Part II of our reviews of the Ruger SR series moves to the Ruger SR40. I’ve discussed this pistol
previously at Gun Nuts Media (click here for the review) but I wanted to give the CTD readers a more comprehensive look at the Ruger SR40, using my “Good, Bad, Ugly” format that I run over at Gun Nuts. One thing to remember is that “bad” features aren’t actually really awful, just things that I think need improvement. The “Ugly” is the category for stuff on a gun I just don’t like at all. So let’s take a look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Ruger SR40.
The Good
- The trigger: after spending a tremendous amount of time shooting nothing but DA revolves, it’s really put the issue of “trigger pull” in a whole new light for me. I’ve also become obsessed with how positively a trigger resets; I want to feel the trigger go “click” under my finger as I let it forward so I know I can shoot again. The SR40′s trigger has a great reset, which means you can run the gun very fast. At a training class, I shot almost 2000 rounds through an SR40 and was getting splits in the high teens on certain drills.
- The Grip: the gun points very well. The grip angle and adjustable backstraps allow you to adjust the gun to get the bore axis very low relative to your hand, which helps cut down recoil on the snappy .40 S&W cartridge.
- Reliability: the SR40 was boringly reliable. I have fed all kinds of different .40 ammo, and even after several high round count, fairly abusive classes, it continues to run. I also haven’t cleaned it in over 2000 rounds.
- Ergonomics: this is a very easy gun to shoot and carry. As mentioned above, it sets well in the hand, is light, thin, and easily concealed.
The Bad
- The sights: On the SR series, the factory sights feature a rounded profile and a fairly narrow rear notch. They’re not great for competition shooting or self defense, and I’d get them replaced with a Novak rear sight and a fiber optic front, or if this your carry gun I’d get a set of XS Sights.
- No forward cocking serrations: the SR9c features forward cocking serrations to aid in press-checking the gun. The SR40 does not, and I miss them when I press check my SR40.
- Disassembly: taking down the SR40 (and all the SR pistols) involves sticking your finger down the magwell with the slide locked to the rear to push the takedown lever. The Ruger manual says “do this with a pencil” in case the slide unlocks and slams your finger in-between the breech face and barrel.
The Ugly
- The safety: This has got to go. On the SR40, when you’re holding the gun properly the safety recoils directly into the web of your thumb. This hurts. After 500 rounds, it produces blood, and 1500 consecutive rounds I was wearing a triple-wrapped bandage on my thumb. The safety design either needs to be changed, or deleted entirely from the gun.
- And speaking of things that need to be deleted from the gun, my greatest “Ugly” is the magazine disconnect safety. That has got to go. Magazine disconnect safeties have no place on a combat pistol, a self-defense firearm, or a competition pistol. It is in fact possible to bump the ambi-magazine release and partially eject the magazine. The round will still chamber, but the gun goes dead. Not okay.
The Final Word
I don’t like the SR40 nearly as much as I like it’s smaller brother, the SR9c. That being said, the SR40 would be a good choice for someone looking for a range gun, or a .40 S&W carry pistol. There are plenty of videos online about how to delete the mag safety, and the SR40 does do the most important thing that a carry gun should do: it shoots, and it shoots every time. While I think there are improvements Ruger could make to the design, I would still recommend the SR40. Overall, it takes 4th place on my list of .40 S&W polymer pistols, and of the guns on the list it does have the best price point.
The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!
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Pingback by Tweets that mention Ruger SR40 Review: The good, the bad, and the ugly « The Shooter's Log -- Topsy.com — February 3, 2011 @ 4:36 pm
Thanks for your review on the SR40!
Comment by Todd Kincaid Jr — February 3, 2011 @ 6:14 pm
One thing I actually like about Ruger pistols is the take-down lever inside the action. It almost guarantees a chamber and magazine check before cleaning the gun. On my P series pistol it means you never have to press the trigger unless you are taking a shot. That is my biggest pet peeve with Glocks. Pulling the trigger before field stripping just feels more dangerous to me that reaching into the action. As for manual safeties and magazine safeties, why? They serve no purpose for a concealed or competition pistol. Only in open carry does a magazine disconnect make sense. Ruger should make this feature optional along with the manual safety.
Comment by Brice — February 3, 2011 @ 6:56 pm
While I understand your thoughts about the magazine disconnect, I, being as most who read this are, a parent, understand completely about this feature. I keep one in the chamber for protection always, and when I take it off, I eject the magazine. Most of the time I have the magazine (or an empty mag) sitting next to it. I do not if the kids are home when I am not. This way, if one of them or their friends starts playing with it… It is just an extra layer of protection for those situations.
