Glock 19 or Ruger Security 9?

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PAJoe1022

New member
I'm considering purchasing my first pistol and I've narrowed myself down to the Glock 19 Gen 4 or the Ruger Security 9.

I'm looking for a good quality, all-around gun that isn't too expensive. I want something to take to the range and practice with that will be durable and reliable. I've held and field stripped both guns at the LGS, but haven't shot either. So far here is my take-

The Glock 19 felt cheaper than the Ruger. It was lighter (almost 3 oz) and the trigger felt toy-like. The Glock grip angle didn't bother me, but the texture on the grip did. I don't like that the Glock lacks a manual safety, but how much does this matter for a gun that is only used at the range? Both have 4 inch barrels, so I would think accuracy should be similar. The Ruger is hammer fired and the Glock is obviously striker fired. I'm a newbie; does this make a huge difference? Aesthetically (as if aesthetics matter), I'm probably in the minority of people who like the look of Glocks, but the Ruger is a nice looking gun too. I like that the 19 has been around a while, has an established following and lots of aftermarket support, whereas the Ruger not so much. I'd like to have the ability to customize if I decide to. As for price, the Glock cost over $200 more than the Ruger. Is it worth the extra money?
 
A couple of things to keep in mind.
#1 they are all just bullet launchers.
#2 none of them are so valuable that you cant trade up later, which you will do.

In my opinion get the glock. It is more expensive but it will also be down the line, IE resale value. Plus you can get part for glocks for days. That Ruger probably isnt gonna be made for very long and the support for it will dry up as well.

Glock triggers suck. Do the $.25 trigger job and learn to shoot it. I compete against 3000 dollar 1911s with glass rod trigger all the time and am right in the pack. As my signature line says....
 
https://www.cdnnsports.com/walther-creed-9mm.html#.W5bYneNMGaM

When buying a first gun, it’s best not to overthink the process, continuous training and practice at the local gun range will yield much greater results and benefits than to spend a lot of time considering the relative merits of one gun vs. the other if you do not first learn safe and effective use of a firearm.

IMHO this Walther Creed at $269.99 per the link represents the single best value in a new semiauto that I know of anyway. This gun will hit a target quite nicely
 
Go Glock, it’s going no where mags are cheap, holsters are every where.

Or course the ruger and a s&w sd9ve(it’s just like the g19) would only be like 70 more
 
Of your picks, I'd get the Glock. I am not a Glock fanboy (I don't even own one), however they are great guns and serve a lot of my buddies well. If that's the option you want, but want it a bit cheaper, look into some of the older generations. I personally like the gen 3 Glocks and there are plenty of new ones floating around the gun shops. They also have a different grip texture than the gen 4 you held so you might actually prefer it.

Inserting my own personal opinion, I'd opt for a 2nd gen M&P. They are easily found with manual safeties, tend to be cheaper than Glocks, and their customer service is fantastic (speaking from personal experience). They're reliable, holsters and spare mags are readily available, and they come with good metal 3 dot sights. Admittedly, I have not seen the 2.0 compact with a manual safety (that's S&W's direct competitor to the g19), but I know the full size can be readily found with them. Just a tad bit bigger than a g19 though. For your interest, it would be worth looking into whether the M&P 2.0 compact can be found with a safety.
 
As much as I like Ruger (and I own many Rugers), I would opt for Glock in this case. I like Glocks for:

- Parts and accessory availability.
- Reliability.
- Easy to work on.
- They retain their value.

I love my Rugers, but Glock gets the job done with boring reliability and accuracy.
 
PAJoe1022

The Glock 19 felt cheaper than the Ruger. It was lighter (almost 3 oz) and the trigger felt toy-like. The Glock grip angle didn't bother me, but the texture on the grip did.
Click to expand...
Then why Gen4? The Gen3 texture is less aggressive.


I don't like that the Glock lacks a manual safety, but how much does this matter for a gun that is only used at the range?
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Keep your booger hook off the trigger until you are ready to fire.....is good advice on any firearm. It doesn't matter that the gun is intended for range use only. The same principles of safety apply.



Both have 4 inch barrels, so I would think accuracy should be similar.
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Barrel length doesn't make a gun more accurate, it merely increases the sight radius aiding in accuracy. In other words a 4"bbl pistol may be more accurate than a 6"bbl due to other factors that affect accuracy.....such as trigger pull or ammunition.



The Ruger is hammer fired and the Glock is obviously striker fired. I'm a newbie; does this make a huge difference?
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No.



