Field report on new carry piece.
First of all I find packing a gun uncomfortable so I always want the smallest and lightest gun I can find. No, not an NAA 22 necklace. The smallest piece in a serious caliber.
For a couple years I have been carrying a Taurus 380 "TCP" in a thin pocket holster. Very small and light. The 380 is marginal but the small 9s were too big for me.
Then my needs changed when the state legislature passed a law allowing carry on college campuses. No longer prohibited to carry at work I needed to rethink my situation.
The 380 was barely enough at 20 feet or less. Beyond 20 feet I could not be assured of hitting a man squarely due to tiny sights and grip. If I ever actually needed to use my gun at work the range may be longer and I really needed more accuracy and power than my pocket pistol could deliver. I needed a compact 9mm pistol.
Work dress is a polo or buttoned shirt with no jacket. Had to be able to conceal with such dress. Did some research and came up with the Ruger EC9s as my choice in a defensive handgun. About as compact as any 9 could be (EC stands for "Extra Compact?") it was big enough for a good grip and the sights looked adequate as well. Cheap enough at $250, too. Polymer and black steel it should wear well.
First order was range testing. Tried a variety of ammo from RN lead to +P JHPs. All functioned perfectly. Tried all three magazines (bought two extras) and all worked fine. I found that at 50 feet I had no trouble keeping the rounds in the center mass area of a silhouette target shooting fairly rapidly.
Next issue to resolve was a holster. The gun is too big for pocket carry. Needed something that didn't show without a jacket. Tried the DeSantis "Tuckable" IWB leather holster. Yes, having to pull out the shirttail to get to the gun means the draw is not lightning fast. But such is the nature of the beast. Been wearing this holster for two months. Uncomfortable at first I am sort of accustomed to it now and actually forget it's there at times. Had my wife and a trusted coworker look me over and neither could detect the gun.
I am happy with the Ruger and the DeSantis holster. I find myself leaving the 380 at home and putting on the 9mm when going places other than work. The odds are like a billion to one against my ever needing the gun at work but I feel more secure having it. BTW- A discrete survey found a fairly large number of college employees are now carrying. Anyone on our campus who brings a gun looking to cause mayhem will be in for a real surprise when he starts taking fire from multiple directions.
For a couple years I have been carrying a Taurus 380 "TCP" in a thin pocket holster. Very small and light. The 380 is marginal but the small 9s were too big for me.
Then my needs changed when the state legislature passed a law allowing carry on college campuses. No longer prohibited to carry at work I needed to rethink my situation.
The 380 was barely enough at 20 feet or less. Beyond 20 feet I could not be assured of hitting a man squarely due to tiny sights and grip. If I ever actually needed to use my gun at work the range may be longer and I really needed more accuracy and power than my pocket pistol could deliver. I needed a compact 9mm pistol.
Work dress is a polo or buttoned shirt with no jacket. Had to be able to conceal with such dress. Did some research and came up with the Ruger EC9s as my choice in a defensive handgun. About as compact as any 9 could be (EC stands for "Extra Compact?") it was big enough for a good grip and the sights looked adequate as well. Cheap enough at $250, too. Polymer and black steel it should wear well.
First order was range testing. Tried a variety of ammo from RN lead to +P JHPs. All functioned perfectly. Tried all three magazines (bought two extras) and all worked fine. I found that at 50 feet I had no trouble keeping the rounds in the center mass area of a silhouette target shooting fairly rapidly.
Next issue to resolve was a holster. The gun is too big for pocket carry. Needed something that didn't show without a jacket. Tried the DeSantis "Tuckable" IWB leather holster. Yes, having to pull out the shirttail to get to the gun means the draw is not lightning fast. But such is the nature of the beast. Been wearing this holster for two months. Uncomfortable at first I am sort of accustomed to it now and actually forget it's there at times. Had my wife and a trusted coworker look me over and neither could detect the gun.
I am happy with the Ruger and the DeSantis holster. I find myself leaving the 380 at home and putting on the 9mm when going places other than work. The odds are like a billion to one against my ever needing the gun at work but I feel more secure having it. BTW- A discrete survey found a fairly large number of college employees are now carrying. Anyone on our campus who brings a gun looking to cause mayhem will be in for a real surprise when he starts taking fire from multiple directions.
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Thanks for the review, doc. I, too, carry a small .380 loaded with Ruger ARX ammo. The trigger pull is long and stiff.
But the gun is conceiled with only a loose tee shirt.
I?m looking for a small 9mm for three season carry with an untucked shirt or jacket. I may try the Ruger EC9s.
I?m kinda partial to the pastel green one.[:D]0 -
Yes , I too have changed my carry piece
Now I open carry a 25 cal.
Field report isn?t in yet
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feeling confident in your carry gun is indeed important. Since we are all individuals there is no one model fits all. I go between a S&W 60 in .357 and a Sig P365. Ultimately I think I prefer the revolver. Not as small as the 365, but I am never aware of it most of the time. I put that to the Askins holster by Purdy Gear. 0 -
I love my revolvers and carried one for many years. But with the new generation of compact auto pistols there is no question as to which suits my needs the best. My EC9s is small, light, and very "slick" meaning no sharp corners or edges to catch on clothing or dig into skin. The slide at the muzzle is rounded a tad to facilitate returning the gun to the holster. The whole thing is just so well thought out and engineered for its intended purpose. Very ergonomic.
But to me it is absolutely a tool. It is not pretty. It will never be a family heirloom. I will use it and ignore finish wear. If it's lost or damaged I will shed no tears over it and simply buy another one.
PS: Someone asked about the holster. It's the SOF model. Suede with some reinforcing leather at top. Cant can be adjusted. Will work as a cross draw if desired. I wear it straight up at 90 degrees and cannot be seen even under a t-shirt.0 -
I have a brother to that gun, the Ruger LC9s. I use it for summer carry and my Springfield XDs .45 for winter. Both are great guns that shoot where you aim. I have a couple of Remora holsters for both. Carries and hides just fine. [:D] 0 -
Thanks for the report Doc. 0 -
It would be hard to find more power for pocket carry than a S&W 340PD .357 Mag at just over 11.5 ounces including a set of Crimson Trace laser grips. I don't leave home without it. 0 -
Really want one of these.
I presently either have a Kimber 380 Raptor or a Keltec P3AT on me now.0 -
38 detective special on the ankle.
Old school but success.0 -
I love mouse guns. Small does not mean not powerful. I have a LC9s and really like it. Take your EC9 and practice practice practice. Run at least 250 rds thru it breaking it in. Not the smallest 9mm I own.. Diamondback DB9 or Sig 365 is smaller, but Ruger discontinued the LC9S. Looking at the Bond bullpup 9 . Really like how small it is too.
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/7889088850 -
See a number of Ruger compacts and LCRs at the range. Apparently they are quite popular. Can also testify as to their reliability, I cant say the same thing about Taurus. You should be pleased with the Ruger 9mm.
I still prefer the SW 60 with +P ammo.0 -
I have been pocket carrying a Ruger LC9s Pro. Same gun as the EC9s but no thumb safety and dovetailed sights.
It is a little large for pocket carry but I find when using an Uncle Mike's pocket holster and keeping my spare mag in the same pocket that it prints like a large cell phone would - rectangular.
I would like to try one of these wallet holsters as the panel, worn facing out, really breaks up the profile of the gun.
https://www.braidsholsters.com/store/c2/Wallet_and_pocket_combo_holsters.html
I shoot the gun decently and actually like the trigger. Its reset is very positive.0
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