Comment by kent — February 3, 2011 @ 10:48 pm
I never had a problem with any of my Rugers’ takedown levers, never had the slide release. The least favorite thing about the Glocks and other similar pistols is that you have to dry fire them before you take them down.
I would never rely an any safety to make a firearm “safe” while loaded. Safeties fail all the time. Relying on a magazine disconnect is a huge mistake, especially if kids or unauthorized handlers are involved.
Comment by Witt Sullivan — February 6, 2011 @ 5:53 pm
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If you are using the magazine safety to protect your children, I suggest you sell your firearms and buy a baseball bat. No firearm should EVER be left unsecured in a household with children. If you aren’t carrying your firearm, there are plenty of small inexpensive gun safes that allow rapid access to your firearm if you need it. Children should be well schooled about the safe use of firearms and taught to never touch one without an adult present, but this should be thought of as the “belt” after the suspenders. Firearm safety is a behavior not a mechanical device.
Comment by Thomas — March 2, 2011 @ 4:20 pm
Disagree with your comments on the safety location. You are not doing something right. I have shot 9,000 rounds in SR9 and it is a comfortable accurate pistol. Safety location is fine.
Comment by Edwards — April 10, 2011 @ 6:21 am
I have been a fan of Ruger pistols for a long time revolvers & autos. For carry I have two LCP’s & so I don’t worry about extra mags. I also never have a live round in a chamber & practice ranking when I pull. The LCP is small & carrying two is reasonable because of their size. I just ordered an SR9c & I am considering an SR40 basically as a full sized “home” gun. I put a lot of rounds through the LCP and I think it’s a great little gun & easy to carry. I am purchasing the SR9c so I don’t feel I need to carry two pocket pistols becaue of it’s extra capcity. I have read a lot about the safety issues with the SR pistols and I am not sure how I feel about it. One reason I don’t have one in the chamber is for safety reasons. I practice pulling & racking and feel it’s become a habit with me. With the SR pistols I would think the safety is a good idea and I may actually use it. But if I were not to use it and stick with my current method of pulling & racking is there anything wrong with that? I guess I don’t get what all the fuss is with the safety….use it or don’t it’s your choice…right?
Comment by Rob Drummond — April 20, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
I’m looking at the SR40 (new) and a used S&W 5906, I like the 5906 but I’m a little nervous about picking up an old police gun. I want something inexpensive, (less than $500) and very accurate any ideas? both will come in right around my budget, so please keep that in mind.
Comment by Auto Loan After Bankruptcy — May 3, 2011 @ 9:20 pm
I am happy with the decision to go with the SR40. Just got rid of Glock .22, mainly for the safety, or lack thereof. Seems to me the SR40 is more accurate and being that I do carry a round in the chamber, safer. Oh yeah, let’s talk about the safety lever. Never had a problem with it. Maybe I was taught the wrong way to grip a pistol, but as long as I can place all 16 rounds in head portion of the target from 25 feet away in less than 9 seconds, don’t see a need to change it, right?
Comment by Destinys Daddy — June 24, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
I just purchased an SR40c and the first thing I did when I opened the box at home was remove the magazine disconnect(then I cleaned out the massive amount of oil and re-lubed with a light coat of CLP). I also own Beretta PX4 Storm sc 9mm. The thing I like about the Beretta is that you can rack the slide and field strip it with the safety on. The Ruger has to be on fire when you rack the slide. This means that after you drop the magazine, the weapon is not on safe when you eject the chambered round. I suppose this is normal for guns without safeties and perhaps one reason for the magazine disconnect. I do not dry fire a whole lot but my concern was light primer strikes occurring if the mag safety is present (SR9C issue). I have a conceled weapons permit and am also concerned if this modification is legal if I ever use my weapon to save my life or the lives of other innocent people.
Comment by john — August 23, 2011 @ 1:57 pm
( Magazine disconnect safeties have no place on a combat pistol, a self-defense firearm, or a competition pistol. )
Well living in California and some other states all new pistol have to have it. The thumb safety issues well you just have change my mind in purchasing one.
Comment by Kenny M — November 4, 2011 @ 9:33 pm
Had Glock made this weapon I would have been a convert from my 1911 years ago. I had a G27 for my primary CC gun, as soon as I put the SR40 in my hands I knew I had to get rid of the Glock.
Comment by M1Gunr — November 10, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
My issue with the SR40C is that it will not accept a round if not cocked – if uncocked, the pin extends out into the chamber and blocks the first incoming round, making the pistol unfirable. Ruger has been terrible to deal with on this issue (3 weeks getting thru to a human being…) and is not even interested in mentioning this issue in the manual. I am selling mine….
