Ruger SR9c

I much preffered the 17 rounder for similar reasons - I have large hands and the trip was weird for me with the 10 rounder. If it were me, I'd be tempted to keep the 17 for backup purposes, but your reasoning is very sound. If you shoot better with the 10 rounder, it's a no brainer.

I also prefer the 17 round mags to the 10 round mags -- but not for the extra rounds, but for me it makes the gun feel better in my hand.

An extension on the base of the 10-round that adds an extra 1/2" or so would work for me... and if I find one, I might use that instead of the larger mag. Heck, I'd be happy with a 12 or 14-round mag, and that might be just right.

AStone said:

JJeep and Walt, seems we're on the same page.

For me, a 12-round would be close to perfect.
The 17 is way too big, but the 10- is a tad small.

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Im assuming your 10 rounder has the pinky extension on it?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/832014/ruger-magazine-ruger-sr9c-9mm-luger-10-round-steel-blue

I don't have much use for the 17 round Mag; too big and cumbersome for my smaller size hand and it changes the handling dynamics of the gun. I like the flat base plate on the 10 round mag, preferring to have my pinky finger tucked under the mag rather than resting on the base plate extension.

I traded into a stainless SR9c today. My niece bought it in 2012, and was never comfortable with an autoloader. She really wanted a revolver. I traded her my 638, and she was very happy. We spent several hours together trying each others trade, and then went to lunch. It was a nice day.

I shot 300 rounds thru the SR9c today. 200 Blazer Brass 115 gr, and 100+ mixed SD loads, Critical Defense, Golden Sabers, Gold Dots, and Hydra-Shoks. The Ruger fed every round without hesitation. As others have already stated, the trigger is excellent, the pistol points to target naturally, and it hits right behind the front sight each and every time. I had a large ragged hole at the 10 ring, and a couple flyers, at 10 yards. I wasn't trying for target accuracy, but more just getting a feel for the trigger, and testing reliability.

I am very happy with the SR9c, and glad I was able to trade. My niece was comfortable with her new Smith & Wesson, and excited to have it.

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I would say it was a definite WIN/WIN for both you and your niece. Good trade all the way around.

Bannockburn... yes, that was the trade exactly. She wanted something small, light and simple. She was worried that under stress she wouldn't get the safety swept off. She just feels comfortable with a revolver, and I was glad I could help her out, and my 638 was just sitting in the safe.

I have never owned a striker pistol, and wanted one, just to see what I thought about them. I like hammer guns, and have owned them for 30 years. It was time to try something new.

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Didn't really have the SR9c on my radar until some guy next to me at the range asked me if I could try shooting his new SR9c. Seems he was having trouble keeping it on paper and wanted to know if it was him or the gun. Loaded up 5 rounds and I proceeded to put all 5 shots in the black at 30 feet. Made an instant believer out of me and when I went looking for a compact 9mm. it was at the top of my list. Checked out the Glock 19, SA XD Compact, and S&W M&P Compact and the SR9c was hands down the best choice for me. The gun itself just feels right in my hand and the sights line up quickly and easily on target. The trigger is great right out of the box and I like the small design touches like the different mag bases and the reversible backstrap insert. All in all it's a very well designed and built gun.

If money is in short supply, and you have time on your hands in the evenings, I strongly encourage you to start reloading. A small hand press, a set of Lee dies, a bulky powder like red dot or 700x, and some primers and you're good to go. This would fit in a small tackle box, and use up some spare time productively. As they say about reloading, you don't save any money, you just shoot more. That's definitely been true for me.

For the low end, I recommend all Lee products. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're cheap and they work. They're even cheaper used, so I recommend trying to find these at gun shows or used on Ebay.

If you typically have a table and some C clamps, I recommend getting a C press, bolting it to a scrap of wood, and clamping it to a table you may have handy: http://leeprecision.com/reloader-press.html

I paid $15, used, for mine.

If that's not an option, go with the hand press: http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html

I paid $20, new, for the non-breech block version.

I have both, and the extra leverage you get from a mounted press is worth it, but not mandatory.

Then, you'll need a set of dies. Again, Lee is typically the answer, but you can often get other quality sets off eBay for as much or less. NOTE: You NEED to get a CARBIDE sizing die. Many of the sets on eBay are older and are steel, not carbide. DO NOT make the mistake of getting one. The difference is that you need to lube the cases, and then remove the lube, if using steel resizing dies. Carbide dies do not require lube, and are MUCH faster. Here's what I'm talking about: http://leeprecision.com/3-die-set-9mm-luger-carb.html

You should be able to find a set for $20-25, that includes a shell holder.

Lee die sets come with a powder scoop. Use the instructions to figure out how much this scoop will hold of the powder you're using, and cross reference that amount to confirm it's withing safe published load data.

You'll need to prime your cases. One that works good is the Lee Ram Prime: http://leeprecision.com/ram-prime.html

These are hard to find for less than the $15 list price, but you should be able to find it with free shipping.

Get a pound of Red Dot or 700x powder, and you can load 9mm with it, as well as light loads in your .30-30. Unique powder also works well for both cartridges. This should be $28 or so. A pound is 7000 grains (the unit of measure), and the Hodgdon load data for 700x powder is 3.9 to 4.2 grains (again, the unit of measure) per load. Assuming a load of 4.0 grains, you'll get 1750 rounds per pound, or $0.016 per round, or $0.80 per box.

Load data for .30-30 is not published by the factory, but is available from reputable sources (C.E. Harris).

Primers are a bit tougher. Deals can be had online, but locally, not so much. You'll probably be able to find primers for $30/k, or a bit more. At $0.03 each, you're at $1.50 for a box of 50.

I recommend plated bullets to start. You can order from xtreme bullets, and they have free shipping for first time customers. 115 grain 9mm bullets are $39.29 for 500, or $3.93 for a box of 50.

You will use brass picked up at the range. I recommend cleaning with 2 liter bottle of store brand diet soda. Pour some out to drink, drop you cases in, and shake it around. The carbonic acid cleans the brass, and washes the range gunk off. Rinse off the soda pop, and you're ready to load.

So a box of ammo is $6.23 per box. You can size/deprime, flare, and prime while watching TV, talking, or otherwise distracted. You'll need your full attention to place the powder in the case and seat bullets.

With this setup, you should be able to load 100-150 bullets per hour. Assuming an equipment start-up cost of $50, and a loaded ammo price at Wal-Mart of $10.60 ($9.99 plus tax), you're saving $4.37 for each box loaded. You'll break even on your equipment in 11.44 boxes.

If you find reloading is not for you, you can sell all the equipment for what you paid for it.

The economics of reloading 9mm is tough, and though I have the equipment (and several Dillon progressive presses to load on), I haven't yet done it. I do load every other caliber I shoot, except .22lr. The price to load .38 special is identical to 9mm, except a box of store bought ammo is $15, so the savings quickly add up, and are compelling. .44 magnum, at $30+ per box, and you're making money!

I intend to start reloading 9mm soon because I shoot in a local shooting league, and I want to load ammo that's more accurate than cheap store bought ammo.

It's up to you to decide if it's worth it. As an itinerant biologist, I know you aren't eating steak and lobster every night, and a simple setup may work for you.

The reloading sub-forum will have a lot of answers to any questions you may have.

Im in the same boat as you just got my ruger last month im looking at the lee load master 1000 its about 70 bucks more than the setup you mentioned