Ruger SR40 introduced to dealers, coming soon to a gun store near you

For all the .40 caliber fans out there, Ruger announced to dealers today the new SR40 version of the SR9.

We are proud to announce the Ruger® SR40™ pistol, the latest extension of the SR-Series, striker-fired line of pistols. The SR40 now provides a large caliber option in one of the slimmest and most ergonomic full-sized pistol lines on the market today - joining the popular SR9 and award-winning SR9c.

Built on the same high-performance glass-filled nylon frame as its predecessors, the SR40 offers all the great ergonomic features that made the SR9 and SR9c a success: a slim, narrow frame with a short trigger reach, reversible backstrap for an arched or flat configuration, and fully ambidextrous controls. The through-hardened, stainless steel slide on the SR40 is .060" wider than that of the SR9; the added mass of the slide reduces slide velocity during cycling, reducing recoil and improving service life.

The SR40 weighs 27.25 ounces (when empty) and ships with two fifteen-round, flush-fit magazines. A loading tool is also provided, although an anti-friction coating applied to the magazine body greatly reduces the force required to load the magazines to full capacity. It features a 4.1" barrel length, fully adjustable three-dot sights, and an integral accessory rail. It offers modern safety features such as a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator, striker blocker, trigger safety, magazine disconnect, and a frame-mounted ambidextrous manual safety.

Here's the Ruger specifications sheet on the SR40:

Catalog Number: KSR40 | Model Number: 3470 | Caliber: .40 S&W
Slide Material: Through-Hardened Stainless Steel Slide Finish: Brushed Stainless
Grip Frame: Black, High Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon Sights: Adjustable 3-Dot
Barrel Length: 4.14" Overall Length: 7.55"
Height: 5.52" Width: 1.27"
Weight: 27.25 oz. Capacity: 15+1
Twist: 1:16" RH Grooves: 6
MA Approved & Certified: No CA Approved: No
Suggested Retail: $525.00

Believe it or not, I'm not a fan of .40S&W. It's the only major self-defense pistol caliber I don't have after briefly owning one. IMHO the ballistics are not enough better than 9mm to put up with the slapping, twisting torque of the recoil. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive, loving to shoot hot 9mm +P, .357 Sig, 10mm, .45 ACP, .38 Special+P, .357 Magnum, .327 Magnum, .44 Special and .44 Magnum. But I just didn't like .40.

So I quickly traded the one and only .40 pistol I ever purchased for a compact 9mm. But if you like .40s, this new Ruger will most likely be a good candidate to add to your arsenal. Have fun.