Need advice on my first carry gun

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I've been through a lot of carry guns over the years, the shield 9 is what I have been carrying for several years. It works for me.
 
That's another thing accuracy doesn't come from the gun. I mean to some degree it does but accuracy comes from the time you put in on practicing and improving your marksmanship. If I had to pick one of those guns it would be a Shield but even then it would be something to carry while I was looking for the right gun.

I'd also seriously recommend taking a look at some first generation M&Ps there around your price range and they're good guns
 
Are you set on buying new? Lots of good used guns out there, especially glock 40 cals. My usual carry gun is a glock 23 and I've been seeing them used for around your price range. For that matter used shields can be had for a great price.
 
I have a Ruger Security 9, a S&W 9mm Shield 2.0, and a Taurus G3. I can completely understand having a harder time with the Shield. The barrel is shorter (3.3), the firearm is light, and it takes practice to get proficient, but it is the smallest of the 3. My Ruger Security 9 is great. It has a 4" barrel, it's fairly inexpensive (paid 305.00), comes with 2 15 round magazines, and is accurate. The only niggle is the hammer. If you are used to shooting striker fired pistols, know that the Security 9 is hammer fired. So the trigger will hit the wall before the break point, and it will still travel a little ways more as the hammer moves slightly back before falling (breaking). It's not something you cannot get used to, but it is something that I discovered when practicing. The Taurus G3 is also a great firearm. It has a 4" barrel, it's inexpensive (267.00), comes with two magazines (1 15 round & 1 17 round) and is striker fired. It very accurate (adjustable rear sight), and hasn't jammed once. In both cases, I can fire both the Ruger and Taurus proficiently and accurately hitting targets as 10&15 yards. Some folks will say it comes down customer service and history of Customer support. I cannot speak to that, but hear the Ruger is great with their CS, while Taurus has had a spotty history. I haven't had to use either, because I haven't experienced any problems. I do have numerous other Ruger and Taurus firearms, and will say that to date, the quality of both manufacturers has been top notch (semi-auto & revolver).

You won't go wrong with whatever you choose, so pick what speaks to your soul. The difference in price is negligible and if you choose what calls you, chances are better that you won't experience buyers remorse.
 
I would shop around or find a few more bucks to go with the Ruger SR9c. It was my first real carry gun and it is a great option, accurate, reliable and with the insert, pinky baseplate and 17 round mag, it's easy to shoot a lot at the range and really enjoy. Plus the thumb safety does add a level of confidence while holstering for a neophyte concealed carrier.

Just make sure to practice a lot drawing and disengaging the safety, use snap caps.
 
JR24 said:
I would shop around or find a few more bucks to go with the Ruger SR9c. It was my first real carry gun and it is a great option, accurate, reliable and with the insert, pinky baseplate and 17 round mag, it's easy to shoot a lot at the range and really enjoy. Plus the thumb safety does add a level of confidence while holstering for a neophyte concealed carrier.

Just make sure to practice a lot drawing and disengaging the safety, use snap caps.
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Do they still make the SR9C. I was looking at Cabela's and the version they have is called the SR9 3818 and it looks like a compact version of the security 9. I can afford a little over $300 that's not a problem but I didn't want suggestions in the $400-$600 range right now. I want to start with a decent average priced gun so I can practice and figure out what I truly want in a carry gun and upgrade down the road if needed
 
Jbird45 said:
Do they still make the SR9C. I was looking at Cabela's and the version they have is called the SR9 3818 and it looks like a compact version of the security 9. I can afford a little over $300 that's not a problem but I didn't want suggestions in the $400-$600 range right now. I want to start with a decent average priced gun so I can practice and figure out what I truly want in a carry gun and upgrade down the road if needed
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SR9C is still in production but a distributor exclusive. It's readily available. Somewhere around here someone posted an internal picture of both the Security 9 and SR9 and you can see the difference in internal construction. Cabela's occasionally has a deal (Certain Kimber 1911's for instance) but unless you have a lot of card points or gift certificates you usually can find a better price at another LGS.

I believe the Security-9 Compact listed as SR9 is a Cabela's mistake.

SR9/SR9C = 33xx according to Ruger
Security-9 / Compact = 38xx according to Ruger

Cabela's has SR9, SR40 and SR40C on their website but they want $500 for them. Unless you have a compelling reason for Cabela's I would shop around for an SR9C in the $250-350 range. They are out there. The Security-9 Compact isn't a bad pistol it is just currently getting it's throat cut by a $200 higher pistol from the same company selling near the same price.
 
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I have no reason to go to Cabela's, nor do I plan to now that I know that isn't the gun I was intentionally looking for. Plus I hate lying to the people behind the counter when they ask you if you are a member of their club and they want to check your points. Most of my local gun stores don't have websites with inventory but I will shop around first
 
Well I stopped by a LGS after work and was able to hold the SR9c and the security 9 side by side and I definitely liked the SR9c better. He had an all black one for $400 which I thought was high and I was able to call the other store out of town and they were able to order one with the stainless slide for $330. I had them bring one in for me. Is the stainless slide a wise choice? I am assuming it's easier to clean and resists things like sweat and powder residue better. Any thoughts?
 
