Thoughts on Ruger LC9s

[MidRoad]

Just looking for thoughts,opinions and personal experiences regarding the Ruger LC9s. Summer is upon and a slimmer ccw would be nice.

My current ccw is a 2.25" sp101 in a galco iwb holster at 2:30.it works well but prints badly with just a t-shirt so I wear button ups and becomes invisible. Howerver with the heat coming it would be nice to just wear a t-shirt occasionally . I tried aiwb and do not like it. My waist size is a limiting factor . I fit comfortably in 32" pants,but have been getting 34" for extra thigh room/ ccw room. So for me grip size is a big factor. Based on my body type if the grip is too long it WILL print,in order to not have an obvious corner poking out the gun sits in a cruddy spot comfort wise. For example I could not carry my cz p01 comfortably w/o printing even in a alien gear cloak tuck 3.0 ,an aiwb, or a standard iwb kydex holster. I got frustated with and traded it for a ruger flatop bisley.

So for hot weather a single stack is the only option. Being a Ruger fanboy I'm leaning towards the LC9s,but not disconsidering others like the sheild 2.0. Thoughts?

Edit to add:
Not interested in .380's ,just 9mm. I am also in NY so capacity is limited to ten anyways. So double stack doesn't make much sense if a single stack will be that much more comfy,concealable.

 

[bannockburn]

Bones741

Really like my Kahr CM9 in a DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB holster. The gun itself is lightweight, has easy to see sights, is very ergonomic, and has a sweet, smooth DA trigger pull. I can carry it comfortably all day at the 4:00 position. Conceals easily under a polo shirt. With cargo pants or shorts I can even pocket carry it with a DeSantis Super Fly holster.

 

[MidRoad]

I've heard some good things about kahr. I'll have to check one out at my LGS next time I'm there. Thanks!

 

[Iggy]

I have a LC9s. It's a nice gun but I'm giving it to a guy to put on gun show table.. I bought a Kahr CW9 for my wife and like it better. I'm an old revolver man and the Kahr is an easy transition with a revolver like trigger and no safety to deal with..

 

[C0untZer0]

I have a Kahr CM9, I like the DA feel of the Kahr trigger. When I was first in the market for a pocket nine, the LC9s hadn't come out yet and I didn't like the trigger on the original LC9 at all.

 

[MidRoad]

I have a Kahr CM9, I like the DA feel of the Kahr trigger. When I was first in the market for a pocket nine, the LC9s hadn't come out yet and I didn't like the trigger on the original LC9 at all.

Yea I heard the lc9's trigger was super long and sucked compared to the LC9s. I watched hickock45's video on the LC9s and he seemed to like it. My main concern is that reliability of it.

 

[rpenmanparker]

I have the LC9s and really like it. Three grip choices in the box, short with a flat bottom, short with a pinkie extension, and extended mag for 9 or 10 rounds. You can pick the one that works for you. The trigger isn’t exactly short, but it is a striker trigger, not double action like the Kahr. Sweet little gun. Not unpleasant to shoot. When you get the hang of it, you can shoot very precisely with it.

My only complaint is the peculiarity of getting it apart. You have to compress the slide against the spring just enough to allow the retaining pin to slip out. It is an acquired skill, but not really hard.

I keep a Pachmayr grip glove on mine. Nice improvement.

 

[golden]

For me, the recoil of a 9m.m. round in this small a gun is painful. I shot one for 15 rounds and then decided I would not shoot it again. In this size, I stick with .380ACP pistols and can go through a 100 rounds at a time without pain. This may be just my personal problem as I am now a senior citizen, but before you buy, try it. You may be just fine, but then you may not.

Jim

 

[bannockburn]

Iggy

I'm an old revolver man and the Kahr is an easy transition with a revolver like trigger and no safety to deal with..

That was another reason I went with the Kahr; it's an easy transition to switch between it and my two other favorite concealed carry guns: a S&W Model 649 and a Model 638.

 

[rpenmanparker]

DA trigger is the main reason I will never own a Kahr. Or another revolver. Ugh.

 

[Iggy]

I put a grip sleeve on my LC9s. It is narrow enough that recoil becomes noticeable. The grip sleeve was a vast improvement. I never had a bobble with mine while I had it. The trigger was awesome, but I just didn't like that cocked striker.. That is why I went with the manual safety.

The Kahr with the long smooth DA trigger suited me better.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I've been carrying a LC9s for a couple years now and shoot it and practice regularly.

Great gun, reliable, excellent trigger and easy to shoot.

Most of the time I carry it like the first picture and it conceals well. If I, or you, want deeper concealment go with the second pic and its all but disappeared. BTW I don't use the pinky extensions anymore.

 

[MidRoad]

Hmm been checking out videos on the cm9 and cw9. People really love them.

