A little used first generation Ruger LC9 came up on my club whatsapp group for a really attractive price I bought it on a whim. On reflection I started to doubt the decision because tiny guns in real calibres (its in 9mmP) can be difficult to shoot well and can be a bit of a chore.
Well not this little powerhouse. Shot it this morning for the first time and it was a revelation. Despite being very, very small, narrow and light it chomped through 50 or so rounds of my SD equivalent training load in a most surprisingly pleasant manner. The thing is barely longer than one of my 18 round CZ Shadow mags Iin the pic for scale) and probably doubles in weight on loading but it shot out to 25m in a way that suggests I will be able to rely on it as an understudy to my more beefy carry guns without too much worry.
The very long DA trigger stroke was something I didn't love but there's a kit available from the US (https://gallowayprecision.com/solomon-short-stroke-trigger-kit-for-lc9-and-lc380-pistols) that eliminates the first 30% of the stroke which I will consider getting if I struggle too much to adapt to it. My worry is that I have tree other pistols with similar SA/DA triggers and I don't want to have one that's a major outlier if possible.
As soon as I get possession of it it will be stripped and deep cleaned and then I'll redo the slide in Gunkote as its beaten up to hell having been a pocket gun for years.
(https://1drv.ms/i/c/a85e799ae65123e6/IQTvTZDB-xSvRZAFkbLGzXcYAVwJV57LkAclVwr0Bkb4rQA?width=1024)
I have only heard moans in regard to this weapon, I was going to buy one myself. Hearing your opinion makes me wish to shoot it myself. I thought it a very nice potential for occasions where a standard carry pistol was a battle.
(https://1drv.ms/i/c/a85e799ae65123e6/IQRD87JPlltcRIv1nc-b84OJAXMkos6MxJzx5wzsKo0R4SE?width=1024)
Due to CFR buggery I only picked this little blaster up yesterday. Didn't get a chance to shoot it again yet but did have some fettling time. Detail stripped it and gave it the full on spa grade clean and degrease routine. During that process I sent the mainspring retaining pin into low earth orbit when the hooked pick I was using to remove the spring parted company with it's handle. Had to stop proceedings to make up a matching one from the growing catalogue of pin stock I'm building up as a result of being pin kryptonite (https://allgunstuff.co.za/index.php?topic=908.msg6442#msg6442).
(https://1drv.ms/i/c/a85e799ae65123e6/IQQrhfj_1ASlQ4aOqb6cUnSmAfuW72hIERon0kNwNhzyKrg?width=1024)
Once I had that sorted I used a small polished ball peen hammer as a burnishing tool to smooth out some of the dings and gouges in the frame and then flatted the rougher bits of the slide with 800 grit paper on a bit of glass. Put on 5 or 6 coats of cold blue with a few passes of 0000 steel wool between and reassembled. I plan to blast and gunkote it but haven't the time for that at the moment and it looks good enough now to not make my OCD kick in too hard.
(https://1drv.ms/i/c/a85e799ae65123e6/IQTbM0xYW2X_Q6_qE3lxzaBbAY1n4DRCKOsZ4aIa7ol1uss?width=1024)
I had forgotten just how small it is. While a picture doesn't really get it across it's dwarfed by a CZ P07 in all dimensions and measures but for calibre and will make a useful deep concealment gun as soon as I'm confident of it's function and my competence with it. Some 9 round extended mags are already on order and I'll be making an IWB mag carrier and a pocket insert holster for the pistol. In one of those it will have roughly the print of a wallet.
A new gun is always fun - congratulations!
How does it compare to the new single stack Glocks? Close to a G43?
Quote from: Ds J on Jun 01, 2025, 09:16 PMA new gun is always fun - congratulations!
How does it compare to the new single stack Glocks? Close to a G43?
More like a Glock 42, I'd say.
I shot one a while ago. Being used to shooting DA revolvers, I had high hopes for the trigger. Was not impressed. The example I tried had a heavy and gritty trigger, making shot placement challenging. Perceived recoil with the locked breech, short recoil system was quite pleasant, compared to the typical snappy recoil of blow-back pistols in the same caliber.
The thing to really compare it to would likely be a 5-shot 38 Spl snubby. It is smaller, lighter, holds more ammo, has less recoil and is easier to shoot. So that's a thumbs-up.
Quote from: Ds J on Jun 01, 2025, 09:16 PMA new gun is always fun - congratulations!
How does it compare to the new single stack Glocks? Close to a G43?
