Ruger LC9

It has been almost three years now since Ruger introduced their 380 LCP at the 2008 SHOT Show. That little pistol has proven to be one of the hottest-selling pistols ever built, and the little jewels are still selling as fast as Ruger can produce them, despite some really good competitive pistols on the market. Since the introduction of the LCP 380, many have been yearning for Ruger to produce a pocket-sized 9x19mm pistol. Ruger’s excellent SR9c is a compact double-stack 9mm, and while it is one of the best compact nines on the market, it is still thicker than what many shooters want, and the requests for a slimmer nine have continued. Ruger has a “Voice of the Customer” program, and also a link at Ruger.com to email the CEO, Mike Fifer. Ruger listens to what the customer wants to buy, and many have been asking for a subcompact 9x19mm pistol. Ruger has now answered those calls with the LC9; a slimmer, shorter, lighter-weight pistol chambered for the 9x19mm cartridge.

The LC9 is more kin to the LCP than it is to the SR9c pistol. Like the LCP, the LC9 is a hammer-fired, locked-breech single-column pistol. The new LC9 is sized-up from the LCP just enough to work with the longer, more-powerful 9x19 cartridge. The LC9 has a lightweight polymer frame with an aluminum insert that keeps weight down and helps absorb recoil. The barrel and slide have a matte black finish to the alloy steel that closely matches that of the polymer frame. The LC9 also has features that many want on a defensive pistol. The slide locks back when the magazine runs empty. The LC9 also has a manual thumb safety on the left side for right-handed shooters. The LC9 has a butter-smooth trigger pull, and the action of the slide partially cocks the hammer, resulting in an excellent trigger pull for a pocket pistol. In addition, the LC9 wears a real set of easy-to-see drift-adjustable steel sights dovetailed into the slide. Atop the slide is a loaded-chamber indicator, which is easy to see and to feel, making this pistol California compliant. California is a huge market, and with the built-in firing pin safety, manual thumb safety, magazine safety, internal key lock, and loaded chamber indicator, the LC9 will be available to folks throughout most of the United States. The LC9 uses dual recoil springs which ride on a nylon guide rod.

Critical dimensions are listed in the chart below. Since the LC9 is bound to be compared to both the SR9c and the 380 LCP, we will do that here. The weights are listed in ounces, and linear measurements in inches. The grip and frame widths were measured at their widest points, which includes the control levers. Maximum width includes safety levers. Height includes the sights and magazine base. The LC9 comes with a flat magazine base and also with a finger extension base. The height was measured with the flat base installed. The trigger pull on the LC9 pistol is very good, with a smooth release. Like the 380 LCP, the slide pre-cocks the action. The trigger pull is listed as pounds of pressure. Weights are listed with an empty magazine in place.http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LC9.htm

This new Ruger LC9 is one of the companies newest pride and joy, for the Ruger fanatics have been asking for a 9mm version of the LCP; well its finally here. I provided the images and review that good ole Mister Jeff Quinn did on this piece earlier in the year, for I think that he provides a well written formula for reviewing firearms, so enjoy!