One thing you may want to try is to wiggle the barrel when a snap cap or round is in the chamber. Keep an eye on how much it wiggles. I believe that this could affect accuracy.

If I had a chambered snap cap or empty shell in the SR9 or 9c and I had some wiggle in the barrel, I'd consider that a problem and get it taken care of with RUger. It shouldn't wiggle when in a ready to fire mode in my opinion.

Granted, the entire barrel/slide assembly may move slightly up and down when I poke a pinky in the barrel (unloaded and safe!), but it moves together. The barrel and slide don't move independently.

John

 

[Guppy]

I have had the same thing develop on mine. I have taken fine grit #400 or finer sand paper and carefully removed the knife sharp edge at the top front of the barrel hood. Just break the edge, remove the sharp edge only. Do NOT remove enough metal to degrade the lock up of the barrel hood to slide. Remove the sharp edge inside the slide where the edge of the barrel hood would catch.

The sharp edge of the barrel hood catches the sharp underside of the slide when operating at speed. In extreme cases the metal that is displaced and catches more against the slide making the peening consecutively worse. Simply removing the sharp edges avoids this entirely. If you look at the inside of the slide you will see a slight relief cut Ruger has put where the front top of the barrel slides as it unlocks. Lightly polishing the sharp edges completely stops the peening by leaving a smooth surface for the oposing parts to operate without catching.

Fo what it is worth Glocks peen in a different place, the slide slams into the top of the slide block every time one is fired. If you look at the under side of a well used glock you will see the metal displacement on the inside of the slide. This is perfectly normal and if you dont believe google glock peening. I mention this so you won't lose faith in the SR, it is good from the factory but with a little polishing it becomes one hell of a gun.