First of all, I'm a CZ guy through and through although my dept makes me carry Glocks. So that's my frame-of-reference from the git-go.
I decided that I'd like to get something for "deeper" CC that was small, light, reliable, didn't print... but did the job. I had a G26, Mak and Czech82 to start with, but all were too cumbersome/printed to just grab-and-go
After looking at all the alternatives in .380 and .22 WMag I opted for the LC9 despite the negative reviews. You can check the specs elsewhere. Here's my take after 275+ rounds downrange:
Pros:
1. Smaller, thinner and less printing than any other 9mm
2. Reliable
3. Accurate
4. Easy to remember to carry...just like a mobile phone or wallet with the right carrying system.
Cons:
1. Far too many safety features for anyone even remotely experienced in handling firearms
2. The infamous trigger pull
3. Sights
Details:
I prefer the G26 as a weapon, but it prints too much due to it's width. I like the Mak, but it's too heavy for easy, care-free carry (and larger). My Czech82 is wonderful but too wide/heavy and larger as well...so the LC9 wins that battle as it's smaller, lighter and thinner than all the above.
The accuracy is fine after one gets used to the trigger. Seriously, it's not a target pistol, but if you can't hit center body mass at 25' with repeated shots within a few seconds you probably need to consider something other than a pistol. Using an 8" cube "resealable" target at 25', it's pretty simple to hit the cube with every shot in under 2 seconds between rounds. That's well within tolerance for a personal defense weapon. At 30', hitting center body mass on a TQ-21 is still easy with some practice.
It fed every type of ammo I fed it including HP. (Caveat- I polished the loading ramp with some Flitz and a Dremmel as I do all auto-loaders. It takes about 5 minutes and is well worth it)
The sights are lousy and acquiring the front one takes some effort. I painted the front with some orange nail polish and it helped tremendously.
Safety features: you have SIX of them on this pistol (just a bit of overkill).
1. Slide/thumb/frame safety (whatever you want to call it)- might be trouble for the Glock Generation but no problem for everyone else. I'm a Lefty and have no problem using it.
2. Magazine Disconnect Safety- Why? Useless and a nuisance. I took mine off after watching a YouTube video- 20 minutes (no you do not have to remove the trigger)
3. Chamber loaded bar- Why? You can see if a round is in the chamber by looking in the back of the ejection port
4. Lawyer lock- Once again, a redundancy that' s not needed. I'd hate to try and find that tiny key in a crisis.
5. Trigger pull- There is no way in the world this pistol is going to fire accidentally. Absolutely no way. Carrying with a round in the chamber is absolutely safe against all but an amazingly stupid action by the operator.
6. You can easily see if there is a round in the chamber by looking at the rear of the slide where the round ejects.
Another note: you cannot release the slide using the slide-lever release alone. You have to rack the slide. Not a big deal, but just something to note. I never use the slide release lever anyway and quite honestly, no one should.
Bottom line:
For it's intended purpose, that being a personal defense/CCW pistol it is a very good alternative. If you want to hit moving targets in low light at 75'+ it's not a good alternative unless you put on different sites and install the aftermarket parts from Galloway....but why?
After putting over 275 rounds through it, I'm perfectly confident that I can draw it and put the necessary rounds into the threat at 30' or less every time which is it's purpose after all is said and done.
It's not a CZ, Sig, HK, or Glock...but for less than $400, it's an extremely capable CC weapon.
Carry Options: Too many to discuss, but just to raise some hackles after 2 months of constant carry, I really like the VersaCarry- Small size. I have a Soft-Tuk, a Bianci IWB and a Blackhawk IWB. All work, but the VersaCarry is the least obtrusive and there is almost zero printing even with a moderately tight T-shirt. Yeah I know you can't re-holster without taking it off, but name someone who saved a life by being the first to re-holster their firearm. Yes I carry with a round in the chamber because like I said, I use the thumb safety and for the trigger to be pulled takes a concerted effort. If the weapon is fired it's because it was meant to be. An AD is impossible.
