General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I have some questions about the Shaw shooting [View all]sarisataka
(22,700 posts)but I do know guns.
Accordng to the article the gun was a 9mm purchased at Cabelas; that really helps narrow things down. They sell 8 different S&W pistols in 9mm, per the Cabelas website.
Comparing what they sell with Ruger pistols, the S&W M&P series and SDVE do resemble Ruger's SR9 pistol at a quick glance.
?

Obviously anyone can easily tell the difference once they examine the gun by simply reading the manufacturers name on the side.
The discrepancy would make sense, IMO, if the initial report of it being a Ruger was made at the scene while in the midst of processing evidence. An officer might have assumed he knew what type the gun was without actually handling it but merely viewing it at distance.
I can not imagine any other scenario where such a mistake is possible due to the prominent markings on both pistols.