RAfiringline
New member
I'm not a big fan of small 9mm's in terms of reliability, but maybe the lc9s is an exception.
Any opinions based on first hand experience ?
Thanks
Any opinions based on first hand experience ?
Thanks
Ruger lc9s - stoppages, problems, overall opinion?
- Thread starter RAfiringline
- Start date
Only one problem
My wife has carried an LC9 for the last couple years and really like it. When we first purchased it the magazine would release at times with out pressing the release button. Sent it back to Ruger and problem was resolved. We also found that the Italian made mags for this pistol fit better than the the ones from Ruger. I purchased a CZ Rami for her at Christmas just to have another option at the range and she enjoys it as well. However if you ask her what she is carrying it will be the LC9
My wife has carried an LC9 for the last couple years and really like it. When we first purchased it the magazine would release at times with out pressing the release button. Sent it back to Ruger and problem was resolved. We also found that the Italian made mags for this pistol fit better than the the ones from Ruger. I purchased a CZ Rami for her at Christmas just to have another option at the range and she enjoys it as well. However if you ask her what she is carrying it will be the LC9
I recently bought a LC9S mainly as a loaner for my firearms class where I suggest people not buy a gun until they try several to see what fits.
I wanted a small striker fired 9mm.
I was looking at Glocks until the LC9s was pointed out to me, Cheaper and looked smaller.
I bought one and commenced to shoot the crap out of it. I fired it as fast as I could feed mags (bought two extra because the gun only came with one).
This is the first 21 shots I fired out of it, again, as fast as I could pull the trigger and change mags. At 15 yards.
I fired a total of 200 rounds that day, factory FMJ and reloaded Cast bullets. Not a single flaw or malfunction.
My wife bought me a 1884 Springfield trapdoor 45-70 and she got a pre-64 Model 94 saddler ring carbine. We took them out yesterday for some plinking fun setting up a 8 in steel plate at 50 yards.
I figured why not, so I dug the little LC9s out of my pocket, and from a rest hit the plate at 50 yards 5 our of 7 shots, TWICE. Meaning with two different mags.
My wife, do to a broken back (three rods between her shoulder blades) has a problem with recoil, plus she's skinny and has small hands. She didn't find the recoil of the little 9 to be objectionable.
The little gun can shoot, and so far has proved extremely reliable, but I have a bit less then 500 rounds out of it. Time will tell.
The problem I found is the slide release. Sucker is hard to release. I got pretty strong thumbs and I had trouble. I can see where this may be a problem with the ladies. But most people sling shot the slide anyway.
The trigger is better then any striker fired pistol I ever tried. A little too light in my opinion for a pistol without a safety.
The three (white) dot sights are the best I've seen on a small pistol. Much better then the sights on my 642.
At present I doubt I will replace my 642 with the little Ruger. But I've decided to carry it (empty) in my daily activities to check and see if rough handling will cause the thing to fire while being carried, trying not to be overly protective of the light trigger. I say carry empty just incase it is to light I don't what to shoot myself in my third point of contact.
Its my opinion except for my (possibly unfounded) fear of the light trigger, it seems like the prefect little carry pistol.
If one is looking for a small 9, I think the LC9s warrants a look see. The price of mine was $380.
I wanted a small striker fired 9mm.
I was looking at Glocks until the LC9s was pointed out to me, Cheaper and looked smaller.
I bought one and commenced to shoot the crap out of it. I fired it as fast as I could feed mags (bought two extra because the gun only came with one).
This is the first 21 shots I fired out of it, again, as fast as I could pull the trigger and change mags. At 15 yards.
I fired a total of 200 rounds that day, factory FMJ and reloaded Cast bullets. Not a single flaw or malfunction.
My wife bought me a 1884 Springfield trapdoor 45-70 and she got a pre-64 Model 94 saddler ring carbine. We took them out yesterday for some plinking fun setting up a 8 in steel plate at 50 yards.
I figured why not, so I dug the little LC9s out of my pocket, and from a rest hit the plate at 50 yards 5 our of 7 shots, TWICE. Meaning with two different mags.
My wife, do to a broken back (three rods between her shoulder blades) has a problem with recoil, plus she's skinny and has small hands. She didn't find the recoil of the little 9 to be objectionable.
The little gun can shoot, and so far has proved extremely reliable, but I have a bit less then 500 rounds out of it. Time will tell.
