LC9 Questions?

[bluesmoke9]

Ok, I looked at past threads on the LC9 sight issues but didn't find anything definitive as to what the heck is going on. My front sight is off-center and my rear sight was loose and just slid back and forth. When I tightened the screw it just raised the sight high off the slide. Also, it wouldn't feed hollow points from the mag when I hand racked the slide. I sent it in noting all the above.
It seems Ruger is well aware of the sight issues but mine was new as of January 2012. Apparently they can't or won't fix these issues in production. Does anyone know what's really up here? And when I get it back, will I be happy or PO'ed? I want to like this gun but so far I'm not impressed.

 

[bluesmoke9]

I'm a little surprised at no comments. Thought there would at least be a few.

 

[DEADI9MM]

i have no problem with sights or hollow points the front sight can be moved with a small rubber hammer for the rear sight make sure screw is in screw hole in slide or it will rise up

 

[Bud0505]

My LC9LM was manufactured in Jan 2012. I purchased it March 2012. 500 plus rounds of WWB and Speer 124 Gr JHP Gold Dot plus my own reloads of 124 Gr FMJ and Unique with no problems other than the hammer catch pin walking to the left about 1/16 of an inch and that was cured with an application of blue locktite. Haven't had the need for Ruger CS so I can't comment on that.

 

[bluesmoke9]

i have no problem with sights or hollow points the front sight can be moved with a small rubber hammer for the rear sight make sure screw is in screw hole in slide or it will rise up

I didn't take the time to look before I sent it in but I've read that the front sight was pinned. Did I miss something?

 

[DEADI9MM]

my front sight walked to the right alittle i just hit it back

 

[jhearne]

My front sight walks, it's a 27XXX S/N, but a friend has an LC9 with a lower and earlier test fire date that has his front sight staked (roll pin through the sight and frame). You can't use the test fire date or the S/N as anything but an approximation of when it was made. Mine was test fired and bought after my friend's, but his front sight is staked from the factory. I don't want mine staked, so....

I'm debating on sending the slide out to someone like XS sights in Fort Worth, TX, and getting new sights put on it. Just realize that you may have to pay for sights plus labor as they'll be custom fitted. Guessing Ruger had a batch of slides or front sights that didn't fit tight enough. To fix your gun's sights, they'll likely replace the front sight, and drill through the slide's top (through, into the barrel's hole) and lock it in with a roll pin.

I tried a box of Hornady JSP's and the first couple mags wouldn't feed the first round (sling shot slide racks btw!). Once I fed a couple mags, it seemed fine, and still feeds when I load up a new JSP mag. Don't know what Ruger will determine the cause to be, feed ramp I'm guessing. You might could've saved yourself some headache on this issue by coming here first. On a feeding issue (especially first round chambering) you can fix it yourself quickly.

Josh

 

[bluesmoke9]

My front sight walks, it's a 27XXX S/N, but a friend has an LC9 with a lower and earlier test fire date that has his front sight staked (roll pin through the sight and frame). You can't use the test fire date or the S/N as anything but an approximation of when it was made. Mine was test fired and bought after my friend's, but his front sight is staked from the factory. I don't want mine staked, so....

I'm debating on sending the slide out to someone like XS sights in Fort Worth, TX, and getting new sights put on it. Just realize that you may have to pay for sights plus labor as they'll be custom fitted. Guessing Ruger had a batch of slides or front sights that didn't fit tight enough. To fix your gun's sights, they'll likely replace the front sight, and drill through the slide's top (through, into the barrel's hole) and lock it in with a roll pin.

I tried a box of Hornady JSP's and the first couple mags wouldn't feed the first round (sling shot slide racks btw!). Once I fed a couple mags, it seemed fine, and still feeds when I load up a new JSP mag. Don't know what Ruger will determine the cause to be, feed ramp I'm guessing. You might could've saved yourself some headache on this issue by coming here first. On a feeding issue (especially first round chambering) you can fix it yourself quickly.