 

[Jim Watson]

I got a package deal on a G43 and a LC9S. Already had a CW9.
All have their points, but I can get better hits with the LC9S.

 

[Fiv3r]

I have the EC9S (the budget LC9S), and i really dig it.

It shoots well, carries well iwb, and has been 100% reliable.

 

[MidRoad]

DA trigger is the main reason I will never own a Kahr. Or another revolver. Ugh.

I definitely need to get my hands on the kahr to check it out. I'm used to SA triggers. I love my 1911 and shoot my revolvers SA 90% of the time . I do prefer SA in general. However my DA pulls are like 12lbs-14lbs( whatever gp100 and sp101 are factory untuned) and I do ok with rapid fire DA, meaning good enough for self defense at very close range. If i slowly stage the the trigger I group nice, but that's not shooting defensivley .However a 6lb smooth DA is another animal all together. Especially with practice.

 

[someguy2800]

I love my lc9s pro. It has in my opinion the best trigger you can get on a micro 9mm, though the new sig p365 is as good or better. Being a single action man myself the trigger will be strange to you but after a short time it becomes natural and you no longer notice the travel.

Mine is very very accurate. A few weeks ago I was shooting a 12” plate at 75 yards offhand and hitting about 5/7 shots. The sights are excellent for this price class. I shoot light handloads in mine. 124 grain bullets at about 850 fps which is about half way between power of a 380 and 9mm. I don’t have a problem shooting full power 9mm in it comfort wise but it’s difficult to keep a good grip on it with hot ammo as the recoil shifts it in my grip after a couple shots. I put talon grip tape on it which cures this but still shoot the light loads anyway since they are so accurate and nice to shoot. Mine is 100% reliable even when filthy. I have probably 3000 rounds through it.

I carry mine in a desantis pocket holster in my right front jeans pocket with no pinky extension or sometimes in an inside jacket pocket. It’s extremely concealable due to being so rounded off. I shoot it the same with or without the pinky extension.

I recommend the lc9s pro. The safety is as unessesary on a striker fired pistol as it is with a revolver. The EC9s is a lot of gun for the money but the sights stink. Well worth the extra $75 in the long run.

 

[davevabch]

I believe I posted about this, sorry but will post some thought again. I have owned the Ruger's (LC9 and LC9S) since both first came out and they were my carry guns for years. My Brother in Utah now owns the original. I still have the LC9S. I shoot often, belong to a club and shoot each week. Sometimes more. Over the years they got in plenty of workouts. They are very reliable. I love the sleek thin design. They are accurate as the owner wants to make them. I placed a TFO night sight on mine. Although I am dedicated point and shoot (instinctive) training. I think good sights are a must especially night sights. JMO.The standard sights on the LC9S are also very good.
The LC9 for me was a great shooter. You have to get use to the thin grip design, but shoot it often and you will adapt to it quiet well. I love the stifling of the grip. One of the best I have seen. The thin design does however give a little finger pinch for some on the trigger. I have long fingers and would have to file down my trigger finger nail before shooting or else risk getting scratched. No big deal.
The guns recoil is not bad, but it is on the snappy side. You will get the muzzle flip. Similar to the LCP although no where as pronounced.
If you like very prefer light crisp triggers, then you will love the LC9s.Mine had broke in to around 4lbs of pull with a Lyman digital scale. As Hickcock45 said 'The LC9S is so light, it is almost like a target gun'.

I personally do not care for light triggers on CCW guns and for what ever reason, began a search for 6 months or more started looking for the perfect CCW 9mm replacement for my trusty Ruger. I have shot most of the Mico or sub compacts out there over the years and there are some very good ones for sure. I started revisiting all them as my range buddies let me shoot theirs and they all have one they love.

To make a long story short, I ended up with the Beretta Nano. It took a little while to adjust to a new grip but it has proven to actually feel so much better in my hand and perfect for my finger placement. My break in consisted of 2,500 rounds of every thing I could put through it. Remington bucket 115gr. Tula Brass Max, PrecisionOne, Fiocchi, Pmu, Aguila, Hornady, Freedom Munitions, Lax ammo, and on and on. All different weights etc. All Flawless, other than a few rounds I had of very cheap reloads that do not work well in any of my guns. The gun not only shot flawless, but the gun is one of the most mild mannered small guns I have ever shot. And to add to that is the fact that you get very little muzzle flip or muzzle rise. Very easy to get back on target with fast shooting. The trigger was perfect for what I was looking for in a CCW. A striker fired/double action. A little longer pull and weight of 6.1 lbs of pull. My range buddy has one that is broken in to 5.5 lbs. And of course Gallaway has a kit for even lighter but I have no desire to change out the stock trigger.

