The Ruger EC9s is one of the most expensive – yet reliable – 9mm pistols currently on the market. Designed for concealed carry, this micro-compact pistol offers a lot of features which I review here.
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s the bottom line: the EC9s is a good quality defensive tool. It isn’t ideal, but for the price, it is one of the best you can get.
Let’s dive in.
Where to Buy the Ruger EC9s
The EC9s is an incredible value. You can purchase this gun online through the affiliate links below and pick it up at your local gun shop.
- Sportsman’s Guide (best price and no-interest payments)
- Palmetto State Armory
- Guns.com
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
Introduction of the EC9s
Days ahead of the 2018 SHOT Show, Ruger announced a new handgun aimed at being an affordable self-defense pistol: the EC9s.
The Ruger EC9s was a new model, but one that design cues from the company’s existing LC9s. The two guns shared many features and were the same size.
However, the EC9s was significantly more affordable with a suggested retail price that was nearly $200 cheaper. As you might expect, people flocked to the less expensive gun. Eventually, Ruger discontinued the LC9s.
In the years since its introduction, the EC9s proved to be a reliable performer. Some early adopters reported issues with the striker mechanism, but those complaints fell away and the company seems to have fixed any problems in the production line.
EC9s Features
Sized for concealed carry, the EC9s is chambered for the 9mm cartridge. The 9mm is a proven defensive round, and when you select high-performance ammunition, it will perform admirably for you. Let’s review some of the additional features that make this gun a good consideration for CCW.
The EC9s feeds from the same 7-round magazines that run in the LC9s. This can work to your benefit as mags marked for the discontinued LC9s might be found at a bargain price.
It has a 3.12″ barrel and weighs about 17 ounces unloaded. It is relatively compact with a height of 4.5″. Its thinness – only 0.9″ – should help it to conceal as easily as the LC9s did.
This is a striker-fired pistol. As with many striker-fired handguns, Ruger added a pivoting safety lever in the center of the trigger. This helps to prevent accidental discharges when the handgun is dropped.
Like many of Ruger’s pistols, this gun has a small thumb safety on the left side of the frame. While many people do not see the need for an external safety, many of Ruger’s customers appear to appreciate this option.
One of the cost-saving measures used by the company is to use sights that are integral to the slide instead of replaceable sights that are dovetailed into place. Both the front and rear sights have serrations on their faces to reduce glare when shooting in bright light.
Another cost-saving decision made by the company was the inclusion of only one magazine. I always recommend having several magazines for each firearm you own as they tend to be the most likely point of failure in a gun. At least Ruger includes a pinky extension for the magazine floorplate.
Originally, Ruger set the suggested retail price on these pistols at $299. After more than 5 years, Ruger continues to keep the price low on these guns. Currently, the suggested retail price is only $339.
Since dealers often sell Ruger products below full retail, it is conceivable that you could walk out of the local gun shop with one of these for less than $300 total with tax, transfer fees, etc.
All of the links above are to dealers with prices well under $300.
Ruger EC9s Specifications
Here are the specifications on the base model EC9s:
| Model # | 3283 |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Included Magazines | one |
| Barrel Length | 3.12″ |
| Overall Length | 6.0″ |
| Width | 0.9″ |
| Finish | black oxide |
| MSRP – at launch | $299 |
| MSRP – current | $339 |
EC9s Variants
With a gun this popular, it is understandable that Ruger would want to offer variations to appeal to as many different shooters as possible.
Ruger offers the EC9s in a rainbow of colors including those with purple, turquoise, gray, FDE and Muddy Girl colors. You can see the full line of EC9s color options through this affiliate link and this one.
Last Update: July 2, 2022
89 replies on “Ruger EC9s – Inexpensive 9mm for Concealed Carry”
How about coming out with a high-capacity version that weighs the same as a Kel-Tec P11?
They would probably sell a boatload of them.
Earlier this year I wrote to Ruger asking them the same question. I suggested that their LC9s with the hi viz sights would be the best candidate for this upgrade. I made a similar suggestion to Kel-Tec that they upgrade their trigger system and sights. All I’ve heard since then are crickets.
Even worse is if you ask Ruger any ammo questions that pertains to their guns all you get back is you need to try them out for yourself and if you ask the ammo makers they say talk to the manufacturer. It was pertaining to the lcp and the use of hst ammo being safe for the pistol and Ruger couldn’t answer the simple question. They just care about money these days it keeps seeming like.
