An Officer And A Gentleman

Ruger’s Officer-sized SR1911 and 9mm Security-9 have styles and prices to make any budget happy.

The folks at Ruger have an annoying habit of releasing new guns I just can’t resist. I’ll bet you know the feeling? Just when you think there’s nothing else you could possibly want, BAM, they’re clobbering you over the head with it!

Ruger’s problem stems from the fact they’re constantly being bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from their customers, all confessing their wants, needs and wishes. The hitch here is unlike most companies, Ruger listens, continuing to tease us with compelling new ideas. A case in point is our two test guns. I call them “Officer and a Gentleman” and you’ll soon know why.

Old Reliable and the New Kid on the block — both provide reliable protection no
matter their material differences. Note the Viridian laser on the Security-9.

Ruger Security-9

What would you call a gun exhibiting good manners, performing the way it’s supposed to perform and priced below reasonable? These are the traits of a true gentleman and Ruger’s Security-9 with Veridian laser sights is just that.

A mid-sized pistol, the Security-9 is a easily concealed and basically the same size as the GLOCK 19 — along with entry-level pricing. The Security-9 is built around a precision-machined, hard-coated, aluminum chassis with full-length rails. The Secure Action used in the Security-9 is the same one used in Ruger’s LCP II, derived from the tried and true Ruger LCP fire control system.

It has a 15+1 capacity and a 4″ barrel. Overall length is 7.24″ and width is 1.02″. Height is 5″ and weighs in at 23.7 oz., shipping with two alloy steel magazines. A smooth, short, crisp trigger-pull, combined with the positive reset, contributes to the Security-9’s accuracy and control. Shooting it is a blast! The textured grip-frame provides a comfortable, non-slip grip-foundation for a steady hold and is very comfy. The high-visibility sight system is dovetailed, with a drift-adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight. These sights can be easily replaced, should you prefer something different.
The hardened alloy-steel slide has front and rear serrations, providing a positive grip during slide manipulation and press checking.

The Security-9 comes complete with a factory installed Viridian E series red laser. The laser unit only weighs 1/2 oz. with installed battery and is anchored at the rail and trigger guard. Amazing technology if you ask me.

Housed in holsters, the Officer Style rides in a Milt Sparks 55-BN Bruce Nelson
and the Security-9 in a Kydex holster Tank made with a knifekits.com kit.

Safe And Affordable

Safety features include a bladed trigger safety, external manual safety, a neutrally balanced sear with significant engagement and strong spring tension.

A “hammer catch” helps prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin, unless the trigger is pulled. If by some impossible reason the hammers falls on its own, the hammer catch will absolutely catch the hammer. I heard in testing the only way they could get the hammer catch to fail — was to machine it off! The Security-9 also has a chamber witness-hole for fast confirmation of chamber status.

For a minimal cost, Ruger provides us the chance to own a high-capacity, safe, reliable and affordable form of protection for our families without breaking the budget. Ruger makes it easy to protect yourself and your family with the Security-9.

Choose your poison: 15+1 9mm (left) or 7+1 .45 ACP? Let the debate begin!

Shooting

As any gentleman would, the Security-9 functioned well, digesting all ammo shot with nary a hiccup, belch or burp. While no target pistol, this affordable shooter can keep 10 shots around 3″ with no problem. Some ammo, including handloads, shot half this when I shot from the bench at 25 yards. Amazing, actually, for the price.

I would feel cool and confident carrying this pistol concealed, or for home defense. I know I’m different, but I get a kick in the pants when a gun performs this well, especially at bargain basement prices. MSRP is $439, but realistically sells for much less. I’ve seen them listed for about $350 when snooping around.

The great trigger contributed to the Ruger SR1911 Officer-Style pistol’s accuracy.
Tank pronounced it great fun to shoot!

Officer-Style SR1911

In March of 1911, the U.S. Army adopted Colt’s semi-auto pistol as its official sidearm, calling it the Model 1911. One hundred years later, Sturm, Ruger and Co. releases their SR1911. Ruger has recently expanded their SR1911 line further, releasing their Officer-Style SR1911, a chopped version, sporting a 3.6″ barrel and shorter grip.

The Ruger Officer-Style 1911 goes through a precision CNC-controlled machining process ensuring a superior slide-to-frame fit. My gun was extremely smooth in this regard. This gun sports a bull-barrel, adding weight up front for increased muzzle control, also aided by the full-length guide rod.

The bushing-less barrel provides positive barrel lock-up, ensuring excellent accuracy. The skeletonized aluminum trigger has a quick, positive reset and is adjustable for over-travel stop. The skeletonized hammer and titanium firing pin makes lock-time faster too. The beavertail, thumb-safety, magazine release and slide-stop lever are oversized, improving the feel, mechanics and manipulation of these controls. The ejection port is also oversized and flared.

A visual inspection port allows you to peek into the chamber to check the status of things. Stylish rear serrations promote good looks and positive grip during slide manipulation. The mainspring housing is rounded and checkered for a positive grip and makes it more comfortable to carry too.

Grips panels are sharp-looking G10 material, checkered with an artistic flair of the Ruger Phoenix wing with the Ruger Phoenix logo inside the wing. The roughness of the wing design and logo provide a slip-free, positive grip.

Sights are drift-adjustable, a dovetailed Novak three-dot system, providing fast sight alignment and a quick sight-picture. This modest-sized SR1911 ships with 2 stainless-steel magazines. At only 7.25″ long and 5″ tall, it’s definitely carry-friendly. At 1.34″ wide and a steel-framed 31 oz. unloaded, it’s “enough gun” to hang onto, and the 7+1 capacity also means there’s enough gun to defend yourself with.

Like the 1911, the Security-9 is accurate, and ran like the proverbial top.
A lot of value for not a lot of cash.

Shooting The Shorty

For a factory trigger, Ruger should be commended on the trigger my test sample has. While not creep-free, it was negligible, and let-off very light for one of today’s lawsuit-proof triggers. My trigger pull gauge was on the blink so I can’t give an exact poundage. Suffice to say, it was surprisingly good.
My gun showed a penchant for Lee 200-gr. cast handloads loaded over 7 grains of Unique, and Blackhills 135-gr. HoneyBadger ammo. Shooting from the hind-legs at 50 feet, groups ran around 2″, give or take. While carrying a lightweight aluminum frame gun is more convenient, the steel-frame version of this gun is nice for soaking up the recoil. This pistol just feels right in your hand.

My gun preformed flawlessly, and there were no misfires, failures to eject or extract. But keep in mind, we always clean and lube test guns and use good ammo and strong firing grips. You should too. Empties were thrown with authority over my right shoulder. Like most Rugers, this is a good, solid gun and a great contender for someone wanting to get into the 1911 platform without breaking the bank.

Something For Everyone

With these two shooters, Ruger can fill quite a few niches with their entry-level priced 9mm Security-9 and Officer-style 1911 in .45 ACP. There’s no excuse not to be armed these days, and Ruger continues to make sturdy, accurate and reliable guns fitting most people’s budgets.

www.ruger.com

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