handguns

SR9 Magazine Disconnect Removal

Posted on by Caleb

While this might be old info for some, while searching for source infomation on magazine disconnect safeties, I stumbled across some info on how to remove the Ruger SR9’s magazine disconnect safety, which I promptly posted at the Gun Nuts Radio Blog, on SR9 Magazine Disconnect Removal.  If you want to shoot the SR9 in competition, or carry the gun defensively, this is a “must have” modification.

Caleb

8 Comments

  2. While this might improve the trigger pull and make the “unload and show clear” process easier, disabling this safety feature would be illegal in IDPA competition and I am nearly 100% sure that is also the case for USPSA as well.

    I would also advise against doing so for a defensive firearm. The last thing you need is an over-eager prosecutor painting you as a reckless gun owner who disabled a factory installed safety feature. And if you think this does not happen, speak to Mr. Ayoob.

    If you want a gun without a mag disconnect, buy one without one. If your heart is set on a model with a disconnect, then learn how to manipulate your firearm safely and effectively with it. Frankly, I think the mag. disconnect discussion is much to do about not much.

  3. The “overzealous prosecutor” is a favorite boogeyman for a lot of people – while I don’t entirely discount it, I’ve heard it used to pooh-pooh everything from hollow point ammo to night sights, so it’s not exactly the most rock solid argument.

    As far as making a gun ineligible for competition, IDPA rules do state that disabling or disconnecting a “safety device” make a gun ineligible for competition, however there is nothing in the USPSA rulebook that I can find that would get a gun DQ’d for having the mag disconnect removed. USPSA’s rulebook states that a gun must be “serviceable and safe”, and a Ruger SR9 with the disconnect removed would still meet that criteria.

  4. Or, you could just buy a Glock which not only has no safeties, it’s invisible to both x-ray and radar and can fire the wrong caliber even with the barrel filled with cement and the slide welded shut.

  5. According to USPSA Production rules (which is the division the SR9 would be most suited) the disabling of a magazine disconnect (or any other safety for that matter) is not listed on the inclusive list of “authorized modifications” and therefore is illegal (see appendix D4). As for the other divisions I am unsure what the ruling would be. This will not change under the new Production Division rules recently proposed.

    Regarding the potential legal boogieman that, as you rightfully say, has been used to pooh-pooh many things, I feel you need to consider your self-defense choices carefully. For example, can you easily justify the use of JHP ammunition…certainly, take a look at what the local PD (or other law enforcement agencies) issues for the protection of its officers. Chances are very good that it is some type of HP ammunition. But, in my opinion, it would be difficult to make a compelling argument to a jury of non-gun folks why you would disable a safety device on a firearm, especially one used for self-defense. That is why my carry gun did not come with one and I would not advise someone to disable a safety device, or have a trigger job for that matter, on a gun that they intend to use for self-defense. My competition gun is just that and it sits in the safe when I am not competing; I have other largely stock firearms (sight changes) at my disposal for self-protection.

  6. According to USPSA Production rules (which is the division the SR9 would be most suited) the disabling of a magazine disconnect (or any other safety for that matter) is not listed on the inclusive list of “authorized modifications” and therefore is illegal (see appendix D4). As for the other divisions I am unsure what the ruling would be. This will not change under the new Production Division rules recently proposed.

    That is what we like to call “an interpretative reading” of the rules – because the rules do specifically state that you cannot disable any external safety. The production division rules also state that you can exchange minor springs and other parts, which would leave room for interpretation on the disabling the mag disconnect for an SR9, as to do it all you do is “exchange” a few springs and “minor parts”.

  7. Caleb,

    Please accept my apologies, in the as yet to be approved version of the USPSA rules, they state that a magazine-disconnect is not a safety mechanism and can be removed.

  8. No apology is necessary Daniel – I like a good discussion, especially about the rules of the pistol games!

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