My brother's LC9s makes me want to sell Shield for one.

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Orion8472

Orion8472

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My brother picked up a Ruger LC9s and yesterday we got to take it to the range. After that session, I feel like I want to sell my Shield to get one. I thought it was going to be really snappy, but it was quite controllable and the most impressive part [other than no malfunctions in the 100 rounds put through it], I was more accurate with it than the Shield.

It isn't just that which causes me to consider switching out pistols. It is also a bit lighter and smaller than the Shield, and the swept forward rear part of the slide may add in keeping it from printing. And the trigger was very nice!

If I decide to get one, is there a set of night sights for it yet?
 
I looked closely at the Shield when I bought my LC9s. I needed to shave weight, and the Ruger was lighter, slightly smaller for pocket carry, I preferred the trigger on the LC9s.

I've been very happy with the accuracy, recoil is manageable, eats everything I've fed it, and plenty of holsters available.
 
Realistically, the Shield IS based on a more robust design [the full sized]. The barrel is thicker as well.

I'm not completely sold on switching them out, just contemplating it. Would you trust your life to the LC9s?
 
Orion8472 said:
Would you trust your life to the LC9s?
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With slightly less than 500 rounds through mine (cast, plated and jacketed mix) I do so every time I leave the house now days. I've had no problems. Well, every now and then I do grab one of our Glock 42s, but I do favor the LC9s.
 
No opinion on the Shield. I do have the LC9s and love the thing! Light, easy to carry/conceal, nice trigger, way more accurate than one might imagine. I'm keeping it.
 
The Shield-9 is more ergonomic, in my opinion. I had an LC-9 for a week, but someone wanted to give me $20 more than my investment, so I sold it to him and bought the Shield. I like the sights, the feel, and the absolute accuracy and reliability of the Shield.

To each his own.
 
My cop/gunsmith friend had a strong opinion of the LC9s. Whereas [and in his words] he likes the LC9s and thinks the trigger is really nice on it, he would rather trust his life with the S&W. He's been in guns [and gunsmithing] for MANY years now and knows a lot about them, including the Ruger products. It's hard to NOT consider his words. But then, he feels it is okay for what it is. *shrug*
 
I thought it was going to be really snappy...
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As one who owns both an LC9 and Shield, when compared side by side (using the same Federal 9mm ammo), the Shield is much softer shooting than the LC9.
 
basicblur said:
As one who owns both an LC9 and Shield, when compared side by side (using the same Federal 9mm ammo), the Shield is much softer shooting than the LC9.
Click to expand...
Different strokes for different folks. I'm glad Ruger brought out the LC9s, as the trigger was poor on the LC9, but we sold ours because it was painful to shoot. The tight radius on the corners of the backstrap created pressure points that really bothered the wife, and gave her a horrid flinch when she fired it. Adequate for a SD gun, but not one we enjoyed practicing with - and practice is important. I bought a Shield, and the wife decided to give it a try. The rounded backstrap of the Shield made all the difference for her. Now we have two.

I am willing to change my attire as needed to conceal a larger gun, simply because I shoot them faster and more accurately. I also don't pocket carry, except in a hip pocket rarely and for very short periods.
 
Different strokes for different folks. I'm glad Ruger brought out the LC9s, as the trigger was poor on the LC9...
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I guess so (different strokes), as I kinda think the LC9 trigger is better than the Shield. I absolutely hate that hinge (part of S&W's version of a "Safe Action Trigger"?) on the Shield trigger - it introduces a lot of mushiness / vagueness in the trigger pull.

While the LC9 might have a long pull, etc., I grew up on DA revolvers, and a long trigger pull doesn't bother me. I think the LC9 trigger is both smooth / crisp, and I can always tell what it's doing.

Many folks praise the SIG SP2022 as having one of the best triggers around, yet vilify the LC9's trigger - go figure, as I think they're very similar (an SP2022 is my bed gun).

'Course, after examining a gun's trigger pull, I don't pay much more attention to it as I prefer a "controlled slap" when practicing.

