LC9: likes/dislikes? UPDATE

[Three50seven]

Hi all, I don't spend much time in the semiauto section, but I've been looking at the LC9s. Just curious to know what ya'll have to say about them from experience. I would use it as my primary CCW gun.

 

[welder]

I like mine. It is easy to carry when the occasion requires a smaller less "printing" gun, such as shorts and tee shirt and where the threats to one's safety are minimal. It is not my primary ccw gun but serves well when carried in a pocket or belly band when the G19 stays in the truck. I have about 300 rds through mine with out any glitches and it is quite accurate for me. I could live without the LCI and mag safety but it's a Ruger you know. :? The trigger is long but not too heavy. I had expected a terrible trigger based on early reports but IMO it's workable enough. Does take some getting used to though. I felt it was a good value and filled a niche in my ccw group, all the while offering a bit more power when compared to the LCP. I would recommend it based on my experience thus far.

 

[Boge]

I like mine. It is easy to carry when the occasion requires a smaller less "printing" gun, such as shorts and tee shirt and where the threats to one's safety are minimal. It is not my primary ccw gun but serves well when carried in a pocket or belly band when the G19 stays in the truck. I have about 300 rds through mine with out any glitches and it is quite accurate for me. I could live without the LCI and mag safety but it's a Ruger you know. :? The trigger is long but not too heavy. I had expected a terrible trigger based on early reports but IMO it's workable enough. Does take some getting used to though. I felt it was a good value and filled a niche in my ccw group, all the while offering a bit more power when compared to the LCP. I would recommend it based on my experience thus far.

I agree 100% w/ Welder. It's a good little gun & I enjoy mine, but hey................can you keep a secret? :wink: The SIG p290, although more expensive, is a far better gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWizv9qk4N4

 

[RichBMW]

The SIG p290, although more expensive...

About $300 more expensive. :shock:

 

[jmlampert23]

I bought mine yesterday morning. I shot about 500 rounds through it and did not have one missfire. It is a great little gun accurate, light, when carrying it inside my waist band you hardly know it is there. Over all, for the money it is a great gun

 

[Three50seven]

Sounds like a good gun guys. I know Sig makes a great product, but they're definitely out of my price range. I carry a Taurus TCP right now, but I'm not a huge fan of the 380, plus I want something I can take out and shoot now and then without costing me an arm and a leg just in ammo!

 

[welder]

I think you'll be pleased with the little gun if you get it. The Sig, as Boge pointed out is indeed a good looking gun too. I let that one slip you on me and after reading up on it, I would really like to try one out.

 

[hwilson]

liked the size and the feel. hated the trigger. had a few light primer strike issues. sold mine and looking at the sr9c as my next purchase.

 

[Blackbeard]

I like mine. Very accurate shooter! Easy to conceal in a pair of Cargo Pants, and doesn't print if you use a pocket holster. I use an Uncle Mike's #4 Pocket Holster. Perfect fit!

Good 3-Dot Sights make your target easy to line up on. I'm still breaking mine in, but after I do, I'll try some Federal HST LE 147gr in it, to make sure it'll handle PD ammo before I carry it.

Cheers!

BB

 

[Loco Weed]

I like everything about mine EXCEPT I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it. I thought perhaps it was my grip or trigger control but I've had three other shooters try it and they can't do any better. Looks like I'll be contacting Ruger on this one.

 

[Three50seven]

I got an LC9 finally on Sunday. I paid $369 + tax, which seems to be right on par. So far my likes way out number my dislikes:

Likes:
-functions flawlessly
-accuracy is quite good for the type of gun it is
-carries easily
-holds comfortably (with finger extension)
-takedown and reassembly are simple and easy
-manual safety

Dislikes:
-loaded chamber indicator looks cheap and is unnecessary.
-only 1 mag included

 

[hittman]

CDNN does (or did have) the mags with both floor plates for something like $25.00. That's where I picked up my 2nd mag.

 

[rich642z]

Blackbeard,don't use the 147 grain for your LC9. The reason why is that the bullet isn't seated far enough into the casing and you will have ftf's.

 

[buckshotshorty]

Blackbeard,don't use the 147 grain for your LC9. The reason why is that the bullet isn't seated far enough into the casing and you will have ftf's.

I've shot several magazines full of HST 147 grainers in my LC9...never experienced a single hiccup.

 

[Three50seven]

CDNN does (or did have) the mags with both floor plates for something like $25.00. That's where I picked up my 2nd mag.

Sweet! Sure beats $37!

 

[Three50seven]

CDNN appears to be out of mags. Midway has them with flat floor plates for $26 and with extensions for $29, but both are currently out of stock...

 

[cleveland]

I picked one up a couple weeks ago. I put about 150 rounds through it. Here's my feedback.

Likes:
Size
Feel in the hand (w/extended floor plate)
Ability to conceal
Sights

Dislikes:
TRIGGER TRIGGER TRIGGER!!!
Shoots high
Inconsistent groupings

This is a pic of my first and second mag. The blue tape is covering my first mag and the uncovered is my second mag. I was shooting at 15 feet. You can see the first 4 rounds were low, and then I tried to adjust my group with the last 2 rounds. My second mag was better, but I was aiming at the top of the black circle.

If I can not overcome the issue of inconstant groups and the trigger pull, then I will be selling it.

 

[revhigh]

Dislikes:
TRIGGER TRIGGER TRIGGER!!!
Shoots high
Inconsistent groupings

If I can not overcome the issue of inconstant groups and the trigger pull, then I will be selling it.

