Since the introduction of the Ruger SR40 striker-fired semi-auto pistol about nine months ago, people have been asking for a compact version of that same pistol. Ruger delivered on a compact version of the SR9 back in January of 2010 with the dandy little SR9c, then introduced the full-size SR40 in October of the same year. Ruger has been pretty quick getting these new pistols to market, with demand outrunning supply. I was at Gunsite back about six months ago, along with a few other writers and television folks, shooting the new compact SR40c, but have been obligated to keep it quiet until now. Shooters have been anticipating the new SR40c for quite some time, being a natural progression of the excellent striker-fired design. Today, we can discuss the new compact 40 caliber auto: the Ruger SR40c.

The most oft-heard comment about the SR40c at Gunsite among the writers, reviewers, and instructors was how soft-shooting the pistol felt in the hand. Recoil is not painful at all, and the weapon is very quick to get back on target between shots. Like the SR9c before it, this SR40c feels perfect in my hand. I prefer the compact version to the full-size counterpart, whether in 9x19mm or 40 S&W. Placing the included finger extension on the compact magazine makes a world of difference in the feel and controllability of the SR40c, without compromising comfort or concealability.

Like the rest of the SR auto pistol family, the SR40c has several useful features. The sights are adjustable, black, and rugged, wearing the popular white-dot pattern. The SR pistols have unobtrusive ambidextrous thumb safeties that block both the trigger and slide from movement. Also given the ambidextrous treatment is the magazine release. It is easily manipulated with either hand. The trigger guard is rounded, and offers ample room for even a gloved finger. The slide is serrated front and rear for easy manipulation. The trigger pulls are smooth, and consistent from shot to shot. The SR pistols have an accessory rail for the attachment of a flashlight or other accessory. The backstraps are reversible, offering the choice of a flat or arched backstrap. Being striker-fired, there is no chance of hammer bite, and the web of the shooter's hand is well-protected from being cut by the slide. Disassembly is quick and easy, and requires no tools. The slide locks open on an empty magazine, and the pistol will not fire if dropped, or if a magazine is not in place. The SR extractor is huge, and takes a good bite on the fired cartridge case, working with the blade ejector to eject the empty brass cleanly. Atop the slide is a loaded-chamber indicator that is easily seen and felt, immediately letting the user know the condition of the chamber. The frame, trigger, and mag release are made of reinforced polymer. The slide and barrel are stainless steel, and the sights are blued carbon alloy steel, as are the magazines.

The new SR40c is almost identical in size, feel, and weight to the SR9c. The SR9c is one of my favorite 9mm pistols. It fits my hand perfectly, and the SR40c has the same great feel. With the SR40c weighing only one ounce more, the pistols feel pretty much identical. I compared the SR40c to the SR9c and the full-size SR40, which itself is neither overly large nor heavy. Critical dimensions are listed in the chart below. Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in inches. Trigger pulls are listed in pounds of pressure. Maximum width is measured across the ambidextrous thumb safety levers. Height includes sights and magazine base. Note that both the SR9c and SR40c can use full size magazines as well, within caliber.