The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Outlaw on February 10, 2008, 02:32:24 PM
-
I went to my local 5280 Armory yesterday to check out the Ruger SR9, and the Sig P250, looking for a good carry piece. I was there for hours. (mostly for the backlogged background Ck. 2 hour waiting time). First of all I was highly disappointed with the SR9. The ergonomics were good. The slide action felt really rough. Not smooth like the glocks, smiths, etc. The trigger didn't work for me. Hard to explain, just didn't feel right. I really wish I could have fired it. It might have changed my opinion a little. The Sig was top heavy, ergonomics were o.k. for my hands. No-one had a clue as to the cost of the modular interchanges. That was a little scary. I wouldn't want to buy 3 guns just to have one if you know what I mean. Then I got to the Springfield XD9. I must say I was quite pleasantly surprised. Great ergonomics, great trigger, very smooth action, high cap mags. All kinds of toys come with it; two mags, holster, dual mag holder/loader/lock, etc, etc.
I took it to the range today. I wanted to try it out as well as my CZ83 and the wifes Sig232 (both .380's) I also took my Glock 19 to make a comparison with the XD9. I definately will still keep the Glock. There's just something about it that works for me. As far as the XD9, It fires very smoothly. The lighting at the shooters station at the range was poorly lit (made it hard to see the sights. Trijicon sights or laser are next on the list) I held a 6" group at 25 yds taking two series of 12 shots, one to the head and one to center mass. I did that purposely because that's pretty close to as far as I would have to shoot in my house if the need would arise. The gun handles recoil very well. I tried some rapid fire 5 shot bursts and kinda went way out there with a couple of rounds (still on the target though). That'll take some getting used to. All in all, i'm quite happy with the XD. I particularly like the cocked and locked indicators on the top and the rear. Handy in the dark.
The thing that impressed me the most: The CZ83 that I had never shot before was absolutely a pleasure to shoot. Extremely smooth and accurate and fits my hand like a glove. If it was a 9 mil i'd never have to buy another handgun. The Sig232 was very light and had a little more kick to it but was deadly accurate. Would you believe a 4" group at 25 yds in the head. With my eyesight? I'm stunned. 8) Oh well, hope I didn't bore you too much. Now I have to go and vacuum the floors. Honey do's and all that rot.
Cheers,
J.C.
Well, that's the story of the four guns i'll never get rid of
-
I currently own an XD40. Your review on the SR9 and XD9 were very helpful. I was contemplating in buying the Ruger SR9 for a long time. Instead I bought my first rifle. Remington 710 30-06. I like it a lot. Back to your review. I really like how my XD40 shoots, how it feels in the hand, and how accurate it can be. I am still shopping around for a 9mm pistol. But I am seriously thinking about staying in the .40 family. I have considered buying an XD9 to carry conceal. Back to the SR9. I have had a chance to hold one but not fire it. The only thing that concearned me was how light it is. If its that light, the recoil might be more than other 9mms. But I am sold on its safety features, which is why I am still considering the SR9.
Ivan
PS. If anyone owns and/or has fired an SR9, how was it?
-
XD's are awesome. I think they are very smooth and I like the grip safety feature. Glock is my favorite, followed by M&P's, and then XD's ..all in that order. Only reason I would give the XD third is because I consistently get tighter groups with the others, especially the Glock. But all in all.. You can't go wrong with an XD.. They are well worth the money.
-
I have not even seen the SR9 yet. I do own the XD9 though, in Service length. I have had it for about 2 years, and just over 3000 rounds. I have also sent mine out to Springer Precision for the carry trigger job. After all this, I am still not the best with it. I have been assured that it is a problem with the way that I pull the trigger, and it may be. I do not group well with it, and I do tend to pull it to the left (not down and left, straight left). I can pick up my 1911 and shoot tight groups where they should be. I can do the same with my CZ-75B. I can do it with a friends CZ P01 (love that grip). FWIW, I do the same left thing with Glocks and the M&P. I have been told that I need to give up my other pistols for a year and shoot the XD only during that time.. but I can't.. :)
I have not had one hiccup or burp from the XD though... :)
-Bidah
-
Next time you shoot your XD9. Try "trigger reset" (after firing a shot, hold on to the trigger. Bring it back until you hear a click, then fire again. This has helped me put a tight group with my XD40). To the M&W MP, I have actually considered that particular pistol model as my next purchase. Have fun shooting ya'll.