Comment by Dave — February 6, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
I’ve shot the SR40 many times. Reliability is great, grip is great, sights depend on the person. i’ve been very accurate with the standard sights and prefer them. The safety has NEVER hit any part of my hand, and like i said i shot the SR40 a lot. Everything about the gun is fantastic and it just depends on preference of the shooter. not everyone likes a full size, not everyone likes a compact, etc. The gun doesnt choose a shooter, the shooter must choose a gun. Its all about what you like, and I love this gun.
Comment by Mike — February 28, 2012 @ 8:19 am
Hey Dave,
I just got my SR40 home. I dry-fired mine and than practiced loading it. And…you are correct. The firing pin protrudes past the face of the breach-face and jambs the cartridge. I am glad the round did not go home–I am thinking it would have fired if the pin remains protruded.
I read the manual, expos facto. It states that you must dry fire the weapon with an empty magazine installed. No problems now. Loads cleanly and does not jamb.
I wonder if this is a California feature. I would not doubt it.
thanks,
markm
Comment by Mark — February 28, 2012 @ 8:31 pm
I know what the safety button issue is. Your hand is too big for the gun. This gun is for someone with small hands. I am 5’7″ with proportional hands for my height (size medium gloves) I have shot about 700 rounds with my SR40C and never had the safety touch my thumb. My brother on the other hand has gorilla hands and he had the exact same problem you had. I am 100% certain I am holding the gun properly, as I am currently being instructed by a highly successful competition marksman. This gun is best for men/women with smaller hands.
Comment by edward french — March 23, 2012 @ 7:53 pm
I wear large-xlarge gloves. I cannot see how the safety could possibly be a problem. Personally, I have no problem with all the safeties, or the loaded chamber indicator. Don’t use the thumb safety if you don’t like it. Apparently its not hard to disconnect the mag safety. I love the loaded chamber indicator. The trigger is great. To me the rear sight is kinda ugly, but is very functional. If the safeties and the loaded chamber indicator bother you for some reason, buy a Glock.
Comment by jdog53 — September 15, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
Comment by coconut oil stores — September 20, 2012 @ 3:42 am
i love this pistol, accurate as hell, love the sites, love the grip, no problem with the saftey. i dont know what this guy is talking about?! i shoot i.d.p.a. with this pistol and i have had no problems with it, easy to clean, take down is no problem.
Comment by rick — September 24, 2012 @ 3:36 pm
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Comment by Locksmith Miami beach — November 1, 2012 @ 2:52 am
I wish Ruger would bring back the P94 .40 S&W. I loved those Rugers. Had all three stolen from me and now I can’t find one that isn’t abused since they are now discontinued.
Comment by Beezel — November 3, 2012 @ 5:00 am
this review post and who ever did it full of shit and needs to check themselves cause you good sir dont know jack shit
Comment by scooter — November 7, 2012 @ 1:11 am
i bought my SR 40 in Jan of this year, love the way it felt in my hand, good grip!
One thing i noticed about the gun right away was the slop in the magazine in the gun. So i took this gun to the range last week, first time i run shells through it. Winchester 180 grn jhp bought at walyworld. I didnt get through the second magazine when my SR broke in my hand! the magazine release button fell out hitting me in my hand and a piece of sheared metal followed. Took the gun back to the store where i purchased it and they boxed it up and sent it back to Ruger. hope to get it back soon, loved the way it shot the first 20 times….
Comment by kevin — March 3, 2013 @ 10:26 am
I have been searching for either a SR9 or SR40 pistol in the used [2nd tier markets]. I see quite a number of SR40′s for sale around $400 with everything. However; Never a 9mmp – SR9!
The gun guys down in Phoenix, AZ tell me that the SR9′s are great but that the SR40′s are Nothing but Trouble ! They say; ‘ Don’t Buy One ‘ ! If you want a .40 cal; Buy a FNH FNP.40 ! They Work and Every Time !!! So I bought one ! And, Yes, they run circles around any other of the .40cal pistols, especially the junk Glocks ! And, don’t get me going on how bad Glocks are!
The best 9mmp that I ever owned is the’ Star BM 9mmp scale of the Colts Govnt model bar none!!!
I have three of them, they All Work and Well too ! Ruger like S&W and others are into these Plastic Junk Guns now ! So be careful out there ! Joe-
Comment by Joe Smith — May 21, 2013 @ 7:54 pm