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Ruger Security 9 vs Glock 19: Which Is the Superior Handgun?

Ruger vs Glock 19 Ruger vs Glock 19 Ruger vs Glock 19

Table of Contents

 

The Ruger Security 9 is a recoil operated semi-automatic pistol with a single-action (SA) trigger made by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.. It is quite compact with its 4” long barrel. The Security 9 is a lightweight hammer-fired pistol designed to be an inexpensive option for self-defense and concealed carry. This pistol relies on the use of the famous 9mm Luger cartridge and its magazine can hold up to 15+1 rounds of ammo, which is quite enough for a self-defense pistol.

The market is full of well made handguns that are similar sized to the Ruger Security 9 - 4” and were made for the same purposes. So there’s no surprise that the Ruger Security 9 has its own competitors. One of the biggest is definitely the well known Glock 19, probably the most popular pistol ever produced by Glock, a famous Austrian firearms manufacturer. To decide which one of these pistols is better, let’s take a deeper look at their main differences and similarities at first.

 

Introducing ruger security-9

Ruger Security 9 Features

 

The Ruger Security 9 is a mid-sized semi-automatic pistol. With an overall length of 7.24 inches and an unloaded weight of 23.7 ounces, it offers ease of handling and durability. Its height of 5 inches and width of 1.1 inches ensure a compact profile that enhances grip and control. The 4-inch barrel length strikes a balance between accuracy and portability.

 

What is Ruger Security 9?

 

The Ruger Security 9 is a mid-sized semi-automatic pistol designed for self-defense, recreational shooting, and law enforcement use. With an overall length of 7.24 inches and an unloaded weight of 23.7 ounces, it is engineered for ease of handling and durability. The pistol features a 4-inch barrel, stands 5 inches high, and is 1.1 inches wide, offering a compact profile that enhances grip and control. It has a magazine capacity of 15+1 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, making it suitable for extended shooting sessions without frequent reloading.

The Ruger Security 9 boasts a magazine capacity of 15+1 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, allowing for extended shooting sessions without frequent reloading. Despite some minor issues discussed in user reviews and forums, such as occasional reliability problems, these are often considered minor compared to the handgun's overall performance and reliability.

Ruger, a well-established American firearms manufacturer, is known for producing reliable and affordable firearms. The brand's reputation for quality and innovation is evident in the Security 9. Ruger consistently prioritizes user-friendly design, and the Security 9 exemplifies this with its controls and construction. Ruger’s commitment to safety is showcased through features like the Secure Action system, which combines a protected internal hammer with a bladed-safety trigger. Despite minor issues noted in user reviews, the Security 9’s overall performance, reliability, and value align with Ruger’s esteemed reputation in the firearms industry. This makes the Ruger Security 9 a dependable choice for both novice and experienced shooters.

 

Is Ruger a good brand of gun?

 

Yes, Ruger is a highly respected brand in the firearms industry. Known for their reliability and durability, Ruger firearms are trusted by both civilian and law enforcement users. The company's commitment to quality is evident in their manufacturing standards and designs. Ruger offers a wide range of firearms, from handguns to rifles, each built to perform consistently and safely.

 

Is the quality of Ruger firearms good?

 

Yes, the quality of Ruger firearms is considered very good. Ruger has built a strong reputation over decades for producing reliable, durable, and well-engineered firearms. Their products undergo rigorous testing and quality control processes to ensure consistent performance and safety. Ruger firearms are known for their affordability without compromising on quality, making them accessible to a wide range of users. The brand's extensive warranty and responsive customer service further reinforce the high quality and dependability of their products.

 

Introducing Glock 19

Glock 19 Features

 

The Glock 19 is a compact pistol with a 4.01 inch long barrel, which means it can be easily hidden if using a well-fitting Glock 19 holster, providing a good concealment option for everyday carry. The Glock 19 is equipped with a double stack 15-round magazine, and it relies on the use of the famous 9 mm cartridge. Due to its dimensions it is ideal for use as a backup weapon or for concealed carry purposes.

 

What is Glock 19?