There was recently a thread here in the autoloaders sub-forum discussing $300 & under carry pistols. Here is a link if you are interested in reading it.
https://thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/the-game-300-carry-gun.861659/

I believe the Security 9 you linked would probably be okay. If going Ruger I do believe either the SR series or the Ruger American Pistol would be more durable in the long run but I don't think any of them are junk.

If you are open to buying online you can go to gunwatcher.com or gun.deals & type the model of pistol you are looking for into the search engine there & find that model listed from lowest price to highest. Of course you also have to find a FFL close to you that does transfers & figure that cost & shipping into the equation. For instance just a few minutes ago I did a search for the SR9C at gun.deals & found a seller that has them for $256 & some change with free shipping. It just depends on what you feel is the best way for you.
 
Mike J said:
There was recently a thread here in the autoloaders sub-forum discussing $300 & under carry pistols. Here is a link if you are interested in reading it.
https://thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/the-game-300-carry-gun.861659/

I believe the Security 9 you linked would probably be okay. If going Ruger I do believe either the SR series or the Ruger American Pistol would be more durable in the long run but I don't think any of them are junk.

If you are open to buying online you can go to gunwatcher.com or gun.deals & type the model of pistol you are looking for into the search engine there & find that model listed from lowest price to highest. Of course you also have to find a FFL close to you that does transfers & figure that cost & shipping into the equation. For instance just a few minutes ago I did a search for the SR9C at gun.deals & found a seller that has them for $256 & some change with free shipping. It just depends on what you feel is the best way for you.
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I bought the SR9c from my local gun store. They are fair with pricing, have great service, and if I ever have a problem they have stood behind their products. It should be in next week.

I have no problem buying things online, but I like to buy local sometimes too
 
Jbird45 said:
I bought the SR9c from my local gun store. They are fair with pricing, have great service, and if I ever have a problem they have stood behind their products. It should be in next week.

I have no problem buying things online, but I like to buy local sometimes too
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Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new pistol.
 
Jbird45 said:
Well I stopped by a LGS after work and was able to hold the SR9c and the security 9 side by side and I definitely liked the SR9c better. He had an all black one for $400 which I thought was high and I was able to call the other store out of town and they were able to order one with the stainless slide for $330. I had them bring one in for me. Is the stainless slide a wise choice? I am assuming it's easier to clean and resists things like sweat and powder residue better. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Well done, you'll like it. Fantastic gun for the price and a great starter carry gun.

I've owned both the blue and the two tone Rugers (SR9c and SR40c) and didn't notice any difference between the two other than looks. Just remember not to pull the trigger with the mag out as it can hurt the sear and practice with the safety.

The other I had forgotten to mention was the Beretta APX, which is a ludicrously low priced gun for the quality as well, perhaps worth considering if you decide you want a full size or something different.
 
I have heard that .380 can be questionable in performance but I wonder sometimes how much of that is people trying to justify there bigger guns
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I have a hard time believing in .380 from a personal experience. It's probably a stupid experience but it was something I witnessed with my own eyes. 20-25 years ago I watched my brother being completely stupid and I am in no way sticking up for him because what he did was totally stupid. I watched him shoot himself in the leg while he was shooting at a lizard running around right under his feet. The .380 round didn't even go through his pants. Weird angle probably what ever. He was very lucky. It dropped him to the ground and he thought he was seriously hurt at first.

Like I said dumb luck on his part or what ever you want to call it. But since then I have never taken a .380 seriously as something I would want to carry personally.
 
I think you made a good choice with that Ruger purchase, and as was suggested, now you’ll gain some experience and learn what you do and don’t like about it.

So start saving again and enjoy the new gun.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
The .380 round didn't even go through his pants. Weird angle probably what ever. He was very lucky. It dropped him to the ground and he thought he was seriously hurt at first.

Like I said dumb luck on his part or what ever you want to call it. But since then I have never taken a .380 seriously as something I would want to carry personally.
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Was he wearing Carhart pants and using ball ammo?
 
Jbird45 said:
I bought the SR9c from my local gun store. They are fair with pricing, have great service, and if I ever have a problem they have stood behind their products. It should be in next week.

I have no problem buying things online, but I like to buy local sometimes too
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Great. Now make sure you have at least six magazines for it
 
Was he wearing Carhart pants and using ball ammo?
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I am pretty sure the pants were Levi's. Probably was ball ammo it's been so long ago I couldn't tell you for sure and I bet if I asked him he wouldn't even remember. Being the fact we were just out plinking I'm sure it was probably the cheapest box of ammo he could find at the time.
 
Well my permit came in the mail last night and I went to go do some more looking last night. I found a Ruger EC-9s and kind of fell in love with that gun too. A little more compact and feels good in the hands. Is this a decent little gun too? I am thinking about saving up and getting that one next
 
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