Mitch,
You could always try firing some HST in it and if it blows up, use your previous email exchange with them n your lawsuit (just kidding). I rarely use high pressure ammo in non-magnum guns. It never does them any good and I find my reaction time between shots is slower. I believe proper bullet placement and penetration are the most critical factors. The former is very difficult to control in a gunfight where your target is moving around and shooting back at you, while the latter has more to do with bullet weight and design, rather than velocity. Almost any RN FMJ or RN lead projectile provides good penetration, but flat tip versions of either one tend to hit harder and do more damage without the need for expansion. Also, the heavier the bullet, the better. It’s old school thinking but it works without resorting to high pressure loads and controlled expansion rounds. I’m not knocking these. When they work, they tend to work great, but they don’t always work as designed.
I agree about placement but when a company who makes firearms can’t tell you if 99 grains is safe for a micro gun theirs a major issue. The lcp doesn’t do plus p ammo but their response was just silly and ridiculous. I usually go 90 grain ammo like umc blunt nose that my lcp feeds beautifully.
There are heavier bullets available for the 380. I think in factory loads they top out around 105 grains. A friend of mine once hand-loaded 124 brain bullets in 380, though I imagine they were moving about as fast as an excited tortoise.
There is NO SAMMI standard for 380 +P ACP ammo, which is why it is not recommended in the LCP. The ‘+P’ is whatever the ammo maker decides on with NO guidelines However, 38 Spl +P, 9mm Luger +P and a couple of others do have SAMMI standards.
Colonel K.,
I am not new to shooting handguns, but I do have a question, and I think you might be able to answer it. With the shorter barrel on this type of a gun, does in make more sense to use a heavier bullet, to help with hitting power, rather than a light bullet, that relies on it going fast to cause destruction?
I know that is a long question, but I hope you can follow it.
I also have as an every day carry gun, my Taurus millenium G2, which is great. Plus I own a 1911, that I will carry on occasion. But I don’t actually have enough rounds through it to decide how it is going to act. So far, not a single hiccup, in over 350 rounds..
Sorry for getting off on a tangent, but I am just starting to think that I should get rid of my 1911, even though it is fun to shoot. I cannot get ammo cheaper than it is right now, for 9mm. And I kind of dislike stocking two different ammo types, even though it is not a big deal. I am just seeing a lot of nice 9mm out there right now, and I would like to try a couple out, and considering carrying one. I am not a thin person, and so the smaller gun would be a good thing for me to carry. Plus, of course, I could keep itin my weak side pocket as a back up my main gun.
Anyway, after all this rambling, I juts want to say thank you for a very good website. I think this is my first visit, but it won’t be the last. You people are rocking the gun scene very well.
Tim, that is a question without a definitive answer. Any bullet that penetrates deeply and disrupts a vital organ, nerve, or blood vessel is a potentially lethal bullet. In theory, the bigger the frontal area is and/or the faster the projectile travels, the larger the wound path will be, so the greater the likelihood it will prove decisive (stop/kill your opponent). Mass can mean one bullet or several bullets fired in succession. For practical reasons, we should consider only the single bullet theory, and herein lies the problem. The average handgun lacks sufficient power to create a massive wound channel and thus guarantee a very high probability of one-shot stops. The concealed handgun, with its presumably shorter barrel, has even less power, so the problem becomes even more acute. Assuming you want a concealed carry gun that minimizes bulk, weight, recoil, and muzzle bast, the most efficient cartridges I’ve found to date are the 38 Special and the 9mm Para. Whatever ammo you settle on, make sure you first test it for reliability in your firearm. If possible, chronograph it and recover samples from test media to determine its penetration, retained mass, and expansion. Most folks find this level of experimentation to be impractical, so they turn to the internet. Right now I know of two YouTube channels whose experiments are worth consideration (there may be others I have not discovered). I suggest you check out Paul Harrell and Shootingthebull410 (Ammo Quest). I think you will find that some ballistic tipped hollow points work very well, as do flat tipped heavy lead projectiles. Other HP loads can work well if they do not become clogged with bits of clothing. You may also discover that you can fit heavier bullets into revolvers because they aren’t particular about their diet. For the 38, “manstopper” loads up to 200 grains can be found. For the 9mm, factory loaded bullets peak at around 147 grains, though heavier bullets up t o180 grains are theoretically possible.
