Ruger LC9 (vs Keltek PF9) Review

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JustinJ

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I recently purchased a new Ruger LC9 for $330 from my local gun shop. The gun came with one mag with pinky extension, two take down tools, gun lock and cloth case. I already owned a Keltek PF9 which is not a bad gun except that it is finicky with certain ammo and the barrel is prone to corrosion if not meticulously maintained. I've generally carried my PF9 as a pocket gun when attire does not allow for my HK P2000SK in .357 sig. The LC9 does seem to be slightly longer and taller than the PF9 but i don't have measurements in front of me. The LC9 looks and feels to be of high quality, much more so than the PF9, but function is my main concern. There are three gripes I have with the LC9. First, it requires a tool to break down. It comes with two hex shapped little punch like tools although one could easily use a small allen wrench in a pinch. I certainly prefer the PF9s method of takedown. One only needs a shell case, screw driver, knife or even finger nail to remove the take down pin. Second, I don't like that it can not fire without a magazine inserted. This isn't a huge deal but does offer a small tactical disadvantage. The third and biggest complaint I have is the trigger. It is long and heavy and takes a real getting used to. The PF9's aint great but definitely better. I found with the LC9 that i shoot better by using a part of my finger closer to the base to get more leverage. I'm also not a huge fan of the overly pronounced load indicator and its bright red color. I think if somebody cant keep track of wether or not their firearm is chambered they shouldnt carry one. Plus i dont like the fact that the gun advertises to an adversary if its unloaded. The LC9 does also include a manual safety lever which is a nice feature although i personally wont carry with it engaged.

The LC9 ran flawlessly at the range with 115 and/or 124 grain FMJs from speer, winchester, blazer and federal. The only hollow points i tried were Gold Dots 124 grain. They also fed without incident. Once i got the hang of the trigger groups started to really tighten up. Center mass hits were consistenly made at even 25 yards. I did have to adjust the rear sight slightly which was easy as it is secured with an allen screw. After loosening the screw i had to only tap the rear sight a few times with the plastic handle of a screw driver to get them drifted for proper alignment. Another advantage of the LC9 over the PF9 is interchangeable sights so one can install night sights although i havent seen any available yet. All in all I am happy with the gun and will probably sell my PF9.
 
Good write-up; thanks. A couple comments:

a) Think of the magazine disconnect as protection against having your gun used against you, in case it is wrested from your hand. If the attacker starts to get the upper hand, press the mag release. (does the mag drop free, or just drop down a bit?) He gets the gun, points it at you, squeezes the trigger, and nothing happens. You've got the chance to run then. This may be a good thing if you have a spouse who might use the gun and is more likely to let things get out of hand...

b) Regarding the loaded chamber indicator, I'd be fine with that too. Any time I'm pointing the gun at someone I might have to shoot, the chamber will be loaded anyway. Maybe he will see that bit of red paint and reconsider his options.
 
Smaug, you make good points but the reason i dont like the mag disconnect safety feature is that it is one more component that could fail and make the gun inoperable and if a mag isnt seated properly the gun cant fire even if a round is chambered.

On the second point, i agree that if i point a gun at someone i certainly will be willing to shoot however in a worst case scenario, as unlikely as it may be, where you are out of ammo, it is plausible that a gun could serve use as a bluff to deter an assailant. I think there are pros and cons to both features.
 
a) Think of the magazine disconnect as protection against having your gun used against you, in case it is wrested from your hand. If the attacker starts to get the upper hand, press the mag release. (does the mag drop free, or just drop down a bit?) He gets the gun, points it at you, squeezes the trigger, and nothing happens. You've got the chance to run then. This may be a good thing if you have a spouse who might use the gun and is more likely to let things get out of hand...
Click to expand...

It offers the same advantage to your opponent. He could release the mag during that struggle and render the gun inoperable for YOU. Also, magazine releases are sometimes depressed during normal carry. I've found it many times with many different guns. But my guns either have no disconnect, or I've deactivted it, so at least I have one shot for certain. That's all you're really guaranteed anyway.

