LC9S Owners....... What's the word?

[Zaydok Allen]

Hey gang,

I'm curious about the LC9S and would like to hear from some owners. How are the , reliability, accuracy, and overall shootability? Also, if you've shot the LC9 or LC9S and also the XDs-9, I'm curious how the recoil compares.

I'm shopping for a female shooter who is 5'3" with small hands. She has narrowed her search to these two guns, with the edge going to the LC9/LC9S due to the feel of the gun, the lighter weight, and also the presence of an external safety.

I'm concerned though that the recoil is going to beat her up. She is a chiropractor and makes her living with her hands, so she won't tolerate any abuse from a gun. I am concerned if she gets an LC9/S, she will be trading it towards an XDs in short order. Not a huge deal if that happens, but I'm trying to help her do her homework.

Edit: She has handled the Glock 43, and 26, the Shield, the Sig 290, Kimber Solo, Walther PPS and CCP, Sig 938, and a few others. She doesn't want to carry cocked and locked, and the other guns I've listed were not really to her liking. So please oh please, keep the comments to the LC9/S and how it compares to the XDs.

2nd Edit: I've started a number of threads with this common theme lately. Sorry if it's gotten repetitive or annoying. We are very close to a purchase and this is likely to be the last thread like this for a bit, until a gun is purchased and tried out.

 

[rodspade]

I really like my LC9s! I use the mags with pinky extensions, and I added rubber Talon Grips. It fits small hands well, and the trigger is excellent (compared to other tiny guns).

The only problem I've had is accidentally bumping the mag release if my thumb is too close to it.

If you're concerned about recoil, she's just going to have to shoot one and decide for herself.

 

[fordtrucks]

I carry my LC9s most often. I have a Springfield XD subcompact (double stack) 9mm, Glock 17, Ruger LC9s, LCR, and LCP for my carry guns. I prefer the 9s because of the size, external safety (6 children, etc.), I can pocket carry it in shorts, easily IWB in pants, appendix IWB with a belly band with anything, it's 9mm, carries 7+1 with two 9 round mags for refills, I can change to a 9 round mag to have 9+1 carried, and it just shoots great for me. The trigger is really great, probably my favorite trigger out of my pistol herd.

I have owned the 9s since April 2016 and it has been very reliable for me. Not sure how many rounds, maybe 300-500 through it. Probably not more than that. I personally don't have any recoil issues with it. If you're worried about recoil, though, try some of the Hornady Critical Defense Lite. Seems like the Hornady was made specifically for recoil averse shooters for small 9mm's.

I would strongly advise considering the Crimson Trace laser grips as well. It's worth the extra price. If you can't find one already attached, I actually got mine through Amazon of all places and it's very easy to attach and zero.

I'm a male physician and have to rely on my hands for procedures and have had no problems with recoil with the LC9s. For me, it's a lot of how you hold a gun and ammo selection. I am not particularly recoil averse though, except with full house 357's out of my LCR. I've only been willing to do that a few times and the first round always makes me question why in the world I'm shooting 125g 357 JSP's out of my LCR. (it's fun I tell myself!)

Reliability- completely reliable for me so far, but my nephew limp wristed a round last month with it. Easy fix. Otherwise no malfunctions. I use Slip 2000 EWL on all my guns and that seems to help reliability for me.

Accuracy - CT grip helps me here, I'm accurate for my CC needs to 10-15 yards no problem. 5-7 yards it's more or less one ragged hole due to CT's.

Shootability - Kicks more than G17 or M&P Shield 9mm, less than LCP/LCR. Pretty close or maybe even less than my SA-9subcompact actually. I generally prefer it shooting and have no problem myself. I wouldn't give it to my 13 year old daughter to shoot, maybe my 15 year old.

Overall in summary, if I could have just one gun out of my carry collection and all the rest were to go away, I'd personally keep the LC9s. It's just right for me.

Has she considered the LC380? It's basically an LC9 that shoots the .380 cartridge. All the same great options, less kick.

That being said, it's her decision. Have her rent whatever she's looking at. Worst case, she buys one, keeps it for a month then sells it and gets something else with a relatively small loss of $. Or do like a lot of us, just keep the first one and buy more.