With regard to handgun selection I always tell my clients and students that firearms are like clothing – buy what you like and feel comfortable with. Also keep in mind that tastes and needs change, as does technology. For decades I carried various 1911 pistols (Llama, Colt, Detoncis,
etc.), but as I aged I determined they were too heavy, complex, or finicky for high pucker factor me-to-you
engagements. I did not feel adequately protected with 380s, 9mm, and 38 snubbies, though I used them as well. But as bullet performance improved and high-capacity, simple-to-operate plasticated pistols entered the market, I took the plunge, eventually settling on the Kel-Tec P11 for its size, weight, firepower, and simplicity. It has its faults – a heavy DAO trigger and spotty reputation, but it remains unchallenged within its special niche. You use the Taurus, which is a gun my brother also prefers. I considered it as well for its handling and firepower, but my experience proved to be disappointing from the start. It was heavier and bulkier than the Kel-Tec P11 and I paid too much for it. To add insult to injury, it arrived with a defective trigger and had to be sent back for repair. When I finally got to shoot it I realized it is not a pistol intended for southpaws, having only a single sided manual safety. I had assumed, incorrectly, it could safely be carried w/o the manual safety engaged. I know many other folks love it and perhaps feel safe toting it with the safety off, but I am too old and too wary for that. I prefer a firearm that I can carry all day safely and rapidly fire without having to do anything other than pull the trigger. For this latter reason I prefer carry guns that lack a manual safety (I’ve had safeties engage and disengage when I didn’t tell them to). I also like lots of bullets. My eyes are not as sharp as in the past, and now I have the added fear of attacks by terrorists (done that) or mass murderers (not yet, hopefully not ever). No, I’m not planning to go “Die Hard” on them. I just want enough firepower to keep them at bay while I execute that famous Monty Python maneuver “RUN AWAY”. Having said all that as a premise, my advice to you is to keep your 1911 if you can afford to do so, but pick up a 9mm you find appealing. I love the Browning Hi Power MKIII, but it is as old school as the 1911 when it comes to concealed carry. But both guns make excellent field carry firearms. For concealed carry I would take a hard look at the new Sig 365. It’s the gun I had hoped the G2 would be. The trigger is great, and the only complaints I have about it are the weight and the fact that Sig introduced it before it was ready for prime time. Supposedly the latter issue has been fixed, but I’m still concerned about the weight. It’s really not all that heavy, but the difference between it and the P11 is noticeable, and that remains my frame of reference. I hope my comments are of some help.
Thank you for your response, sir. If everything was equal, I would choose the CZ 2075 Rami. My son has one, and I love it. But they are just a little over what I want to pay for my carry gun. I love the traditional double action in a semi auto pistol, and even though there are a lot of armchair quarterbacks who love to debate calibers, I think that the 9mm from a reputable company, using modern technology is probably just as effective as .45 ACP. I have also seen several other companies making a good 9mm traditional double action, with a hammer and a hammer drop plus a safety. That gives one a choice of carrying with a safety on or off, with no real danger either way.
I know also that many people love their Glocks, but I am old, and simply cannot get over the lack of a manual safety, combined with a fairly light trigger pull. And yes, I know that hundreds of thousands of people carry them, with no issues. It is just a mental block with me.
Again, thanks for your quick response, and I will take your advice and might end up selling my 1911, just to afford a better 9mm carry gun. I always hate to do so, but I am a debt free person, who will never go into debt again, and so I can’t afford a grand for a nice Kimber or Sig.
If there’s one nearby, you might try visiting a well stocked gun store. A knowledgeable sales clerk is helpful but not necessary. Simply ask to sample the feel and handling of a wide variety of 9mm pistols. Since dealing with two different trigger pulls (DA and SA) doesn’t bother you, there are a lot firearms, both new and used, to choose from. Weight and size may be your only issues. The closets thing I know of that is similar to the CZ 2075 Rami is the somewhat larger TriStar Canik 55 C-100. It’s an affordable compact CZ clone weighing 26 oz empty and retailing in the $350 -$400 range. Occasionally you can find used compact CZ75 and CZ85 pistols for sale on Gun Broker. Ruger, S&W, Taurus, and Bersa also make some affordable 9mm compacts with manual safeties or decockers for DA/SA carry. I particularly like the safety setup on the Taurus PT99, 917 Compact, 809, and new TH9 pistols. You can carry them cocked and locked like a 1911 or you can push the thumb safety down past the fire position and it will act as a decocker by safely lowering the hammer for traditional DA/SA carry. Some of these pistols are out of production but available on the aftermarket.