IvanXD_40
-
I have been checking out the Sig P226. A couple guys at work bought XD9's (compact and sub compact) and they swear by them. I haven't had a chance to fire them yet, but it sounds like everyone here is impressed with them as well. I'll have to get one to the range and see how it compares to the Sig.
Quinn
-
Interesting Bidah, I was pulling high left with the XD also. I figure I'm pushing the trigger and pulling it at the same time. I'll have to work on that one. As I said, the station lighting sucked and I couldn't see the sights very well. I did try the point and shoot method without the sights from about 15 yards and held a pretty good group to center mass. I'm sure with a little practice I would do well with it.
-
I went to my local 5280 Armory yesterday to check out the Ruger SR9, and the Sig P250, looking for a good carry piece. I was there for hours. (mostly for the backlogged background Ck. 2 hour waiting time). First of all I was highly disappointed with the SR9. The ergonomics were good. The slide action felt really rough. Not smooth like the glocks, smiths, etc. The trigger didn't work for me. Hard to explain, just didn't feel right. I really wish I could have fired it. It might have changed my opinion a little. The Sig was top heavy, ergonomics were o.k. for my hands. No-one had a clue as to the cost of the modular interchanges. That was a little scary. I wouldn't want to buy 3 guns just to have one if you know what I mean. Then I got to the Springfield XD9. I must say I was quite pleasantly surprised. Great ergonomics, great trigger, very smooth action, high cap mags. All kinds of toys come with it; two mags, holster, dual mag holder/loader/lock, etc, etc.
I took it to the range today. I wanted to try it out as well as my CZ83 and the wifes Sig232 (both .380's) I also took my Glock 19 to make a comparison with the XD9. I definately will still keep the Glock. There's just something about it that works for me. As far as the XD9, It fires very smoothly. The lighting at the shooters station at the range was poorly lit (made it hard to see the sights. Trijicon sights or laser are next on the list) I held a 6" group at 25 yds taking two series of 12 shots, one to the head and one to center mass. I did that purposely because that's pretty close to as far as I would have to shoot in my house if the need would arise. The gun handles recoil very well. I tried some rapid fire 5 shot bursts and kinda went way out there with a couple of rounds (still on the target though). That'll take some getting used to. All in all, i'm quite happy with the XD. I particularly like the cocked and locked indicators on the top and the rear. Handy in the dark.
The thing that impressed me the most: The CZ83 that I had never shot before was absolutely a pleasure to shoot. Extremely smooth and accurate and fits my hand like a glove. If it was a 9 mil i'd never have to buy another handgun. The Sig232 was very light and had a little more kick to it but was deadly accurate. Would you believe a 4" group at 25 yds in the head. With my eyesight? I'm stunned. 8) Oh well, hope I didn't bore you too much. Now I have to go and vacuum the floors. Honey do's and all that rot.
Cheers,
J.C.
Well, that's the story of the four guns i'll never get rid of
Geeze Outlaw! Nice size house if you might have to take a 25 yard shot INDOORS!
-
Hey Hazcat! That's standing at my fireplace upstairs looking down at the stairwell bannister in the lower living room. I measured it just for kicks: 22.5 yds. I was close anyways. there is one area 4 yds farther away but what the hey. It's a 3000 sq. ft. house. It's openly laid out upstairs. I can stand at the fireplace or sit on the sofa and see the top half of the front door downstairs. The dogs would probably eat anyone coming in unannounced. They hear extremely well. I think they hear people just thinking about coming to my house. They'll start barking and three or four minutes later someone rings the doorbell. Never ceases to amaze me. But, that's why I give them treats. See Ya.
Cheers,
J.C.
-
Hey Hazcat! That's standing at my fireplace upstairs looking down at the stairwell bannister in the lower living room. I measured it just for kicks: 22.5 yds. I was close anyways. there is one area 4 yds farther away but what the hey. It's a 3000 sq. ft. house. It's openly laid out upstairs. I can stand at the fireplace or sit on the sofa and see the top half of the front door downstairs. The dogs would probably eat anyone coming in unannounced. They hear extremely well. I think they hear people just thinking about coming to my house. They'll start barking and three or four minutes later someone rings the doorbell. Never ceases to amaze me. But, that's why I give them treats. See Ya.
Cheers,
J.C.
