Sturm Ruger appears to have the on a regular basis working man and girl of their plans after they begin designing pistols.
Ruger delivers distinctive worth, prime quality, and rugged reliability of their pistol designs that equal or rival lots of their closest rivals. The EC9S compact 9mm semi-automatic pistol isn’t any exception.
The Ruger EC9S was launched at Shotshow in 2018 and touted as the following logical evolution of the Ruger LC9 design. The EC9S is barely bigger and barely heavier than the LC9. The set off pull is best and the general really feel of the gun appears extra snug for a light-weight small body 9mm pistol.
On this Ruger EC9s evaluate, we are going to take a look at the design and building of this comparatively new pistol within the Ruger lineup. We are going to contemplate taking pictures efficiency and reliability as properly.
I may even offer you my ideas and opinions about carrying, taking pictures, and sustaining this compact pistol from Sturm, Ruger, and Firm.
A Brief Historical past of the EC9S
Virtually everyone seems to be aware of the LC line of Ruger compact pistols. The LC9s and the LC380 are two of the most well-liked hid carry firearms within the Ruger line. Nonetheless, there has all the time been criticism of the LC pistols, particularly the set off pull that always gave shooters issues.
In 2018, Ruger launched the EC9S. Based on Ruger, the E stands for “Important,” as in “important carry.” In response to their buyer base, the EC9S is principally a Ruger LC9s that’s lighter, has a greater set off pull, and prices much less general. What extra might you ask from a compact pistol?
My Considerations
Anytime I see a firearms producer touting a brand new mannequin of pistol that’s small, lighter, and cheaper than its earlier variations, I get suspicious. Within the case of the EC9S, I used to be involved that Ruger had fallen into the lure of making an attempt to satisfy buyer expectations are the expense of reliability and accuracy. I feel most shooters have these suspicions after they encounter a compact pistol that falls into the lower than $300 vary.
I’ve all the time preferred Ruger weapons. I’ve discovered them to be dependable firearms which might be simple to take care of and shoot properly. Nonetheless, within the case of the EC9S, I used to be ready to be a bit of disillusioned. A lot to my shock, this isn’t the case in any respect.
The Manufacturing unit EC9S Options and Specs
Though they give the impression of being alike, the EC9s shouldn’t be the identical gun because the LC9 from Ruger.
Earlier than we get into the main points of this evaluate of the Ruger EC9s, let’s get the fundamental data out of the way in which. A fast take a look at the manufacturing unit specs for the fundamental EC9S pistol and the options that Ruger contains give us a basis for our evaluate.
Specs
- Journal capability – 7+1
- Slide Materials – By-hardened alloy metal
- Barrel Materials – Alloy metal
- Barrel Size – 3.12 inches
- Grip/Body – Black, high-performance glass-filled nylon
- Sights – integral to the slide
- Slide end – black oxide
- Barrel end – black oxide
- Width – 0.90 inches
- Weight – 17.2 ounces
- Total size – 6 inches
- Peak – 4.5 inches
- Rifling – 6 groves, 1:10 inches right-hand twist
Options
- Striker fired design
- Gentle, crisp set off pull
- Straightforward to hid carry light-weight design
- Ruger high quality building
- Checkered grip for a safe and cozy taking pictures expertise
- Features a finger grip extension floorplate for an improved grip
- Integrally machined sights with glare-reducing rear-facing serrations.
- Ruger lifetime guarantee
The specs and options of a manufacturing unit primary EC9S give us a fast general take a look at this pistol. Contemplating that this gun will be discovered for beneath $300, plainly Ruger has scored a house run on this pistol. Such a low value warrants a better examination of the elements of this pistol can many shooters suspect could also be sub-par to economize.
Getting Into The Particulars
I like to start out any pistol evaluate with a take a look at the person elements of any pistol, not simply Ruger pistols, that contribute to the general operate of the gun.
The working programs of the pistol and the way in which the pistol is designed work collectively to both make or break a semi-automatic pistol as a viable firearm.
The Set off
I normally begin with a take a look at the body and grip however on this event, I’ve elected to start out with the set off and set off security on the Ruger EC9s pistol. One of many greatest complaints in regards to the LP9S was the problem that some shooters had with the set off. Ruger addressed this problem with the design of the set off.
Set off Pull
The EC9S nonetheless has a a lot heavier pull than I would love. My improvised set off pull gauge ( a baggage scale) places the pull between 7 and eight kilos. This isn’t extreme by any means, however my style would like a bit lighter load on the set off.
The set off pull is quite lengthy with two distinct levels within the set off takeup. The break on the set off is crisp and clear with no creep. I discovered the set off motion to be constant and repeatable.