I have owned 3 10/22’s and they each “liked” different brands of ammo. One was a tack driver with yellow jackets and another grouped at a foot at 100 yards! I took them to the range together and there was an unbelievable difference.
A second magazine would have been nice, but I know they did it to get the asking price below $300. Mentally, that’s a big deal for shoppers.
They only include 1 mag with the LC9S, so they are just continuing to be cheap in that regard.
i can get the better lc9s for 259.00 now- why these are made cheap
who’s got it for that price??
Where? I’d like in on that deal!
I like the approach on this. It is everything I need in a defensive handgun, and I won’t feel bad when it is taken as evidence after a self-defense shooting.
Pass …got a M &p shield for 300 at cabelas last month …..much better gun in my opinion. Although I see this hurting the sells of the lcp 380 more then anything
No because their lcp is still smaller and runs 199.99 before any discounts at Cabela’s and other gun shops. Picked up my lcp 1 from Cabela’s and have been happier with it then my old sd9ve from Smith and Wesson.
The lcp2 is $299 at Cabela’s. I know cause last week I got one when it was marked down to$250 . I wouldn’t touch that older model lcp with a ten foot poll .😉😉
My lcp 1 has yet to fail after 300+ rounds through it. And to spend an additional 100 for a wider grip is a joke.
I spent the extra 80 bucks on mine because I preferred the smoother, single action trigger. I will eventually get one of the originals just to have in the collection though. Like the original lc9 they have just been proven to work.
I paid $280 out the door for my lcp2 the week it came out. Its still the same price at most of the gun shops around here. If cabelas is charging that much then they’re ripping folks off. The MSRP on them is only like $279, and nobody charges msrp.
I paid $250 on sell so you actually paid to much . That’s why you wait
Depends on when the LCP was made; serial #’s with NO hyphen, circa 2013, were an updated design with a much better trigger pull. Then there was the ‘Red Trigger’ LCP Custom that was even further tweaked that happens to be my favorite. I find triggers on SW Shield, Beretta Pico, Remington RM380 & a few others to be even worse than the 1st gen LCP’s, which were not great.
$229.99
Yep Rugers have too many recalls. Yes I know all makers have them but Ruger has too many safety recalls on practically all guns they sell. also lots of issues with roll pins rolling out, jamming issues galore, Shield is defeinitely better
NOT
I have 7 different Rugers and have had no recalls or problems with any of them..
As far as the trigger my lc9 is smoother and much crisper then my m&p shield…
I’ve currently own 16 Ruger’ s. Rarely a problem with any, from a 70’s vintage Service Six to a P90 to an AR556 and an American Ranch 300 BLK. My new EC9S works the great and got it for $229. Ruger s customer service is second to none. I managed to somehow crack the barrel of my Bisley Blackhawk 44 Mag at the forcing cone. I bought it used a nd put several thousand rounds through it. I ended up with a brand new Bisley stainless Hunter model for no charge! I don’t think anybody else would do that!
Yes, Ruger doesn’t ask questions….they just deliver. I’ve had wonderful customer service from them. I’ve had bad service from H&K and Walther. Walther acts as if they are doing you a favor by talking to you at all.
Hey Jane I can only assume you work for a competitor. I have had Rugers all my life and I have no idea what you are talking about. Jamming issues galore? What model?
Your nuts ? where did you get this from ? never had any problems with my EC9s 🙂
Hey Jane are you making this up as you go. I have 6 Rugers and have yet to have a problem. My son has more problems with his Sigs.
I have 8 Rugers and have never had a problem. They are as good a gun as anything out there.