Sounds comfy. I like open architecture. And I'll be sure to call before I ever show up so the puppies can be briefed in advance. ;D
-
They don't brief very well either! It's their house, just ask one of them ???
-
They don't brief very well either! It's their house, just ask one of them ???
LOL! I know what ya mean. Little SOBs take over our home and heart.
-
Yea...dogs are a great early warning system...my female yellow Lab is not a barker, until someone starts up the walkway to our house. Then she barks...and if we are not in sight...she will come upstairs, to the basement, or anywhere we are located, look at us, bark, and throw her head as if to say " yo, com'on " and then walk towards the source of her worry, looking over her shoulder to make sure we are following...
Very smart...otherwise, very docile. People visiting often ask if she ever moves...as she lays very still...taking in the conversations, until, another guest starts up the path...then they see her spring into action.
My wife likes to walk her when she comes home from work...on a leash of course. When a strange dog without any owner in sight started to approach my wife, the Lab went ballistic...even to the point where my wife said she bared her fangs, and the hair raised on the back of her neck, as she struggled to get to the threat with my wife trying to hold her back.
-
Goooooooood Boy ;D
-
Gotta tell ya - I love my SR9. All the talk about a rough trigger and slide was true right out of the box but after putting a couple of hundred rounds down range it has smoothed out very nicely. I really like the ergonomics of the gun - lots of bullets in a very narrow package. I'm a fan of the 1911 platform and I've found this piece simulates it very well. At ten and twenty five yards the groups are as tight as I can get with any of my other handguns. It's still a little large for my tastes to be my primary concealed carry gun but it is the primary HD weapon. Now if I could just find night sights for it...
Oh yeah - removing that stupid magazine safety (five minute job) seemed to improve its performance. Placebo effect?
-
Refreshing news Ichiban! Glad you like it. I must admit the size is what contributed mostly to me deciding not to buy it as a CCW gun. The XD9 was smaller
-
If you gotta have a magazine disconnect (and for a lot of LEO contracts, you do). I like the Ruger system...pops right out! I don't think it actually changed the trigger on either of my SR9s, although I would like to believe it did...
I'm heading to GUNSITE next week to go through the 250/350 pistol class with the SR9s...I'll know a LOT more about them by the end of next week!
Michael B
-
Mr. Michael Bane
Any word on wether RUGER will make the SR9 available in .40 cal or better yet the "SR" series in .40 cal? That would be sweet
-
Can't wait for the feedback Michael. Still got room in the safe for one more ;D
-
Impulse buy Friday....SR9. I liked the feel...it fells like a 1911 single stack...but with a 17 round mag. The beavertail seems to be pretty close to the barrel axis so I'm thinking the flip won't be too bad. Then again, it is only a 9mm so there won't be much recoil.
The guy I bought it from at Lash's said it need 100+ rounds to smooth out. Dry firing, the trigger has a lot of pull, but it seems to be very consistent on the break...I've been training on taking up the slack for a clean break....hope it's not raining tomorrow.
I think this is the best centerfire pistol Ruger has put out....it seems to be a higher class than the other centerfires they've produced. The price is right for a knock-around carry.
-
If you gotta have a magazine disconnect (and for a lot of LEO contracts, you do). I like the Ruger system...pops right out! I don't think it actually changed the trigger on either of my SR9s, although I would like to believe it did...
I'm heading to GUNSITE next week to go through the 250/350 pistol class with the SR9s...I'll know a LOT more about them by the end of next week!
Michael B
I caught the audio podcast this week....so how was the SR9 to the end? Got better with use? Just wondering if it displaced the model you said you kept in your nightstand....
-
Well Rastus have you fired it yet?? What do you think?
-Bidah
-
Well Rastus have you fired it yet?? What do you think?
-Bidah
Just in the flower bed to clean and carress it a few times. Got a bad case of stomach flu on Wednesday...still down today Saturday.
The dang magazine follower seems to hang up though. After I empty the mag I'm going to try some teflon spray to see if that helps. Feels good whilst hunting tulip bulbs though.
-
Well Rastus have you fired it yet?? What do you think?
-Bidah
Bidah,
I put 350-400 rounds flawlessly, without a failure, through it yesterday evening (sure like that 9MM when it comes to price). This is the first striker type gun I've owned...I much prefer the trigger on SA/DA's but I see a real place for this in concealed carry without having to mess with the manual safety. I also put 150-200 rounds through a .40 CZ 75B and a similar amount through a Browning BDA in .380.