 

The Glock 19 is a compact, semi-automatic pistol designed for versatile use, including self-defense, law enforcement, and recreational shooting. With a barrel length of 4.02 inches and an overall length of 7.36 inches, it strikes a balance between concealability and functionality. The Glock 19 is chambered in 9mm and has a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds. It is known for its reliability, ease of use, and consistent performance under various conditions.

Glock is renowned for its high standards of reliability, simplicity, and safety. Founded in Austria, Glock revolutionized the firearms industry with its introduction of polymer-framed pistols in the 1980s. The brand is particularly noted for its "Safe Action" system, which includes multiple integrated safety mechanisms that ensure the pistol can be carried safely while being ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Glock pistols, including the Glock 19, are favored by military, law enforcement, and civilian users worldwide due to their durability, low maintenance, and consistent performance. The brand's reputation for innovation and quality has made Glock a benchmark in the handgun market.

 

Is Glock the best brand of gun?

 

No, whether Glock is the best brand of gun is subjective and depends on individual preferences and specific use cases. Glock is highly regarded for its reliability, simplicity, and durability. Many law enforcement agencies and military units worldwide trust Glock pistols due to their consistent performance and ease of maintenance. However, the "best" brand can vary based on factors such as ergonomics, intended use, and personal preference. Therefore, while Glock is certainly one of the leading brands, the best brand of gun ultimately depends on the user's specific needs and preferences.

 

RUGER SECURITY 9 VS GLOCK 19 - most important SPECS AND FEATURES

 

Both of these pistols, the Ruger Security 9 the same as the Glock 19, represent a good choice for your everyday self-defense. Although they were not developed for concealed carry purposes, due to their quite compact size you can still hide them well within the right type of holster. To find out which one of these pistols is a better EDC choice for you, let’s now focus on their similarities and differences.

 

What are the Best Holsters for Ruger Security 9?

 

When looking for the best holsters for Ruger Security 9, Craft Holsters offers a variety of high-quality options to suit different carrying preferences. For those seeking discreet carry, the Ruger Security 9 IWB Holsters are designed to be worn inside the waistband, providing excellent concealment and comfort. For open carry enthusiasts or those who prefer easy access, the Ruger Security 9 OWB Holsters are an ideal choice, offering a comfortable carry outside the waistband. Additionally, the Ruger Security 9 Shoulder Holsters provide an alternative carrying method, distributing the weight across the upper body for enhanced comfort and accessibility. Each holster from Craft Holsters is meticulously handcrafted to ensure a secure fit and smooth draw for the Ruger Security 9.

 

What are the best shoulder holster options for the Ruger Security 9?

 

The Ruger Security 9 is an excellent choice for shoulder holster carry due to its compact size, reliable performance, and ease of access. Ruger Security 9 shoulder holsters include two popular carry options - horizontal and vertical carry styles, both of which come with a spare magazine pouch for added convenience.

Shoulder Holster System - $209:  Includes a shoulder holster, cross-shoulder harness, and magazine pouch. Removable belt tie-down straps increase stability. Made from Italian cowhide and sewn with German threads. Designed for horizontal shoulder carry but can convert to a belt holster. Harness adjustable up to XL, with customization available.

Vertical Roto Shoulder Holster System - $219: Features a roto-shoulder holster, cross-shoulder harness, double magazine pouch, and belt tie-down straps. Made from Italian leather and German threads. Designed for vertical carry with a horizontal draw option via the roto feature. Hand-molded for a perfect fit with an open-muzzle design. Harness adjustable up to XL, with customization available. Balanced and stable, even without tie-down straps.

 

Are Ruger Better Than Glocks?

 

No, Ruger is not inherently better than Glocks; it depends on individual preferences and specific needs. Glock pistols are renowned for their reliability, simplicity, and widespread use in law enforcement and military. Ruger firearms, on the other hand, are known for their affordability, diverse range of models, and innovative designs, often appealing to both new and experienced shooters.

While Ruger offers excellent value and reliability, Glock's reputation for unmatched dependability and ease of use in high-stress situations often gives it an edge for professional use. Ultimately, the choice between Ruger and Glock depends on what features and characteristics are most important to the user.

