meshugunner
Single-Sixer
Took out my new LC9 w/laser today and shot about 80 rounds.
I was expecting a snappy recoil so I loaded up some very soft rounds. 105 gr RN with 3.0gr of 231. It didn't do well with those. It was obvious the slide wasn't being driven back hard enough. Switched to my regular 125gr RN with 4.1gr of 231 which is on the hot side, and it ate 50 of those quite happily along with some mystery ammo left over from an old reload batch and some Tulammo Russian stuff which is fairly hot. Recoil was much milder than I expected. If I'd brought more ammo, I could have shot another 200 without feeling beaten up. Just a bit snappier than my S&W 922 on the same diet. I'll shoot the wimpy rounds through my Blackhawk.
Yes the trigger is a long pull and it breaks almost at the rear of the trigger guard where the finger feels like it's out of position. Nevertheless, it's a smooth pull (it does stack ) and by the end of the session I was getting the hang of it. But I am very fussy about grips and triggers so I will probably get the Galloway mod. At the end I was shooting 'stripes' - groups about 1" wide 3" tall @10yds. So trigger control needs work but it looks promising.
I don't like the grip. I have small hands and I didn't think I would ever find a semiauto where the grip wasnt thick (side to side) enough but this one is too skinny. It could be fatter without compromising concealment. I used the pinky extension plate (I rely on my pinky for recoil control) but there's nothing behind it and the rear bottom corner of the digs into my palm. Nevertheless, the gun was easy to hold and control.
Fits easily into the front pocket of my pants - though it's going to need a holster to draw it easily. Tucks into my waistband very neatly where it's almost invisible and very comfortable. I will get an IWB holster for it.
Sights can be adjusted for windage only. Elevation seemed to be dead on - though my trigger control may be masking a problem.
It comes with one 7 round single stack mag. A second costs about $26. They are very compact.
I like having a mag safety and a 'round in the chamber' indicator but I don't see the need for a safety lever on a DAO pistol. Revolvers don't need it, why should a semi auto? In this case it really adds no safety and creates the possibility of a failure to fire at a critical moment. I am considering removing it.
Take down is simple and easy but you need something to push a pin out. A ball point pen works. I could not release the slide using the slide release button. I had to rack it.
I haven't spent any time with the laser yet. This is my first laser gun. I plan to use it for dry fire practice and for point and shoot.
Despite its shortcomings, it's a great little gun for a very reasonable price. It's a Ruger which means it's likely to be tough and reliable and it's backed by their amazing customer service. I paid $335 for this one (with the laser) on GunsAmerica.
This and my Airweight will by my primary EDC guns. I plan to put several thousand rounds through it in the near future.
I was expecting a snappy recoil so I loaded up some very soft rounds. 105 gr RN with 3.0gr of 231. It didn't do well with those. It was obvious the slide wasn't being driven back hard enough. Switched to my regular 125gr RN with 4.1gr of 231 which is on the hot side, and it ate 50 of those quite happily along with some mystery ammo left over from an old reload batch and some Tulammo Russian stuff which is fairly hot. Recoil was much milder than I expected. If I'd brought more ammo, I could have shot another 200 without feeling beaten up. Just a bit snappier than my S&W 922 on the same diet. I'll shoot the wimpy rounds through my Blackhawk.
Yes the trigger is a long pull and it breaks almost at the rear of the trigger guard where the finger feels like it's out of position. Nevertheless, it's a smooth pull (it does stack ) and by the end of the session I was getting the hang of it. But I am very fussy about grips and triggers so I will probably get the Galloway mod. At the end I was shooting 'stripes' - groups about 1" wide 3" tall @10yds. So trigger control needs work but it looks promising.
I don't like the grip. I have small hands and I didn't think I would ever find a semiauto where the grip wasnt thick (side to side) enough but this one is too skinny. It could be fatter without compromising concealment. I used the pinky extension plate (I rely on my pinky for recoil control) but there's nothing behind it and the rear bottom corner of the digs into my palm. Nevertheless, the gun was easy to hold and control.
Fits easily into the front pocket of my pants - though it's going to need a holster to draw it easily. Tucks into my waistband very neatly where it's almost invisible and very comfortable. I will get an IWB holster for it.
Sights can be adjusted for windage only. Elevation seemed to be dead on - though my trigger control may be masking a problem.
It comes with one 7 round single stack mag. A second costs about $26. They are very compact.
I like having a mag safety and a 'round in the chamber' indicator but I don't see the need for a safety lever on a DAO pistol. Revolvers don't need it, why should a semi auto? In this case it really adds no safety and creates the possibility of a failure to fire at a critical moment. I am considering removing it.
Take down is simple and easy but you need something to push a pin out. A ball point pen works. I could not release the slide using the slide release button. I had to rack it.
I haven't spent any time with the laser yet. This is my first laser gun. I plan to use it for dry fire practice and for point and shoot.
Despite its shortcomings, it's a great little gun for a very reasonable price. It's a Ruger which means it's likely to be tough and reliable and it's backed by their amazing customer service. I paid $335 for this one (with the laser) on GunsAmerica.
This and my Airweight will by my primary EDC guns. I plan to put several thousand rounds through it in the near future.
