Ruger LC9S or Glock 43?

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otis24

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Will soon be looking for a slim 9 as my next CCW piece. I like the looks and feel of the Ruger LC9S. I did a side-by-side comparison with a Remington R51 and a Glock 42 (which I know is similar in size to the Glock 43). I would give a little bit of an edge to the Glock 43 for feel, but the Ruger did not have the extended mag, which may have made a difference. l am ruling out the R51 just because it is a new model and reliability hasn't yet been established. I do like that the R51 has an aluminum frame. I owned an M&P Shield briefly, but still liked the feel of the LC9S better. If there is a huge difference in price, the edge may go to Ruger. Reliablilty is a big factor. Which would you choose? Ruger LC9S or Glock 43?

As a side note, I am just now warming up to the idea of a polymer pistol. As I start to accept the idea of "Tupperware" in a firearm, I am starting to notice choices that I have never before considered.
 
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Keep in mind that the slimmer the grip the more shooting the pistol will beat up on your hand - unless you have tiny hands. I have the LC9s, and the grip is very thin and hard plastic. Although I can shoot it pretty well, I do not enjoy shooting it. I know they are made for easy concealment rather than easy shooting, but just something you should consider.

My wife's Sig P938 is more or less the same size, but a bit heavier. The grip on the Sig, though, is wider and hers has a soft rubber wraparound grip. It is much more comfortable to shoot than the Ruger. Of course it costs about twice as much, too. That's why I'm still carrying the Ruger. Well, that and the fact that it's been 100% reliable and pretty accurate for a small light pistol.
 
I just picked-up a Glock 43 and am a fan. I had a 42 when they first came out, but mine was ammo finicky so I got rid of it. I haven't played with the Ruger LC9, but do own the LCP.

It really comes down to what you're comfortable with. Try to shoot both and see which one you prefer. For me, G43 is very comfortable to shoot. And it's been 100% reliable, even with HP ammo. My LCP (I know it's smaller than the LC9), isn't comfortable at all. But I only use it as a back-up or house pocket gun.
 
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The Ruger is smaller, thinner, lighter, and cheaper. It also has a worlds better trigger. Best trigger I have ever felt on a mass produced striker gun. It can be had in the Pro model, with no
Manual safety or mag disconnect, but I don't like that. Trigger on this gun is so light.

It's not even a contest for me. Ruger.
 
I recently bought the LC9s, not the pro, for $312 out the door. I hadn't really thought about owning one but I just happened to check out a new LGS that had them for this price.
I do like the gun and it has a good feel with a really good smooth trigger. IMO the recoil isn't bad at all and the gun is plenty accurate shooting free hand from 10 yards.
Seeing how the Sig and Glock cost around $200 more the LC9s wins hands down IMO. If the Glock G27 trigger is the norm for Glock than again the Glock loses. The Sig P938 is heavier and a good bit more expensive. I have shot and liked the Sig P238 and if it is comparable to the Sig P938 I believe I still would go with the LC9s.

No doubt you should shoot all three before buying any of the three.
 
I'm not a fan of the Glock trigger and I think it is too expensive. I do agree that the LC9s has a narrow backstrap and it transfers recoil quite sharply if you bear down on it in fear of a limp wrist. My girlfriend does not have my grip and so the gun moves quite a bit. Consequently, she doesn't think it recoils that much more than my bigger nines, but her slack grip has yet to create a malfunction. Go figure.

An alternative is the Sccy CPX-2. It has a 10-round double stack mag and, therefore, a slightly chunkier grip. I have seen favorable YouTube videos on this pistol.
 
I went with the 43. I go for reliability over whatever. I can't say if the 43 will be like the 19 or 17 but I don't know of any 19/17 version of the Ruger

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
I have a LC9 pro that I carry every day. I purchased 2 extend magazines and installed this Hogue grip sleeve and it is very comfortable to shoot. The trigger is very good for a striker fire gun.
RLC9G_zpsj4n0iby3.jpg
 
I carry the Glock 43 if I'm not carrying my CZ. I installed the ghost edge trigger and added Talon grips. Those two things made a big difference shooting the gun.
 
In my area, the Glock and the Ruger seem to be comparably priced. Based on that I give a slight edge to the Glock. I do have smaller hands. The Glock grip may have a width advantage.
 
You always have to love the opinions of those who have shot one or the other or neither but just hate Glocks and want to weight in anyway. :)

So, many of us at my department were debating this exact same question about a year ago. I had enough interest that I called one of the local LE gun dealers and asked if he'd provide a couple of loaners for us to try out at our range. "Sure" he says, and we set a date at the range and he shows up with a couple of G43's and LC9s Pro's and enough 9mm ammo to make a dozen deputies grin with glee.

Guns & Ammo magazine had a very good article on the subject not long ago that featured a number of like sized 9mm's, including these two. I'm not going to rehash their article other than to note the G43 and the LC9s Pro came out on top.

With that said, our finding were exactly the same as the G&A article, both of these two guns performed very well. At the end of the day of our shooting session it came down to two things; #1 - ergonomics, some preferred the Glock and some preferred the Ruger. It was just a personal preference thing. #2 - magazine capacity, the LC9s Pro holds one more round than the G43.

Although some preferred one a bit more than the other, no one disliked the other one. Since our department issues Glocks there was a tendency to prefer the G43. All twelve of us who participated in this exercise did purchase one or the other and the final count was 7 G43's and 5 LC9s Pro's. I went with a LC9s Pro, but you absolutely can't go wrong with either in my book . . . it comes down to how does it feel in your hand.