 

Does Ruger Security 9 Have Problems?

 

Ruger Security 9 Problems

 

Yes, the Ruger Security 9 has problems. Ruger Security 9 is generally well-regarded for its affordability, reliability, and ease of use, some users have reported issues. Common problems include occasional failure to feed or eject, which can be attributed to magazine or ammunition inconsistencies. There have been reports of the slide not locking back on the last round and issues with the trigger not resetting properly. However, these problems are not universal and many users find the Security 9 to be a reliable and effective handgun for self-defense and recreational shooting. Regular maintenance and using quality ammunition can mitigate many of these issues. 

 

What are the Best Holsters for Glock 19?

 

When looking for the best holsters for Glock 19, Craft Holsters offers a variety of high-quality options to suit different carrying preferences. For those seeking discreet carry, the Glock 19 IWB Holsters are designed to be worn inside the waistband, providing excellent concealment and comfort. For open carry enthusiasts or those who prefer easy access, the Glock 19 OWB Holsters are an ideal choice, offering a comfortable carry outside the waistband. Additionally, the Glock 19 Shoulder Holsters provide an alternative carrying method, distributing the weight across the upper body for enhanced comfort and accessibility. Each Glock 19 holster from Craft Holsters is made to ensure a secure fit and smooth draw for the Glock 19.

 

Is Glock the best pistol in the world?

 

No, Glock is not definitively the best pistol in the world, as this is subjective and depends on individual preferences and specific use cases.  Glock pistols are renowned for their reliability, simplicity, and widespread use in law enforcement and military. However, other brands produce high-quality pistols with unique features that some users might prefer. Therefore, while Glock is certainly among the top contenders in the handgun market, the title of "best pistol" ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

 

Does Glock 19 have Problems?

 

Glock 19 Problems

 

Yes, the Glock 19 has problems too. The main Glock 19 problems include erratic ejection patterns, "Glock bite" for larger hands, stiff magazine release, uncomfortable grip angle for some, less durable factory plastic sights, and quick-wearing slide finish. Despite these, it remains popular for its reliability, ease of maintenance, and parts availability.

 

Glock vs Ruger: SIZE COMPARISON

 

The size definitely matters, especially when you’re looking for a EDC gun or CCW gun. The smaller the gun is, the more compact it is, the better result you get when concealed carrying it. On the other hand the bigger the gun is, the more comfortable shooting it brings. So size is a factor that really counts.   When talking about sizes, the Ruger Security 9 is overall 7.24” long. It is 1.1” wide and features a 4” long barrel. The Glock 19 is 7.36” long and 1.26” wide. And it is equipped with a 4.01” long barrel. So as you can see, the Ruger Security 9 is just a little bit more compact when compared to the Glock 19.

The difference between the dimensions of these two pistols is not so significant, so with regards to the size and keeping the concealment in mind, both the Security 9 and G 19 are compact enough to be suitable for concealed carry though. Although the firepower is a little lower when compared to the full-sized handguns.

This means that the first round ends in … a TIE.

 

Glock vs Ruger: MAGAZINE AND CAPACITY

 

The magazines that come with the Ruger Security 9 are steel and fit 15+1 rounds in an efficient double-stack. The ammo used for this pistol is a very famous 9mm Luger. The ergonomics of this gun is very nice for a value-priced pistol. The grip stippling and rounded corners are just right and you can easily reach all the controls. The slide is effortless to rack, and the felt recoil and muzzle rise is very manageable.   When it comes to the Glock 19 pistol, its magazines and capacity are practically the same. This pistol can store 15+1 rounds of the same 9mm Luger ammo as the Security 9. Both pistols come initially with 15 round magazines, but are available in 10 rounds as well (in more restricted countries).

The magazine capacity of both these pistols can be easily increased with the aftermarket mag extensions. The Ruger Security 9 extended magazine can hold up to a maximum of 32 rounds, which is quite amazing. While the Glock 19 can go even further with its extended magazine capacity of 33 rounds. For both pistols, the extended magazines cost from approx $20 to $50.

Based on the same base mag capacity, the second round ends in… a TIE.