Set off Security
Ruger makes use of an ordinary set off security that doesn’t have interaction the sear launch till the set off security lever is depressed by your set off finger. There is no such thing as a noticeable impact on the set off, so the set off lever goes principally unnoticed. I just like the inclusion of a set off lever security to assist stop unintentional discharge conditions.
The built-in set off security is way the identical as different fashions of comparable pistols.
Set off Resets
The reset on the EC9S is barely noticeable aside from an audible clicking sound because the reset happens. Since most common shooters don’t rely on set off reset, this will not be an issue.
For educated shooters who persistently get a second or third shot as quickly because the set off resets, this may be a difficulty.
The Pistol Controls
Typical of Ruger compact and subcompact concealed carry pistols, the Ruger EC9S makes use of normal semi-automatic pistol controls together with a guide thumb security. The placement of the controls is normal and anybody aware of working a semi-automatic pistol can have no hassle manipulating the controls.
Guide Security
The exterior guide security is conveniently situated and doesn’t intrude with a stable pistol grip. The unobtrusive measurement of the guide security doesn’t pose any issues for on a regular basis carry like some pistols with an exterior security lever.
Journal Launch
The journal launch button is quite small however is robustly stippled for straightforward manipulations. One issue that could be thought-about is anybody with extra-large arms could have hassle getting a finger on the journal launch button with out altering their grip.
I discovered that my strong-hand thumb simply pressed the magazine launch button with out having to go looking.
Slide Launch
I did discover the slide launch lever a bit small and arduous to control. Nonetheless, this isn’t a big problem for me as I hardly ever use the slide launch. I favor to understand the slide and carry out a full cocking movement anytime I must launch the slide ahead.
Grips and Frames
Taking the Ruger EC9s into my hand was a nice shock. I’m usually delay by the way in which subcompact pistols match into my hand. Surprisingly, the EC9S looks like a a lot bigger pistol. This can be a results of the journal finger grip extension that successfully lengthens the grip.
The grip angle is just like different Ruger fashions and works properly for me. The grip body angle permits me to carry the gun to the firing place and shortly purchase a goal with out having to regulate or take into consideration my grip.
Grip Texture and Equipment
Ruger does promote a variation on the fundamental EC9S mannequin that comes with Hogue HandALL Beavertail grips sleeves put in on the manufacturing unit. Whereas I had no issues sustaining a stable grip on this small firearm, I can see how the addition of a grip sleeve would make taking pictures this pistol far more snug for some folks.
Body Materials
Like most trendy subcompact semi-automatic pistols, Ruger makes use of a high-performance glass-filled nylon body on this little gun. This protects weight and doesn’t have an effect on the efficiency or sturdiness of the firearm.
The body has aluminum insert rails on which the slide rides giving the body rigidity and sturdiness.
The Slide
The Ruger EC9s slide is machined from alloy metal. The rear of the slide has six greedy serrations machined in to facilitate a safe grasp on the slide when crucial. Since I favor to make use of a full slide reset when loading or reloading, this can be a welcome addition to the EC9S.
The sights on the EC9S are machined as an integral a part of the slide. There are not any drift adjustable rear sights on this pistol. I believe that this was completed as a cost-saving issue.
Nonetheless, the sights work properly and accuracy didn’t appear to be impaired. On the ranges the place most compact self-defense weapons are used, having adjustable sights doesn’t appear to be an issue.
Magazines
The Ruger EC9S comes from the manufacturing unit with alloy metal magazines. Sometimes the field comprises one journal however bigger capability magazines can be found as accent purchases.
One function I like is the journal disconnect. The disconnect prevents the gun from being fired when the journal shouldn’t be inserted into the magazine properly. This prevents an unintentional discharge ought to the set off be inadvertently pulled throughout a magazine change when a stay spherical is left within the chamber.
My Total Impression of the Development of the Ruger EC9S
The Ruger EC9S gives the look of typical Ruger consideration to element within the manufacturing course of.
The perimeters of the slide and body are rounded and there have been no seen machine marks on any a part of the pistol I examined. The match and end of those compact pistols are significantly better than you would possibly anticipate on a gun costing lower than $300.
Performance, Reliability, and Accuracy
These are the large three considerations for any pistol you propose to hide carry as a self-defense firearm.
In less complicated phrases, you need your gun to go bang when it’s time to go bang and put the bullet the place it’s supposed to land. Let’s check out how the Ruger EC9S stacks up in these three vital areas:
Performance
I like to interrupt down performance additional into three extra classes. Performance, to me, is outlined by how simple the gun is to take care of, how simple it’s to shoot, and the way properly it may be hid when it’s carried as a part of my on a regular basis carry.