The Nano was built to handle the pressures of the 40.cal, and it is really built tough. At first some will feel the gun is top heavy, and it does weigh more than the Ruger, for sure. But after shooting this gun, you find it balance's perfectly.
The thing I discovered about the Nano is the fact that it totally loves hot ammo and Plus P. It shoots them milder than most guns shoot standard ammo. At first I was shooting low, and realized I the cause was I was not getting the muzzle rise that I was use to and the gun had so much less recoil. (easy to add night sights, no Smith required) Take down is a breeze.

A few weeks ago we took both the Nano and the LC9S to the range and ran them side by side. 100 rds through the LC9S and 100 rds through the Beretta. And repeat. Both guns ran flawless. However there was a distinct difference in the felt recoil of the two. In fact it was more than felt recoil. After so many rounds, I started to feel real discomfort from the Ruger especially when shooting the hotter rounds and Plus P. The Nano I could have easily gone on shooting the rest of the day. It is that mild.

Regardless, both are Nice guns. the LC9S has been a great friend over the many years. A fine gun for sure. It will go into retirement but still get plenty of range use. Sadly they are going to discontinue the gun. The prices are dropping and they represent a great value to the shooter. The Buget gun may go on for a while, but if you can land the LC9S, there is not much price difference and you may want to add night sights later.



The guide rod assemble of the Ruger on top the Nano on bottom.



I love modular designs. Easy to clean, change grips and if necessary replace some parts. The gun has a totally Stainless steel chassis, barrel, and other parts.



You can see a a comparison of the two in this pic. Notice the difference in build quality.







By the way, the Beretta ships with a 6 round magazine and a 8 round. Both are high quality stainless.

 

[Varminterror]

I have carried an LC9 off and on since it was released, and picked up an “s” a couple of years ago and favor its trigger dramatically over the DAO original. Both are great for what they are - inexpensive daily carry workhorses. Reliable and accurate, with a carry friendly size.

The one I’ll be carrying from now on, however, is a Sig P365. About double the price of the Ruger, but better in every critical aspect.

 

[shooter1]

There are a lot of concealable single stack nines available these days, you have to try several to find "The One". The Kahr and the LC9s are two of the best. Both have good triggers, actually the LC9s has the best out of the box striker trigger I've come across. This is based on the one example that I've actually shot, so take it for what it's worth. Both the Kahr and Ruger were easy to shoot accurately. In my hands the Ruger had the edge, easily keeping a mag full of my reloads in the "A" zone of a USPSA at 20yds. The Kahr did almost as well, but the trigger needed getting use to. If I were to carry a single stack 9mm, it'd likely be a Glock 43, but the LC9s would be a close second.
str1

 

[CajunBass]

I'm an old Smith & Wesson revolver guy, but I really like my LC9s pro. The older I get the lazier I get and the less extra weight I want to lug around. The LC9s fits the bill perfectly. I shoot it a lot better than I do any short barrel revolver, and I don't find the recoil at all objectionable. I used to have a Kel-Tec P-11 that I thought kicked like a mule, so I fully expected the same from the LC9s, if not worse because the grip was thinner. Either I've gotten tougher to recoil over the years, or Ruger did a better job with ergonomics or maybe just plain luck, but I don't think the LC9s is bad at all. Also it has never malfunctioned with ammo, FMJ or HP, factory or reloads. It just chugs along.

 

[davevabch]

It will be interesting to see what Ruger does with a new model since they are obviously discontinuing the LC9S. (If they even continue with a new model). My guess it will be nothing more than a larger LCPll. I have advocated that they redesign the gun for years. They need to shorten it up, like the Sig, the Kahr and the Beretta. I personally think he SR9C is one of their better built guns, even so far as to say their best or perhaps the Ruger American. Take the American, make the new Model LC9 modular, beef up the receiver to remove the snappiness. Make the sights easy to change out, make the design easier to take down. Get rid of the cheesy roll pin they use to break down the gun. Improve the magazines. They are not consistent. The mags built in Italy are far superior than the later mags made in USA. I presently own 12 magazines for the gun, and will not by the latter. It will be interesting. for sure. Let's see them step up to the plate and make the gun all stainless Steel. And please do not clone a LCPll.
I personally feel they can do better with a better trigger for Carry. The Glock had a reputation for the "Glock Leg". but from what I have seen the LC9S is even lighter. At least mine in. I will not carry the gun any longer. For those that like a super light trigger, it would seem Ruger could at least meet in the middle.

Look at how they designed the SR9. The built quality stands out.

 

[someguy2800]

I don't want it any shorter, or any heavier of a trigger. The takedown pin thing is cheesy I will concede that. The LC9s is already modular and the cam block/chassis is already metal. To me the only thing they could do better is a slightly lower bore axis and more aggressive stippling on the grip.

 

[someguy2800]

 

[Bartojc]

A few years ago I went to the LGS set on buying an LC9s, but came home with a Shield. I've never been disappointed with my S&W Shield. Not a dig on Ruger as I own more Rugers than anything, just a different perspective.

-jeff