An to end it: TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING! If she's going to CC, she needs to start reading and thinking and getting training. I highly recommend Massad Ayoob's Concealed Carry and Deadly Force. We agonize over hardware to the detriment of the most valuable component, the software (i.e. training)

Have fun! Let us know what she gets. Pictures?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Welcome to the forum fordtrucks, and thanks for sharing your detailed impressions.

Has she considered the LC380? It's basically an LC9 that shoots the .380 cartridge. All the same great options, less kick.

She really doesn't want a 380. She likes the price of 9mm ammo, likes that it is more powerful, and likes that ammo is really easy to find in any store. However, if the LC9S doesn't work for her for any reason, the LC380 is an option I plan to discuss with her as an alternative. The other option will be to step it up to a bit heavier gun like an XDs. I think the worst case scenario is she may have to step it up to something like an HK P30SK, or an XDm 3.8 to get a more hand filling grip, but that will hinder concealment.

TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!

I am working with her heavily on firearm safety, manipulation and handling, trigger management and grip. Trigger management is a big one for her. None the less, she expressed a desire to take a class in all these aspects, and my response was "I think that's a great idea." She has no intention of carrying this gun until she is proficient with it, otherwise she could just be a hazard.

 

[TomJ]

I have the LC9S Pro, which I pocket carry often at work when I wear a suit or a polo shirt with Dockers. I also have the XDs 9 4.0. The differences in the weight (17 versus 25 ounces) and barrel length make the recoil on the XDS noticeably less for me. That being said, the recoil on the LC9s Pro has never been an issue, and isn't bad. The XDS is more "shootable" for me, and shoots more like a larger gun. If the XDS is going to be easy for her to conceal based on how she carries it, I'd go that route. I bought the LC9S Pro specifically for pocket carry, and if she's looking for something easier to conceal that would be my choice. Both have been equally reliable, and are excellent options.

 

[BP Hunter]

I have ad my LC9s for more than a year and serves as my primary carry during the summer. It's very thin and comfortable to keep in an IWB holster.

I have pinky extension on my 2 extra magazines that I carry and a 9 round magazine which is always on the gun. I honestly find the gun very soft shooting and naturally points. At self defense distances, it groups very tight.

 

[Navy_Guns]

I just bought the LC9s yesterday and put about 170 rounds through it (without cleaning it first) as fast as I could load the magazine. It ate the nearly 3 full boxes of 115 grain American Eagle FMJ and the 25 Hornady 115 grain Critical Defense rounds with zero issues, even shooting with my weak hand. Compared to my Kel-Tec P3AT, this gun is an absolute winner. It does not hurt my hands at all, the .380 was unpleasant to shoot. I was shooting without the extended "pinkie" floor plate. Honestly, the recoil is not much more substantial than from my all-steel Makarov or P64 (9x18) which are a lot heavier. The sights are great. The trigger is AMAZING. I also like the manual safety so I can carry IWB with the aftermarket belt clip and a loaded chamber, I carried my .380 that way only with an empty chamber. The 12" gongs at 20 yards were no challenge in slow fire and hardly a challenge practicing quick shots. I highly recommend this pistol. (sorry, don't have an XD-9s - have an XD 45 and XDM 9mm and love them both but not really a good comparison)

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I appreciate the information gents.

After starting this thread this morning, I went to work. Every possible thing I was trying to accomplish today has been halted by absent employees, incompetent employees, and a lack of data. I wanted to scream. I absolutely hate days like this, because I'm trying like hell to finish a big project.

So as a result, I found myself trying to busy myself with nonsense tasks I've been putting off. Then it dawned on me, my gal told me she liked the LC9S, and my concern about recoil is irrelevant, because as rodspade pointed out

If you're concerned about recoil, she's just going to have to shoot one and decide for herself.

She just needs to try one, and decide if it's for her or not, and if not, maybe switch to the 380 version, or choose a heavier gun like the XDs. So rather than sit around and get mad at my coworkers for sucking at their jobs, and life in general, I hopped in my truck and took off for the city. I bought it at my favorite LGS despite their price being about 8% higher than it should have been, because they really took their time with her the other day. So her birthday present is bought and paid for. I'll update when she gets a chance to shoot it, and let you guys know what she thinks.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[vba]

460Kodiak; I've got a LC9s and as others have said it is a fine shooter. I traded my Kahr CM9 in on it.


Just could not get used to the long trigger pull on the CM9 and tried various guns at my LGS. It was a revelation when the LC9s trigger was pulled. With such a light trigger pull, I was very happy to have a safety on the LC9s and treat it like one of my 1911's whilst training.

