Riomouse911
Member
I got away to the range for a bit to shoot my EDC Ruger LC9, Kimber Micro 9 and a newly acquired Glock 43X together to see which 9mm shoots better for me. The only ammo I had in sufficient quantity to burn was Winchester white box 115 gr FMJ.
I shot each gun cold, using 50- meter small bore bullseye targets at 8 yards, two-hand standing. I first fired 15 shots to sight in at one target, then two targets with 10 shots each at about a 1-shot per two-second clip, then a final target as deliberately as I could. Not super scientific, but it approximates not “warming up” with the gun before a CCW shooting and is at the extreme edge of most CCW encounters.
LC 9:
I’ve had this NRA-branded Ruger pistol for several years, it’s my regular EDC gun when I’m not working. Since the LC9 has been out for years there is no need to go into detail other than it is not the LC9s striker version, rather it has the original long DAO style trigger. My only modification involved painting the front sight white-then-orange with Testors model paints.
I’ve always liked the size-power-carry ability of the LC9, but I dread trying to shoot with any sort of precision with it. My results bear this out, as I missed the bull a few times shooting with any sort of speed. Most of this was my fault, as I flinched a bit down-left waiting for the sear to finally release. With this gun 2 was first, then a rapid 1,3 and a deliberate 4.
Kimber Micro 9:
This is only the second time I’ve shot this little 1911 styled gun and I like it a lot. The SA trigger is no Gold Cup quality trigger, but it is worlds better than the original LC9’s trigger. That, and great big white dot sights, made this gun shoot pretty well for me. The rubbery grips give a decent hold, but with no finger-hook on the Mag plate or checkering on the front strap this little pistol shifted a bit in my hands when firing quickly. Some shots went low as I tried to adjust while keeping up the cadence. It also has a true “6-o’clock” hold, so my first shots often went high before I adjusted to the classic bullseye sight-target picture. Targets went 2, then a rapid 1, 4 and a deliberate 3.
Glock 43X MOS:
This is a bit of an unfair test, as the 43X is a bit larger with a 10+1 capacity in a larger grip frame than the other two have. I bought this as a future replacement for my Glock 34, since I’m an administrator now rather than going into the field anymore. Packing a full sized pistol and spare ammo to my 100% desk-bound job is wearing on my back, so the lighter more compact 43X still allows 21 rounds on my belt but doesn’t weigh me down or dig into my ribs as much when I’m seated. (At 53 I finally realized it’s a young mans game
).
We have the stubby Glock 26’s that I could issue myself, but I’m not a fan of the fat-abbreviated grip on those pistols. The G-43X has a grip that fits me very well. I’m not planning on a compact dot sight, but if I choose to the G-43X is ready for one.
I’ve shot Glocks for years so I shot this gun cold, it’s the first time out of the box and to the range with it. My second shot caught me by surprise and went way low, then I settled down. I shot at 2, then a rapid 1, 4 and a deliberate 3. (After the Ruger I was catching myself firing a touch early on occasion like on #2 and #3.)
After this round of bullseyes I had four silhouettes left in my target carrier, so I put them up at 10 yards and fired at a 1 shot per second clip for 30 rounds each:
Both the Kimber and the Glock kept shots close to the central ring. The Ruger, handicapped by the trigger, kept them in the vitals but were scattered about a lot more.
My final target was fired DA at 10 yds with my 6” Model 14 and .38 Wadcutters over 2.7 gr Bullseye. A rather unfair comparison, those two make a sweet combo!
All in all, the three different trigger modes certainly showed me which ones I shoot best. I wasn’t bouncing bullets off the roof or the walls with the LC9, but should some sort of precision be required it’ll take a lot more effort on my part to make such a shot.
I’m looking forward to the switch from the G-34 to the G-43X, wearing the 43X for 11 hours a day should make the old spine a bit less crabby. I ordered a Safariland paddle for it, once it comes in I’ll take the duty qualification course and swap it out. As for my EDC, I’m done carrying the LC9. I believe I will keep the G-43X in that role as well, so I have one trigger system to master rather than go to the SA Kimber system.
