Ruger LC9 Overview

Introduced in 2011, and voted “Handgun of the Year” by the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence, the Ruger LC9 was already making a name for itself. LC9 actually stands for Lightweight Compact 9mm. The LC9 is a recoil-operated, lock breech, DAO (dual action only), semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sturm Ruger & Company. This particular handgun has safety features including, although not limited to, a loaded chamber indicator and magazine detach safety, which help allow this pistol to be sold in both California and Massachusetts.



The LC9 has a 3.12 inches (79 mm) barrel, and is 6 inches (152 mm) in long overall. The height of the pistol is only 4.5 inches (114 mm), and the width sneaks in at just 0.9 inches (23 mm). Empty, this formidable little handgun only weighs 17.1 ounces (485 g). It features a black polymer frame and blued alloy steel slide and barrel. The pistol is shipped with one magazine, two interchangeable base pads for the magazine base plate. One fits flush with the frame, and the other so that when it is affixed to the clip, it adds another 0.5 inches (13 mm) to accommodate the entire hand. This help to provide a better grip and better control.



In some ways, the LC9 is similar to the LCP. Just like the LCP, the LC9 is a hammer-fired, locked-breech single stack handgun. Many of the internal parts of the LC9 were simply enlarged over that of the LCP in order of accommodate the lengthier, more-powerful 9x19 round. The LC9 frame is a lightweight polymer with an aluminum insert that assists absorb recoil. The gun barrel and slide have a dark matte finish that carefully matches the polymer body. Another feature that is desirable to the defensive shooter is the slide catch which locks in the rearward position once the magazine has been emptied.



The LC9 also offers a thumb safety on the left side of the slide. The LC9 has a butter smooth trigger pull, and the action from the cycling slide partly cocks the internal hammer. These two improvements combined, help insure a superb trigger pull for this pocket gun. The sights of the LC9 are eye friendly and the rear dovetail sight is drift adjustable for windage. The loaded chamber indicator is easy to see and easy to feel, so you may check it with your finger while it is out of view. This simple alteration helps make this pistol California compliant. California gun laws are some of the most stringent in the country. The built-in firing pin safety, manual thumb safety, cartridge safety, inner key locking mechanism, and the loaded chamber indicator allow the LC9 to be available for people throughout the majority of the United States. The LC9 utilizes a dual recoil spring which rides on a nylon guide rod. This helps increase the longevity of this great little concealed carry pistol. If you’re thinking ahead……..think Ruger LC9.