I recently bought my first Ruger this January. I have admired them for many years, especially their revolvers. A few years ago I fell in love with the GP100 Match Champion. This January I got promoted at work and felt like it was time to get one. I thought for a while whether I wanted the 10mm auto version or the .357/38 version. I ended up setting on the .357 because I didn’t want to have to worry about moon clips. Once my pistol arrived I got it out to the range a couple weeks later. And after a few shots started having some issues. The action would get stiff every so often and I could barely shoot in double action. I got it back home and found out that the cylinder seemed out of alignment and the forcing cone was rubbing on two of the chambers/bores. I cleaned it up and it operated fine, but as soon as I took it to the range a second time, after a few shots worth of carbon/residue built up on the front of the cylinder it would start rubbing and be difficult again. I contacted Ruger, and explained the problem. They sent me a return slip to mail it back to them. Within 10 days (less than 2 weeks!) they had recieved it, fixed it, mailed it back, and I had it back in my hands. They thoroughly went through it to replace the trigger, hammer, pawl, and crane arm. Then they range tested it, smooth out the trigger and action, cleaned it up to look as good as new. It said all this on the packing slip when I got it back. After taking it back out to shoot many times I have never had an issue with it, no matter what i feed it. Cylinder appears to be perfectly aligned now, and the work they did on the trigger is phenominal. Its buttery smooth in either double or single action. To me that is awesome customer service. They completely fixed the problem, tuned up the trigger and hammer, and got it back to me in under 2 weeks, and it didn’t cost me a penny. I was expecting them to have it for a month or more, and maybe have to pay to ship it to them. The number of companies that go above and beyond in customer service these days keeps getting smaller.
I do have a Walther P99AS in .40 SW which I love to carry when I can where a jacket, but its too large to carry in the summer without wearing a really baggy shirt. I have never had a single issue with my P99 so I can’t attest to their customer service. I’m hoping that if that day ever comes that they will treat me half as good as Ruger did.
My EDC is the original LC9 model and my only complaint about it is the long trigger pull. If that issue has been fixed, I’ll definitely be picking up one of these, especially at a sale price somewhere between $200 and $300 dollars.
the lc9s fixed the trigger problem by making the guns striker fired instead of DOA as yours is. The EC9s is also striker fired (thus the s at the end of the moniker)
The trigger on the EC9s looks very similar to that on the LC9s. Are they identical triggers? I also have the LC9 and the trigger is bad on that gun.
Triggers are the same on LC9S & EC9S, both being striker firer. The trigger on your original LC9 is long and hard,same with original LCP with the hyphen in the serial #, but still better than many SW, Beretta, Remington and other triggers in production today. If you want to see just how bad it can be, try a Pico or RM380; you won’t complain about your LC9 again.
RM380 can be fixed with an aftermarket kit and about 30min to install. Love my little Remington pocket carry. Accurate to about 15 yds, no failures to feed or eject, and was $120 after the rebate check arrived.
I shoot it almost as well as my M&P Shield.
It’s fixed.
I just ordered an EC9s for 250 out the door with taxes.
$217.84 + free shipping from Kentucky Gun Co.
$217.xx where ???
$209.99 + free shipping @ Whittaker Guns, can’t wait till it arrives and take it to the range.
maybe this will bring the LC9s price even lower, and then I will just buy another one of those.
good thinking –
I purchased my lc9s pro from Sportsmans outdoor superstore back in October for 309.99 out the door, came w/ two mags with finger ext. I wouldn’t buy this one for anywhere near 300.
Lucky for you it cost around $200
One thing I did not like on this gun was that there were. o dots at all within the sights. I find it slightly more difficult to align front and rear sights when I am looking at nothing but black metal or polymer – three little white dots make it easier for me. I know that this should not be a critical consideration, but the sights are integral to the slide and thus not replaceable with some dotted pieces. I suppose I could machine in some indent dimples and paint them, but I’d rather just replace the sights if I could.
Same as my LCP. I put a dab of paint at each of the three points and problem solved.
Please remember the EC is a defensive firearm ( i.e. not a target firearm) and best used at a distance up to 7-10 yards and practice make perfect
The Ruger EC9s is a very reliable and proven commodity. Rugers service is second to none without question, it always has
been. If you are looking for a nice single stack 9mm thats super easy to carry and shoot then take a look. Like all small sub compact 9mm handguns they need to be broken in, lubricated properly and arent happy being limp wristed. For years Rugers have been known as guns that are built like tanks and this one is no exception.
I love my LC-9 but had this gun been on the market at the time I would have purchased it instead. Sub compacts aren’t made for target practice and not one of them will ever win a beauty contest. They’re belly guns made for defense and concealment. I’ve had Sig-Sauers, Smith & Wessons and LLamas that weren’t nearly as dependable. The gun can be bought today from Kentucky Gun Store 401 Glenweed Drive, Bardstown Ky. for $209.00 + tax.
