My LC9S broke today...

[Hammer059]

I have about 400 rounds through it so far. Got it in July. Was shooting it today (factory ammo, not reloads) and the guide rod broke/snapped and was hanging halfway out of the gun. The case would not extract (I took it out manually) and the slide will not lock back.

Ruger is going to fix it on their dime. Which is good, because as soon as I get it back I'm going to sell this piece of crap and get another S&W 642 for pocket carry. I don't care if the new gun or guide rod assembly is "improved" I have lost all faith in this firearm. Bye bye, LC9S. Pics will posted shortly.

 

[Hammer059]

Not really looking for advice or opinions so much with this thread… Just warning others of this problem and wondering if anybody else has had this happen to them (or heard of it happening). Ruger made it sound like this wasn't the first time...

 

[Hammer059]

Update: I got the gun apart, and it just needs a new guide rod/spring assembly. Ruger is sending me a new and "improved" one.

Idk though, what do you guys think? Should I keep it or sell it? Even after the guide rod broke, it kept firing, so if this would have happened in a self defense situation I would have been able to keep shooting, but probably not reload. So I'm thinking of keeping it, and even if this would happen again, I'd be comfortable carrying it because at least the gun will keep shooting. Tough call here.

 

[hoghunting]

In only an hour and 30 minutes you went from

I'm going to sell this piece of crap and get another S&W 642 for pocket carry

to

I'd be comfortable carrying it because at least the gun will keep shooting

I've had a guide rod break on a Glock, but I didn't realize that made it a piece of crap as I just replaced the rod and kept shooting.

 

[jr_watkins]

keep it

IMO, guns, cars, boats, appliances, anything mechanical or electrical can and will break. Usually the weak part gets weeded out with a failure in the early use of the product. Often times once that initial failure is corrected the device will work very reliably for beyond the life expectancy.

I'd keep the LC9S and continue shooting it until your confidence is built back up. Another failure in the short term though, and you have a lemon and you should dump it.

I think you have convinced me to buy a back-up guide rod for my LC9spro! I'm all about having parts on hand just in case.

 

[Hammer059]

Yup. An hour and a half before the next post I was pretty annoyed. Did you have anything constructive to add or did you just want to be overly critical?

 

[TruthTellers]

Look online for stainless steel guide rods for an LC9. Those are tougher than the polymer or carbon steel rods Ruger puts in them.

 

[Hammer059]

Jr Watkins & Truth Tellers:

I think you're right. I like having spare parts on hand too, so I'll give the new one Ruger sends me a thorough test run and also probably buy a backup.

If the guide rod would have broken AND the gun stopped firing the rest of the magazine, I'd be alot more hesitant. But the odds are indeed slim of it breaking again, and even if it does at least I know I still have whatevers in the mag.

 

[TruthTellers]

Hammer, what ammo had you been shooting in it and what ammo was it you were using when it busted?

 

[ku4hx]

Ours have been great through twice your round count. Stuff happens and one incident does not a trend make.

 

[Wishoot]

I started having reliability issues with my LCP a few months ago. I decided then it was time to carry a j-frame instead. The LCP is sitting in the safe and the j-frame is sitting in my pocket.

I may just keep the LCP for giggles. I actually enjoy shooting it. I doubt I'll trust it for carry however.

 

[lauderdale]

Truthtellers/good idea! wonder if I can replace the one in my CZ75d compact? Not a fan at all of plastic guide rods! That was one reason I didn't want to purchase a think it was the LCP. Il have to research some.

 

[Hammer059]

Wishoot, I also enjoy shooting my LC9s. Unfortunately I just don't have as much faith in it as I did before. From what I've heard from Ruger, and from what I've read online, there are many others like me who have had similar issues.

I'm gonna keep the LC9s, but it will be demoted to backup gun and truck gun. I'm going to purchase a 442 for daily pocket carry, as I had a 642 before and liked it a lot.

 

[ljnowell]

I started having reliability issues with my LCP a few months ago. I decided then it was time to carry a j-frame instead. The LCP is sitting in the safe and the j-frame is sitting in my pocket.

I may just keep the LCP for giggles. I actually enjoy shooting it. I doubt I'll trust it for carry however.

You say you "started" having problems. What kind of problems? How much had you shot it? Have you considered replacing the springs and having another go at it?

 

[TruthTellers]

I'm still of the opinion that the LC9s or Pro can be depended on, it's just small improvements that either the shooter or Ruger has to do. One, better guide rod, two polishing the feed ramp as smooth as possible.

These are things that guys can do at home. Ruger doesn't want to add extra labor to the price of a gun that knowledgeable people can do themselves after watching some good videos on youtube.