LOL !!! Didn't you try the trigger before you bought the gun ?? Looks like you've discovered (and pretty quickly) why I won't own any of Ruger's semiautos, and the P95 is one of the best in Ruger's lineup. Still waiting on the 1911 to prove itself. Ruger's semiauto DA/SA triggers are the worst on the planet. I don't know why they haven't refined them over the years. In the two guns that I owned, a P89 and a P91, there was no way to tell when the gun would go off ... the triggers were almost random in the way they released the sear. To say nothing of the 3/4 inch long pull, and varying amonts of pressure needed during the pull. If you want a great trigger, buy a 1911 in 9MM, or if you still want high capacity, try a Sig P226 or a CZ75B in your local store. All DA/SA triggers are not as bad as the Rugers.

REV

 

[cleveland]

I recently purchased a new SR9 and LOVE IT! If the trigger pull was the same as the SR9, I would be pretty happy with it.

Is there an aftermarket solution to the trigger?

 

[Three50seven]

Cleveland; I too am not a huge fan of the trigger, but...lets consider this gun's use. Looks to me like all of your shots would be center mass on a human target at 15ft. Almost all self defense altercations involving a handgun occur at less than this range, so the accuracy you achieved would be more than sufficient.

After putting a few mags through mine, I was able to get my groups down to around 2.5" at approx. 15ft, and that's good enough for me!

 

[cleveland]

Cleveland; I too am not a huge fan of the trigger, but...lets consider this gun's use. Looks to me like all of your shots would be center mass on a human target at 15ft. Almost all self defense altercations involving a handgun occur at less than this range, so the accuracy you achieved would be more than sufficient.

Yes, they were all within center of mass, however that was shooting slowly and with no threat in front of me. Every time I speed up, the group opened up... some times to the point that I didn't even hit the paper.

I have never used a firearm for self defense and hope that I never have to. However, everything I have read leads me to believe that I would be shooting rapidly in that type of situation. So I need to be proficient in rapid fire.

Could it just be me? Certainly! That's why I plan to shoot it a few more times before I make my final decision about carrying it.

 

[revhigh]

Is there an aftermarket solution to the trigger?

Yup !! Luckily there is ! Get a different gun.

I've heard that the new SR9 series triggers are considerably improved over the original version, which again goes to show you that it's usually not wise to be the first kid on the block when buying almost anything.

REV

 

[Three50seven]

Thank the Lord, I've never had to draw my carry gun for any reason either. My dad and I started doing a little drill sometimes when we shoot to kind of give you a better idea of how you and your gun might perform should the situation arise. Mind you, where we shoot there is only one firing lane, so therefore you can get as close or far from the backstop as you wish. We start about 5 or 6 feet from the target, usually paper or cardboard that's vaguely human shaped and roughly the same size as a torso, with our gun holstered in whatever position you normally carry it. When the other person says "go" you draw your weapon and fire repeatedly while walking backwards quickly. The shots don't normally end up in a nice tight group, but you end up getting a lot more solid hits than you might imagine.

 

[Boge]

...LOL !!! Didn't you try the trigger before you bought the gun ??...

Rev, many gun stores prohibit dry firing altogether nowadays. Many gun show vendors prohibit it as well. Sportsman's Warehouse is one that has placards all over saying "No Dry Firing!!"

 

[GKC]

Yes, they were all within center of mass, however that was shooting slowly and with no threat in front of me. Every time I speed up, the group opened up... some times to the point that I didn't even hit the paper.

While I don't have the stats in front of me, I've read that in many cases, involving law enforcement officers, there are many more "misses" than hits in a shooting situation. Even the pros are affected by stress, and they aren't shooting an LC9 either.

I'm not saying "oh well, don't worry about it"...practice will help, more practice will help more, etc. Most SD situations aren't long drawn out gun battles at a distance, and the one or two shots you may need to get off in a hurry should hit a human size target at arm's length with no problem. In fact, if you are shooting at a distance, you may have a different type of problem...of the legal kind.

 

[rich642z]

Watch Hickok45 and see what he does and thinks of the LC9. And don't worry about the long trigger,you will get use to it. Just keep on shooting the LC9 as much as you can then,you will get use to the so called horrible long trigger. Or call and complain to Ruger in Prescott Az. and tell them about it.

 

[diehard2013]

Sir
I recently acquired a ruger lc9
serial # 320-XXXXXX which i really like
seems to fill all the things i was looking for an upgrade from my ppk.
however the first time i took it to the
range after 100 rnds i got several light primer strikes / fail to fire.
took it home and observed that the firing pin was gritty in its movement and did not extend all the way forward.
all the time.
i repaired the problem by working the firing pin back and forth many times till i got the full range of movement everytime.next i sprayed some wd 40 thru a straw into the firing pin hole on the breechface and received 10-15 silver in color metal shavings.
please pass this info to the " guys on the line"

Thank you

D. Gillum

 

[Geoff Timm]

The competition is the Kel-tec PF-9 and the Kahr CW-9.

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/pf-9/

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp

Geoff
Who has a LCP and a P9094N in that SD niche.

 

[revhigh]

...LOL !!! Didn't you try the trigger before you bought the gun ??...

Rev, many gun stores prohibit dry firing altogether nowadays.

When I try the trigger on a gun, I'll put my thumb between the hammer and the frame, and only let the hammer travel about 1/4 inch (or less) after release. That way you can easily try it over and over again until you get the feel of the trigger. I've NEVER had an owner tell me not to do that, and when most realize what I'm doing, tell me that it's OK to dry fire it, which I generally will only do once if told that it's OK.

It's very easy to get the feel of a trigger that way.

REV

 

[Three50seven]

The competition is the Kel-tec PF-9 and the Kahr CW-9.

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/pf-9/

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp

Geoff
Who has a LCP and a P9094N in that SD niche.

I had a Kel-Tec PF9, and there is definitely no competition there :lol: The Kahr, on the other hand, seems to be a nice little gun from what I've read.