Upkeep
Preserving an on a regular basis carry firearm in prime working order is crucial. Carrying a gun on daily basis exposes it to all types of potential issues that must be addressed commonly. I’ve discovered {that a} gun that has a tough disassembly course of is a gun that doesn’t get maintained correctly.
The takedown strategy of the Ec9S is easy however has some issues.
The detachable takedown pin is vulnerable to be simply misplaced, particularly should you should break down the pistol on the vary. In comparison with related weapons, this can be a shortcoming of the EC9S in my guide. In any other case, the gun is easy to take care of.
In case you are taking pictures manufacturing unit masses, a fast swab of the barrel and even handed use of an excellent lube on the rails is normally all that’s wanted.
Taking pictures The EC9S
For a sub-compact 9mm, the EC9s is surprisingly simple to shoot. Many small-frame semi-automatic pistols are troublesome to carry securely and ship nearly punishing recoil to the shooter.
Quite a lot of the felt recoil is a product of the grip/body angle. Ruger received the method proper on the EC9S which makes the felt recoil loads much less extreme that on many different small body pistols.
I do assume that the addition of the Hogue grip sleeve that’s out there as an choice would make the taking pictures comforter much more pronounced.
Concealing the Ec9S
I had no hassle concealing the Ruger EC9S beneath even probably the most restrictive clothes. Admittedly, your selection of holster will make a distinction in each consolation and concealability.
I routinely put on an inside-the-waistband holster and carry a Glock 43. The Ruger EC9s is so near the dimensions of the Glock 43 that I can’t conceive of any downside sporting an IWB holster.
Even an outside-the-waistband holster will be simply hid with the EC9S should you select the suitable outer clothes. A t-shirt suffices fairly properly when untucked. I managed to put on a pair of cargo shorts and a light-weight t-shirt with an IWB holster with none issues.
Reliability
The very last thing you need to fear about with a defense weapon is whether or not or not it is going to operate in the intervening time that’s most important. Reliability depends on each the way in which the gun is manufactured and the way properly it’s maintained. I examined the EC9S utilizing manufacturing unit a great deal of each ball ammo and a number of other completely different self-defense masses. In all, I despatched about 300 rounds downrange.
Throughout my take a look at, the Ruger EC9S proved to be as dependable as I might need. I by no means suffered a single failure to feed, any form of malfunction of the ejection system, or a brief stroke on the slide. Even the specialised self-defense rounds fed with no downside utilizing the manufacturing unit journal.
I all the time encourage anybody who intends to hold a hid firearm and defensive ammunition to check the gun and cartridges to make sure that all the pieces works collectively. There might be no extra harmful scenario than a failure to feed when confronted with a vital scenario.
Accuracy
Upfront I have to make it clear that the Ruger EC9S isn’t going to be a selection for aggressive taking pictures. The quick barrel and the dimensions of the body don’t lead the EC9S to nice accuracy over distance. Nonetheless, I have to additionally say that I used to be genuinely shocked at how properly a few of my groupings occurred.
Of the 300 or so rounds I fired throughout my testing, 200 had been ball manufacturing unit ammunition. The stability was an assortment of self-defense rounds that I maintain in my storage for testing and private protection.
The Outcomes
I first roughly 50 rounds at 25 yards. This was all ball ammo and carried out about as I anticipated. I managed to maintain all the photographs on the paper and the overwhelming majority had been within the black on an ordinary silhouette goal. Suffice it to say I wouldn’t need to have interaction a risk beneath traumatic conditions at 25 yards with this pistol.
I first the final of the ball ammo at each 15 and seven yards. My accuracy improved immensely at these ranges. At 7 yards, all of my photographs had been contained in the 8-ring on the goal. At 15 yards, all hits had been contained in the 7-ring.
The final of my take a look at rounds had been the self-defense ammunition. I hearth these extra as a take a look at of purposeful reliability than for accuracy. I are inclined to do a number of magazine dumps as quick as potential to see if a failure to feed happens.
I additionally load up a number of magazines with a combined batch of this ammo and hearth all of them at 7 yards. Most of my photographs remained on the paper. Even when doing a magazine dump as quick as potential, I stored all the pieces on paper. All in all, this can be a comparatively snug little gun to shoot.
My Suggestions in regards to the EC9S from Ruger
If you need a stable performing sub0compact pistol chambered for 9mm, you gained’t be disillusioned with the Ruger EC9S.
When you think about that the value level for this firearm usually is available in under $400, I’d contemplate this a discount. I do suggest that you just spend a number of further {dollars} to get the variant with the Hogue grip sleeve manufacturing unit put in.