I usually carry with a Mitch Rosen OWB holster but the other day I carried it in my pocket and it worked out fine.

As stated, find one and have your lady friend try it out.

 

[shootniron]

LC9S Owners....... What's the word?

Shield

 

[Mr Woody]

My wife is almost 5 feet tall and also has small hands. She has always had problems finding a pistol that will fit her hand. The size of the XDs and Glock 26 are uncomfortable for and she does not want a .380. The 1911 she can shoot and she liked the small frame 9mm Sig 1911 but I don't like the idea of cocked and locked.

(don't panic 1911 fans, I carried one for years and like them. But in this age of quality double action/striker fired handguns I think the single action is best left to people that are committed to the gun and will practice regularly with it. They are not for an occasional shooter to carry.)

We were in a gun shop looking for a pistol that would fit her and were handed an LC9s. Love at first site. It fit her hand and the trigger is excellent. Sale made. In shooting the recoil is acceptable although after a while she has had enough and is ready to quit but overall it's lighter than my .45 and acceptable for her. The LC9s is a good choice but let her shoot a few different guns and then it's up to her to decide

 

[CajunBass]

I bought an LC9S back before Christmas because it was on sale. It took one trip to the range, and I went back and bought another one. Then I stopped carrying a revolver, and started carrying an LC9S.

My wife likes it too. She has no problem with recoil. She's handicapped, and can barely stand unassisted without leaning on the bench. She shoots it one handed most of the time.

 

[Mousegun]

I added iridium sites on my LC9S Pro and made it a new gun. Spend the extra $100 and you will not regret it at all.

The trigger has been deemed one of the best striker fired on the market. The only one I have ever found, straight from the factory, that is better, is on the S&W shield performance model with the ported barrel. It is a little better, but not by much.

You may want to look into the S&W performance to tone down recoil a bit.

 

[LeonCarr]

The first five rounds out of my LC9s went into a golf ball size group dead center of the target at 50 feet.

Yeah, you should buy one .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Capt. Ct.]

I must admit I like the look size and price of the Lc9s. If I needed another poly 9mm It would be first on my list to check out. I have heard nothing but good things about the trigger. Now I bought an Lc9 and then had heart surgery. I didn't get to shoot it for months. When I did I ran the target out to 25' and had at it. Uh, where are the holes that are supposed to be in the paper? Hmmm there wasn't any. So I tried another mag with the finger extension. Wow, big improvement this time. two holes out of the whole magazine. I packed it up and traded it in. Probably could have solved the problem with new sights but I never shot anything that badly. I did not care for the trigger either. I can put all rounds in one ragged hole at 25' so please don't tell me it was me.
I had an XDS-9. I loved everything about it except the harsh grips which I solved with Talon tape. I liked the grip safety which some people don't like. It comes off automaticly as you grip the gun so I don't see a problem with it. She might like that. Traded it in on a 1911 I just had to have. I still have enough little 9mm pistols. Do kind of miss it though.

 

[rodspade]

You may want to look into the S&W performance to tone down recoil a bit.

I'd be hesitant to carry a ported gun, because of muzzle flash (at night) and possible scorching (when shooting from retention).

 

[stoky]

I've been carrying one for about a year, sometimes as primary, sometimes as a BUG. I had a Shield on a lay awake plan. I changed it up when I felt the ergonomics of the LC9S, especially the trigger pull.
When new, I had to drift the sight a bit to get it to shoot to POA. It was pretty difficult to get the sight to start moving (even after loosening the set screw ).
I have an inordinately expensive Viridian laser on it. The green is easy to see, even in direct sunlight. It requires a piece of steel in the holster for activation/deactivation.
The recoil doesn't bother me, but I have large strong hands. It's been absolutely reliable with 124gr JHPs. The manual warns about too much +P so I don't. I put more stock in practice than magic bullets.
Overall I'm very pleased with it, even though I still have occasional twinges of ambivalence about replacing my beloved J frames.
I've shot the LC9 and the XDs-9. The trigger pull on the S is a lot better than the LC9. If some one in convinced they can't run a safety, they might be better off with out the S. The XDs-9 is excellent, IMO. Tough choice between that and the Ruger. Either, or the Shield is a better pick than G??.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Thanks again for the input. As I stated above, the Shield wasn't really to her liking. She thought it felt a bit slippery in her grip. However, on the chance that the LC9S doesn't work for her, I may try and rent a Shield, since they can be had with an external safety, and she finds that desirable.