I consider a magazine safety a disadvantage for a CCW in every respect. The argument for LEO's is a little different, since their more likely to be in physical contact with a BG and have their gun taken out of their holster during a struggle. If a private citizen has his gun out at contact distance, the time to use it has already passed.

b) Regarding the loaded chamber indicator, I'd be fine with that too. Any time I'm pointing the gun at someone I might have to shoot, the chamber will be loaded anyway. Maybe he will see that bit of red paint and reconsider his options.
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Most people have no idea what it means, nor will they notice it. IMO, they're just an eyesore and meant to lawyer proof the gun.
 
The magazine disconnect serves no real purpose in my opinion. In fact I consider them to be a huge liability, worse case scenario I would rather have a manually loaded single shot than a paperweight. I feel the same about a manual safety on a DAO gun. In the struggle mentioned above it is not impossible for the safety to be accidentally applied giving a BG another shot at you before you realize your gun isn't going bang. There are documented cases of LEOs pulling the trigger against a manual safety and actually thinking the gun was firing and never firing a shot, some have even broken/bent triggers pulling so hard.

My PF-9 has functioned perfectly through close to 3000 rounds of my JHP reloads. I use a a flat point .357 bullet, if a semi auto will feed it it will feed anything including the Cor Bon DPX it gets carried with. I see no reason to "upgrade" to a more expensive, more complicated version. If you like the Ruger then it is a win for you...for me it isn't.
 
"if a semi auto will feed it it will feed anything"

The main reason i bought the LC9 is because that turned out to not be true with my PF9. It jams about every fourth or fifth round with winchester 115 grain fmj's. After i first got it reliability with most hollow points was poor but polishing the feed ramp helped that for the most part.
 
First, it requires a tool to break down.
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You need no tool to break the gun down. Just remove the mag. Pull the tab in front of the pin down and slighly pull the slide back and the pin falls out.

Scott
 
Scoth, the pin on mine is in way too tight to fall out on it's own. Was yours able to do that from the start or did it loosen up over time?
 
I didn't know to try it until I had the gun for a couple of weeks. I am friends with a Ruger rep. he showed me how to do it.
 
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Scotch, i'll give it a try. I just doubt it will work because mine takes a good bit of pressure to remove with the tool.
 
Good review. Needs some side by side pics.

The mag safety is a deal breaker for me.

I don't like the idea of being defenseless during a Tac reload. And it's just another part to go bad.
 
Justin, I didn't think it would work either, but it did. I thought mine was tight. You just need to line up the holes with slide and jiggle the gun a little and the pin falls right out.

Scott
 
Very nice review, Thanks!

I was a bit surprised to read:

... and the barrel is prone to corrosion if not meticulously maintained ...
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Perhaps they have changed the Finish process for the barrels or your perspiration is more acid than mine.

One thing that has really surprised me about my PF-9 is that fact that I don't have to show it any love. For years (I got it a couple of months after they came out) it has lived in the right rear pocket of my 501s and I only periodically take it out of the holster to blow/wipe off the accumulated pocket lint.

Once every 12-18 months I take it out back, run thru a couple of mags to make sure I can still hit what I am shooting at with it and then take it inside for a proper & thorough cleaning.

All times including the last I have used BreakFree CLP for the final wipedown. Next time I plan on using Eezox since I am in the middle of transitioning ... so afterwards I will keep a closer eye on the PF-9 and, especially, the barrel.
 
Gun Tests Magazine has a test review on both as well. April 2011 / Vol.XXIII, No. 4 .
 
justin j Glad you like your ruger but You do know that KT has made atleast two upgraded barrels for the pf-9 . Each allowing better feeding of ammo and they do have great CS if needed. They have in the past sent barrels upgrades to owners. Mine has the second feed ramp design in it and has never failed to fire . I pratice with a mix of 115gr and 124gr wieghts and brands and carry hornady cd .

I to use breakfree clp and never have rust on any firearms in the close 40 years i have used it. Even the ugly finished on my unkept kt look like new ugly after a couple years of carry. No rust. Maybe the product used that alows rust.
Price on the KT carry line is around 245 bucks here.

