The Ruger EC9s is one of the most expensive – yet reliable – 9mm pistols currently on the market. Designed for concealed carry, this micro-compact pistol offers a lot of features which I review here.
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s the bottom line: the EC9s is a good quality defensive tool. It isn’t ideal, but for the price, it is one of the best you can get.
Let’s dive in.
Where to Buy the Ruger EC9s
The EC9s is an incredible value. You can purchase this gun online through the affiliate links below and pick it up at your local gun shop.
- Sportsman’s Guide (best price and no-interest payments)
- Palmetto State Armory
- Guns.com
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
Introduction of the EC9s
Days ahead of the 2018 SHOT Show, Ruger announced a new handgun aimed at being an affordable self-defense pistol: the EC9s.
The Ruger EC9s was a new model, but one that design cues from the company’s existing LC9s. The two guns shared many features and were the same size.
However, the EC9s was significantly more affordable with a suggested retail price that was nearly $200 cheaper. As you might expect, people flocked to the less expensive gun. Eventually, Ruger discontinued the LC9s.
In the years since its introduction, the EC9s proved to be a reliable performer. Some early adopters reported issues with the striker mechanism, but those complaints fell away and the company seems to have fixed any problems in the production line.
EC9s Features
Sized for concealed carry, the EC9s is chambered for the 9mm cartridge. The 9mm is a proven defensive round, and when you select high-performance ammunition, it will perform admirably for you. Let’s review some of the additional features that make this gun a good consideration for CCW.
The EC9s feeds from the same 7-round magazines that run in the LC9s. This can work to your benefit as mags marked for the discontinued LC9s might be found at a bargain price.
It has a 3.12″ barrel and weighs about 17 ounces unloaded. It is relatively compact with a height of 4.5″. Its thinness – only 0.9″ – should help it to conceal as easily as the LC9s did.
This is a striker-fired pistol. As with many striker-fired handguns, Ruger added a pivoting safety lever in the center of the trigger. This helps to prevent accidental discharges when the handgun is dropped.
Like many of Ruger’s pistols, this gun has a small thumb safety on the left side of the frame. While many people do not see the need for an external safety, many of Ruger’s customers appear to appreciate this option.
One of the cost-saving measures used by the company is to use sights that are integral to the slide instead of replaceable sights that are dovetailed into place. Both the front and rear sights have serrations on their faces to reduce glare when shooting in bright light.
Another cost-saving decision made by the company was the inclusion of only one magazine. I always recommend having several magazines for each firearm you own as they tend to be the most likely point of failure in a gun. At least Ruger includes a pinky extension for the magazine floorplate.
Originally, Ruger set the suggested retail price on these pistols at $299. After more than 5 years, Ruger continues to keep the price low on these guns. Currently, the suggested retail price is only $339.
Since dealers often sell Ruger products below full retail, it is conceivable that you could walk out of the local gun shop with one of these for less than $300 total with tax, transfer fees, etc.
All of the links above are to dealers with prices well under $300.
Ruger EC9s Specifications
Here are the specifications on the base model EC9s:
| Model # | 3283 |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Included Magazines | one |
| Barrel Length | 3.12″ |
| Overall Length | 6.0″ |
| Width | 0.9″ |
| Finish | black oxide |
| MSRP – at launch | $299 |
| MSRP – current | $339 |
EC9s Variants
With a gun this popular, it is understandable that Ruger would want to offer variations to appeal to as many different shooters as possible.
Ruger offers the EC9s in a rainbow of colors including those with purple, turquoise, gray, FDE and Muddy Girl colors. You can see the full line of EC9s color options through this affiliate link and this one.
Last Update: July 2, 2022
89 replies on “Ruger EC9s – Inexpensive 9mm for Concealed Carry”
I had a S&W 442 snubby with wad cutters but had to sell itðŸ˜. I’m going to replace it with an EC9S🙂. Looking forward to trying it out!
It’s hard selling a nice gun like the 442. But, getting a new Ruger isn’t a bad move. Let us know how you enjoy it.
-Richard
Hi there everybody. I have a question.
I was down at my local Walmart the other day (Wasilla, AK)!and I noticed they were having a sale on the few sub compacts that they carry. I came across these very bright and colorful 9’s, the brand is SCCY (pronounced “sky”) for $205 pricetag. I went back in today to pick one up, sadly the only colors left were Teal w/ black, and.Orange w/ silver, but then the guy at the gun counter pointed out this Ruger EC9-S to me for a slightly higher price of $225 or so. I did a little research on the SCCY the last couple days, and I haven’t found a whole lot of trash talked about them. Yes, they are cheap, but I checked it out, and it’s definitely no Hi-Point, it actually seems like decent quality for the price.
Has anyone had any experience with the SCCYs at all?
Now, I’m a Colt 1911 man, been my favorite and daily carrier for a while. I’m a big guy, but with my cross shoulder holster, I barely notice it as long as I have a button up or some kind of overshirt on. But I have been.wanting to pick up a cheap subcompact just to have as a backup. NOW, when he pointed out the Ruger, I was naturally going to go with the name brand, but what stopped me was the 7 round clip. That cheapo SCCY pistol actually has a double stacked 10 round clip if you can believe it. The other deterrent was, I don’t know if it was an older model, or Alaska just got gypped, like always, but the rugers clip didn’t have a pinky rest on the clip, which I hate. So I am kinda leaning towards this safety-orange SCCY. Any thoughts or advice? Thank ya much!
-Big James
The accuracy of this pistol is very impressive. My only problem is that I have to consistently forward rack the slide to chamber a round with most every magazine I fire. I love shooting it, aside from this glitch. BTW, not limp-wristing, getting my thumb in the way of its slide or only using one type of ammo or magazine. I’d CCW it, if it were more reliable.
I’ve purchased 5 Ruger guns since February 2019. I had to send an EC9s back for failure to fire; firing pin problem. I had to send an LCP II back because it ejected the extractor at the range. I had to send the Security 9 back because of failure to load which was caused partially by the firing pin failing to retract. The EC9s and the LCP II came back; they work pretty well with occasional failures to feed. The mags keep falling out of the LCP II, which did not happen before the repair.