This review is "SPOT ON!" I have owned a LC9 for the past 3 months - witout the lasermax. I have put more than 200 rounds through the gun .. basically just breaking it in with ONLY Federal, Mag-Tec and Hornady Critical Defense ammunition.
The gun is easy to use, a pleasure to fire and simple to breakdown-clean-reassemble. It does have a bit of a "long trigger pull;" however, this is not a deterrent.
I have had absolutely ZERO instances of FTE nor FTF which gives me great faith in this gun as my main carry pistol.
I have a DeSantis Nemisis for pocket carry and a DeSantis IWB for additional concealed carry. I can carry this gun around all day and virtually forget that it is attached to my body!
It's true that the blueing appears slightly rubbed-off on top of the chamber and I do not understand why .. especially for a new gun! I have seen this on multiple LC-9's which I inspected before purchase.
As noted by the author, the gun would be IDEAL if it came with a second magazine and, frankly, I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for the second magazine included in the total selling price ... but this is NOT a deal breaker! I purchased additional magazines from Ruger itself and found a few "on deal" on EBAY as well. The price runs between $22-$35 per magazine (some flat and some with interchangable finger rest bottoms). I have seen the magazines, as well as the LC9 itself, for sale on Gunbroker.com, Buds, Midway USA and other reputable dealers. The magazines are 100% made in Italy and are of good quality.
I also highly recommend the pinky grip as the flat bottom leaves my finger looking for a place to rest!
LC9 prices are all over the place but I was able to secure mine for a most reasonable $329.99 at BWOutfitter.net in Anita, Iowa. Good, quick service and the weapon arrived at my FTE designee within 3 days of purchase.
To sum up, I believe the author did a fantastic job with his comments coupled with his supportaive photography.
I have this pistol too, and you are not kidding about the long trigger pull. After firing nearly 100 rounds, my trigger finger became so fatigued that pulling it became difficult. I realize I am not likely to fire 100 rounds anywhere but at a range, but they should do something and shorten the trigger pull. Other than that, I love the gun and the laser!
Because of these reviews, I was able to make up my mind and purchase the Ruger. I have always loved SIG's and was going to get the p238. While at the gun store i saw the LC9 and played with it for a while. I like it being A 9mm (common easy to find)and though it is bigger, it qualifies as a "Pocket Gun". I Never liked plastic guns, but my son has convinced me to catch up with the times...so I'm going to take the plunge
I just fired my LC9 for the first time today. This gun was purchased in part due to this review. I am very happy with my Ruger LC9 after 325 rounds today. Mine does not have the Lasermax so i cannot comment on that. Shot 115 grain JHP Remington and Federal as well as a few Rem Golden Saber 124 gr BJHP. Can definitely feel the extra kick of the 1254 grains with this little gun. Found a "thumbs parallel grip to work best for me and keep my trigger finger from contacting my support hand. The recoil was very manageable and the trigger is very smooth. Not a single FTF or FTE although the hollow point bullets needed a solid rack the first round (or else the first round kinda gets hung up on the feed ramp a bit. But absolutely no troubles after that.
The only issue I had was the rear sight came loose at about 200 rounds. The sight never fell off but it could if you don't notice it getting loose. I recommend bringing along the tiny allen wrench for the rear sight to the range just in case.
The only other gripe I can think of is the soft case ruger includes does not hold the pistol with the gun lock installed. About the soft case.. Kinda ironic to see a big "Made in America" printed in the bottom of the Ruger box and then find out the case and lock are made in China. Love the LC9 but hope Ruger corrects the sourcing for it's case and lock.
The review was precisely on target. Now having fired the gun myself, I am glad i bought the Ruger LC9. Gunsumer reports, thank you for the good advice.
I bought my LC9 two weeks ago and put 50 rounds through it. I was very rusty, 10 years since I last shot, yet still shot 93% at 5, 7 and 15 yards.... I have not shot it since, but I'm going to range in next weekend and CC permit class in two weeks for more range practice, shooting another 100 rounds through it. Look forward to it. It is fun to shoot and quite manageable. Key to a good gun, one you like and feel comfortable shooting. The LC9 fits that bill for me. I stocked up at Walmart with some 115gr Remington. The review is great. It came in handy when I was changing the base plate on the second magazine I bought mail order ($30 to the door (Midway USA)... The plastic internal plate flew off. Your picture helped get it back on with the correct orientation. Last I bought a Ka-Bar TDI waist pak for one way to carry. With black pants, it is almost invisible even with shirt tucked in. With shirt out or a suit jacket it's great. I recommend it. My other carry is Barsony outside belt Pancake holster with thumb release retention #57BL and their shoulder harness both leather and nylon. When I ride bikes with a warm up zip up or suit jacket shoulder holster is great for me.
