LC9! Front Sight Not Aligned!

[Blackbeard]

I bought a LC9 about a week and a half ago, and finally went to the Range to try it out on Thursday.

Having read Lawman's post about his Front Sight moving, I thoroughly inspected both of my sights, prior to firing. The Rear Sight looked perfectly Centered. The Front Sight, however, was Off-Centered. Not only was the Sight Off-Centered, but there was a Pin/Screw that went through the Front of the Sight, and through the Front of the Slide. It's in there for good!

Thinking that maybe... Ruger Adjusted the Rear Sight to compensate for the Front Sight, like Lawman mentioned, I shot 4 Mags, 28 Rounds total, at a paper Target set at 10'. It seemed to be hitting to the right of the Bullseye, when I fired the first few rounds. I walked the gun to the left gradually, adjusting my Hits as I went, and finally hitting the Bullseye. I stayed at that spot on the Target for the remaining 4 Mags. The Front Sight is definitely off, and the Rear Sight was NOT adjusted.

I set the Target at 21', and fired 4 more Mags, 28 Rounds total. I adjusted my Hits again, by walking the gun to the left, getting the Hits closer to the Bullseye. I was aiming well left of the Bullseye, but hitting the Bullseye with the remaining 4 Mags.

Now, for reference, I DID have a LCP, which I sold to buy the LC9. So, with that in mind, I was accustomed to the long Trigger Pull of the LCP, which was also a DAO. I could hit the Bullseye every time with the LCP at 21'.

Looks like I have one of two choices:

1) Send the LC9 back to Ruger to have the Front Sight realigned properly.

2) Adjust the Rear Sight to compensate for the Front Sight being Off-Centered.

While Option 2 would be quicker, I believe that I'll go for Option 1, and have Ruger correct the problem and/or replace the slide, since there is a Pin/Screw running through the Slide, which is also Off-Centered. Go figure!

Lawman... I feel your pain! I'll call Ruger tomorrow! Other than the Front Sight being off, I loved the way the gun fit my hand, and the control I had over the recoil, since the grip was larger than the LCPs' was. I plan to carry this for my Summer CC, so I'd just as soon have it working like it should have been, right out of the box.

Cheers!

BB

 

[Blackbeard]

I just got off of the phone with Ruger Customer Service, regarding the LC9's Front Sight not being Aligned. This is what they advised:

- Some earlier LC9 Models (Like Lawman's, I assume...) didn't have the Pin installed on the Front Sight, going through the Sight and into the Slide. Mine does. Some Owners were able to tap the Sight back into place, while others (Like Lawman...) had to return them to Ruger, to have it Re-Centered and a Pin Installed.

- Ruger CS recommended I adjust the Rear Sight for Windage, and see if this resolves the issue.

- If adjusting the Windage does not resolve the issue, then I'm to contact Ruger CS again, to have the LC9 sent to them.

I'll give the Windage Adjustment a try first, and let you know how things go during my next Range Trip.

Cheers!

BB

 

[OpsMgr]

Mine did not have a pinned front sight. Sent her back to the mother ship on Ruger's dime and she was back in 7 days total...

 

[Lawman543]

Your picture is a little fuzzy, but it looks like your front sight is WAY off. It shouldn't be that far off. When they put the pin in my sight, it was a little off and the rear sight adjusted accordingly. It was noticeable, but for me it was within tolerance. I don't know why they are getting the front sights so far off when drilling for the pin. Looks like a rush job or too many margaritas. If you send it back in, they may give you a new slide. But since the sight looks so far off, they may be able to drill a whole new hole that is center. Try adjusting the rear sight, but you may find that you have a good part of the sight hanging out of the dove tail to get it adjusted. Good luck.

 

[Blackbeard]

Thanks Lawman!

Yeah... sorry about the pic. I tried my Nikon and my Cell, and this was the best pic I could get. Camera's new too! Hmmm!

The Front Sight's left side is just barely overhanging the groove, leaving a sharp edge on the left.

If I have to adjust the Rear Sight the same way, I'll send it back to Ruger and get another Slide. Everything on the LC9 looks well made and precise, but the Front Sight wasn't even straight before it was pinned! Definite Rush Job, as you mentioned..

My LCP was a Point-N-Shoot, but with 3-Dot Sights, I SHOULD be able to actually aim my LC9! GREAT shootin' little pistol, too!

I'll let you know what happens within the next week.

Cheers!

BB

 

[Blackbeard]

UPDATE!!!

Well, I was going to adjust the Rear Sight as Ruger recommended, however, after measuring the 1/16th inch difference I would have had to move the Rear Sight to get a proper alignment, it too, would have stuck out on the left side.

My concern is, this is my Concealed Carry Gun. In the event I need to draw this in an emergency, I can't afford to have a sharp edge on the Front or Rear Sights, which might snag/catch on the Pocket Holster or my Pants Pocket.

I called Ruger Customer Service again, and they emailed me a UPS Next Day Air Label, so I can send the gun back for repair. They gave me a 2-Week Repair Turnaround estimate. I'm sending it back as requested, Complete Gun, not just the Slide, and with the option of sending the Mag. I decided to keep the Mag here, and let them use their Range Mag for testing.

I'll get it boxed up and delivered to UPS tomorrow, and try and wait patiently for the next 2 Weeks.

I'll post the results when I get it back, and let you all know what happened with the Repair(s).

In the meantime, I'll be using my Backup Carry, here:

Cheers!

BB

 

[MoHawk]

Blackbeard, Good luck on getting it back in 2 weeks, took 3 weeks on mine. Good news is after replacing the front sight with pinned model, replacing frame pins & replacing hammer catch with spring, it shoots great. If you need to use your backup carry I hope you make a good 1st shot!
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=114778&highlight=

 

[Blackbeard]

Thanks Mohawk!

I Shipped it to them yesterday afternoon, and SRC signed for it at 9:41 AM today. The Clock is ticking, so I'll see how long it takes mine for a Front Sight Repair-&-Return. Funny... in the Navy I used to work the Repair-&-Return Program for Aircraft Repairables. Now I wanna see if Ruger is as fast as I was!

With my Backup Carry, if I miss, then I'll have to send in my Backup-Backup..... SeaDawg!

If I hit the target... well... I won't need a second shot!

BTW! I enjoyed your review of the LC9. Glad to hear it's a keeper!

Cheers!

BB