NEW RUGER EC9S 9MM LUGER

FROM THE HIP

- Brian Pearce

When Ruger introduced the EC9s with a stun- ningly low manufacturer’s suggested retail price, many people expected a compromised gun. On the contrary, it has proven reliable with a variety of loads containing bullets of different weights and profiles. It not only shoots where it is pointed, but its accuracy is on par with other striker-fired pistols that cost much more. At just 17.2 ounces, along with an especially trim profile and chambered for the 9mm Luger, it is already being accepted as a practical and reliable carry pistol.

The EC9s does not exhibit manufacturing shortcuts or display shoddy machining; rather it is wellmachined and speaks of quality. Manufacturing technology and processes have changed significantly, which allows companies such as Ruger to produce a better product at a reduced cost when compared to production methods employed just a few years ago. During my last visit to the Ruger plant, the company was in the process of manufacturing changes to help keep production cost in check for all of its firearms. The EC9s is the product of advanced CNC tooling technology that performs many operations to a single component without the need of being “moved” to the next tooling operation. Assembly times have also been cut, all of which serves to produce a quality product at a very competitive price.