Ruger Security 9 Review [Great Budget 9mm]

Finding a good budget firearm can be tough to do. So many handguns advertised as budget would be better categorized as cheap. However, the Ruger Security 9 falls squarely into the budget category, and today we are going to talk about why in this Ruger Security 9 review. 

So, I reviewed this gun last year, but after a whole lot of use and shooting hundreds of rounds, I’ve started to see it differently. Let’s take a look at what’s changed in my latest thoughts on the Ruger Security 9.

History of the Security Series 

As a lifelong gun enthusiast, I’ve always found Ruger’s journey in handgun development fascinating. The Ruger Security 6 marked their first venture into the double-action revolver market, eventually becoming a staple in their lineup with an impressive production run of about 1.5 million units. The six is Security 6 is a clear reference to the capacity of the classic revolver. The nine in Ruger Security 9 isn’t a reference to capacity but to the caliber. This 9mm semi-auto handgun is a far cry from the classic revolver, but they share a few traits. 

Both were built with affordability and duty use in mind. Ruger has had several lines of semi-auto handguns, and the Security 9 is their latest. It’s a fairly simple handgun that trims away nonessential features to offer a robust, reliable, and accurate pistol. You won’t get interchangeable backstraps or night sights with a gun this cheap. 

What you do get is a perfectly competent concealed carry gun well suited for personal protection or home defense. Heck, it would be at home in the holster of a security guard, although most police would likely go the Glock or SIG route. The budget price point of the Security 9 makes it quite attractive, and the Ruger guarantee of quality helps secure its place as a budget gun and not a cheap gun. 

The Security 9 replaces the SR series of Ruger handguns with something a little more modern and a lot sleeker. The Security 9 comes in two sizes, the full and compact. While guns are plenty similar, I’m reviewing the Security 9 full-size today. While it’s called a full size, it is smaller than guns like the P320 and Glock 17 and is more Glock 19 size with a 4-inch barrel and 15 round capacity. 

Ruger Security 9 Features

1 Single Action Hammer Fired Design 

2 Easy Adjust Sights 

3 Easy Adjust Sights 

4 Trigger and Manual Safety 

5 Picatinny Rail

Security-9 Variations

The Ruger Security 9 comes in a number of variations and colors. Apart from the standard mentioned above, below we have another 3 options for this pistol.

Banging Hammers With the Security-9 – Our Take

Unlike most modern handguns, the Security-9 uses a hammer-fired design. In an era where striker-fired gun designs are common, this particular firearm stands out. It’s not your typical hammer fired gun, but a single action-only hammer that’s completely shrouded. You cannot manually cock the hammer. This same design proved to be successful on the LCP 2 and LC9, so it makes sense to stick with it. 

This design implements a very striker-fired-like trigger. It’s one consistent trigger pull that came in at about 6 pounds. The pull is short, but it’s spongy and grinds a bit. It feels like two pieces of plastic rubbing on each other. The reset is short and audible, but I can barely feel the click. Ruger didn’t equip the Security-9 with a bad trigger by any means, but no one would be impressed by it. 

The sights are fairly large and easy to see. The rear sight has a Glock-like U shape, and the front sight is a simple white dot. Adjusting the sights is really easy. Loosen the screw, move it where you want it, then tighten it down. No sight pusher or muscle is required. The big sights are easy to see but cover a fair bit of the target at range. From a practical standpoint, it’s not an issue. At defensive handgun ranges, you’ll engage with ease. From a precision standpoint, a 3.5-inch group at 25 yards is the best I can do. 

Holding On 

The grip is just long enough to completely fill my hand. It lacks any obnoxious finger grooves or weird features. We don’t see any fancy grip work here. The rear hump is enough for a good high grip, and the trigger guard undercut is just average. The grip texture isn’t very aggressive, and I think a little stipple work would improve the grip. The grip’s circumference feels nice and thin, less block than a lot of striker-fired polymer-frame guns. 

Ruger tossed on a manual thumb safety for those who prefer. According to the internet, it’s removable, but that seems like a fairly bad way to modify a gun outside of the manufacturer’s specs. Going from same to fire is quick and easy, but going from fire to safe it’s as intuitive. I’d much rather go from safe to fire easily, though. 

Recoil is mild and predictable for a weapon this size. It’s plain average and expected for all guns of this size and caliber. Hanging and blasting away isn’t much of a challenge. When it came time to blast away rapidly, the gun didn’t wiggle or fight its way out of my hand. I could keep it down and on target. Pulling off double taps, controlled pairs, and failure to stop drills doesn’t present a ton of challenge. 

The Cost of Admission 

After a fair bit of booming, powing, and banging around, I’ve come to find the Security-9 to be quite reliable. In fact, other than a primer that seemed to be a dud, I didn’t have any malfunctions. I couldn’t get that one round of Winchester White Box to fire in a secondary pistol either, so I think it’s an ammo issue. 

The Security-9 retails for less than 400 dollars. Heck, I’ve seen it for less than 300 here and there. At that price, I feel the Security-9 is the budget-grade pistol to beat. For the price, I think this is the most affordable, high-quality handgun on the market. 

So, in the end, I think this is an excellent pistol. I feel as though it falls in the affordable range, while also being very reliable. And although it isn’t as accurate as other options out there, based on its price, I think it’s a great ROI. It is because of this that I added it to our list of best 9mm pistols, and ranked it in the budget friendly options. But, as you’ll see, it didn’t get my #1 spot for best budget pistol.

Security 9 Pros and Cons

Ruger Security 9 – FAQs

Is the Ruger Security 9 suitable as a target pistol?

Yes, if you’re looking for a pistol for target shooting, the Ruger Security 9 can serve you well. While it’s primarily designed for concealed carry or home defense, its reliability and manageable recoil make it suitable for recreational shooting and basic target practice.

Is the Ruger Security 9 considered a range gun?

Absolutely. The Ruger Security 9 is often chosen as a range gun because of its affordability, reliability, and ease of handling. Its compact size and lightweight design make it comfortable to shoot for extended periods during range sessions.

What material is the slide of the Ruger Security 9 made of?

The slide of the Ruger Security 9 is crafted from alloy steel. This choice of material provides both durability and strength while keeping the overall weight of the firearm manageable. So, when you’re out shooting, you can trust in the reliability and longevity of its alloy steel slide.

Can the stock sights on the Ruger Security 9 be replaced with aftermarket options?

Yes, if you’re looking to upgrade your sights, you’ll be glad to know that the stock sights on the Ruger Security 9 can be easily replaced with aftermarket options. Whether you prefer night sights, fiber optic sights, or adjustable sights, there’s a variety of aftermarket choices available to customize your firearm according to your preferences.

Ruger Security 9 Ammo

Ruger Security 9 Starter Pack

So what’s next? Well, if you decide to get the Ruger Security 9, you’re going to need to pick up some must-have basics. Here’s our recommendation for what you need to get started.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check our our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

With the basics outta the way, let’s jump into some cool accessories you might want to consider when purchasing your Ruger Security 9

Security 9 Upgrades and Accessories

There’s a bunch of different options available to accessorize the Ruger Security 9. However, if we had to choose only a few options… Here’s our picks.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR Ruger Security 9

Not only do you need to keep your firearms safe and secure, you’re also going to need to know how to take care of it. While scouring the internet, we came across this excellent video;

Important Links And Manuals For Your Ruger Security 9

For more info regarding the Ruger Security 9, check out the following resources:

• Ruger Security 9 Spec Sheet
• Ruger Firearm Registration
• Locking Manual
• Ruger New Firearm Resources
• Security 9 Manual