Stay safe.
I shot each gun cold, using 50- meter small bore bullseye targets at 8 yards, two-hand standing. I first fired 15 shots to sight in at one target, then two targets with 10 shots each at about a 1-shot per two-second clip, then a final target as deliberately as I could. Not super scientific, but it approximates not “warming up” with the gun before a CCW shooting and is at the extreme edge of most CCW encounters.
LC 9:
I’ve had this NRA-branded Ruger pistol for several years, it’s my regular EDC gun when I’m not working. Since the LC9 has been out for years there is no need to go into detail other than it is not the LC9s striker version, rather it has the original long DAO style trigger. My only modification involved painting the front sight white-then-orange with Testors model paints.
I’ve always liked the size-power-carry ability of the LC9, but I dread trying to shoot with any sort of precision with it. My results bear this out, as I missed the bull a few times shooting with any sort of speed. Most of this was my fault, as I flinched a bit down-left waiting for the sear to finally release. With this gun 2 was first, then a rapid 1,3 and a deliberate 4.
Kimber Micro 9:
This is only the second time I’ve shot this little 1911 styled gun and I like it a lot. The SA trigger is no Gold Cup quality trigger, but it is worlds better than the original LC9’s trigger. That, and great big white dot sights, made this gun shoot pretty well for me. The rubbery grips give a decent hold, but with no finger-hook on the Mag plate or checkering on the front strap this little pistol shifted a bit in my hands when firing quickly. Some shots went low as I tried to adjust while keeping up the cadence. It also has a true “6-o’clock” hold, so my first shots often went high before I adjusted to the classic bullseye sight-target picture. Targets went 2, then a rapid 1, 4 and a deliberate 3.
Glock 43X MOS:
This is a bit of an unfair test, as the 43X is a bit larger with a 10+1 capacity in a larger grip frame than the other two have. I bought this as a future replacement for my Glock 34, since I’m an administrator now rather than going into the field anymore. Packing a full sized pistol and spare ammo to my 100% desk-bound job is wearing on my back, so the lighter more compact 43X still allows 21 rounds on my belt but doesn’t weigh me down or dig into my ribs as much when I’m seated. (At 53 I finally realized it’s a young mans game
). We have the stubby Glock 26’s that I could issue myself, but I’m not a fan of the fat-abbreviated grip on those pistols. The G-43X has a grip that fits me very well. I’m not planning on a compact dot sight, but if I choose to the G-43X is ready for one.
I’ve shot Glocks for years so I shot this gun cold, it’s the first time out of the box and to the range with it. My second shot caught me by surprise and went way low, then I settled down. I shot at 2, then a rapid 1, 4 and a deliberate 3. (After the Ruger I was catching myself firing a touch early on occasion like on #2 and #3.)
After this round of bullseyes I had four silhouettes left in my target carrier, so I put them up at 10 yards and fired at a 1 shot per second clip for 30 rounds each:
Both the Kimber and the Glock kept shots close to the central ring. The Ruger, handicapped by the trigger, kept them in the vitals but were scattered about a lot more.
My final target was fired DA at 10 yds with my 6” Model 14 and .38 Wadcutters over 2.7 gr Bullseye. A rather unfair comparison, those two make a sweet combo!
All in all, the three different trigger modes certainly showed me which ones I shoot best. I wasn’t bouncing bullets off the roof or the walls with the LC9, but should some sort of precision be required it’ll take a lot more effort on my part to make such a shot.
I’m looking forward to the switch from the G-34 to the G-43X, wearing the 43X for 11 hours a day should make the old spine a bit less crabby. I ordered a Safariland paddle for it, once it comes in I’ll take the duty qualification course and swap it out. As for my EDC, I’m done carrying the LC9. I believe I will keep the G-43X in that role as well, so I have one trigger system to master rather than go to the SA Kimber system.
Stay safe.