I bought the EC9s great shooter and good trigger my only problem is my wife claimed it. So I had to go back the next day and traded my SCCY CPX2 in on another EC9s. The sights seem to be spot on and all ammo I have tried feeds well.
I’d rather fork over the extra cash and stay with the Walther PPQ M2.
I’m finished, I’ve been banned on RS.
Goodbye!
At this point so would I.
Just give me one, show me how to point and shoot!
I am not being true to reality of course, unfortunately.
Why not be true?
Go away!
If I were true then where would be you?
Always in the dunes. ; )
the Walther is the better gun because the trigger is better, but the new “low-end†Rugers are pretty good. Excellent for the price. For the price of a Walther you can get an Ec9s AND a Security 9 (I know this, because that’s what I recently did – went to buy a Walther to add to my stable and ended up adding 2 Rugers instead)
My favorite pistol is a revolver. I have the Ruger Security Six .357 Mag. I have yet to see anything it couldn’t stop.
Amen to that brother. Although the Ruger LCRx in .357 magnum is magical in itself. My Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4″ stainless in .357 magnum is my woods/boat/cabin gun. The LCRx in .357 magnum is my everyday tote.
The only thing better is the SP and GP series revolvers. Ruger has for years had the smoothest DA trigger from the factory of all production. Great looks, superb accuracy, and simple maintenance. What more can you ask for the price?
AMEN!
I have the same and feel the same way about it!
A Walther has nearly double the moving parts
German engineering seems to think more parts more better.
I have several Ruger LC9’s and LC9S’s I love them. Light weight, fits my hand great and is a great Concealed Carry. I find them to be very accurate. Firing the LC9S, I love the trigger pull it is exceptional. When I found the Ruger EC9S advertised for only $202.00, I said I had to have one. The EC9S is great to; the sights are fixed so what, especially for that price. Great gun for the money. My experience with Ruger is and has been great. I am no expert or a very good marksman, however at range I can keep a 5 inch pattern at 10 & 20 yards. Ruger keep producing great products, with your exceptional quality and pricing you will have this customer for like.
Is the lc9s worth the extra money?
BassPro advertised them for $249.99. Went in the first morning of the sell and they were sold out. They must have only had a few. Nationally advertised and no claim checks or call backs. They lost my business. Bought one from Buds Gunshop online for $235, free shipping, no sales tax. Goodbye BassPro.
Just ordered one from Cheaperthandirt for $229.00. It’s a Ruger so I’m sure I will be happy with it.
I just picked one up from Sportsman’s Guide for $199.49 plus $9.99 shipping
This little gun is the perfect CC gun for several reasons.
1. You can easily conceal this gun even with a minimum of clothing on.
2. It’s a quality piece that is quite accurate.
3. If you ever use this gun in a self defense situation your gun will more than likely be keep for evidence indefinitely and given it’s low price point you won’t be out of a ton of cash like you may be with some big dollar guns.
So it’s a very smart buy all the way around.
I had a S&W 442 snubby with wad cutters but had to sell itðŸ˜. I’m going to replace it with an EC9S🙂. Looking forward to trying it out!
It’s hard selling a nice gun like the 442. But, getting a new Ruger isn’t a bad move. Let us know how you enjoy it.
-Richard
Hi there everybody. I have a question.
I was down at my local Walmart the other day (Wasilla, AK)!and I noticed they were having a sale on the few sub compacts that they carry. I came across these very bright and colorful 9’s, the brand is SCCY (pronounced “sky”) for $205 pricetag. I went back in today to pick one up, sadly the only colors left were Teal w/ black, and.Orange w/ silver, but then the guy at the gun counter pointed out this Ruger EC9-S to me for a slightly higher price of $225 or so. I did a little research on the SCCY the last couple days, and I haven’t found a whole lot of trash talked about them. Yes, they are cheap, but I checked it out, and it’s definitely no Hi-Point, it actually seems like decent quality for the price.
Has anyone had any experience with the SCCYs at all?