I decided that I'd like to get something for "deeper" CC that was small, light, reliable, didn't print... but did the job. I had a G26, Mak and Czech82 to start with, but all were too cumbersome/printed to just grab-and-go
After looking at all the alternatives in .380 and .22 WMag I opted for the LC9 despite the negative reviews. You can check the specs elsewhere. Here's my take after 275+ rounds downrange:
Pros:
1. Smaller, thinner and less printing than any other 9mm
2. Reliable
3. Accurate
4. Easy to remember to carry...just like a mobile phone or wallet with the right carrying system.
Cons:
1. Far too many safety features for anyone even remotely experienced in handling firearms
2. The infamous trigger pull
3. Sights
Details:
I prefer the G26 as a weapon, but it prints too much due to it's width. I like the Mak, but it's too heavy for easy, care-free carry (and larger). My Czech82 is wonderful but too wide/heavy and larger as well...so the LC9 wins that battle as it's smaller, lighter and thinner than all the above.
The accuracy is fine after one gets used to the trigger. Seriously, it's not a target pistol, but if you can't hit center body mass at 25' with repeated shots within a few seconds you probably need to consider something other than a pistol. Using an 8" cube "resealable" target at 25', it's pretty simple to hit the cube with every shot in under 2 seconds between rounds. That's well within tolerance for a personal defense weapon. At 30', hitting center body mass on a TQ-21 is still easy with some practice.
It fed every type of ammo I fed it including HP. (Caveat- I polished the loading ramp with some Flitz and a Dremmel as I do all auto-loaders. It takes about 5 minutes and is well worth it)
The sights are lousy and acquiring the front one takes some effort. I painted the front with some orange nail polish and it helped tremendously.
Safety features: you have SIX of them on this pistol (just a bit of overkill).
1. Slide/thumb/frame safety (whatever you want to call it)- might be trouble for the Glock Generation but no problem for everyone else. I'm a Lefty and have no problem using it.
2. Magazine Disconnect Safety- Why? Useless and a nuisance. I took mine off after watching a YouTube video- 20 minutes (no you do not have to remove the trigger)
3. Chamber loaded bar- Why? You can see if a round is in the chamber by looking in the back of the ejection port
4. Lawyer lock- Once again, a redundancy that' s not needed. I'd hate to try and find that tiny key in a crisis.
5. Trigger pull- There is no way in the world this pistol is going to fire accidentally. Absolutely no way. Carrying with a round in the chamber is absolutely safe against all but an amazingly stupid action by the operator.
6. You can easily see if there is a round in the chamber by looking at the rear of the slide where the round ejects.
Another note: you cannot release the slide using the slide-lever release alone. You have to rack the slide. Not a big deal, but just something to note. I never use the slide release lever anyway and quite honestly, no one should.
Bottom line:
For it's intended purpose, that being a personal defense/CCW pistol it is a very good alternative. If you want to hit moving targets in low light at 75'+ it's not a good alternative unless you put on different sites and install the aftermarket parts from Galloway....but why?
After putting over 275 rounds through it, I'm perfectly confident that I can draw it and put the necessary rounds into the threat at 30' or less every time which is it's purpose after all is said and done.
It's not a CZ, Sig, HK, or Glock...but for less than $400, it's an extremely capable CC weapon.
Carry Options: Too many to discuss, but just to raise some hackles after 2 months of constant carry, I really like the VersaCarry- Small size. I have a Soft-Tuk, a Bianci IWB and a Blackhawk IWB. All work, but the VersaCarry is the least obtrusive and there is almost zero printing even with a moderately tight T-shirt. Yeah I know you can't re-holster without taking it off, but name someone who saved a life by being the first to re-holster their firearm. Yes I carry with a round in the chamber because like I said, I use the thumb safety and for the trigger to be pulled takes a concerted effort. If the weapon is fired it's because it was meant to be. An AD is impossible.