Josh

I'm going to see how everything works when I get it back from Ruger and go from there. I suppose I'm somewhat spoiled in that I'm a Glock guy and I've never had an issue with one. Maybe I was just lucky. I did consider doing some things on my own but, hey, it's a new gun and I felt it wasn't working the way it should from the factory. That and I've heard a few horror stories about screwing up a polish job on the feed ramp.
I am impressed with what's been written about the Galloway trigger job and what you wrote Josh so I might try that when I get it back. Oh, and I looked into those XS sights you mentioned. Pretty negative reviews from those that bought them on Amazon.

 

[CET2012]

i think you just need to tweak the sights somehow. I dropped my LC9 first time at the range and it knocked the rear sight loose but I just tightened it up and now it's fine. No movement that I can tell in the front sight but I can see how you would adjust it. If the front sight is too loose in its slot then that is another issue, best dealt with by Ruger or a gunsmith IMO.
I had 150 rounds of cheap Russian made Tula ammo that my Hi Point 9mm would not shoot. (A cheap gun that wants expensive ammo?)
The LC9 ate em all up without any problems.
I am one of those mechanical guys who likes to do his own auto work and gun smithing whenever possible. I try to customize every gun I get. I will be careful with this one at first because if something major breaks due to my customization then I can't get warranty work done at Ruger. I will wait to do trigger work and stuff like that until I've gotten used to this gun.

 

[DavidC77]

I ordered a set of XS Big Dots for mine.

I have them on my 1911's and my S&W M&P's and I love them.

 

[Knecht]

I have no problem with sights on my LC9, the main issue was with lightstrikes. I solved it by using different ammo (GECO) which was so far reliable (about 200 rounds with 0 lightstrikes). Once I also had a mag drop during shooting which was 100% not caused by me (shooting left-handed, it's quite impossible to hit the release button unless you really want) but never had that again.
I had really ugly machining on the back of my slide but I fixed that (needle file and cold-blue). Now I just wish the Galloway trigger kit would be available, as the looong trigger pull is something I really hate.
I also wish LC9 was striker fired - for a gun that's ment to be carried concealed, even in pocket by many users, the hammer in an opened groove is quite a fail IMO. I don't pocket-carry regularly, but I do sometimes (De Santis holster) and both in pocket as well as OWB, the gun always tends to catch lots of lint and dust into the hammer groove. I wouldn't be surprised if the hammer got blocked by this lint someday. I clean that spot every time I think about it.
Also, don't know about other people's LC9s, but the hammer on mine does peen like a rivet. I had to carefully straighten it's deformed edges by a fine file, as I was afraid it would snag and cause malfunction (and yes, the lightstrikes did appear even before this).
Don't really know why a DAO hammer has to be seen when you can't operate it anyway, IMO it could be hidden in the slide like on old Browning (which was SA, I know- but you get the idea) and thus be protected from the lint.

 

[Rat1]

My front sight walks, it's a 27XXX S/N, but a friend has an LC9 with a lower and earlier test fire date that has his front sight staked (roll pin through the sight and frame). You can't use the test fire date or the S/N as anything but an approximation of when it was made. Mine was test fired and bought after my friend's, but his front sight is staked from the factory. I don't want mine staked, so....

I'm debating on sending the slide out to someone like XS sights in Fort Worth, TX, and getting new sights put on it. Just realize that you may have to pay for sights plus labor as they'll be custom fitted. Guessing Ruger had a batch of slides or front sights that didn't fit tight enough. To fix your gun's sights, they'll likely replace the front sight, and drill through the slide's top (through, into the barrel's hole) and lock it in with a roll pin.

I tried a box of Hornady JSP's and the first couple mags wouldn't feed the first round (sling shot slide racks btw!). Once I fed a couple mags, it seemed fine, and still feeds when I load up a new JSP mag. Don't know what Ruger will determine the cause to be, feed ramp I'm guessing. You might could've saved yourself some headache on this issue by coming here first. On a feeding issue (especially first round chambering) you can fix it yourself quickly.

Josh

My front site is roll pinned also. Problem with mine is that the front site is off tot he right slightly and not centered. Why didn't they just use a set screw to lock it down??????