LC9s pro fail

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stagpanther

New member
Well, I've previously put maybe 200 rounds through it--mostly cheapo stuff I've found at Wallyworld called ZQ1. As far as I know it's just a regular 115 gr fmj.

Was out shooting today and the gun goes bang--bang--then nothing. After clearing the gun as best I can I notice the gun cannot fully cycle and the barrel is stuck in place.

Finally got the gun apart--the 2 spring guide rod assembly had basically blown apart with the spring cap plate that fits on the end and retains the inner spring jamming against the barrel shroud and frame. Ive reassembled the guide rod assembly--but it won't stay together unless it's under pressure--and I'm certain the same failure would happen again. Seems like a real Achilles heel to the design.
 
After a bit of googling I see I'm not the first to experience this--seems to be a fairly common problem with the design. Wish I had known.
 
Call Ruger. I had a slide release spring break on my SR9 and I had it back in 10 days. I have not had any problems with my LC9s.
 
I think they have gone to one that looks like this to fix the problem.

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Whaaaat? That looks like the same assembly--just without the springs (I'm assuming they're compressed inside the slide--just figured that out)!

You don't have to be an engineering genius to see what tremendous forces that little plate attached to the rod end and fits up against the barrel shroud lug are going to be subjected to. I'm calling Galloway's tomorrow to see if their 1 piece SS rod has a solid plate machined into it--if so it's end of discussion; that's what I'll get.
 
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I could be wrong. That is something I read on another forum because I was considering the LC9s Pro and had been reading about some problems as recently as a month ago. This is a pic that someone with a guide rod problem had posted as the fix.
 
From what I have read, Ruger isn't saying there is a problem but I have read about quite a few of these guide rod issues. Enough that I decided to pass on one for now.
 
I bought it on something of an impulse--my past experience was I found 9mm to be a pretty useless caliber--this experience brings back those feelings. LOL.
 
I have about 1300 rounds through my LC9s and no guide rod issues. I have heard about people having guide rod issues but mostly with the old style guide rod assemblies that don't have the conical plate on the front.
 
True that snyper.

My guide rod also has the conical thingie on the end that fits into the slide under the barrel. That's not the problem. The problem is at the other end that slots onto the barrel lug. Next time you field strip it take a closer look at that. You can see that thin spring retaining plate is pinned to the end of the rod--no screw or anything else to help keep it there. Now consider the constant pressure and impact loads that little plate is under--especially because those forces are leveraged at a right angle upon it in relation to where it rests in the barrel lug. IMO it's not a question of if, but when it will fail. And when it does, the gun is out of action, period. I may be way off base--and I do love Ruger--but that's how I see it.
 
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I bought it on something of an impulse--my past experience was I found 9mm to be a pretty useless caliber--this experience brings back those feelings. LOL.
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One company's design is not an indicator of an entire caliber.
 
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I bought it on something of an impulse--my past experience was I found 9mm to be a pretty useless caliber--this experience brings back those feelings. LOL.
One company's design is not an indicator of an entire caliber.
__________________
Guns don't kill people. Apes with guns kill people! - Robin Williams
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That of course is true. I've just never had much luck with the over-all effectiveness of 9mm--the whole ballistics equation versus the platform/handling/reliabilty thing. A subjective bias to be sure.
 
stagpanther said:
That of course is true. I've just never had much luck with the over-all effectiveness of 9mm--the whole ballistics equation versus the platform/handling/reliabilty thing. A subjective bias to be sure.
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Subjective, indeed! Especially considering that modern 9mm has grown to become the most used caliber in semi-auto handguns and for good reason. Its ballistics and ability to do harm has been shown to rival the larger calibers to the extent that carring the larger, hotter calibers is of questionable value, if any.

The good thing is that you recognize your bias (we all have them) and are comfortable with it. ;)
 
If I can carry something like a 10mm or even a 45+ in a slightly larger platform--I just don't see the hassles of 9mm being worth it (very similar to 5.56 argument in many ways). But to each their own and no disrespect was intended to the multitudes of the faithful. LOL
 
(very similar to 5.56 argument in many ways)
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The difference between say 45 ACP and 9mm is miles away from the difference between 5.56 and 7.62x51. Some manufacturers do load, or you could reload, 10mm to impressive levels. That said, handguns are poor performers anyway. If you don't hit the brain or CNS the fight is going to keep going. Timers and switches. A lung or upper vascular hit will be a shorter timer, whereas other body hits may be very long timers relative to the length of the fight. The brain or CNS is the switch. You might argue that a 10mm will make you bleed out faster than a 9mm and maybe so, but the goal is to end the fight quickly with well placed rounds on target that can penetrate to the depth required. 9mm has been shown to do this and for many shooters it is more affordable to shoot and has less recoil, both of which will hopefully equate to more shooting/training that will help the shooter make that critical hit to the switch or short timer when/if the time comes.

Anyway, that's off topic from your main point however you did bring it up.
 
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Yup--I did bring it up--in the handgun world bigger and faster is always better IMO--but the ability to get on target is also very important. Thank goodness people like us have such divergent opinions to keep the industry busy making the whole variety available. : )
 
Stagpanther said:
My guide rod also has the conical thingie on the end that fits into the slide under the barrel. That's not the problem. The problem is at the other end that slots onto the barrel lug. Next time you field strip it take a closer look at that. You can see that thin spring retaining plate is pinned to the end of the rod--no screw or anything else to help keep it there. Now consider the constant pressure and impact loads that little plate is under--especially because those forces are leveraged at a right angle upon it in relation to where it rests in the barrel lug. IMO it's not a question of if, but when it will fail. And when it does, the gun is out of action, period. I may be way off base--and I do love Ruger--but that's how I see it.
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Interesting. I took a look at my guide rod and I see what you're talking about. I will admit, many parts of this pistol FEEL flimsy to me so it doesn't surprise me at all to hear your guide rod exploded. But I haven't ever read about this type of guide rod failure on the LC9s. Your case may be relatively unique so I'm interested to hear what Ruger says about this.
 
I'm stuck doing taxes at the moment--but will follow up. I think if you google for it you'll find other instances of similar failures.
 
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