Opinion on my choice caliber

R

Ruger SR9

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Ok, its a bit lengthy so bear with me. I bought my very first gun over St. Patty's Day. Its a Ruger SR9 (which is a 9x19mm for those who don't know). I bought it because it was affordable and reliable. Its intended use is for home defense and possibly concealed carry. I need an honest opinion on my choice of caliber...... I chose this caliber because: 1. ammo is abundant and affordable. 2.recoil is easy to manage allowing for quick follow up shots and better accuracy. 3.I love shooting it (because, in my opinion, there is no point in owning a gun you intend to carry if you don't enjoy practicing with it and are confident with it) 4.its made in the US and 5.im only about 135 pounds and i'd rather not have my pistol for defensive purposes knock me on my butt after 1 shot..... I had done months of research on various guns and calibers and had been to numerous forums, reviews, and such before I decided on this gun. So far I have been told that 9mm sucks and how it was a bad choice and it would be nice to get an honest opinion because I am tired of people who DON'T EVEN OWN a gun telling me what they think is best. Is 9mm really that bad? or am I just surrounded by idiots where I live? (obviously, im a little frustrated at this point :eek:) keep in mind that i WILL be using hollow points and when at home i will also have my Viridian laser sight on it (the laser was a 50% off promo and i'd be an idiot to pass that price on a green laser).
 
You did fine the 9mm with good HP ammo will work for SD. Don't let people tell you other wise. Now 9mm ball ammo leaves a little to be desired as over penetration is a concern . But 9mm is fine. Don't get caught in these caliber wars. I have a 380 on me more than my 45 acp. I don't feel under gunned with my 380. I have a couple 9mm but to big for CCW .
 
Ruger SR9

Good choice in the pistol and the caliber. Nothing is wrong with any hi-cap 9MM. Your words exactly, the 9MM is cheap to shoot, abundant and a light enough first caliber to learn proper shooting techniques with. As stated already, get some Federal 9MM 124GR Hydra-Shok Jacketed Hollow Points and any FMJ's and your all set. Good job!!
 
9x19mm, .40S&W, .357sig, .45acp etc...

The SR9 has a lot of good press after a somewhat - start about 2/3 years ago. The factory recall and re-design of the trigger system didn't really boost US sales. Ruger did put a lot of useful ambi-controls in SR9 line. I like the smaller SR9c model but I'm in no huge rush to buy it just yet.
I got a very well made Beretta PX4 C model 9mm in 2009. I would have bought a .40 or better yet a .357sig but by state policy, I can only use a 9mm or a .380acp caliber pistol for licensed armed security-PI work. That may be changed soon in 2-4 years.
Some handgun owners/LE officers say don't trust your life with anything that doesn't start with a .4 but I say neytski on a jetski, :).
Many powerful, well made carry-protection rounds are on the US market. Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P, Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P(bonded), CorBon 115gr +P+ DPX, Winchester Ranger T 127gr +P+.
You can always trade or sell your SR9 9mm and get a SIG P229/226R DAK or a HK P-2000/lem .40S&W.

Clyde
 
If owning a 9mm means that you can afford to practice with it, then you are miles ahead.

It's none of my business on one level, but I worry about people who are trying to buy cheaper .45s, for example. My thinking is that if you can't afford to buy the .45 you really want, you probably can't afford very much .45 ACP ammo. A case of premium .45 ACP ammunition (Gold Dot, Hydrashok, etc.) runs about $700 these days. A case of standard 230gr FMJ .45 ACP runs about $350-$400.

In other words, when I started shooting, a semi-custom 1911 (like Dan Wesson) ran about the equivalent of eight or nine cases of mil spec ammo. Today, it is more like four cases. Looking at gun prices in these terms has helped me from making some poor choices over the years (such as a 9x21mm Steyr-Hahn).
 
good cause i have already got my super tuck deluxe holster for it which allows a small frame as myself to carry a full sized handgun like my SR9 with the right shirt size(it also helps that at its widest point the gun is only 1.25" wide, yet another reason why i bought it). And i love this gun far too much to ever trade it. once again i spent a ridiculous amount of time researching and trying to get past this 'caliber war'. Any other opinions?
 
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What the he** s wrong with you. You didn't buy a 45 1911 or a Glock!! Just kidden you made a vary good choice for your first gun. I still have my first 9mm 20 some year old Baby Eagle, and will never give it up. And by the way for those that say a 9mm sucks, all I have to say is don't stand in front of one with a good shooter. Ruger SR9 your going to enjoy your new gun. :D
 
Nothing at all wrong with a 9mm loaded with good hollow point bullets IMO.

But seriously, how many of those giving you a hard time about the 9mm choice have actually used one in self-defense? My guess would be "none".

It sounds like you did your research, and made your choice; don't let other's opinions detract from that. You made your choice for YOU, not them, and their opinions really shouldn't matter.

Nor should our's, when it comes right down to it. Go forth with confidence, and don't worry too much about the arm-chair and keyboard arguments one way or the other.

Daryl
 
I think you made a great choice :cool:

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you did just fine....

If you'd asked my opinion before the purchase I would have recommended the P95, an older model with the decock only feature (no safety) but then that's just me... I shot one of these new fangled striker fired / no hammer pistols yesterday (not a Ruger) a pretty good bit and it wasn't too bad.

here's an invitation to join another internet forum:

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/index.php

the firingline is great and I visit every day... but for Ruger owners, the rugerforum.com can be a great deal of help.

I agree 100% with all your reasons for the purchase.
 
"comn-cents" said it very well.

A 9mm will kill you dead as all Hell if shot placement is good. Remember, shot placement is EVERYTHING. A .22LR in the eye is better than a .45 ACP in the arm.

Modern JHP 9mm ammo is a LOT different than the old FMJ ball. Corbon, Speer, Hornady, Winchester, and others, all make effective self defense 9mm rounds.

Bottom line - carry what you shoot best.
 
I carry .380 or .45 depending on clothing. So a 9mm is plenty. Only you can decide what is best for you. If you practice more with the 9 then you're ahead of the game. In my book practice is a lot my important then caliber.
 
next time someone laffs at your 9mm pistol ask them if they would like to volunteer to take a double tap to the chest to prove their point.
 
No, shot placement is not EVERYTHING. That would mean there are no other considerations beyond the placement of the shot that have any bearing whatsoever on the outcome. In that world a .22 short is the absolute equal of a .357/125 at 1,400 fps. Just ain't so. And before someone trundles along and states the usual "let me shoot you with a .22 and wee'll see then", let me just ask the real question, which would you rather get shot with, or which would you bet your life on given the choice.

That being said, the 9mm is an adequate choice with good ammo. I prefer larger stuff, but I would not feel particularly undergunned with a good 9mm. I carried CorBon 115's in my last Ruger 9mm. There are other very good choices as well.
 
I will join the chorus approving your choice. It is often said that no handgun caliber guarantees a one-shot stop. That means that how quickly and accurately you get off your second shot (and subsequent ones) could be a factor in how long you live. Choosing a caliber that allows rapid and accurate followup shots is a very wise move. Good thinking on your part, and a good demonstration of their lack of understanding by your detractors.
 
I don't know much about the SR9, but 9mm has proven itself around the world in thousands of incidents over the past century. It's a good round.
 
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