I got excited when I heard Ruger made an affordable alternative to the Glock 19. Both handguns are very high in quality, but does Ruger deliver the same accuracy and reliability that made the Glock 19 so famous? I spent plenty of time with both, so join me as I share my findings.
I can honestly say that the Security 9 sports some features that I like better than the Glock 19. But are they enough to make the Ruger Security 19 a worthy investment? Let’s read on to find out!
Why Buy a Security 9?
And more specifically, why buy a Security 9 if you already own a Glock 19? I’ll ultimately answer both questions, but first, let’s discuss the specs of the Security 9 and compare them to the Glock 19’s.
Ruger Security 9 | Glock 19 | |
|---|---|---|
Caliber | 9mm | 9mm |
Length | 7.24 inches | 7.28 inches |
Height | 5 inches | 4.99 inches |
Width | 1.02 inches | 1.18 inches |
Barrel | 4 inches | 4.02 inches |
Trigger Pull | ~5 pounds | ~5.5 pounds |
Sights | Drift-adjustable | Polymer |
Weight | 23.7 ounces | 23.65 ounces |
Capacity | 15+1 | 15+1 |
Action | DA-only | Hammer-fired | DA/SA | Striker-fired |
As you can see, both handguns are very similar. The only real difference that stands out is the action. The Security 9 features a hammer-fired system, which may prove to be easier for some people to manage.
During my testing, I discovered that the slide doesn’t take as much effort to rack on the Security 9 compared to the Glock 19. What’s more, the recoil isn’t quite as stiff as that of the Glock, making it a great choice for beginners or users with hand trouble.
As someone with arthritis, I tend to struggle with guns like the Glock 19, whereas the Sec-9 didn’t give me much trouble. Both pistols are well served as concealed carries (see the best concealed carries here). However, I have to note that the grip on the Security 9 is noticeably thinner than Glock’s.
As such, users with smaller hands (see top choices for women) will likely gravitate toward Ruger’s 9mm. It’s comfortable to hold and a breeze to operate, even for someone like me who has larger hands. If you’re just getting started and want a quality handgun, I think you’ll be happy with the Security 19.
Perhaps the biggest difference I found when compared to the Glock 19 is the price. The cost of Ruger’s Security 9 is significantly less than what you would pay for a Glock 19. And considering that both pistols are pretty much identical in form and function, it really comes down to what’s currently in your gun cabinet.
Bottom line; the Security 9 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a dependable 9mm handgun. If you already own a Glock 19, it’s hard to justify buying a Sec-9 on top of it unless you need a pistol that’s slightly easier to handle and has better comfort.
Shooting the Security 9
Of course, comfort only gets you so far. A gun needs to provide a worthy shooting experience if it wants to stand a chance with consumers. During my time spent with the Sec-9, there were a couple of things that stood out to me.
For one, I found Ruger’s pistol to be remarkably accurate. Additionally, the trigger guard is considerably more comfortable than the one on the Glock 19. This alone makes a big difference in how the Sec-9 shoots – at least, it does for me.
The recoil of the Security 9 stood out to me during my testing, being slightly more noticeable compared to other 9mm pistols like the G19. However, it remained within tolerable limits and did not impact my shooting, even considering my hand troubles.
The pistol proved to be very comfortable to fire and consistently hit its targets with precision. In terms of trigger pull, the Security 9 falls around 5 pounds, which I found to be an ideal range for a gun of its size.
The action is smooth and reminiscent of its cousins, the Ruger LCP 2 and Ruger LCP Max. The positioning of the trigger and controls is well-placed, accommodating users of various hand sizes. Based on my experience, I believe anyone could quickly adapt to the Security 9. It is truly a well-designed pistol.
Additionally, user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting flawless performance after firing various types of ammunition.
Some users have put thousands of rounds through the gun without any malfunctions, while others found the stock trigger to be the only drawback, which was easily resolved by replacing it with an aftermarket option.
For those transitioning from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols, the Security 9 has proven to be a reliable and accurate choice for everyday carry.
The Hammer-Fired Difference
The Security 9 makes use of Ruger’s tried-and-true Secure Action system – the same one found in the popular LCP II. The end result is a soft and crisp trigger that doesn’t require a lot of pressure, which is great news for my hands.
