I aquired a Ruger LC9 Gen 1 (Hammer fired DAO) from a member here in a trade and finally had a chance to get to the range today. I also rented the similar-in-size Glock 43 and shot them side by side and was pleasantly surprised by the Ruger.

I kept hearing about how the snap and recoil of the LC9 wasn’t pleasant and how awful the trigger was and I found that neither of these were true for me. The LC9 was a little snappy but not overly so and I loved the trigger, being a fan of DAO in general. I was dead on nuts accurate with it at 10 and 15 yards and overall was pretty happy with it. I did have one piece of brass get flung up right into my forehead and it left a little cut, but that was the only anomaly.

With the G43, I actually found it much snappier with more muzzle flip and accuracy wasn’t great, this was a real surprise to me! My Dad was with me and had been looking at a G43 and had the same exact experience and now wants an LC9 instead!

The LC9 isn't a bad little pistol, IMO.
Have one at the house, but don't carry it, partly the same reason I went with the P11 over the PF9, no 2nd strike.
Never found the recoil too sharp with it & the slide is easy enough to rack, that my wife has no problem with it.

I had an LC9 and traded it on an LC9S ......sorry I ever did that. The reality for me is that I liked the double action trigger better; especially on a self defense gun

I think that I would prefer the hammer version LC9 as well. Members of the Ruger forum say that the bottom has fallen out of LC9 prices after the striker version was introduced and sold so well.

I have not found those $150.00 lightly used ones yet in my area.

Still looking though.

As far as the piece of brass flying back and nailing me right in the forehead and cutting me, what would cause that?

I've been shooting pistols for 12 years now and never have had that problem. Some have flung brass over my head, but never right in my face. Kind of bothers me a bit that this LC9 would do that.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
As far as the piece of brass flying back and nailing me right in the forehead and cutting me, what would cause that?

Just lucky, I guess?

Sorry, kidding. I've had hot brass eject and get stuck between my glasses and my face a few times. Got a neat little burn from one that stuck between the frame of my glasses and the spot between my eyebrows once. Thankfully that one didn't leave a permanent mark, lol.

If it sent it flying hard enough to cut you with the rim, that's some impressive ejection.

You should try the S&W Shield in 9mm. I like it better than either, and I really tried to like the Glock 43.

The Shield is a softer shooter but I prefer the Glock 43 in the single stack format..

quote:

Originally posted by andronicus:
You should try the S&W Shield in 9mm. I like it better than either, and I really tried to like the Glock 43.

I'm all about flat pistols and that LC9 is pretty damn thin.

I was really surprised that I didn't care for the G43 and how lousy I shot it. I owned a G21 and G19 in the past and shot them very well.

I have a coworker that carries an LC9. It rusts closed constantly and I have to get it apart and oil it to get it back functional again.

I have the hammer fired LC9.
It took a few range sessions to be able to shoot it well. You're correct, it is remarkably accurate for what it is. Never hiccups and eats anything and the trigger is smooth. I've never had any rust issues with it.
It is my favorite pocket carry pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

With the G43, I actually found it much snappier with more muzzle flip and accuracy wasn’t great, this was a real surprise to me!

Any accuracy issues don't lie with the pistol.

It's very accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:

Any accuracy issues don't lie with the pistol.

It's very accurate.

I'm sure it was me, but I was disappointed seeing this especially after seeing how well I used to shoot my Glock 21 and 19.

The Shield is a bit bigger. As guns get smaller, generally their shootability (however you want to define that) goes down. Of course, as guns get smaller, their concealability goes up. Every shooter/carrier has to pick their point of tradeoff.

quote:

Originally posted by andronicus:
You should try the S&W Shield in 9mm. I like it better than either, and I really tried to like the Glock 43.