Before we get into our Ruger Security 9 review, allow We The People Holsters to give you a brief history lesson. Back in the early 1970s, Ruger wanted to design a mid-range price revolver that could compete with the Smith & Wessons and Colts being sold at that time. So, in 1971, Ruger developed the Security-Six. This gun gained some popularity with its design: a mid-size, six-shot double-action pistol. It beat S&W's Model 19 in terms of strength yet had a 4.0-inch barreled version that weighed just 33.5 ounces. Blued steel versions were rolled out first, followed by stainless steel ones in the mid-70s. Cost-effective, strong, and dynamic - Bill Ruger designed a nearly-perfect six-shooter.
Of course, firearms have changed since then, and concealed carry has become all about being as subcompact as possible while still giving these guns sizable round capacities. And today's competition involves more than just S&W and Colt. Do people really want a polymer-frame 9mm like the Ruger Security-9?
Well, yes. And the answer to that has a lot to do with its overall value. Ruger's aim with both the full-size and compact versions is to deliver value to the everyday consumer who might not be able to justify buying a higher-priced handgun. Its dimensions stick close to those of the Glock 19, but the Security-9's divergence here is its internal hammer-fired design. That means the Security-9 can give a tough competitor like the Glock 19 a run for its money by literally costing about half of what you'd pay for the G19.
That being said, let's take a more in-depth look at what makes the Ruger Security-9 a stand-out concealed carry firearm.
Ruger Security 9 Review: Why You Should Consider It
Ruger has some of the best concealed carry firearms out there, and the Security-9mm is one of our top picks. In terms of dimensions, it is almost identical to the Glock 19. It even has the G19's 15+1 capacity. The Glock 19, though, can price anywhere from about $500 to $800, whereas the price point for the Ruger Security-9 is about half of that. That leaves room in your budget for ammo, a holster, and other accessories you might need. Therefore, the capacity and price combined make the Security-9 worthy of consideration.
But is it worth more than just consideration? Aside from its size making it ideal for concealed carry, the Security-9 is hammer-fired, which means that the slide is somewhat easier to rack as opposed to a strike-fired model. If you are not a fan of stiff recoil springs, then you will appreciate how smooth the Security-9 feels. On top of that, this gun is ideal for those with smaller hands (including women) since the grip has a smaller circumference than many of its rivals.
Security 9 Review: How It Stacks Up Against the Glock 19
Since we discussed how comparable the Security-9 is to the Glock 19, it is probably prudent to include a side-by-side comparison of their stats. Take a look at how closely these two guns align but take note of a few key differences. These differences will surely help you make the right decision to purchase what is best for you. Some things to take a close look at include caliber, weight, safety, and cost.
Does this make for a good commercial option for the Glock 19? Let's test out the Ruger Security-9 to find out.
Ruger Security 9 Review: How It Shoots
The Ruger Security-9 shoots just about how you would expect any decently-made polymer gun of its size to handle. Like the Glock 19, the Security-9 has a U-notch rear sight that can make it a bit difficult for some people (namely, those who struggle with vision issues, as many of us do) to pick up the front sight on the U-notch. The Security-9 sights might not be terribly clear for these folks, although the three-dot sights should suffice. The Security-9's sights might take more time to align but swapping out the dovetailed rear sight should improve this for you if you are someone who does not have 20/20 vision.
In terms of accuracy, the Security-9 is just about as spot-on as the Glock 19 but is not as uncomfortable beneath the trigger guard (something for which the Glock 19 is rather notorious). The trade-off? You will feel slightly more recoil with the Security-9 than you would on the Glock 19. We will venture a guess that this is due to the spring coil's light weight, but all in all, this is a minor qualm that is easy to negate.
'The Three C's': Ruger Security-9 On Control, Comfort, and Capacity
Our criteria for concealed carry firearms revolves around 'The Three C's': control, comfort, and capacity. Our Ruger Security-9 review found that it has an impressive capacity with the 15+1 design. Many other 15-round capacity guns of this ilk have grips that are taller than this, save for - of course - the Glock 19. The Security-9 is able to match its shorter stature.