Thanks, I'm chuffed with it. Very compact and concealable and easier to shoot than a blowback 9mm short IMO while being in a more serious calibre.
I haven't shot or even handled a single stack Glock so can't compare.
Quote from: 223 on Jun 01, 2025, 09:40 PMQuote from: Ds J on Jun 01, 2025, 09:16 PMA new gun is always fun - congratulations!
How does it compare to the new single stack Glocks? Close to a G43?
More like a Glock 42, I'd say.
I shot one a while ago. Being used to shooting DA revolvers, I had high hopes for the trigger. Was not impressed. The example I tried had a heavy and gritty trigger, making shot placement challenging. Perceived recoil with the locked breech, short recoil system was quite pleasant, compared to the typical snappy recoil of blow-back pistols in the same caliber.
The thing to really compare it to would likely be a 5-shot 38 Spl snubby. It is smaller, lighter, holds more ammo, has less recoil and is easier to shoot. So that's a thumbs-up.
This one's trigger is heavy but smooth and progressive so it is quite a bit like shooting a rollie DA. I shot around 50 rounds of my 1200+fps SD ammo mimicking training load through it when I bought it and was pleasantly surprised at how controllable it was. With the 9 round mags it will offer much better firepower, handling and concealabilty than a +P capable snubby. With a bit of training I expect to feel adequately armed wit it and three 9 round mags on hand.
This is an LC9 which is in 9mmP. I think you may have shot the LCP which is very similar but chambered in 380.
I had one of these Rugers in the hand some time ago. The grip looked very small, yet was comfortable. Are magazines and other spares available?
Quote from: Ds J on Jun 02, 2025, 11:03 AMI had one of these Rugers in the hand some time ago. The grip looked very small, yet was comfortable. Are magazines and other spares available?
They are oddly comfortable and its a natural pointer in my hand. I got a couple of takedown pin covers from Guns & Bows while I was waiting for the license and have two extended Ruger 9 round mags on order at the moment.
I
Quote from: oafpatroll on Jun 02, 2025, 12:42 PMQuote from: Ds J on Jun 02, 2025, 11:03 AMI had one of these Rugers in the hand some time ago. The grip looked very small, yet was comfortable. Are magazines and other spares available?
They are oddly comfortable and its a natural pointer in my hand. I got a couple of takedown pin covers from Guns & Bows while I was waiting for the license and have two extended Ruger 9 round mags on order at the moment.
I had a similar experience with one of the small S&Ws; unfortunately I cannot remember whether it was the Shield or the Bodyguard. Tiny, yet very comfortable.
Quote from: Ds J on Jun 02, 2025, 11:03 AMI had one of these Rugers in the hand some time ago. The grip looked very small, yet was comfortable. Are magazines and other spares available?
Indeed, it
Quote from: oafpatroll on Jun 01, 2025, 10:12 PMQuote from: 223 on Jun 01, 2025, 09:40 PMQuote from: Ds J on Jun 01, 2025, 09:16 PMA new gun is always fun - congratulations!
How does it compare to the new single stack Glocks? Close to a G43?
More like a Glock 42, I'd say.
I shot one a while ago. Being used to shooting DA revolvers, I had high hopes for the trigger. Was not impressed. The example I tried had a heavy and gritty trigger, making shot placement challenging. Perceived recoil with the locked breech, short recoil system was quite pleasant, compared to the typical snappy recoil of blow-back pistols in the same caliber.
The thing to really compare it to would likely be a 5-shot 38 Spl snubby. It is smaller, lighter, holds more ammo, has less recoil and is easier to shoot. So that's a thumbs-up.
This one's trigger is heavy but smooth and progressive so it is quite a bit like shooting a rollie DA. I shot around 50 rounds of my 1200+fps SD ammo mimicking training load through it when I bought it and was pleasantly surprised at how controllable it was. With the 9 round mags it will offer much better firepower, handling and concealabilty than a +P capable snubby. With a bit of training I expect to feel adequately armed wit it and three 9 round mags on hand.
This is an LC9 which is in 9mmP. I think you may have shot the LCP which is very similar but chambered in 380.
Indeed, it was a LCP that I shot. Sorry, looked at the pictures and missed the LC9 bit.
Yes, the LC9 in 9x19 is indeed much more effective than the LCP in 380/9k.
I think Ruger worked on their triggers after the first batch of LCP's got out. A smooth trigger would make this a very effective carry piece.
Quote from: oafpatroll on Jun 01, 2025, 10:03 PMI haven't shot or even handled a single stack Glock so can't compare.