The problem I found is the slide release. Sucker is hard to release. I got pretty strong thumbs and I had trouble. I can see where this may be a problem with the ladies. But most people sling shot the slide anyway.
The trigger is better then any striker fired pistol I ever tried. A little too light in my opinion for a pistol without a safety.
The three (white) dot sights are the best I've seen on a small pistol. Much better then the sights on my 642.
At present I doubt I will replace my 642 with the little Ruger. But I've decided to carry it (empty) in my daily activities to check and see if rough handling will cause the thing to fire while being carried, trying not to be overly protective of the light trigger. I say carry empty just incase it is to light I don't what to shoot myself in my third point of contact.
Its my opinion except for my (possibly unfounded) fear of the light trigger, it seems like the prefect little carry pistol.
If one is looking for a small 9, I think the LC9s warrants a look see. The price of mine was $380.
Big4Freedom
New member
It's been my edc for a year now and, IMO, is as close to perfect CCW as I've found.
Only two considerations for you:
Light trigger at ~4.5lbs. I like it, some want heavier pull.
Only firing issue I've had was releasing mag a bit, inadvertently, when firing. Has happened twice out of maybe 900 rds.
I think you'd really like it.
Only two considerations for you:
Light trigger at ~4.5lbs. I like it, some want heavier pull.
Only firing issue I've had was releasing mag a bit, inadvertently, when firing. Has happened twice out of maybe 900 rds.
I think you'd really like it.
I have 2 of the original LC9 pistols, had an LC380, and recently bought the LC9s Pro. I never thought the original hammer fired trigger was that bad, its long, but smooth and light.
My new LC9s Pro has a great trigger, light, short, and a short reset. That being said, its trigger deserves respect. Its light. Its short. I think it might be too light. Many people like it, some do not. Try it before you buy it, and just remember if you buy it, that it needs to be covered with a holster or trigger cover.
If you think the trigger is too light, check out the Kahr CW9. It has the same specs as the LC9, same size and ammo capacity, but has a stainless slide, stainless magazines, costs a few dollars less, and has a slightly longer trigger that's probably better for a defensive pistol
My LC9s Pro has been perfectly reliable and has 360 rounds through it now of various SD and FMJ ammo.
My new LC9s Pro has a great trigger, light, short, and a short reset. That being said, its trigger deserves respect. Its light. Its short. I think it might be too light. Many people like it, some do not. Try it before you buy it, and just remember if you buy it, that it needs to be covered with a holster or trigger cover.
If you think the trigger is too light, check out the Kahr CW9. It has the same specs as the LC9, same size and ammo capacity, but has a stainless slide, stainless magazines, costs a few dollars less, and has a slightly longer trigger that's probably better for a defensive pistol
My LC9s Pro has been perfectly reliable and has 360 rounds through it now of various SD and FMJ ammo.
hoghunting
New member
I've been using my LC9s Pro for the last 8 months and haven't had any problems or failures - except running out of ammo as it is so much fun to shoot!! Great trigger and more accurate than one would expect. Highly recommend.
Bartholomew Roberts
Moderator
Shot an LC9 Pro. Very easy to shoot for such a small gun; but the trigger is light. I accidentally double-tapped it on my first go around because I was expecting your typical pocket gun trigger. I'd definitely want a good holster and good trigger discipline if carrying it.
The one I shot appeared to have trouble with Blazer Brass ammo also. It is possible it was a new shooter limpwristing it; but the problem disappeared when we switched to WWB.
The one I shot appeared to have trouble with Blazer Brass ammo also. It is possible it was a new shooter limpwristing it; but the problem disappeared when we switched to WWB.
The LC9s was top of my list until I dry fired it at my LGS. The trigger was just too light, scary light for a gun without a safety. Might be fine for range shooting, but for concealed carry, especially in a pocket, I would be uncomfortable. Went with the SCCY CPX-2 which has a smooth DAO 9 lb trigger and large white dot sights. It's also smaller, lighter, cheaper, and has two 10 rd magazines.
I know this is an older thread but all the talk about the LC9s trigger being too light applies to the LC9s Pro version. The plain LC9s has a safety and the same light trigger.
I carry mine at all times with the safety engaged but agree with others that this gun, with this trigger, needs a safety.
I carry mine at all times with the safety engaged but agree with others that this gun, with this trigger, needs a safety.
jetinteriorguy
New member
I bought mine when they first came out and have at least 3000 rounds through it with absolutely zero problems. It's the only 9mm semi auto that I've ever owned that I can say this about. It's also the only one I trust for my daily CC. Plus it's very accurate and super easy to conceal, I hardly know it's there.