411502744.jpg
 
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Not trying to muddy the waters, but the OP did mention the R51. I have the new release version of the R51. I have had it about 6-8 months. It has been absolutely flawless through about 800 rounds of all types of ammo. I did have a problem with one magazine. It came with two, IIR, and I bought two more. One had a follower that was binding inside the mag. A minute with a Dremel and that was fixed. It is in my EDC rotation. The slide is easy for me to cycle too.

That said, I am seriously considering adding the LC9. Haven't pulled the trigger on it yet, literally or figuratively. I had a Shield 9MM, but sold it. The slide was becoming harder and harder to rack for these increasingly arthritic hands.
 
CATI1835 said:
Not trying to muddy the waters, but the OP did mention the R51. I have the new release version of the R51. I have had it about 6-8 months. It has been absolutely flawless through about 800 rounds of all types of ammo. I did have a problem with one magazine. It came with two, IIR, and I bought two more. One had a follower that was binding inside the mag. A minute with a Dremel and that was fixed. It is in my EDC rotation. The slide is easy for me to cycle too.

That said, I am seriously considering adding the LC9. Haven't pulled the trigger on it yet, literally or figuratively. I had a Shield 9MM, but sold it. The slide was becoming harder and harder to rack for these increasingly arthritic hands.
Click to expand...

Only issue with the new released R51 is that it weights considerably more than either the G43 or LC9s Pro
 
Opted for the LC9S (but not the Pro model). Stopped at Cabela's. That had a couple of new LC9s pistols on clearance for $354. I had about $8 in rewards points and received $20 when I was approved for a Cabela's Visa. It came in a cardboard box, not the nice plastic case. It did, however, come with a Blade Tech holster. I assume that perhaps they were clearancing them out because they have the safety(?). Just a guess. Th Glock 43 fit my hand better but for $100 less plus holster, I couldn't turn it down. Pistol and holster $350 out the door.
 
Normally, I probably would have opted for an extended magazine. Surprisingly, the LC9S seems to fit my hand better with the shorter base plate. I ordered a second magazine from Midway USA. Has anyone tried the ProMag 10 round magazine?
 
Itchy found a used LC9S for sale cheap at a pawn shop that was going out of business.

We took it to the range and she shot some great groups with it and liked the feel of it.

She let me shoot it once. That was enough to get me looking for one too. Both of us wanted the manual safety. Neither of us has learned to trust a striker fired gun stuck in a pocket or waist band.

Found one 3 days later and bought it. We both really like the little rascals.
 
The grip still seems a little wide for me. I think if Ruger took the palm swells out and had an angled grip like a Colt 1911, they would have a really big hit! I like the dimensions otherwise.
 
Glock 43, will fit the hand better, I do not like the mouse guns from ruger they just will not stay put in the hands while shooting,
 
Ruger LC9s for me - I had a Glock 43 but sold it. Personally, I like the magazine safety and thumb safety combo. Sometimes, it is good to be able to disable the Ruger depending on time and circumstances – removing the magazine is a quick and easy way to do that. But, most importantly – my Ruger was $330 versus $495 for the Glock. Just be sure to get MecGar magazines for it…
 
There are some differences

otis24 said:
Will soon be looking for a slim 9 as my next CCW piece. I like the looks and feel of the Ruger LC9S. I did a side-by-side comparison with a Remington R51 and a Glock 42 (which I know is similar in size to the Glock 43). I would give a little bit of an edge to the Glock 43 for feel, but the Ruger did not have the extended mag, which may have made a difference. l am ruling out the R51 just because it is a new model and reliability hasn't yet been established. I do like that the R51 has an aluminum frame. I owned an M&P Shield briefly, but still liked the feel of the LC9S better. If there is a huge difference in price, the edge may go to Ruger. Reliablilty is a big factor. Which would you choose? Ruger LC9S or Glock 43?

As a side note, I am just now warming up to the idea of a polymer pistol. As I start to accept the idea of "Tupperware" in a firearm, I am starting to notice choices that I have never before considered.
Click to expand...
I have both, the G-43 and the Ruger LC9s Pro. As for grip a grip sleeve as one poster showed is a simple solution for both pistols is more "grab" is preferred. Now, one plus for the G-43 is you can install a LaserMax Guide Rod laser on the G-43. ($$) They install in a few minutes.
Both pistols have been reliable with 500 rounds through both of mine. Accuracy? Both are fine for personal self defense as both are intended.
The one negative i have with the Ruger is the take down PIN. Pushing it out is no problem. Replacing it I've found the best way is to push the muzzle straight down on my table top while pushing the pin back in. Why? Holding the slide back just to the perfect
"spot" I've found troubling. So, I've the before mentioned procedure better.
For some reason and this has no research, I feel the Glock's design __very similar to all blocks___gives me more assurance several thousand rounds down.
I have the G-26 also and prefer this newer G43 hands down better for me. Even the erratic ejection of the G-26 is bothersome.
My two EDC packers___Either of my 9mm Shieds or my___for trips on the road or into Tucson, my Sig P320 compact.
My G-43 with guide rod laser is close to my recliner. Don't really
use it as a EDC. I would if I didn't have a Shield.
End opinion? Toss up!
P.S.
For the Glocks one round shortage> Pearce Grip PG-43+1
 
I've owned the LC9, LC9s and the LC9s Pro. For my own uses, I prefer the Glock 43 for a 9mm. I sold all the 9mm Rugers, but kept a LCP which I carry almost daily.
 
Have the old model LC9 and like it. Carries well, easy to hide. G43 is nice but unobtainable here in the Pacific Northwest. Was able to get one from an FFL friend in NJ but the hassle of shipping, etc. made it not worth getting another one since I already had the Ruger. Hope this helps.
 
I do have a Hogue grip sleeve ordered. I also ordered the Eclipse IWB conversion kit for my Blade Tech holster that came with the pistol.
 
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