Guns Ruger MAX-9: First Look at their new High Capacity, Optics-Ready EDC Forrest Cooper March 15, 2021 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. The Age of the Sub-Compact is upon us. And Ruger has chosen to enter the fray. Challenging the magazine capacity of the Springfield Hellcat, the new Ruger Max-9 includes the suite of features expected if not demanded by contemporary firearms of its catagory. Optics Ready out of the box, the Ruger Max-9 will host Shield SMS2, RMS, RMS2, RMSw, SMS, SMSc, and RMSc, Holosun 507k and 407k, Swampfox Sentinel, Crimson Trace 1500 Series, Sightmark Mini-Shot A-Spec M3, Hex Wasp, Sig Romeo-0, and Jpoint MRD micro red dot sights. Taking the opportunity to get some rounds down range with the Ruger Max-9, for all but those with the largest hands, the 12-round mag allows for a full grip, while the 10 round option leaves most with the free-floating pinky. The combination of a fiber front sight and steel rear, plus the long list of Micro Red Dot Sights that it hosts places Ruger's new CCW pistol as the benefactor of watching both long-standing preferences, and burgeoning trends. Stock-to-stock, we prefer the Ruger Max-9's trigger over the Springfield Hellcat. There are three models available, differentiated by whether or not they have a manual safety. and the magazine capacity out of the box. The 3500 and 3503 both come with 12 round mags, whereas the 3501 ships with two 10-round mags. The Ruger Max-9 3503 has an internal safety, which Ruger calls the Pro-Saftey, and the 3500 and 3501 have manual safety. Top: Sig P365, Center: Ruger Max-9, Bottom, Springfield Hellcat Read the Press Release Below: Striker-fired with a short, smooth trigger pull, clean break and positive reset. Slim, lightweight and compact for personal protection while still providing a capacity of up to 13 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition. Rugged construction with through-hardened alloy steel slide; one-piece, precision-machined fire control chassis; and high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame. Medium-textured grip frame provides a secure and comfortable grip. Tritium fiber optic day/night front sight for high visibility and drift adjustable rear sight. Optic ready for direct mounting of co-witnessed JPoint and Shield pattern micro red dot sights. Cold hammer-forged barrel results in ultra-precise rifling that provides exceptional accuracy and longevity. Safety features include integrated trigger safety, internal striker blocker and inspection port that allows for visual confrmation of a loaded or empty chamber. Reversible magazine release. Also includes: two nickel-Teflon coated magazines and finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine for comfort and improved grip. Three chief players competing to be the top of a burgeoning category of CCW handguns. Ruger Max-9 Features: Capacity: 12+1 (Model 3500) 10+1 (Model 3501) 12+1 (Model 3503)Slide Material: Through-Hardened Alloy SteelSlide Finish: Black OxideSlide Width: 0.95 InchesFront Sight: Tritium Fiber OpticsRear Sight: Drift AdjustableFeature: Optics ReadyBarrel Material: Allow SteelBarrel Finish: Black OxideBarrel Length: 3.2 InchesTwist Rate: 1:10 Inches, Right HandSafety Option: Manual Safety (Model 3500) Manual Safety (Model 3501) Pro Safety (Model 3503)Grip Frame: High-Performance Glass-Filled NylonOverall Length: 6 InchesWeight: 18.4 OuncesHeight: 4.52 InchesMSRP: $499.00 URL: www.ruger.com More from Ruger Ruger P89 Review: Like a 9mm Mullet. Enter the Ruger 57. 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