Now, I’m a Colt 1911 man, been my favorite and daily carrier for a while. I’m a big guy, but with my cross shoulder holster, I barely notice it as long as I have a button up or some kind of overshirt on. But I have been.wanting to pick up a cheap subcompact just to have as a backup. NOW, when he pointed out the Ruger, I was naturally going to go with the name brand, but what stopped me was the 7 round clip. That cheapo SCCY pistol actually has a double stacked 10 round clip if you can believe it. The other deterrent was, I don’t know if it was an older model, or Alaska just got gypped, like always, but the rugers clip didn’t have a pinky rest on the clip, which I hate. So I am kinda leaning towards this safety-orange SCCY. Any thoughts or advice? Thank ya much!
-Big James
The accuracy of this pistol is very impressive. My only problem is that I have to consistently forward rack the slide to chamber a round with most every magazine I fire. I love shooting it, aside from this glitch. BTW, not limp-wristing, getting my thumb in the way of its slide or only using one type of ammo or magazine. I’d CCW it, if it were more reliable.
I’ve purchased 5 Ruger guns since February 2019. I had to send an EC9s back for failure to fire; firing pin problem. I had to send an LCP II back because it ejected the extractor at the range. I had to send the Security 9 back because of failure to load which was caused partially by the firing pin failing to retract. The EC9s and the LCP II came back; they work pretty well with occasional failures to feed. The mags keep falling out of the LCP II, which did not happen before the repair.
Well, I have had to return the EC9s again for repair of the same problem: failure to fire because of a faulty striker assembly. Ruger replaced the slide and the striker assembly both times. Except for stovepiping a live round once per magazine (after 1st round, in the middle, or at the end of the magazine stack), it seems to run OK. The LCP II also had to go back a second time, this time with different problems: magazine dropped out with every shot; after racking the slide, it would fly forward when the magazine was ejected; spent shells would fly over or hit my head instead of flying to the right half the time; slide hold-open occurred on the last round only half the time. My Security 9 also will be going back a second time. The first time the firing pin would not retract causing failure to feed and the hammer broke. The second time is also a matter of the firing pin remaining extended causing failure to feed. Ah yes, Ruger reliability. I do like the pistols, just wish they’d work and be reliable. Quite concerned about concealed carry and self-defense. Ruger customer service has been very courteous and helpful.
After reading through the entire list of comments, I am rather perplexed. I currently have over 20 Ruger handguns and have never had to send any of them in for any reason. I do not understand where a lot of these complaints come from. It seems that some of the people have had a glitch because of the lack of proper cleaning and lubrication, and others are just passing on old wive’s tales. I am a certified NRA Training Counselor, Hunter Education Instructor, and I have taught Concealed Carry for over 20 years, and I have never had any of the problems that most of these people are talking about. Trigger pulls can be modified, but care must be taken. A gun for concealed carry is not range target firearm. You do not want a light trigger pull. Anyone ever heard of Adrenalin, or hyper-excitement in the face of danger, or just what accidental discharges are all about? Only an idiot would want a light trigger pull on a concealed carry firearm. Too many people today have no reality of what it is like to have to shoot someone because the other person is pointing a gun at your nose or at one of your loved ones. Get really excited sometime then try to shoot a target really fast because someone wants to shoot you, then maybe you will have a little credibility about what comes out of your mouth. If you pull that gun from concealment, then you had better be ready to pull the trigger and take a life, otherwise you are just talking trash and have been watching too much TV or shoot-em-up games. There is no reset or do overs in real life, you are dead for all time. When the time comes, you want a gun that will go bang each and every time you pull the trigger, and that trigger, under stress, will have no resistance at all, you will not even know you are pulling the trigger. Worrying about trigger pull is a shooting range issue only.
I purchased a EC9s for my wife and her complaint was the main spring was difficult to pull back. Do they make a lighter spring?
Hi Mike,
You can get lighter springs from companies like Wolff. However, the weight of the spring from the factory is designed for the best possible reliability. Going with a lighter spring may introduce significant reliability issues with the firearm.
A better choice might be for the two of you to head into the gun store where you purchased or transferred the pistol and let her find another gun that fits her hands. She’ll have an opportunity to try the trigger and slide. For example, the new Smith & Wesson M&P 9EZ is designed with an easy to manipulate slide that she may really like.
Good luck!
-Richard
I was just looking for extra mags for my ec9s and came across an ad for Bass Pro for the Lc9s at $149. on clearance just sayin”
Wow – sounds like a great deal! I hope you jumped on one – they don’t seem to have any within 250 miles of me.
-Richard