 

Glock vs Ruger: ACCURACY AND RANGE PERFORMANCE

 

The Ruger Security 9 brings a wonderful shooting experience that you wouldn’t expect from a polymer gun of its size. It is a very accurate and reliable pistol, which is quite amazing for such an affordable pistol. Just like the Glock 19, the Ruger Security 9 has a U-notch rear sight that can make it a bit difficult for some folks to pick up the front sight on the U-notch. The Security 9 sights might not be terribly clear for these folks, although the three-dot sights should suffice.

The Glock 19 brings a nice shooting experience, which is quite unusual for pistols this small. Even though most shooters frequently have to put up with quite a lot of hand slapping recoil when using the compact gun such as Glock 19, with its lovely design and comfortable grips, you probably won’t have this issue. When shooting at the range, the Glock 19 is neither too big nor too small for precision manipulations and keeping rounds on target. On the other hand, it's true that the Glock 19 has small variations in accuracy, especially at longer distances (25 – 100 yards).

So in terms of accuracy, the Security-9 is just about as spot-on as the Glock 19 but is not as uncomfortable beneath the trigger guard. That is something for which the Glock 19 is rather notorious. You can feel slightly more recoil with the Security 9 than you would on the G 19. It is probably occurring due to the spring coil's light weight, but all in all, this is a minor qualm that is easy to negate.

Now, a slight advantage in this battle goes to … the Ruger Security 9.

 

Ruger vs Glock: CALIBER AND FIRING MECHANISM

 

The Ruger Security 9 relies on the use of the 9 mm Luger alias 9 mm Parabellum. This cartridge was first adopted by the German Navy in 1904 and then by the German Army in 1908. This cartridge has since become the most popular and widely-used handgun cartridge in the world. Performance wise, the 9 mm cartridge has somewhat more power than the .38 Special but falls well short of the .357 Magnum. There is nothing to compare when speaking about the caliber as the Glock 19 relies on the use of the same 9mm cartridge.

Although these pistols use the same type of cartridge, they are totally different when it comes to their firing mechanism. The Ruger Security 9 is a hammer-fired pistol. A hammer-fired pistol has a trigger that releases or both cocks and releases a hammer to strike a firing pin. That firing pin impacts the primer of the chambered round, causing the pistol to fire. Basically, the firing pin inside the slide of the pistol does not move until the hammer, under spring pressure, impacts it and causes it to, in turn, impact a cartridge’s primer.

The Glock 19 is the absolute opposite, as it is striker-fired, featuring a single-action (SA) trigger. Which means that the trigger does not cock the gun, but only releases the striker when pulled. Cocking of the striker is performed by the retracting slide. The trigger is the only operating element. All three internal pistol safeties are deactivated when the unique single-action trigger is pulled, and automatically activated when it is released. This kind of firing mechanism has a lower firepower than hammer-fired pistols. Although it doesn’t require the gun to be composed from that many parts and that results in a lower risk of any hardware malfunctions.

Based on the firepower, the last rounds goes to … the Ruger Security 9.

 

Ruger vs Glock: Head-to-head specs comparison

 

Now, let’s take a look at the main specs of these two lovely pistols to find out more about what they can bring to the table.

 

   

GLOCK 19

RUGER SECURITY-9

Caliber

9 mm Luger

9mm Luger

Width

1.26 inch

1.1 inch

Overal length

7.36 inch

7.24 inch

Height

4.99 inch

5 inch

Weight (loaded)

23.65 oz.

23.7 oz.

Barrel Length

4.01 inch

4 inch

Magazine

Double stack

Double stack

Capacity

15 + 1 (flush)

15 + 1 (flush)

Trigger

Striker-fired

Hammer-fired

Frame

Polymer

Glass-filled nylon

Slide

nDLC finish polymer

Hardened alloy steel

MSRP ca. $560 ca. $379

 

As you can see, the Ruger Security 9 and the Glock 19 are almost identical in most parameters. However, the hammer-fired Security 9 offers much better firepower than striker-fired G 19. And the main difference can be found within the price, as the Ruger Security 9 - 4” is almost half the price of G19 and that’s a big deal.

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