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”
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?