Ruger LC-9 mm Pros and cons

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

thought about the kel-tec pf-9 but the ruger lc-9 fit and finnish are much better,what are the pros and cons ?

[QuackXP]

thought about the kel-tec pf-9 but the ruger lc-9 fit and finnish are much better,what are the pros and cons ?

Taken directly from the LC9 user manual table of contents.

Operation of Manual Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Operation of Internal Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Operation of Loaded Chamber Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Operation of Magazine Disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

The LC9 is so "safe" im betting when the time comes to use it in a defensive situation one of these "safeties" will render the gun so "safe" it will not even fire.

I mean the "safest" gun is the one you can't shoot after all?

I know that was a little tongue-in-cheek. But personaly I would not buy a firearm with those features. Now both of the autos I own have loaded chamber indicators via a peep hole but not a mechanical one like the LC9.

I like the Kahr CW9 over the LC9.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp

For a bit more fit and finish and replaceable sights, but at a more premium price is the Kahr P9.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9.asp

Also comes in all black or all black with night sights

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9-Black.asp.
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P9-...ght-Sights.asp

I have read allot of reports from people who own the PF9 love them and if I absolutely only wanted to spend $250 or this would be a secondary weapon I would consider it. However in my opinion Kel-Tec is one of the lower tier manufactures vs. S&W, Glock, Springfield, Ruger, Kahr, Beretta, Sig, H&K, etc.

[Valorius]

Dozens upon dozens if not hundreds of police agencies all over the US used the 3rd Gen S&W autos for decades, and they had all of those features. I owned several myself over the past 2 decades.

Can't say i've ever once read an article where a cop or any citizen was killed because he had a magazine safety. A LCI is just plain smart to have on a gun, and many top designs have also employed an LCI for decades. There is really no reason at all NOT to have an LCI on an automatic pistol. Manual safeties are fine so long as they're reasonably located, and the user practices his presentation enough to make swiping it off as it's drawn a matter of muscle memory. You might note virtually every weapons system in the US military has a manual safety on it. If they really were so hard to remember to take off, and were costing the US battles, the military would have gotten rid of safeties decades ago. However, what the real world shows, is that training and administrative handling and cleaning accidents are far, far more common than battles, and that safeties make weapons far more forgiving to handle when you are tired, stressed, inattentive, or distracted.

A mag safety almost totally eliminates cleaning accidents, which are sadly far too common.

My only problem with the LC9 is it's size. It is much larger than an LCP .380 (which i have, and which is a damn solid little pistol). I would go with the Kahr PM9 or CM9 if you can afford to.

PS: You're going to see more and more guns offered with these safety features, as they're now mandated by law in a couple US states.

[Itchy]

From what I have seen and read about them, I like the LC9. I would have bought one over my LCP if the LC9 was available at the time. Not knocking the LCP, I like it a lot, but I would prefer the 9mm.

[rwb1500]

Dozens upon dozens if not hundreds of police agencies all over the US used the 3rd Gen S&W autos for decades, and they had all of those features. I owned several myself over the past 2 decades.

But those guns were never billed as a personal protection pocket pistol. (Say that five times fast.)

Like I said, LCI, mag safety, whatever, not a huge deal. But imo the manual safety is. I think application is what makes it an issue for me. Drawing from the pocket and disengaging a safety sounds like a process which is overcomplicated. This inevitably leads to the wisdom of pocket carry period, but I suppose this isn't the place for that discussion.

Anyway, JMO. I'll be buying a Kahr PM9 or CM9, probably as my next gun. Just depends on which one I find a better price on first.

I already have one Kahr and am absolutely pleased with it. I won't hesitate to get another.

[Valorius]

But those guns were never billed as a personal protection pocket pistol. (Say that five times fast.)

Like I said, LCI, mag safety, whatever, not a huge deal. But imo the manual safety is. I think application is what makes it an issue for me. Drawing from the pocket and disengaging a safety sounds like a process which is overcomplicated. This inevitably leads to the wisdom of pocket carry period, but I suppose this isn't the place for that discussion.

Anyway, JMO. I'll be buying a Kahr PM9 or CM9, probably as my next gun. Just depends on which one I find a better price on first.

I already have one Kahr and am absolutely pleased with it. I won't hesitate to get another.

I see your points, but you don't have to actually engage or use the manual safety if you buy or use an LC9.

Still, i agree with everyone else that the Kahr is the ultimate pocket 9mm on the market today.

[Edg]

Dozens upon dozens if not hundreds of police agencies all over the US used the 3rd Gen S&W autos for decades, and they had all of those features. I owned several myself over the past 2 decades.

Can't say i've ever once read an article where a cop or any citizen was killed because he had a magazine safety. A LCI is just plain smart to have on a gun, and many top designs have also employed an LCI for decades. There is really no reason at all NOT to have an LCI on an automatic pistol. Manual safeties are fine so long as they're reasonably located, and the user practices his presentation enough to make swiping it off as it's drawn a matter of muscle memory. You might note virtually every weapons system in the US military has a manual safety on it. If they really were so hard to remember to take off, and were costing the US battles, the military would have gotten rid of safeties decades ago. However, what the real world shows, is that training and administrative handling and cleaning accidents are far, far more common than battles, and that safeties make weapons far more forgiving to handle when you are tired, stressed, inattentive, or distracted.

A mag safety almost totally eliminates cleaning accidents, which are sadly far too common.

My only problem with the LC9 is it's size. It is much larger than an LCP .380 (which i have, and which is a damn solid little pistol). I would go with the Kahr PM9 or CM9 if you can afford to.

PS: You're going to see more and more guns offered with these safety features, as they're now mandated by law in a couple US states.

well said...if your only as smart as the average government thug, or moron who shoots himself while cleaning his gun this is for you.

[Valorius]

Most people (including gun owners) ARE of average intelligence (or less). That's why it's average.

I'm just sayin'...

[hoon]

I was biased against kel-tec, as my p3at 1st gen had so many problems, and the LCP has performed with excellence.

I've had the PF-9 for over a year now, and have the crimson trace on it. The PF-9 has the rail system also, which could be used for a small flashlight or cheap laser (crimson trace doesn't use the rail but does block it).

For the price of the Kahr, you could get the PF-9 with a crimson trace. The gun has been flawless for me after 500 rounds, including about 50 +P (I carry speer gold dots 124gn +p which do fine). I understand the older PF-9s had their problems, just like my P3AT, but those problems kel-tec addressed, and now it is a stellar pistol, without the ugly safeties.

The trigger is a bit long, but much better than the P-11 (5.5lbs vs 9lbs).

Putting the crimson trace on has also helped a lot with my aim, as I can see what can go wrong when trigger pull can throw the aim off. My technique has now improved for all my pistols.

[ruger1313]

I shot the LC9 at the range and it shoots nice. Its accurate enough for typical self defense. The trigger pull is long, but you will have the same issue with the Kel Tec. Ruger makes decent guns that a lifetime.

But I agree with QuackXP...The Kahr P9 is a wonderful gun.