I figure if the time comes I may need it for SD, I'm not going to obsess over the trigger, and am not going to slowly squeeeeeeze the trigger.
 
I don't want this thread to get into the "trigger of the LC9". I would only be considering the LC9s.

But I agree about the trigger of the Shield. I'm having it switched out for the Apex trigger and spring kit.
 
I don't want this thread to get into the "trigger of the LC9". I would only be considering the LC9s
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My bad - I didn't even catch the "s" at the end of your original post.

I wouldn't automatically dismiss the non-S version of the LC9 - get your hands on both the S and non-S versions for comparison.
 
I like my LC9 a lot. The same gun will feel different to different people because of different hand size and so forth.
 
I tried a friend's LC9 a while back and did poorly with it. Large groups. My brother's LC9s, on the other hand, same distance, I had very tight groups with it.

Oddly, with his LCP [that he traded with a couple cheap rifles for the LC9s], I did fairly well with it and grouped well enough with it.
 
I had tried them both, now the 9s is my everyday carry. Fantastic trigger, perfect size and easily concealable. What's not to like!
 
i had a shield.carried like a dream.i sold it and bought a G 19. I just like the higher round capacity and the very easy disassemble. it is also more enjoyable at the range than the LC 9 or the Shield. Yes,its a little heavier. But not all that much. Of the two you mention, i prefer the shield.
 
basicblur said:
As one who owns both an LC9 and Shield, when compared side by side (using the same Federal 9mm ammo), the Shield is much softer shooting than the LC9.
Click to expand...

It should be. It's heavier to absorb more recoil, it's larger to spread the effect of recoil in your hand.

I just think the point is, for such a light a small gun, the LC9s is softer shooting that the numbers might imply. It's a small as I would ever go in a 9MM, in fact I actually prefer a heaver gun if not for the back issues I'm dealing with.
 
TarDevil, that's how I see it as well. For a small 9mm, it really is quite controlable. Less felt recoil than the Kimber Solo, for sure! Yes, still more than the Shield, but it isn't like it is uncomfortable. I think either would be a good choice. I'm still deciding and will make a better decision after I get the Apex stuff in mine.

I'm still VERY much considering an LC9s, though.
 
I have experience with both the Ruger LC9, LC9s, and the S&W Shield in a gun range setting. I have seen them get used hard. Here's how they held up:

The LC9 platform did well for about a year before the magazine feed lips cracked at the back side of the magazine. The magazine release button wore out around the one year mark and had to be replaced as well as the spring. About the one year mark, it had to be sent back for a cracked frame rail. Ruger replaced it with a new firearm.

This was a great gun and held up well. Keep in mind that it fired an average of 50 to 100 rounds per day and sometimes more depending on how many times it was rented.

The S&W Shield had very few problems. I replaced the magazine spring at the one year mark due to fail to feed. The only other issue I encountered was fail to feeds due to a lack of oil. I did see other shields that has to go back for repair but they were early models and S&W was still working the bugs out of the platform.

Durability wise I tip my hat to the S&W shield. Concealaibility wise I tip my hat to Ruger. The LC9s really does well in the trigger pull department. Which one is right for you? That depends on many factors. I would evaluate your needs before making that decision.

I carry a Glock 19 most of the time but also have a Kel Tec PF-9 for those times that the Glock is too big. Is the Kel Tec Glock quality? No but it does what I need it to. Hope that helps.
 
Taurus 617 CCW said:
The LC9 platform did well for about a year before the magazine feed lips cracked at the back side of the magazine. The magazine release button wore out around the one year mark and had to be replaced as well as the spring. About the one year mark, it had to be sent back for a cracked frame rail. Ruger replaced it with a new firearm.

This was a great gun and held up well. Keep in mind that it fired an average of 50 to 100 rounds per day and sometimes more depending on how many times it was rented
Click to expand...

That's not terribly surprising for such a light gun... they do tend to take a beating more than their heavier brothers. All in all, that's a LOT of rounds down range before repairs... more than I ever expect to put through my LC9s.

Good info. Thanks for the input! Gives me a bit more confidence in my weapon.
 
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