I don't care about a loaded chamber indicator also. I don't or will never show a pistol. if it clears it would be to shoot and I also want to be able to drop a mag and still defend myself while reloading if needed. I do always count shots. If the BG gets so close to grab at my pistol I am probably screwed all ready.

Love my cheap lite weight pf-9. allways go bang and what more can i want.
 
The main reason i bought the LC9 is because that turned out to not be true with my PF9. It jams about every fourth or fifth round with winchester 115 grain fmj's. After i first got it reliability with most hollow points was poor but polishing the feed ramp helped that for the most part.
Click to expand...

justin j Glad you like your ruger but You do know that KT has made atleast two upgraded barrels for the pf-9 . Each allowing better feeding of ammo and they do have great CS if needed. They have in the past sent barrels upgrades to owners.
Click to expand...

The new feed ramp is a little longer and straighter to help with feeding/jamming issues of the original design. Check yours and call Kel-Tec for a replacement if it is the old style.

2barrsb.jpg
 
springfield30-06 Don't they also have one more out that looks be like new new barrel but the ramp is parallel instead of tappered. Anyhow mine has the new one in your picture and works like it should. Good photo
 
Scotch, I did manage to get the pin to come out by shaking and whacking the thing but it took a little work. The hardest part was keeping the slide in the right position while shaking the gun. Thanks for the tip.

Springfield, my Keltek is about a year and a half old(purchase date) but i'll check the feed ramp this evening. Thanks for the pics.

GBExpat, "meticulous" may be a little too strong a word but without a coat of rust preventative a keltek barrel will rust very quickly. One of the display models at the gun store started rusting in a few days due to handling. My barrel has a few spots of dark corrosion although i do maintain it. No harm to functioning but it does concern me. I don't expect HK toughness but i wouldnt mind paying a little extra for a decent finish to the barrel.
 
Another advantage of the LC9 over the PF9 is interchangeable sights so one can install night sights although i havent seen any available yet.
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JustinJ,
It's good to hear you are happy with your new Ruger.
Just a point here: the sights on the PF9 are changeable, but to quote you again "so one can install night sights although i havent seen any available".
Regards,
Greg
 
GB6491, the rear sight of a PF9 appears to be removable but i didnt think the front would be which is most important. Besides, i don't know of any night sights available for the PF9 and it's been out for a good while now.

You left out one key word in the quote: "yet"
I would be extremely surprised if night sights weren't available for the CF9 by year's end.
 
GB6491, the rear sight of a PF9 appears to be removable but i didnt think the front would be which is most important. Besides, i don't know of any night sights available for the PF9 and it's been out for a good while now.
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The OEM front sight is removable, but not reusable. It's held on by two plastic posts that have their ends melted.

You left out one key word in the quote: "yet"
I would be extremely surprised if night sights weren't available for the CF9 by year's end.
Click to expand...
I left it out when quoting you the second time becuase I was referencing the PF9. It's been out long enough that night sights should be available for the factory cuts; as it hasn't happened leads me to believe it won't.

You're probably right about night sights for the Ruger being available soon.

It's all good:)
Regards,
Greg
 
Kel-Tec is working (or working with someone) on night sights for the PF-9. I would lay $1.00 on them being "available" by the end of summer........but not $2.00 :rolleyes:

Kel-Tec is working on this, but they have been known to be, uh.....slow to bring things to market. They had night sights for the P-11 for a while (KT's online store) but they disappeared a year or two ago. The way KT comes to market, you would think they hand make their stuff.............
 
Don't they also have one more out that looks be like new new barrel but the ramp is parallel instead of tapered. Anyhow mine has the new one in your picture and works like it should.
Click to expand...

I am not aware of any feed ramp style newer than the one in that picture. I do know that there are magazine release and magazine follower updates as well though.
 
Something tells me if Novak can put new sights on my CZ-52 then they could put new sights on a PF-9. Not that big a deal to machine a front dovetail.
 
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