I bought her an LC9S yesterday, the very same one she handled last weekend. We're going to start there, and go bigger/heavier if the recoil is too much for her.

I gotta say, while the grip is narrower than my large hands like, and overall I greatly prefer the feel and weight of my XDs, I wish to god my XDs had the LC9S's trigger! Boy when I dry fire that thing, even one handed, the sights do not move noticeably. I think that nice and clean trigger pull is really going to help her hit her target, and when she starts making little groups, the recoil will become an after thought. She is a bit competitive, so hitting the target makes her smile. I am hoping to get her to understand that small defensive guns kick, because they are small defensive guns. They aren't typically that much fun on the range.

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, for whomever might be reading this and considering a possible purchase...

I wanted to buy a "pocket nine" because... well, because they looked like fun toys and all of the other kids had them! Then one day my LGS had a barely used LC9, and I had some other pistol I didn't want, so we worked something out.

I have very large hands. Some small handguns beat my hands up something fierce or have trigger angles that make them almost impossible for me to shoot.

I can shoot the LC9 just fine. It's not a perfect fit for my hands (that would be the Super Blackhawk), but it fits okay. I don't consider the trigger to be bad, so the LC9s must be nice indeed. The recoil doesn't hurt my hand and I have acceptable accuracy with it at realistic pocket pistol range - meaning I can easily hit a paper-plate-sized target every time at seven yards.

My friend who has tiny hands and hates recoil has shot it a few times. It has a bit more recoil than he prefers, but he shoots it okay and will always willingly take the opportunity to shoot it again. He is a newer shooter, but still manages to shoot it with decent accuracy.

So yeah, most people would probably do fine with the LC9s. The old-fashioned one works okay for me. But I keep carrying my revolvers anyway, because I am apparently a creature of habit, and buy pistols for no good reason sometimes.

 

[Schwing]

I think you made a great choice. I bought an LC9s for my college bound daughter a few weeks back and she loves it. I love it too. In fact, I am going to buy one for myself.

I have owned a lot of pocket sized pistols but none of them come even close to the LC9s IMHO when it comes to the trigger. It has a light and crisp trigger unlike some of the competition. I like the Shield and the Springfields but both of them have soft squishy triggers in comparison.

I'm in the minority but I like the slide safety and, for those who don't, the pro version doesn't have one. Ruger really knocked it out of the park on this one, especially for the price point.

 

[stoky]

I'm in the minority but I like the slide safety

me 2
especially for the way(s) you can carry something as compact

 

[Quentin]

I have the LC9s Pro and have been happy with it for about a year. But let's face it, it's about as small and light as you can get to chamber hot 9mm SD ammo. It's not fun to shoot and hard to control (very short grip) unless you go down to low power range ammo. She's much smaller than I am but maybe she can get an adequate grip on it. But as they say, these little pistols are meant to be carried a lot and shot a little.

Make sure she tries one out using the SD ammo she'll be carrying. I would also try the Shield and Glock 26.

 

[hoghunting]

460Kodiak.....So her birthday present is bought and paid for. I'll update when she gets a chance to shoot it, and let you guys know what she thinks.

Good for you and a good choice too. I've had my LC9s Pro for about a year and with a thousand rounds through it, it's an extremely fun gun. Very accurate for its size and fully reliable. Recoil is much milder than one would think from a small pistol.

 

[toivo]

LC9s does have a great trigger, and that's why I bought one. It also is pretty snappy and prone to muzzle flip, and that's why I sold it. I have a much easier time shooting my G26, although I wish it wasn't as thick.

If she can control it and doesn't mind the recoil, then you're all set. If not, try looking at the Beretta Nano.

 

[wrangler708]

Check out Ruger's ARX SD Ammo to use with the LC9S.
It is getting good reviews and makes sense for these light 9's.

Not saying it is the end all be all of self defense ammo, just that it penetrates well, disperses its energy in the target and it's low recoil while doing this seems tailor made for the light pocket 9mm.

I bought a couple hundred rounds to shoot through my LC9S and it was flawless.
Definitely more pleasant to shoot than even 115 grain target FMJ.