Aesthetically (as if aesthetics matter), I'm probably in the minority of people who like the look of Glocks, but the Ruger is a nice looking gun too. I like that the 19 has been around a while, has an established following and lots of aftermarket support, whereas the Ruger not so much. I'd like to have the ability to customize if I decide to.
Click to expand...
There is a reason the G19 is one of the most popular handguns.



As for price, the Glock cost over $200 more than the Ruger. Is it worth the extra money?
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I think so.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the Glock is the overwhelming favorite here. As for the Walther Creed, I did hold one, and the grip is really steeply arched in the back and I couldn't get a comfortable grip on it. That generally wouldn't be a deal breaker, but it doesn't accept different backstraps.

I'm not entirely opposed to going with a S&W, but Ruger and Glock are the two brands I've always sorta liked, so if this is to be my first pistol (and probably only pistol for a while) I'd like to go with one of the two.

One other option I didn't think of is the Ruger SR9. My uncle owns one that I've shot quite a bit, and I liked it okay, just haven't actually considered buying one. Any thoughts?
 
dogtown tom said:
PAJoe1022


Then why Gen4? The Gen3 texture is less aggressive.
Click to expand...

I've had a hard time finding Gen 3s locally. I wouldn't be opposed to a gen 3, but aren't they the ones that tend to eject shells toward your head?

dogtown tom said:
Keep your booger hook off the trigger until you are ready to fire.....is good advice on any firearm. It doesn't matter that the gun is intended for range use only. The same principles of safety apply.
Click to expand...

I agree, still a manual safety is something I value, if only for peace of mind.


dogtown tom said:
No.
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.

Good to know, again I'm relatively new to firearms, so please pardon any ignorance on my part.




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I have to go Glock. I bought my Glock 19 20 years ago and have never had a problem. As for a manual safety none of my hand guns (except the 1911) have safeties. It is no different then carrying a double action revolver. If you don't pull the trigger it doesn't go bang.
 
PAJoe1022 said:
I've had a hard time finding Gen 3s locally. I wouldn't be opposed to a gen 3, but aren't they the ones that tend to eject shells toward your head?
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The changes made to create the Gen 4s resulted in some of the earlier ones having brass-to-the-face problems; Glock worked out those issues.
 
GLOCK

If the desire for a manual safety is huge, then a M&P is the way to go.

On a side note, ive switched entirely from Glock to the M&P line after carrying a Glock all over the world as an issued pistol. I just plain shoot the M&P better. YMMV
 
As others have said Glock is a fine choice. Several years ago when making a similar decision I decided on the Ruger SR9c. I've never regretted the choice. I have many thousands of rounds through the Ruger with no issues. I would make the same decision today. I don't know about the Security 9, but the idea that it won't be supported by Ruger down the road is not something I would worry about.

Buy the one that fits your hand best and enjoy. Good luck.
 
Another vote for the Glock 19.

If the concern is cost, keep an eye out for a Gen 3 pistol (which solves your issue with the Gen 4 grip texture) on sale or used.
 
I am a Ruger Fan, except for the Ruger LCP, and the Security 9 from every thing I have seen is a larger LCP in build quality. And if so, The Aluminum Chassis will not be a gun that will hold up for a lot of rounds down range. I do not believe Ruger intended for the Security 9 to be much of a Range gun. I am not a Glock Fan, but personally would choose the Glock over the Security 9 if since I shoot quite often.
I even think Ruger choose the Name "Security 9" for a reason. Simply a gun that will give night stand security for those that do not want to put out much money or like so many shooters, just do not go to the range but a few times a year.
 
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Of those two, I'd go with the G19. That's the easy part. The hard part is narrowing it down to just two pistols in a very crowded field. Everybody and their dog makes a "mid-sized, 12-to-15 capacity, 9mm," and a lot of them seem to be pretty good guns.

I've liked Rugers for a very long time, but the Security 9 hasn't been on the market all that long. If I were in your shoes, looking for: (1) a jack-of-all-trades gun; (2) that has a thumb safety; (3) that I knew would be my only gun for a while; and (4) I was particularly fond of Ruger . . . . I'd look hard at the SR9 and the SR9c. It's been on the market quite a bit longer than the Security 9, has the interchangeable backstraps that you mentioned, and can be had with a thumb safety.

Given those parameters, the other pistol that I think deserves a hard look would be the SW M&P 2.0 Compact. It's one of the few pistols that really has me considering trading away my G19.

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to get a Security 9 out with about a case of ammo and put it through its paces. However, if I were buying a pistol to be my one and only for a while, I'd want something that other shooters have wrung out first.
 
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