I just picked up a new Ruger LC9s Pro from the local firearms dealer. This is my second handgun (my first one is a Taurus 1911).
Let me say this right away: this post is not intended to be a thorough review of the new striker-fired Ruger LC9s Pro. It’s merely a record of my very first impressions of the handgun. I may try my still amateur skills later at a more thorough review.
Onward..
After a half a day course in basic defensive pistol skills I found out that a government-size (5” barrel) 1911 is not for every one to carry every day – at least not for me. A fellow athlete at the Kali school said once that you are considered a “real man” if you carry a 1911. Well, I guess I’m not..
So, in search of my first every-day carry handgun zeroed in on Ruger LC9s – the new striker-fired small 9mm handgun, which for the short time it’s been in existence is becoming popular on the message boards online with its super crisp trigger.
Well, that talk about the crispness of that Ruger LC9s trigger is true. The trigger pulls very smoothly and the striker is released in about 15 mm trigger travel. From there on the way back you can hear the well-pronounced click of the trigger resetting at about 11 mm from a completely pressed trigger. I read somewhere online that the trigger pull pressure on the Ruger LC9s is 6.3 lbs.
I really look forward to taking this baby to the range for a test shoot (I will report later on this).
What I find interesting is that although the gun itself is somewhat small and one would expect for its slide spring to be lighter (as in to be easier for female shooters to operate it) it seems to me as if the spring tension is actually bigger than that of my Taurus 1911.
How the gun was packaged:
The Ruger LC9s Pro comes in a Ruger-branded white cardboard box, which for a few moments I felt disappointed about..
But then again this is not a super expensive gun (it’s not cheaper either – about $350-400) so I guess I should expect a fancy case like the ones of more expensive guns.
What was in that box:
1. The gun
2. A black pouch
3. Instructions booklet
4. A slide lock with 2 keys
5. A ballistics shell
6. One 7-round 9mm mag
7. The extra mag cap to swap for the extended cap that’s already on the gun’s mag
Next – cleaning and re-lubrication, testing it at the range and – if all is good – attending a Defensive handgun skills class with it as a preferred carry weapon.
Will report soon..
Update: I’ve had the Ruger LC9s Pro for a few months now. I’ve done target plinking at an indoor range, I’ve also done a whole day defensive handgun class with it as my main handgun.
In the mean time I’ve also learned more about…well, a lot of things but among them trigger control.
Here is what I can say about my experience with the Ruger LC9s Pro so far:
- It is one of my two primary concealed carry handguns at the moment – main reason being its small size
- With close to 1000 rounds trough it I don’t really remember to have had a malfunction with it. I’ve tried steel and brass ammo, also Spear Gold Dot 124 grain +P (that’s my carry ammo)
- I’m not too fond of the trigger – more precisely I don’t like that 1) there isn’t a clear tightening before the shot breaks (at the end of the takeup), indicating that the shot will break; and 2) the trigger reset is long – almost all the way to the front, causing trigger slapping with rapid fire. Yes, the trigger breaks in a very crisp way – tactile feedback and auditory feedback, but that’s not enough for me. My other concealed carry gun (Walther PPQ M2) shines in this department.
How about you – do you have a Ruger LC9s or are you planning on getting one? If you have one, what has your experience been with it?