I bought mine in early 2012 and love it! I got an SR9c after the 30 waiting period in DPRC but never felt as comfortable with it as I do shooting the LC9, which makes me something of an anomaly. I didn't have any negative feelings about any of the safety features, either, until I removed the magazine safety and realized how much that one action smoothed out the trigger pull. I'll never understand all the reviewers who complain about the loaded chamber indicator. As you mentioned this could come in very handy in a low-light situation, just rub your off-hand thumb across the top of the slide and you know if you are ready to go. You never have to leave your ready position.
As for the people who don't like the trigger, I must confess that I have no problem whatsoever with it. I'd have to suggest scrapping the slow target shooting pull: my best results (on steel plates) was just pointing and pulling the trigger rather quickly and firmly. Again, that's just me. I'm the weirdo who could not shoot his Glock 19 or SR9c very well but liked the LC9 trigger. I've sold off both those other pistols and will be experimenting with the S&W M&P 9c, maybe that different style trigger will work better for me.
I don't have the laser but I just dropped in Galloway Precision's steel guide rod and heavier spring. I have not got it out to the range yet so we'll see it those parts, along with the mag safety removed offer any improvement over stock. I also like the rubberized Talon grip cover I stuck on it.
Thanks for a great review! I concur wholeheartedly!
Just back from a local CAS match, got to try a few shots through that LC9 after it was over. The Galloway Precision steel guide rod and heavier recoil spring made all the difference in shooting and removing the magazine safety makes all the difference in the trigger pull; maybe not what you'd see with the Galloway trigger but I am VERY happy! Smooth, manageable recoil, not punishing at all. I was testing my new cast bullets, too, and my hand loads are only 4 grains of WST behind that 124 grain lead bullet but it cycled and fed perfectly. Funny that that little pistol wasn't as "flippy" as my new S&W M&P 9c that I shot for the first time with the same hand loads. Maybe the LC9 will have to become my all-purpose 9mm.
This review is "SPOT ON!" I have owned a LC9 for the past 3 months - witout the lasermax. I have put more than 200 rounds through the gun .. basically just breaking it in with ONLY Federal, Mag-Tec and Hornady Critical Defense ammunition.
ReplyDeleteThe gun is easy to use, a pleasure to fire and simple to breakdown-clean-reassemble. It does have a bit of a "long trigger pull;" however, this is not a deterrent.
I have had absolutely ZERO instances of FTE nor FTF which gives me great faith in this gun as my main carry pistol.
I have a DeSantis Nemisis for pocket carry and a DeSantis IWB for additional concealed carry. I can carry this gun around all day and virtually forget that it is attached to my body!
It's true that the blueing appears slightly rubbed-off on top of the chamber and I do not understand why .. especially for a new gun! I have seen this on multiple LC-9's which I inspected before purchase.
As noted by the author, the gun would be IDEAL if it came with a second magazine and, frankly, I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for the second magazine included in the total selling price ... but this is NOT a deal breaker! I purchased additional magazines from Ruger itself and found a few "on deal" on EBAY as well. The price runs between $22-$35 per magazine (some flat and some with interchangable finger rest bottoms). I have seen the magazines, as well as the LC9 itself, for sale on Gunbroker.com, Buds, Midway USA and other reputable dealers. The magazines are 100% made in Italy and are of good quality.
I also highly recommend the pinky grip as the flat bottom leaves my finger looking for a place to rest!
LC9 prices are all over the place but I was able to secure mine for a most reasonable $329.99 at BWOutfitter.net in Anita, Iowa. Good, quick service and the weapon arrived at my FTE designee within 3 days of purchase.
To sum up, I believe the author did a fantastic job with his comments coupled with his supportaive photography.
I LOVE THIS GUN!!!
I have this pistol too, and you are not kidding about the long trigger pull. After firing nearly 100 rounds, my trigger finger became so fatigued that pulling it became difficult. I realize I am not likely to fire 100 rounds anywhere but at a range, but they should do something and shorten the trigger pull. Other than that, I love the gun and the laser!
DeleteThanks for the positive feedback. I still love the pistol and it is great to carry.
ReplyDeleteBecause of these reviews, I was able to make up my mind and purchase the Ruger. I have always loved SIG's and was going to get the p238. While at the gun store i saw the LC9 and played with it for a while. I like it being A 9mm (common easy to find)and though it is bigger, it qualifies as a "Pocket Gun". I Never liked plastic guns, but my son has convinced me to catch up with the times...so I'm going to take the plunge
DeleteI just fired my LC9 for the first time today. This gun was purchased in part due to this review.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy with my Ruger LC9 after 325 rounds today.