I shot better groups with the CZ & BDA...but they don't have triggers that cock the striker so you would expect that. The CZ jammed 4 or 5 times...DANG...but I think it was the bullet shape on the Winchester white box ammo (any other CZ owners have similar experience with the "triangular" looking bullets?).
I need to put a few more through the SR9 from a rest giving it time to cool. It may have a zero change as the barrel heats....I'm not certain it could have been me...but it sure looked like it. I seemed to shoot better groups when the barrel was hot. Next time I'll verify wandering zero....this time was to put rounds through it to loosen it up. Still not as smooth as I'd like so...I'll try another 100 or so soon.
I picked up an FNP9 for the same price as the SR9....not a striker though...all the controls on it were silkly smooth...not like the SR9 after 350-400 shots. I'm going to pick up an FNP in a few weeks...it doesn't have the nice single-stack feel the SR9 has...but it is really light....if I could have one and the striker wasn't an issue to have for concealed carry, without shooting it I'm liking the FNP. I've several Rugers (10+) and some FN products....the FN's I have are all smoother and slicker than any of the Ruger's I've purchased. Hence the reason several Vaquero's are headed to Bob Munden soon.
Ken
-
+1 for Michael's impressions of the SR9 at Gunsite
-
Well Rastus have you fired it yet?? What do you think?
-Bidah
Amother 250-300 rounds today. It's slicked up somewhat. My 18 year old says it's gotten a lot smoother and he likes the trigger. I don't like the trigger. Which says.....it's personal preference. I do like the striker fired, cocking with the trigger for carry so...I'll likely carry the SR9 instead of say....one of my 1911's.
The slide stop is a bit hard to get off because the lever is so small...or it could be because I've worn my fool thumb off shooting the last few days....but it's a good kind of worn off. Didn't get to check the cold/hot zero drift today...not enough patience. Maybe next time.
No failures. No failures. No failures.
-
No failures. No failures. No failures.
Thats the part that counts! :) And you can bet your bottom dollar some one somewhere is designing a replacement safety lever already ;D
-
...you can bet your bottom dollar some one somewhere is designing a replacement safety lever already ;D
Let's hope so. I've only handled an SR9, never fired one yet, but came away feeling the lever was awfully small.
-
Going Friday to a gun store about 60 miles from me to look at what they got and then I'll decide on which 2 or 3 to mind battle over for the next 4 or 5 weeks but I really want an SR9. Decisions decisions.
-
Anyone seen the XD with thumb safety? Any impressions or comments or are they even out yet?
-
I've had my SR9 for about 3 weeks now and I have about 300 rounds through it. It has smoothed out considerably and I really like it. I've gotten more accurate with it and the trigger feels better than when it was brand new.
Downside- I don't know if it's because the slide isn't as TALL as some other pistols or what...but it's a little difficult to work the slide, both racking it and working the slide stop. The spring is stiff and to me it's just a little difficult getting a hold of the slide without scraping your fingers on the safety or slide stop.
Downside 2- I definitely have to grip this pistol much tighter. Limp wristing will get you a stovepipe right away. My wife shoots mosly revolvers and gets a stovepipe on every other round with the thing because she won't take a death-grip. That stinks- because of that it's not a reliable home gun for her, but it would be for me.
Overall it's an enjoyable 9mm and with it's size would be a decent carry.
-
I've got three guns on my list right now to look at:
XD9 4in.
S&W M&P 4in
Beretta 92fs.
The Beretta is very different than the other two and even though I love it's asthetics and feel I already have a DA/SA service auto (P89). I like the M&P better than the XD9, but it's lack of a second safety has me spooked a little because my wife will also shoot it. I'm really on the fence. I'm going to look at the Beretta and the XD tonight and see which has the better trigger and feel.
I can get a great deal on the Beretta, but I don't want a safe queen. I want a carry piece as well. So with a tear in my eye I will probably pass on the 92.
On an aside, For Jaybethell: Where to you shoot in Cape May county?
-
Jkwas, there is an ad in the latest NRA mag "American Rifleman" showing the new XD with the addition of a thumb safety but it doesn't say if they are available yet. If safeties are your concern you might ask about the new model (It might be on the .45 only - I'm not sure).