I should be getting my G43X soon, then we can make a plan in the future, I shoot your beautiful revolver and you can shoot the G43X ;) ;) ;)
Quote from: NoStepOnSnek88 on Jun 05, 2025, 10:45 AMQuote from: oafpatroll on Jun 01, 2025, 10:03 PMI haven't shot or even handled a single stack Glock so can't compare.
I should be getting my G43X soon, then we can make a plan in the future, I shoot your beautiful revolver and you can shoot the G43X ;) ;) ;)
Sold!
Ever tried a Sig P365?
You may want to bite the bullet and get one.
Quote from: janfred on Jun 05, 2025, 04:52 PMEver tried a Sig P365?
You may want to bite the bullet and get one.
I have and it was a fine blaster as one would expect but unfortunately they retail for a multiple of what I paid for this. I prefer to carry a duty sized pistol with which I'm really familiar so this fills a niche which is very, very narrow so I couldn't justify the expense. I should have been born a great deal wealthier as my tastes and means are hopelessly misaligned.
How entertaining, Tiny guns and Chevy sparks. I carry a Ruger Red .44 everyday, I bought it in the 80ties as a toy.
I always intended to buy a Glock or such, but never got around to it.
When I returned to South Africa it was obvious that the need to EDC was real, so I just slipped it into my belt and carried on with life.
Being 6.4 and a fair share of the second 100 kg the Red is not much of a size issue.
Quote from: JamesNotBond on Jun 06, 2025, 08:21 AMHow entertaining, Tiny guns and Chevy sparks. I carry a Ruger Red .44 everyday, I bought it in the 80ties as a toy.
I always intended to buy a Glock or such, but never got around to it.
When I returned to South Africa it was obvious that the need to EDC was real, so I just slipped it into my belt and carried on with life.
Being 6.4 and a fair share of the second 100 kg the Red is not much of a size issue.
Brilliant, I love that. I knew a guy when I was in the army who carried a 44 Blackhawk. Your Red is eminently sensible by comparison.
James and I attended a house breaking a few months back, I jumped the wall and fatso had to run around house to block house breaker. I got him behind house and showed him down with the 9 mm, but he knew I could not shoot him and just ducked dived left right, would not go on ground.
James arrived and levelled the big silver 8 inch barrel on the bloke and he started squealing, it was so funny his reaction to the big gun.
We got him into a security van rather easily after he kept falling a few times, he also ran into a pole he did not see.
Quote from: Treeman on Jun 06, 2025, 03:28 PMit was so funny his reaction to the big gun.
We got him into a security van rather easily after he kept falling a few times, he also ran into a pole he did not see.
I was causing kak at a club once back before I learned that I wasn't PK and bullet proof. One of the heavies pulled a big rollie and after a split second of looking down the pipe I quieted right down.
House breakers are the clumsiest buggers, they really should take more care.
This talk of rollie play risks me strapping on my six inch Security six and a bunch of speed loaders instead of my typical P07 and two spare mags when I go out to the pub this evening.
I took the little Ruger out for a 150+ round session with the cast handload that matches my carry load for velocity and very, very nearly for POI. Shot it back to back with my Ruger Security Six 357, which has a really nice DA trigger for some reason despite an obviously limited lifetime round count and my CZ75 sport pistol which has the full Cajun Gun Works internal treatment and an absolutely sublime one.
I was seriously impressed with how well the LC9's compared and how it left me completely unbloodied. I fully expected to start leaking at some point hanging onto a tiny pistol with a fairly gritty exterior but I haven't even got a mark on either hand despite doing strong and weak hand only drills. Really glad I wasn't able to get the trigger kit I wanted from the states as I think its bang on for its intended purpose. I don't want to engage the manual safety as it's fiddly, hinging at the front rather than the back of the lever as it does and therefore don't want a trigger pull lighter than what you'd get in a stock snub from a quality manufacturer. An added bonus is that while it has a shrouded hammer it sticks out just enough before it reaches full cock that my 'thumb on the hammer' re-holstering muscle memory thing translates perfectly to it and makes pointing it a delicate places like knob and femoral artery much less pucker inducing.
I think it's turning out to be a cracking good buy especially considering how little I paid for it which is barely what the mags would cost with the only wrinkle is that one of the four doesn't lock back on empty reliably. I'm sure I'll be able to sort that out and if not it will be relegated to range use as I have new 9 round factory mags on order which will be what it gets carried with as they are the same length as the 7 rounders but have the space behind the extended finger rest base plate filled with ammunition.