Anybody have experience with the Ruger LC9?

diamonback68 · #1 07-26-2014, 06:44 PM

Anyone know anything about the good, bad or the ugly of the Ruger LC9? Or should I look for another brand 9mm, never had one before or know anything about the caliber. An LGS has an LC9 practically new, but used for about $125 less than MSRP at $310. Thanks for all your help.

gdnagle · #2 07-26-2014, 10:03 PM

Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore has them new for $313.99 Includes free shipping. I don't like the loaded chamber indicator all my firearms are loaded so they don't need to tell me. I don't like the magazine disconnect. It has a long trigger pull. These are just my personal grief's with it. Magazine disconnect can be removed. Nice small firearm and no problems with it. I just don't like thing that I mentioned. Dry fire it and see how it feels to you I might just be too picky. Fit's nice in a pocket also.

diamonback68 · #3 07-26-2014, 10:12 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out good.
I'm kinda used to the long trigger pull since I already have an LCP. BTW, it's a later one and they have greatly improved the trigger on that model, sights are better too.

hoc9sw · #4 07-26-2014, 10:27 PM

I have fired (200 rounds, more or less) a friend's on multiple range trips. I could hit the barn door at 7 yards, missed the barn at 15. Found it to be a valid weapon at 3 yards, marginal at 7, useless at 15.

As a face-to-face defensive weapon, it works. Depends on what you want it for. I find my Shield 9 to be much more accurate.

I do not have, but am trying a borrowed Mustang .380, with good results so far.

Can't tell you why one works (for me) and the other does not, but it likely has to do with arthritis and cancer in the bones.

LVSteve · #5 07-26-2014, 10:53 PM

Small guns with long trigger pulls in a take a lot of practice to shoot accurately. Ask any J-frame owner.

I've handled a LC9 and a Shield and I prefer the Shield. It seemed a bit smaller and had a better trigger.

Cal44 · #6 07-26-2014, 11:51 PM

The trigger pull on an LC9 is similar to shooting a double action revolver.

I have one, but haven't practiced with it much.

Need to pull it out and work with it.

I was able to keep shots in a 9" circle at 30 feet and have the impression the gun could do much better if the shooter (me) practiced more.

To me, I could care less one way or another about the loaded chamber indictor.

GKC · #7 07-27-2014, 01:09 PM

I have owned a LC9, and don't now. It was OK, but there are other guns I prefer...like the Shield. Minor annoyances were the magazine disconnect (which isn't easy to remove) and the LCI. The trigger wasn't bad, but it was long...it wasn't as heavy as the DA pull on most revolvers, to me.

This is my personal quirk, but the major reason I didn't care for the LC9 is that the procedure for taking out the firing pin (to clean out the channel) involves knocking out roll pins. I like to periodically clean out the firing pin or striker channel on my guns, and the LC9 has been known to have light strikes because of gunk in the channel. The slide on a Shield, for example, disassembles much easier.

Ruger is a great company, and some of their designs (like the polymer SR series) are very good guns, but the LC9 isn't one of their best, IMO. I have heard rumors that Ruger was going to redesign the LC9 to be striker-fired, which may (or may not) improve the trigger, and (hopefully) make it as easy to disassemble the slide as is their SR series pistols. They may not be, since the LCP and LC380 aren't, currently.

wepiii · #8 07-29-2014, 07:08 PM

Look at the just released LC9s.

kbm6893 · #9 07-29-2014, 07:15 PM

I had one and moved on to the Shield. Then sold that and back to a 642. I think I will get another LC9. It is smaller and lighter then the Shield so pocket carry is possible. I like the manual safety and mag disconnect. Why I like 3rd gen's. I like how the safety is a bit wider then the Shield. Makes flicking on an off easy and positive. He Loaded chamber indicator is a bit much, but doesn't block the sites. Double strike capability too. Yes, the Shield shot more accurately for me, but at 10 yards at a paper plate, every shot went into a palm sized group in the center

LVSteve · #10 07-29-2014, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wepiii

Look at the just released LC9s.

Hmm, the S model has a lot going for it.

tinman931 · #11 07-29-2014, 10:07 PM

I really like mine, but I am a Ruger fan. The trigger pull is really long, but that is by design. Practice makes it much more manageable, and it easily fits in the pocket. That is one of the true selling points, as you are more likely to have it on you. It offers more power than a pocket .380 and more rounds than a .38.
That being said, you need to choose whatever you feel the most comfortable and proficient with. Fortunately, there are lots of great choices.

AJMBLAZER · #12 07-29-2014, 11:02 PM

I don't like the LC9.

It's a copy of a KelTec PF9 with some added "safety features" that no one really wanted. What you need an external manual safety for when you have a very long almost double action trigger pull is beyond me. It'd be like putting a separate external safety on a revolver...why?

I come from a Ruger family. I have Rugers from the late 70's and members of my family have Rugers that are older. Ruger makes great stuff usually. I just find the Ruger to be a rip off of the KelTec with some odd added "features".

I also don't like the odd grip shape. They seem to have taken the already small grip of my PF9 and then re-contoured it so that it feels odd in the hand. Mine feels good in the hand, just small since it's a pocket pistol.

Also, these tiny 9's are like shooting .357 lightweight snubs. It's an experience, even with sedate 9mm loads. You have to GRIP the gun TIGHT and hold on or the slide will not go into battery. It's not for those who don't like recoil or dealing with it.
That said I like shooting mine more than my dad's LCP since I think the LCP's miniscule grip makes .380 hard to control.

Also, KelTec makes their product in the USA, has great customer service if you need it, and their guns are cheaper than Ruger's. So add that to the lack of unnecessary safety features and I can't find a reason to buy a LC9.

GKC · #13 07-29-2014, 11:15 PM

I just saw the announcement for the LC9s..."s" for "striker fired" and it supposedly has a much shorter and lighter trigger pull. It also looks like it doesn't have the LCI...just a view port. It apparently still has the mag disconnect and the safety.

I would like to see how the slide disassembles, and I'd like to see if the mag disconnect can be removed easily (like the SR9/40 pistols.)

eveled · #14 07-31-2014, 08:59 AM

Anybody looking for a compact 9mm (or 40cal) should look at the Walther PPS. At least look at it, for me it was the clear choice, I am able to shoot mine at 50feet and hit a paper plate. This picture is from the old add from S&W/Walther, it shows the different magazine sizes which is a real benefit.