 

[TruthTellers]

Personally, the LC9s Pro was going to be my 9mm of choice, but I compared and contrasted it to the Glock 26, which you can get a Gen 3 used for $400, and came to the conclusion that:

1. The Glock 26 is higher quality
2. The Glock has a proven record of reliability and longevity
3. The Glock has a larger base and more aftermarket parts
4. The Glock 26 can use any 9mm Glock magazines
5. The Glock mags are cheaper and easier to find
6. The Glock 26 holds more rounds.

While for the LC9s is .1" thinner and costs a little bit less.

Glock 26 wins.

 

[greyeyezz]

Anyone who has a LC9s or Pro I highly suggest you put at least 500 rounds through it before you call it good to go.

At 300 rounds mine was back to Ruger to have the mag catch replaced and at 500 I needed a new RSA assembly.

 

[Wishoot]

You say you "started" having problems. What kind of problems? How much had you shot it? Have you considered replacing the springs and having another go at it?

Stovepipes. And lot's of them.

I've shot it quite a bit. Probably put 800 rounds through it in total of various loads, brands and bullet configurations. The problems began to develop slowly with an occasional and progressively got worse.

I tried replacing the recoil spring and the problems persisted.

I believe a trip back to Ruger is in order.

 

[Hammer059]

Like someone else mentioned, the problem with mine happened around the 400 round mark. I only had it for less than a month. I've also been reading into the "new and improved" recoil spring Ruger is sending me, and it's the same one that came in the gun!

TruthTellers: I'm starting to think along those lines too. I had a Glock 26 in the past and always loved it. The thing I do like about carrying the LC9 though is that it fits in my pocket very nicely. But I'm replacing it for pocket carry with a 642 Airweight, so a Glock 26 will make a nice IWB gun.

It baffles me that some people, knowing all the issues with the Ruger LC series, still claim they're good guns and that it should be up to the shooter to fix the things Ruger won't.

Do you buy a car, and say "Oh it's a great car, you just have to be willing to put a new transmission in right away, and maybe a new suspension… but after that it's a GREAT car!" Give me a break.

I always regretted selling my 642 and Glock 26 I've had in the past, and I'm looking forward to getting both of them again and making them my daily carry.

 

[Gary A]

Hammer059 - I'm certainly no expert but I've been exploring the world of handguns for a few years now and certainly recognize your experience. Not being rich enough to simply accumulate, I have bought and traded over the years. I've learned that some guns seem like a better idea before I buy them than after. Some guns that were traded prove to be a better gun/fit than the gun they were traded for. This passion, regardless of the research I do, is one largely of trial and error. Trial and error makes it an expensive pastime over the course of time. Gradually, over time, my tastes and experience has evolved but new designs and/or products continue to emerge which stir my interest and pry open my pocketbook. Not all of them remain. Did I mention it can be an expensive pastime? When all else fails, a 642 in the pocket is never a bad idea.

 

[ljnowell]

Stovepipes. And lot's of them.

I've shot it quite a bit. Probably put 800 rounds through it in total of various loads, brands and bullet configurations. The problems began to develop slowly with an occasional and progressively got worse.

I tried replacing the recoil spring and the problems persisted.

I believe a trip back to Ruger is in order.

I would say that you are correct, a trip to Ruger is probably best.

 

[Hammer059]

Well put, Gary.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

One of the most expensive pistols I've ever owned, a Kimber Ultra Elite (what they were for, I think 1 year, before becoming the CDP) that I paid at least a Grand for years ago, had the extractor break at about the 300 round count.

It wasn't a piece of crap, it was just a mechanical device that had a part break. The extractor was replaced, and it's never missed a beat since.

Sam

 

[Anna's Dad]

Personally, the LC9s Pro was going to be my 9mm of choice, but I compared and contrasted it to the Glock 26, which you can get a Gen 3 used for $400, and came to the conclusion that:

1. The Glock 26 is higher quality
2. The Glock has a proven record of reliability and longevity
3. The Glock has a larger base and more aftermarket parts
4. The Glock 26 can use any 9mm Glock magazines
5. The Glock mags are cheaper and easier to find
6. The Glock 26 holds more rounds.

While for the LC9s is .1" thinner and costs a little bit less.

Glock 26 wins.

I think the G26 is substantially more that .1 inch wider that the LC9s. From their respective web sites, Ruger is .9 and Glock is 1.18. Glock 43 would be a much better competitor.

 

[TruthTellers]

I think the G26 is substantially more that .1 inch wider that the LC9s. From their respective web sites, Ruger is .9 and Glock is 1.18. Glock 43 would be a much better competitor.

You're right, that does sound like the G26. I must have been thinking about the 43.

Whatever the thickness, G26>LC9s>G43