Ruger SR45 45 Auto (ACP)
The Ruger RS45 is a polymer, striker fired pistol chambered in .45 ACP as part of Ruger’s SR series. The pistol features a double stack magazine, ambidextrous magazine release, and ambidextrous thumb safety.
Designed to compete with other polymer pistols, the SR45 features internal drop safeties and a trigger safety similar to Glock brand pistols. The entire SR series was produced between 2007 and 2019 when striker fired guns were starting to take over the market.
This pistol was a combination of older design features, modularity options, and newer standards for carry. It is essentially a full-sized pistol chambered in .45 ACP and is best compared to something like a 1911 or SIG P227.
With these guns as our baseline, the SR45 falls somewhere between them in terms of function and capacity. The SR45 is roughly the same length as the 1911 and is relatively taller while having more capacity than the 1911 with a base capacity of 10 rounds in a magazine.
This is to be expected when using a double stack magazine and matches the P227’s base capacity. However the SR45 is roughly an ounce lighter and overall bigger than the P227. This places the SR45 in the role of a duty carry pistol.
While it could be used as a concealed carry handgun, the size and weight of the gun make it less than ideal to use. The weight does help with mitigating recoil but it can take a toll on the end user if they are carrying it around all day.
The size of the gun, combined with a lack of quality holster options, will be harder to conceal, especially if you have a smaller body type.
However there are some appealing features to the SR45. The thumb safeties, loaded chamber indicator, and cocked-striker indicator all help with instilling confidence in individuals who are new to firearms.
If you do not intend to do a lot of shooting, practice, or similar activities, the SR45 is a good option on a budget. This is because these handguns generally go for half the price of most quality pistol options.
The SR45 is a legacy model from Ruger. There are no new models being produced and that means there is going to be a lack of support for the gun as years go on. While the sights can be replaced with your preferred iron sight options, it does not lend itself to being modified.
The cost to get a red dot for the pistol outweighs the initial cost to purchase it. Add in the fact that parts will eventually not be available for the gun and you have a pistol that will need to be replaced somewhere down the line.
There were numerous malfunctions, such as failures to feed, out of spec magazines, and abnormal parts wear that led to the SR series being discontinued. This left a decent number of these guns on the secondary market, but without the support needed to be able to run them for years of hard use.
If this is a range gun or something you are unlikely to shoot regularly it is a good investment.
Let’s look at some of the features and considerations for the SR45.
Price: $250-$500
SR 45 Features:
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The SR45 comes in both a black nitride and a stainless steel finish. The magazine disconnect also helps make this pistol favorable in more restrictive environments like California. However, it does pose some problems since it requires a magazine to be in the gun in order to fire.
Because of that disconnector it is also not recommended to dry fire the gun, which impacts how much you can train with it. It is best to use snap caps or dummy training rounds when drying-firing with this pistol to avoid accidentally damaging the gun’s internals.
Overall the SR45 is a great budget gun, but a sub-par option is you can afford a better gun for self-defense at a higher price point.
SR 45 Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, Striker fired |
| Caliber: | .45 ACP |
| Capacity: | 10+1 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.5 inches |
| Weight: | 31 ounces |
| Overall Length: | 8 inches |
| Overall Width: | 1.27 inches |
| Sight radius: | Unknown |
| Sights: | Adjustable 3-dotr |
Ruger SR45 45 Auto Variants:
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Ruger SR9
This predecessor of the SR45 is the first in the SR series and is chambered in 9mm. It was the flagship of the design and has better support than the SR45.
Ruger SR9 Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, Striker fired |
| Caliber: | 9 mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17+1 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.14 inches |
| Weight: | 26.5 ounces |
| Overall Length: | 7.55 inches |
| Overall Width: | 1.27 inches |
| Sight radius: | Unknown |
| Sights: | Adjustable 3-dot |
Popular variations:
- Ruger SR9 9mm Luger 4.14in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR9 9mm Luger 4.14in Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR9 9mm Luger 4.14in Stainless/Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
Browse: Ruger SR9
Ruger SR9c
This is a better option for concealed carry if you want a 9 mm in the SR series. The compact version of the SR9, the SR9c offers a smaller footprint and less weight than other pistols in the series.
Ruger SR9c Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, Striker fired |
| Caliber: | 9 mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17+1, 10+1 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 3.5 inches |
| Weight: | 23.4 ounces |
| Overall Length: | 6.85 inches |
| Overall Width: | 1.27 inches |
| Sight radius: | Unknown |
| Sights: | Adjustable 3-dot |
Popular variations:
- Ruger SR9c 9mm Luger 3.4in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR9c 9mm Luger 3.4in Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR9c 9mm Luger 3.4in Stainless/Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Browse: Ruger SR9c
Ruger SR 40
This is the .40 caliber option of the SR series. Similar in dimensions to the SR9, the SR40 is chambered in .40 S&W. If you can’t find 9 mm or .45 ACP or you prefer .40 S&W this is an affordable option in that caliber.
Ruger SR 40 Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, Striker fired |
| Caliber: | .40 S&W |
| Capacity: | 15+1 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 4.1 inches |
| Weight: | 27.25 ounces |
| Overall Length: | 7.55 inches |
| Overall Width: | 1.27 inches |
| Sight radius: | Unknown |
| Sights: | Adjustable 3-dot |
Popular variations:
- Ruger SR40 40 S&W 4.14in Black/Stainless Pistol - 15+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR40 40 S&W 4.14in Black/Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Browse: Ruger SR40
Ruger SR 40c
The compact version of the SR40, the SR40c is better for concealment if you have to use .40 S&W. However, be sure you know how to control the recoil as pistols chambered in .40 S&W tend to have aggressive recoil impulses which can be magnified by the smaller size of this pistol.
Ruger SR 40c Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, Striker fired |
| Caliber: | .40 S&W |
| Capacity: | 15+1 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 3.5 inches |
| Weight: | 23.4 ounces |
| Overall Length: | 6.85 inches |
| Overall Width: | 1.27 inches |
| Sight radius: | Unknown |
| Sights: | Adjustable 3-dot |
Popular variations:
- Ruger SR40c 40 S&W 3.5in Black/Stainless Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
- Ruger SR40c 40 S&W 3.5in Black Nitride Pistol - 15+1 Rounds
- Crimson Trace LG-449 Laserguard Ruger SR9C/SR40C Laser Sight - Red
Browse: Ruger SR40C