Mine does not have the Lasermax so i cannot comment on that.
Shot 115 grain JHP Remington and Federal as well as a few Rem Golden Saber 124 gr BJHP.
Can definitely feel the extra kick of the 1254 grains with this little gun.
Found a "thumbs parallel grip to work best for me and keep my trigger finger from contacting my support hand.
The recoil was very manageable and the trigger is very smooth.
Not a single FTF or FTE although the hollow point bullets needed a solid rack the first round (or else the first round kinda gets hung up on the feed ramp a bit. But absolutely no troubles after that.
The only issue I had was the rear sight came loose at about 200 rounds.
The sight never fell off but it could if you don't notice it getting loose.
I recommend bringing along the tiny allen wrench for the rear sight to the range just in case.
The only other gripe I can think of is the soft case ruger includes does not hold the pistol with the gun lock installed.
About the soft case..
Kinda ironic to see a big "Made in America" printed in the bottom of the Ruger box and then find out the case and lock are made in China.
Love the LC9 but hope Ruger corrects the sourcing for it's case and lock.
The review was precisely on target. Now having fired the gun myself, I am glad i bought the Ruger LC9.
Gunsumer reports, thank you for the good advice.
I bought my LC9 two weeks ago and put 50 rounds through it. I was very rusty, 10 years since I last shot, yet still shot 93% at 5, 7 and 15 yards.... I have not shot it since, but I'm going to range in next weekend and CC permit class in two weeks for more range practice, shooting another 100 rounds through it. Look forward to it. It is fun to shoot and quite manageable. Key to a good gun, one you like and feel comfortable shooting. The LC9 fits that bill for me. I stocked up at Walmart with some 115gr Remington. The review is great. It came in handy when I was changing the base plate on the second magazine I bought mail order ($30 to the door (Midway USA)... The plastic internal plate flew off. Your picture helped get it back on with the correct orientation. Last I bought a Ka-Bar TDI waist pak for one way to carry. With black pants, it is almost invisible even with shirt tucked in. With shirt out or a suit jacket it's great. I recommend it. My other carry is Barsony outside belt Pancake holster with thumb release retention #57BL and their shoulder harness both leather and nylon. When I ride bikes with a warm up zip up or suit jacket shoulder holster is great for me.
ReplyDeleteJust bought one and can't wait to shoot it. Thanks for a great review!
ReplyDeleteI bought mine in early 2012 and love it! I got an SR9c after the 30 waiting period in DPRC but never felt as comfortable with it as I do shooting the LC9, which makes me something of an anomaly. I didn't have any negative feelings about any of the safety features, either, until I removed the magazine safety and realized how much that one action smoothed out the trigger pull. I'll never understand all the reviewers who complain about the loaded chamber indicator. As you mentioned this could come in very handy in a low-light situation, just rub your off-hand thumb across the top of the slide and you know if you are ready to go. You never have to leave your ready position.
ReplyDeleteAs for the people who don't like the trigger, I must confess that I have no problem whatsoever with it. I'd have to suggest scrapping the slow target shooting pull: my best results (on steel plates) was just pointing and pulling the trigger rather quickly and firmly. Again, that's just me. I'm the weirdo who could not shoot his Glock 19 or SR9c very well but liked the LC9 trigger. I've sold off both those other pistols and will be experimenting with the S&W M&P 9c, maybe that different style trigger will work better for me.
I don't have the laser but I just dropped in Galloway Precision's steel guide rod and heavier spring. I have not got it out to the range yet so we'll see it those parts, along with the mag safety removed offer any improvement over stock. I also like the rubberized Talon grip cover I stuck on it.
Thanks for a great review! I concur wholeheartedly!
Just back from a local CAS match, got to try a few shots through that LC9 after it was over. The Galloway Precision steel guide rod and heavier recoil spring made all the difference in shooting and removing the magazine safety makes all the difference in the trigger pull; maybe not what you'd see with the Galloway trigger but I am VERY happy! Smooth, manageable recoil, not punishing at all. I was testing my new cast bullets, too, and my hand loads are only 4 grains of WST behind that 124 grain lead bullet but it cycled and fed perfectly. Funny that that little pistol wasn't as "flippy" as my new S&W M&P 9c that I shot for the first time with the same hand loads. Maybe the LC9 will have to become my all-purpose 9mm.
ReplyDelete