Ruger SR9C

Hey guys, I'm back with another review of an excellent PDF.

This is the new-ish SR9c from Ruger. I say new-ish because the SR9 has been available since 2007, I believe, so the base pistol, the SR9, is fairly well known and established.

To be honest with you, I've only fired the SR9, not the SR9c, but the mechanisms are the same and there isn't such a dramatic difference in the frame size that the impressions would be so very different. So, with that caveat out of the way, let's begin.

First, the basics: This is a "compact" 9mm. I say compact only because Ruger says it is compact. It isn't something that you can slide in your pocket and walk out of the house, unless you happen to be a kangaroo. It is by no means a large pistol, but it isn't in the class of the LCP either.



However, I can say that it will easily ride in an IWB holster and no one would be any the wiser. A friend of mine carries his in a Crossbreed super tuck and unless you know what you're looking for, you'd never know he has it on. He is of slight build and even then, it doesn't print at all.

It is thin enough to carry, but still big enough to give you a good slab of gun to grip on to, so the ergonomics are favorable. The grip is polymer and the important parts that go bang are either aluminum or steel, so it's a winner. I, personally, would say it has it all over the Glock so far as concealability goes as it has a more rounded slide than the Glock and therefore doesn't feel like such a block of steel strapped to you.

The SR9c is a striker fired semi-automatic (meaning no exposed hammer). There is an integrated trigger safety much like a Glock pistol as well as an external safety.
The magazine capacity is 10 round with one in the chamber for a total of 11. Not to bad for a compact pistol. It also comes in the box with an extended magazine of 15 round, I believe. So, my advice would be to carry the 10 round mag in the well, but keep the 15 as your reload, just in case.

My shooting impression is very favorable. It was accurate with very little experienced recoil. The gun is substantial in the hand without being too heavy. The controls are where you'd want them and work as they should.

Now, the most amazing thing is the price. I've seen it retail for 429.99, new, with the extra magazine included from the factory. You'd be hard pressed to find a better value with what you get for your money.

That's all for now, stay safe out there.

Kel Tec PF9

Alright boys and girls, if you are thinking about carrying a semi-auto for personal defense you could do a lot worse than the surprisingly affordable Kel-Tec PF9. I haven't fired this yet, but I intend to very soon. However, I've handled it and futzed with it extensively.

The PF9 is a 9mm semi-auto which carries 7+1 capacity. It isn't recommended to fire +P loads very often in this firearm, just so you know.

The PF9 is a polymer based grip/frame, with the important pieces being Aluminum or Steel. The gun weighs in at about 12.8 (call it 13 ounces) empty and just shy of a pound when loaded. That's a sight better than just about any other firearm out there. Especially one that carries the capable 9mm.

Please to enjoy:



The dimensions are small to say the least. At .88 inches at the widest point, we're talking serious concealment. However, as small as it is, I will say, even with my mutant sized paws, it still feels very comfortable and solid in the hand. I can't complain. I've slid one in my waist band while examining and you can barely tell that its there. I'm a huge fan of the concealment factor.

Now, there is one, tiny downside. This is a dual action only firearm. When you pull the trigger, you are actuating the hammer which will strike the firing pin and so on. There isn't a "double strike" option on this gun, however. If the round fails to go off, you can't just keep pulling the trigger until it goes "bang". You'll have to run through a "Tap, Rack, Bang" clearing procedure.

Now, what this means is you have a looooong trigger pull which you need to practice with. What this also means is that you lose the need for an external safety, since "cocked and locked" isn't an option. So that saves on space and on unnecessary frilly extras.

Another one of the great things about this gun is the price. I've seen them as low as $278.00 brand new, in the box. You find me another reliable, quality, firearm that you can purchase, brand new, that hefts out a 9mm at that price. You won't find one.

So, all in all, I would recommend this one. In fact, that's what I'm looking to get here in the next couple weeks and then I'll give a shooting review of it, as well.

IWB...kind of bites

After carrying my PDF (Personal Defense Firearm) around for some time now, I have come to the conclusion that IWB (In the waistband) carry, really kind of sucks. Or, at least it does so far as my person piece goes.

And I should be more accurate and say that a holster that loops on to or is supported by your belt sucks. Your range of movement is kind of tethered and there's an annoying pressure point where the clip is.

I've been doing some research, if for no other reason, I'm getting a new PDF so the wife can have the one I currently use (well, at least this time I have a reason!). And it looks like I might be going with a BellyBand style. For your reference:



This is the Galco "Underwraps" version, which I'll probably be getting.

I looked and looked and looked at Supertucks, Kholsters, etc etc, and they are all obvious holsters if you're looking for them and if you know what you're looking at. A friend of mine has one and I can tell every time. The clips just stick out like a square apple. He likes his and is perfectly comfortable wearing it. However, I've seen him suit up, as it were, and it can take a little time.

The belly band is elastic, plyable, it moves with you. It can be worn under anything, tucked, untucked, shirt, no shirt, you name it. Also, unlike a tuckable holster which has small "slots" where you tuck your shirt in, with a Belly Band, it's completely under your shirt, so you aren't limited in the length of shirt you wear.

Another nifty advantage is that you don't have to remove the holster to remain comfortable if you have to take off your firearm for some reason. If you're going in to a bar or to someone's house, let's say. Since it is high quality elastic with 4 inches of velcro, with no hard points, you can slip your PDF out and keep on trucking. My friend removes the holster too, if he isn't going to carry his weapon (a lovely SR9C, by the by).

So, once I get it and have tried it out, I'll post a full review, but as I've said in the past, you'll go through many a holster before you're comfortable with what you carry with.

Pocket Holsters...personal experience

Good Morning...

I got kind of tired trying to be careful with my movements and constantly pulling my shirt tail down (and not having my shirt tucked in, as per my usual) so I broke down and bought a pocket holster for my Beretta.

I'll have to say, after just a couple of hours using it, I can't believe how easy and comfortable it is.

It cost me all of $14.00, but it was well worth it.

This allows me to dress as I normally would, shirt tucked in, and still carry my CCW piece with me. Also, I don't have to restrict my movements at all, since this sits in my pocket.

I will say that I have to work on the draw some, just because every pair of pants is different, so maybe the holster "catches" and I get a good draw, maybe it doesn't. I still have to work all of that out, so, stay tuned. I'll let you know how it goes from here. All in all, however, I'm a fan, thus far.

Success!

So, I had my gun on the counter, which is where I leave it, loaded, chambered, and in the holster. I don't have kids, my wife knows how to use it, and the dogs either can't get up that high and/or don't have thumbs, AND there are no children in my house, so I'm safe there.

Anywhoser... so she says "Hey, what's the little guy doing up here?" I told her that I was carrying it earlier in the day and that I carry it wherever I go. She said "Oh, I didn't notice that you carried it all the time.".

Success!! When your wife doesn't notice that you're carrying, that's a huge win!

It gets easier, really

Good Morning.

After several weeks of consistent carrying, I have to tell you that it does get easier. You stop feeling like you stick out and worrying that someone's going to notice that you're armed.

I had a full blown conversation with 3 guys while getting my oil changed and not a one of them even looked to see (which is normal) if I was armed. So, just be cool and everything will be fine.

We CCW guys kind of base our ability to carry on the fact that most people aren't looking for you to be armed, so they aren't curious to look at your waistband, etc. I check when I'm in close proximity to someone I don't know, but that's just me.

Here's a little hint, by the way. If you see a guy with a waistpack (fanny pack) and his wallet is in his back pocket, guess what, he's armed. Yup, you can almost count on it.

Be safe out there!