But rather than a striker-fired system, the Ruger Security 9 uses a shrouded internal hammer-fired system. As I mentioned a moment ago, this is a boon for anyone looking for an easier pistol to wield, as the racking action is much friendlier to the user.
It’s also double-action-only. So for safety, Ruger equipped the Sec-9 with a trigger safety and a manual thumb safety. There’s also a recessed hammer catch that serves to keep the gun from firing unless you have the trigger pressed in.
In addition, the rearward slide motion works to keep the hammer partially cocked. So when you pull the trigger, it completes the hammer action and fires the pistol.
This equates to a short trigger pull that feels like it’s a single-action-only. Yet as you read above, this is a double-action-only handgun.
Other Thoughts
If I had to complain about anything, it would have to be the manual thumb safety. Don’t get me wrong; I’m rather fond of its placement on the pistol. However, it’s incredibly stiff and can give you some trouble when attempting to engage it.
It’s also fairly small, which I imagine plays a role in its stubborn action. I never noticed it getting easier to use as time went on. With some guns, stiff buttons and controls are only temporary and ease up the more you use them.
That didn’t seem to be the case with the Security 9. Still, it’s not like it’s impossible to engage; it just requires more strength than what you’d expect from a gun of this size.
The sights are another minor issue I have with the Sec-9. The U-shape may throw off some people, especially those used to 3-dot systems. It can take some getting used to if you’re not familiar with them, but at least it’s serviceable.
To be completely transparent, I must admit that I'm not particularly fond of the U-shape rear sight on the Security 9. However, I can confidently say that this design feature did not hinder my accuracy or proficiency with the firearm. Ultimately, it merely posed a minor annoyance that I was able to overcome with time and patience.
As a first-time gun owner and carrier, I value the reliability of the Security 9, as it has never jammed on me even after firing 5000 rounds. The grip and sights of the pistol feel like they are made of polymer, which seems to be a common material in modern firearms.
I must highlight that the Security 9 impressed me with its out-of-the-box accuracy. The pistol's performance at the range and its soft yet crisp trigger make it one of my favorites.
After firing approximately 1000 rounds, I have noticed that the trigger has only improved with time. I haven't encountered any issues or failures thus far. Although it did take me some time to become proficient, I personally find the safety mechanism sufficient and rarely use it on a pistol.
However, my experience with the Security 9 has been positive, and I remain satisfied with its performance and reliability.
Wrap Up
The Security 9 is often considered on par with the renowned Glock, and some even argue that Ruger's 9mm surpasses its counterpart, depending on the shooter. Ultimately, personal preference plays a significant role in this debate.
However, where Glock falls short is in its inability to match the budget-friendly price of the Security 9. If you're in the market for a reliable pistol and don't already own a Glock 19, the Ruger Security 9 will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression with its impressive quality and accuracy.
Many users have reported minimal malfunctions, and it proves highly accurate at pistol distances. For range sessions, pairing it up with a Ruger PCC 9 is a great choice.
Admittedly, the trigger might feel a bit strange at first, especially if you've recently fired a 1911. The Security 9 has become a preferred everyday carry (EDC) for many, offering exceptional comfort and a favorable grip angle.
The safety feature is both user-friendly, easy to disengage, and a deliberate choice to engage when necessary. With the new factory magazines, you can even enjoy a substantial capacity of 17+1 rounds.
Overall, the Ruger Security 9 receives high praise, as it not only feels great in hand but also instills confidence in its users. As the saying goes, having trust in your EDC accounts for 90% of the battle.
The Ruger security nine is an excellent handgun for home and personal defense. I purchased the pistol over a year ago as my first ever handgun. I’m very pleased with the weapon. The profile of the handle is very thin so you can really get a good grip and clamp down on the gun. We also owe the Glock 19, and I think the Ruger feels better ergonomically, and shoots better than the Glock. I did upgrade the trigger to a flat faced aluminum low profile, and I did add fiber optic sights for my aging eyes. All in all I think it’s a really good solid general purpose pistol that’s very reasonable in price. If you’re looking for a first gun for home or personal defense, I would take a very close look at the Ruger security nine .