If you have small- or medium-sized hands and fingers, your fingers should easily reach the trigger. Smaller-fingered folks often have a harder time reaching triggers than those with longer fingers and larger hands, so being able to get a comfortable reach on the trigger is a 'plus' here. The controls should not rub up against your skin and cause any abrasions or tenderness, which makes for a lot of comfort right where you need it most on this gun.
There is one issue that might be taken with regard to comfort, and that is the lack of texturing on the forward frame. A touch of extra stippling in that spot would probably improve grip, but this is a glass-filled nylon frame that we are talking about here. So, you kind of have to expect that lack of stripping that you get on polymer frames like the Glock 19. Since there is a low bore axis, the muzzle flip is somewhat easy to work with. But it would likely feel better with a solid thumb landing.
The Ruger Security-9's Features
Okay, we already mentioned the Ruger Security-9's specs, but we need to go through some of its features more in-depth. Let's start with the slide. Slide racking is easier on the Security-9 than on some of its competitors since Ruger decided to go with a hammer-fired design as opposed to a striker-fired action. The slide itself is made of aluminum and contoured well with serrations fore and aft, giving you a good grip for slide racking. The hammer itself is hidden within the slide, so you might assume from just looking at the Security-9 that it is a striker-fired gun. Some critics think that a more slip-resistant grip would be ideal for the everyday concealed carry.
The steel sights are drift-adjustable, and the left side of the frame houses the manual thumb safety lever. The lever itself is small and stays out of the way. This tiny, left-side-only design might be difficult for some people to use, leading to them just having to thumb it off. It really depends on the size of your thumb and the size of your dominant hand. The safety feels somewhat stiffer than what might be desirable, so be prepared to use your support hand to assist in engaging the safety. In other words, it is stiff but doable.
If you have ever fired a Ruger LCP II, then the Security-9's trigger should feel remarkably similar. There is hardly any wall, and it definitely has the signature hammer-fired feel to it. You won't get any binding up before the break or any overtravel (as there is a stop integrated into the trigger guard's bottom). You might find yourself short stroking the reset a few times while firing, and the reset is a little bit longer than what you might expect. However, the trigger has a nice feel to it and is relatively easy to fire.
The one thing that disappoints us about the Security-9's design is the usage of aluminum slide rails. While many of us tend to prefer steel for its solidarity and durability, aluminum is lighter in weight and is more cost-effective for manufacturers. That's a component in explaining why the Ruger Security-9 is literally half the price of a Glock 19. The slide's steel is likely to wear down the aluminum rails over time, so you are kind of getting what you pay for with this firearm.
As for the barrel itself, it is pretty small, coming in at 4" on the dot. Small and thin, yes, but not as thin as the barrels you will find on other 9mm pistols. Take note that, near its mouth, the barrel has the contouring you would expect to see on the LCP that makes it extremely thin in that area. More contouring might bode better for some people. It is still a minor gripe that we have with the Security-9 and don't think that everyone will be bothered by the lack of contouring.
Ruger Security 9 Compact Cost Review
Obviously, the price tag is going to be a determining factor in who buys the Ruger Security-9 and why. For around $300, you get a gun that is similar to the much more expensive and highly regarded Glock 19. As far as concealed carry pistols go, this is a darn affordable price. Given how many people are financially struggling right now, buying the Security-9 might be one of the very few options available. For the price, we would have to say that this gun packs in a lot of value.
Of course, you are going to want to leave some room in your budget for a good holster. The Security-9 is one of those guns that you can easily carry with an IWB or OWB holster. A fully adjustable holster with a Kydex design can help protect your Security-9 from wear and tear while ultimately concealing this compact concealed carry 9mm pistol.
Factoring in the cost of the gun plus accessories like holsters, ammo, and perhaps a better rear sight will up the overall price, but not by a whole lot. The average buyer will have more wiggle room for buying nicer upgrades, which is something we would recommend doing for the Security-9. No matter what, you will get a lot of value from this gun and will probably feel like you are supposed to be getting a lot of use out of it.