[173379]

Dang...and I just started carrying my Max-9 for CCW, replacing my 365XL. Didn't realize that I was supposed to be having so many problems with it.

Happens to some but not to all. Maybe you'll get lucky and not have issues. 🤞

 

[Jack Ruger]

Dang...and I just started carrying my Max-9 for CCW, replacing my 365XL. Didn't realize that I was supposed to be having so many problems with it.

Lord willing, yours will be just fine. I've read about a lot of LCP Max issues. Ours is fine.

 

[Angry Hippo]

Dang...and I just started carrying my Max-9 for CCW, replacing my 365XL. Didn't realize that I was supposed to be having so many problems with it.

Carrying it is the easy part. I notice you didn't say anything about how it shoots.

 

[leadhead2]

I've had my Max 9 for a year now. Except for a creepy trigger at first,( I fixed it buy installing a
Galloway trigger) it's been 100% reliable. I shoot all cast bullets in it and have never had a
FTF or FTE yet. It's accurate and puts the bullets where I aim. I've never had a problem with
the take down pin or latch. Just open the latch, turn gun sideways and move the slide back
and forth, and the pin falls out. I carry it every day.
leadhead

 

[Country55434]

Sorry I bought one. Now I know why they are on sale.
Having issue with slide locking open with rounds still in mag.
And before someone goes off on grip, there are qutie a few YouTube demonstrations of this problem occurring.

Sad thing is, I have a perfectly good Hellcat with Holosun.
Also has a trigger job. With custom holster it is close to a grand.
Thought the Ruger would be a cheap knock around EDC.
The sights and trigger are good, but

IT JUST WONT RUN.

If you can, hold out for a P365 or Hellcat, they are worth the few extra bucks. Had an original P365 and liked it very much, no serious problems.
I also have a Taurus G3C as a truck gun which also is a great running gun, though just a tad larger. If you are short of $$$ check that out.

I bought a Max 9 also. Have sent it to factory twice because the slide locks to rear with ammo in mag. It still does not work.. Just bought a Hellcat, have fired 300 rounds and no problem. Love the Hellcat, was only $100 more than Max9..

 

[Professor Alfred Sharpton]

I like Ruger firearms but the Max 9 is a poorly designed gun and from the many reports of breakages and failures, apparently not a very well made gun either. You’d be much better off with your 43 or a 365

 

[Gary#1]

I have had my Max-9 for ~ 1 year. I have never had a malfunction through ~300 rounds of Federal and Remington range ammo and ~ 30 rounds of Fenix defensive ammo. The pistol is accurate, however, I have difficulty with the long trigger pull in addition to the long take-up. I feel like my trigger finger is part of a clenched fist before the striker releases. I bought a Galloway trigger but never installed it since it has no anodizing in the pivot hole and the safety blade spring binds and clicks. Galloway appears to be the only aftermarket trigger available. If doing it over again, I would not buy the Max-9 since aftermarket upgrades are so scarce for Rugers, that you get stuck with anything that they do not execute well.

 

[173379]

Kinda like Taurus. It has to have a great following before aftermarket parts start showing up. That’s why you see so much for Glock, SIG and S&W

 

[Lefty_Red]

I work at a range/gunshop that is pretty good size. We normally have 100-150 shooters per day on the weekends. We keep logs on our rental weapons for PM and cleaning schedules. In fact, I’m going in to work in the morning for five hours of range weapon cleaning. I am also one of the few associates that enjoy working the rental counter it seems. With that said……I use to hate the Max 9 but now it’s one of my most pushed pistol that I get folks wanting to get into CCW in expensively. The other is the GX4. The third is the Security 9c. All have worked great and all have been reliable. Now, we get 5% commission on our sales of firearms. Most guys are pushing the 365s and Heckkitties, and I’m over here selling <$300 pistols to poor folk cause I would hate for them to broke just because they want to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

Do I carry one? No, I stick to me G26 cause I have a ton of Glock stuff from years of being issued one and competition shooting with them. But, the Max 9 is the most accurate new small pistol I have shot. If I had to, I would carry it or the GX4 and not worry about it.

 

[173379]

I work at a range/gunshop that is pretty good size. We normally have 100-150 shooters per day on the weekends. We keep logs on our rental weapons for PM and cleaning schedules. In fact, I’m going in to work in the morning for five hours of range weapon cleaning. I am also one of the few associates that enjoy working the rental counter it seems. With that said……I use to hate the Max 9 but now it’s one of my most pushed pistol that I get folks wanting to get into CCW in expensively. The other is the GX4. The third is the Security 9c. All have worked great and all have been reliable. Now, we get 5% commission on our sales of firearms. Most guys are pushing the 365s and Heckkitties, and I’m over here selling <$300 pistols to poor folk cause I would hate for them to broke just because they want to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

Do I carry one? No, I stick to me G26 cause I have a ton of Glock stuff from years of being issued one and competition shooting with them. But, the Max 9 is the most accurate new small pistol I have shot. If I had to, I would carry it or the GX4 and not worry about it.

