I used to have a Keltec P11 which I sold to a friend in need a few years ago. Pretty much been carrying a full sized .40 or 9mm ever since though recently I've been lazy and have been packing a 5 shot .38 snubby.
Kind of wanted to carry something with more capacity and more powerful than a .380. I started looking at pocket 9mms. Looked at replacing the P11 but couldn't find one for a reasonable price. Looked also at the Keltec PF9, Ruger LC9, Kahr etc.
Criteria was something that was reliable and reasonably priced, small enough to carry but comfortable to shoot occasionally. The Ruger LC9 turned out to be a good choice between price, quality and size. I got a very good deal on one that helped sway my choice.
First thing I noticed is that Ruger has come a long way in semi auto pistols since their "P" series. Gone are the days of heavy over engineered clunky pistols. Of course part of that is because Ruger stole the design of LC9 from Keltec and refined it a bit. The LC9 is a nicely finished, good quality pistol. It is a good compromise in size for carry and controlability.
Things I liked about it..
-Nice size, pretty thin and comfortable to carry. Been carrying it for a week stuck in my waistband. Hardly notice it is there.
-7+1 round capacity. 9 round extended mag available
-Good fit and finish
-While the double action trigger is long it is smooth and not as heavy as I expected
-Sights are adjustable and not too bad
Things I didn't like...
-You have to learn the trigger resets or you will short stroke it.
-The dots on the sights are pretty small. They are hard for me to see.
-The grip is short (even with the finger extension). It is uncomfortable to shoot, not so much because of the recoil but because the rough plastic grip tears up my hand.
-You need a tool to take it down. One uses the key, but really, you have to use a tool?
Fixes for the things I didn't like...
-Make the sights more visible by using typewriter correction fluid on them
-Add a bicycle inner tube to the grip which is cheap. Could also use a slip on rubber grip like the Houge, etc.
Notable things about this pistol...
Comes with a bunch of safety features to prevent idiots from hurting themselves or others. These include a manual thumb safety, key lock, pop up loaded chamber indicator and a magazaine disconnect safety. I don't consider these good or bad.
The long double action trigger pull is like a revolver so you can use the thumb safety or not. I suggest however you either use it all the time or not at all ever. You will get confused under stress and fumble with it if you sometimes do or don't. My Keltecs don't have or need thumb safeties so I am up in the air as to using it or not.
The key lock out thing is a choice. Might be good if you have kids or other people may have access to your pistol. If you had to leave it in you car you might want to unload it and lock it out. Personally this is a carry gun and I am unlikely to store it locked ever. I stashed the key away and will likely never use it.
The loaded chamber indicator is a non issue to me. I don't really notice it.
I've read reviews by people who consider mag disconnect pistols tactically unsound because you can't fire the gun during a reload. Consequently they say this pistol should not be carried as primary self defense gun, only a backup. Well, you can't fire a revolver or empty semi auto during a reload either so I don't think that excludes them from being carried. I am not big fan of mag disconnects because it is just one more thing to go wrong but it is pretty much a non issue tactically. I will say that if you decide to disable the mag disconnect you will be negligent if someone hurts themselves or others with your pistol.
I fired a mixture of about 100 rounds through my LC9. These included, JHPs, FMJ, steel cased Wolf, aluminum Blazers, etc. All fed without issue and all shot to point of aim at 7-10 yards.
All things considered a pocket 9mm like the LC9 is a good compromise between firepower and concealability for self defense. It is an adequetely powerful self defense round and one is likely to have this pistol with you when you need it. I don't feel under armed with mine.
Kind of wanted to carry something with more capacity and more powerful than a .380. I started looking at pocket 9mms. Looked at replacing the P11 but couldn't find one for a reasonable price. Looked also at the Keltec PF9, Ruger LC9, Kahr etc.
Criteria was something that was reliable and reasonably priced, small enough to carry but comfortable to shoot occasionally. The Ruger LC9 turned out to be a good choice between price, quality and size. I got a very good deal on one that helped sway my choice.
First thing I noticed is that Ruger has come a long way in semi auto pistols since their "P" series. Gone are the days of heavy over engineered clunky pistols. Of course part of that is because Ruger stole the design of LC9 from Keltec and refined it a bit. The LC9 is a nicely finished, good quality pistol. It is a good compromise in size for carry and controlability.
Things I liked about it..
-Nice size, pretty thin and comfortable to carry. Been carrying it for a week stuck in my waistband. Hardly notice it is there.
-7+1 round capacity. 9 round extended mag available
-Good fit and finish
-While the double action trigger is long it is smooth and not as heavy as I expected
-Sights are adjustable and not too bad
Things I didn't like...
-You have to learn the trigger resets or you will short stroke it.
-The dots on the sights are pretty small. They are hard for me to see.
-The grip is short (even with the finger extension). It is uncomfortable to shoot, not so much because of the recoil but because the rough plastic grip tears up my hand.
-You need a tool to take it down. One uses the key, but really, you have to use a tool?
Fixes for the things I didn't like...
-Make the sights more visible by using typewriter correction fluid on them
-Add a bicycle inner tube to the grip which is cheap. Could also use a slip on rubber grip like the Houge, etc.
Notable things about this pistol...
Comes with a bunch of safety features to prevent idiots from hurting themselves or others. These include a manual thumb safety, key lock, pop up loaded chamber indicator and a magazaine disconnect safety. I don't consider these good or bad.
The long double action trigger pull is like a revolver so you can use the thumb safety or not. I suggest however you either use it all the time or not at all ever. You will get confused under stress and fumble with it if you sometimes do or don't. My Keltecs don't have or need thumb safeties so I am up in the air as to using it or not.
The key lock out thing is a choice. Might be good if you have kids or other people may have access to your pistol. If you had to leave it in you car you might want to unload it and lock it out. Personally this is a carry gun and I am unlikely to store it locked ever. I stashed the key away and will likely never use it.
The loaded chamber indicator is a non issue to me. I don't really notice it.
I've read reviews by people who consider mag disconnect pistols tactically unsound because you can't fire the gun during a reload. Consequently they say this pistol should not be carried as primary self defense gun, only a backup. Well, you can't fire a revolver or empty semi auto during a reload either so I don't think that excludes them from being carried. I am not big fan of mag disconnects because it is just one more thing to go wrong but it is pretty much a non issue tactically. I will say that if you decide to disable the mag disconnect you will be negligent if someone hurts themselves or others with your pistol.
I fired a mixture of about 100 rounds through my LC9. These included, JHPs, FMJ, steel cased Wolf, aluminum Blazers, etc. All fed without issue and all shot to point of aim at 7-10 yards.
All things considered a pocket 9mm like the LC9 is a good compromise between firepower and concealability for self defense. It is an adequetely powerful self defense round and one is likely to have this pistol with you when you need it. I don't feel under armed with mine.
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