I have the LC9S. Shoots very well for me, as accurate as a much larger gun (I'm best with full sized guns). Just fired it Wednesday and put 35/40 rounds in the 10 & X rings at 7+ yards. Never had a reliability problem with it. The slide release is tough - you have to pull the slide back a bid for it to let go. I kind of like having a manual safety, but them I'm a little old school.
Two negatives:
On occasion, it will lock up when you're trying to field strip it or reassemble. Others have reported the same problem. Finally realized it can handle the recoil of a 9mm round, so you don't have to be gentle banging the slide to get it to move. For me, this has mostly gone away since I've figured out when to remove the magazine and reinsert it.
Mine had a rubber cover on the back of the slide over the exposed end of the striker. It "broke" off for some reason, and I can't seem to find a replacement. Current version has a plastic cover, and that's all I can find at Brownells, Midway, et. al. Apparently they changed it in later striker models. Don't need it, but I would like to have a "complete" gun.
Two negatives:
On occasion, it will lock up when you're trying to field strip it or reassemble. Others have reported the same problem. Finally realized it can handle the recoil of a 9mm round, so you don't have to be gentle banging the slide to get it to move. For me, this has mostly gone away since I've figured out when to remove the magazine and reinsert it.
Mine had a rubber cover on the back of the slide over the exposed end of the striker. It "broke" off for some reason, and I can't seem to find a replacement. Current version has a plastic cover, and that's all I can find at Brownells, Midway, et. al. Apparently they changed it in later striker models. Don't need it, but I would like to have a "complete" gun.
greenmtnguy
New member
Visited a new (to me anyway) gun dealer about 20 miles from me last weekend. To my joy and surprise they had all (3) handguns I'd been looking out for -
1. 3" Ruger LCRx
2. LC9S
3. LC9S Pro
Now I am up a creek, so to speak because I think that LCRx would make a great trail/backpacking companion.. AND I really liked the size, weight and feel of the LC9S. The Pro model also felt good (of course) and the trigger on both was the same, but I also kinda prefer manual safeties on my semi-autos. I realize this seems contrary for someone who often carries a S&W 642, but what can I say. For a small striker fired semi auto, the LC9s trigger was quite nice, and I agree, much lighter and shorter. Compared to the smooth, but long pull of the LCRx, I could see where it may be kinda light for a gun you may be in a hurry to grab.. adrenaline can make your fingers less sensitive. Training and trigger control are important to master, but sometimes the brain or fingers could get overloaded in spite of it all
1. 3" Ruger LCRx
2. LC9S
3. LC9S Pro
Now I am up a creek, so to speak because I think that LCRx would make a great trail/backpacking companion.. AND I really liked the size, weight and feel of the LC9S. The Pro model also felt good (of course) and the trigger on both was the same, but I also kinda prefer manual safeties on my semi-autos. I realize this seems contrary for someone who often carries a S&W 642, but what can I say. For a small striker fired semi auto, the LC9s trigger was quite nice, and I agree, much lighter and shorter. Compared to the smooth, but long pull of the LCRx, I could see where it may be kinda light for a gun you may be in a hurry to grab.. adrenaline can make your fingers less sensitive. Training and trigger control are important to master, but sometimes the brain or fingers could get overloaded in spite of it all
My LC9s was fine with ball, but would not run reliably enough with either hollowpoint I tried--Hornady 115 Critical Defense and Remington Ultimate Defense.
Since I have had issues with several recent Ruger purchases I disgustedly ditched it rather than spend more money trying to find a good load.
My Smith Shield 9 and Glock 43 have functioned perfectly. The Shield also recoils a bit less. The Glock is no worse in that regard, and both are as accurate.
Since I have had issues with several recent Ruger purchases I disgustedly ditched it rather than spend more money trying to find a good load.
My Smith Shield 9 and Glock 43 have functioned perfectly. The Shield also recoils a bit less. The Glock is no worse in that regard, and both are as accurate.
I had the .38 special 2" LCR (1 7/8") with a laser. Absolutely hated it. The laser was fine, but I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it. Not literally, I could get my shots on paper but nowhere near where I can shoot with a semi-auto. Finally traded the thing in on an SP 101 - 3" .357. That, I can shoot.