I get that not everyone can afford some guns but I’d prefer to have one I know that’s reliable but I’ve seen videos of the GX4 having a dead trigger and the plastic takedown gate on the Max 9 fall apart and issues with the mags locking the slide back with rounds still in the mag. That Max 9 makes a lot of noise when you shake it too. Sounds like a rattle can.

 

[Lefty_Red]

I get that not everyone can afford some guns but I’d prefer to have one I know that’s reliable but I’ve seen videos of the GX4 having a dead trigger and the plastic takedown gate on the Max 9 fall apart and issues with the mags locking the slide back with rounds still in the mag. That Max 9 makes a lot of noise when you shake it too. Sounds like a rattle can.

And I will show you videos of Glocks breaking strikers and locking up, Staccatos handing up, Sigs and H&Ks having dead triggers are a smack with a rubber mallet.

Do mechanical things break? Yes. They all do, st some point, with out cleaning or PM. Hope you don’t get scared buy any more noises.

 

[MadViking]

When I was researching / testing out four of the popular smaller 9mm EDCs (Max9, SW Plus, 365XL & Hellcat). I liked them all, shot them well, liked the sights on all especially the Max9.

What turned me off on the Max9 was the little PLASTIC access door that covers or protects the take down pin. Now, the take down pin in and of itself does not bother me. My Sec9 and LCP Max has them and their fine, but w the Max9 they not only added something that seemingly isn't necessary, it's small and plastic. One forum member stated their little access door got stuck and this created an issue for simple take down procedures.

It was just one statement and one issue, but in that moment when I read that it negated the Max9 in my opinion.

I went w the SW+ and really like it. It's grip for my hand won me over if all all other things are equal. There are plenty of members on here that love the Max9 w no issues, so I'm not knocking it's purpose.

You guys that have the Glock 43 are you aware of the aftermarket magazine that doubles it's capacity? It sounds like you don't, just sayin.

I recently went with the Shield Plus. Shields are very reliable and quality. Run like tanks. I hate to say it, but Ruger polymer semi-auto handguns mostly feel like budget guns. One can get Shields in the same price ranges basically if you hunt for a deal. Better guns than the compact or sub compact Rugers in my opinion.

I've held a MAX-9 and didn't like the grip angle at all...so no MAX-9 for me!
The guys at the LGS agreed, not a comfortable grip angle for natural shooting!
I had a Glock 43 but sold it...I'm stickin' with my Glock 26..

Glock 26 is a good choice, due to better capacity. That's my one hangup on the Glock 42/43, capacity.

IMO, Ruger's polymer pistol offerings - across the board - are kind of hit or miss. Max-9 seems intriguing. If you buy one, test it test it test it (of course that goes for any carry gun).

Personally, I like the track record on the SIG P365 just a bit better. While the P365s weren't perfect out the gate, they've been around for several years now and seem to have gotten a vast majority of the bugs worked out.

Agreed on Ruger polymer pistols. I like the 365's also.

Sorry I bought one. Now I know why they are on sale.
Having issue with slide locking open with rounds still in mag.
And before someone goes off on grip, there are qutie a few YouTube demonstrations of this problem occurring.

Sad thing is, I have a perfectly good Hellcat with Holosun.
Also has a trigger job. With custom holster it is close to a grand.
Thought the Ruger would be a cheap knock around EDC.
The sights and trigger are good, but

IT JUST WONT RUN.

If you can, hold out for a P365 or Hellcat, they are worth the few extra bucks. Had an original P365 and liked it very much, no serious problems.
I also have a Taurus G3C as a truck gun which also is a great running gun, though just a tad larger. If you are short of $$$ check that out.

Here's another vote for the Glock 43, keep it!

 

[MadViking]

I get that not everyone can afford some guns but I’d prefer to have one I know that’s reliable but I’ve seen videos of the GX4 having a dead trigger and the plastic takedown gate on the Max 9 fall apart and issues with the mags locking the slide back with rounds still in the mag. That Max 9 makes a lot of noise when you shake it too. Sounds like a rattle can.

There's a place for budget guns, and I think the Ruger semi auto centerfires are budget guns and priced fairly. But they do not feel as well built, including materials, as comparable category S&W, SIg, or Glocks. They are a little cheaper on average though, so dollar for dollar okay. But, for SD and carry, I really don't want to go budget unless I have to. Will they hold up over tens of thousand so rounds?

From my LCP to a Mark IV, I haven't been very impressed with Ruger's recent new issue semi-auto handguns.. I wish I was. I wanted to be.

It sucks to say, but I'd rather have the Glock over one of those for SD.