LC9s pro fail

... I've taken a philosophical point of view that it's an opportunity to learn how the gun was built and operates.
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Well, let's hope that Ruger takes this opportunity to learn how this gun should be built to operate properly! You're blazing a new trail, Stag... That many of us may be following later. Good luck!
 
Well, let's hope that Ruger takes this opportunity to learn how this gun should be built to operate properly! You're blazing a new trail, Stag... That many of us may be following later. Good luck!
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Well, I don't think I'm the first to encounter this problem--and I have no doubts that Ruger will do the right thing if in fact that haven't already fixed the problem.
 
I was just at my LGS--oddly enough they had a customer's SR9 in that also had a blown-up rod assembly--though I believe that one is different from the LC9s's
 
The replacement rod/springs arrived today and as promised here's my report.

It is definitely a different assembly in several respects. The inner spring rod does not rotate (which could conceivably cause it to drift laterally inside the slide I guess). I can't tell for sure whether or not this is due to the compression force of the spring or if in fact the spring itself is peened at either end.

The circular retaining plate at the end that fits onto the barrel shroud lug is in fact thinner than the older one that failed. I'm not sure why that is.

Overall, the action feels stiffer--as if at least a couple of pounds were added to the recoil spring assembly resistance.

I haven't shot the gun yet with the new assembly--but there does seem to be less movement in the guiderod assembly once its seated. We'll see. I remain a bit leery of the peened plate.
 
I stripped a new LC9s at the shop today and looked at the guide rod and the end that rests on the barrel lug looked like it was going to break off with not much use at all. I was seriously considering one of the Pro versions until this problem cropped up. Ruger really needs to address this.
 
This is all very disheartening to me because I've never shot a gun with ergos that felt more natural to me than the LC9s. People say I should try the Kel-Tec but I don't think I could go back from this striker trigger and the Shield is just not quite as svelte as the LC9s.

Please get this right Ruger.
 
I think it would be a bit hasty to judge ALL of the LC9s based just on what happened to me--like I said I've had amazing bad luck with many guns I've purchased. ; ) I'll do my best to see if I can get an engineer on the line to address my questions.
 
Thanks for getting back to us, stagpanther. I hope the new RSA Ruger sent will be reliable for you. I'll definitely keep an eye on this thread for updates.
 
I'll call them back tomorrow and see if I can get more information on how/why the newer version improves on the older one.
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Someone reported in another forum that they just called on this subject and that a Ruger person said there are only two versions of the guide rod assembly (one without cone and one with cone).
 
I count at least 1.5 extra coils on the old rod outer spring--and the plate at the lug end on the older rod measures 1.5 thousands of an inch thicker according to my digital gauge that I use for reloading. Worse than that--there is now a bit of resistance when reassembling the slide/rod/grip frame--something is catching preventing an easy-on/off. I haven't even fired the weapon yet and I noticed the cone on the slide front end is actually slightly bent out of alignment!
 
OK--called em up and here is what I got (I did not get an engineer on the line):

1. The reason my original rod failed was most likely because there was likely a run on the production floor during which they were improperly assembled. The failure was most likely due to rivets in the inner rod ends not properly crimped to the ends. I mentioned the thickness of the plates were slightly different and was told that that variation was within tolerances for production of that part.

2. I asked specifically about the robustness of the design--even when done correctly. I was assured that the riveting--when done properly--is more than enough to reliably hold the assembly together.

3. I then mentioned that the new rod I was sent had the cone slightly bent relative to the axis of the rod--I was told that was normal in the "new run" and is nothing to worry about. They are even going to send me another to compare it to.

That's all I have guys--while I made the suggestion that perhaps a redesign might be in order--I was assured that the present design is sufficient.
 
Great summary stagpanther, thanks for that. Not sure if I feel better or worse now
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Gulp, my sentiments exactly!


Stag, thanks for the new info from Ruger. Like yours, my two new style RSA are different and the large springs do differ by a coil or two as shown in my pictures earlier.
 
Test fired the gun today but only put about 30 rounds through it--everything seem to function fine except for one thing--for some reason it is now seemingly impossible to get a fully loaded mag to seat and lock in the gun when the slide is closed--before I could easily do this. Hard to say if it's due to the new rod assembly or if somehow something got damaged on the first fail.
 
...some reason it is now seemingly impossible to get a fully loaded mag to seat and lock in the gun when the slide is closed--before I could easily do this. Hard to say if it's due to the new rod assembly or if somehow something got damaged on the first fail
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That doesn't seem right. Maybe the whole thing should go back to Ruger to make sure something else wasn't messed up from the first guide rod failure. Not sure but I think Ruger would pay for everything.
 
Update--true to their word Ruger sent me a second replacement rod--I'm still using the first one they sent me and so far no issues even though the "cone" end looks bent--I'll report if when if there are further issues with it.

There does appear to be some issue with the magazine when it's fully loaded with engaging properly in the grip well--the only thing I've been able to figure out is that the floor plate to the magazine can move from the button lock--in my case more likely to happen with the extended "pinky" plate or may be I just squeeze the thing too hard. In any case--when it happens I found that removing and reinserting the mag floor plate (and engaging the button lock fully) makes the fully-loaded mag seat in the well just fine.
 
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