With the SHOT Show right around the corner, Ruger is coming out of the gate aggressively with new product announcements. Given the number of new products that will be introduced at SHOT this is a good tactical move on their part. It keeps them out of the rest of the marketing noise surrounding the show, on the flip side though it means that there will be limited legs on the talk surrounding any new announcements. While they will not have to share the spotlight with other manufacturers they will have a limited amount of time in that spotlight.
Enough about that. Time for the interesting stuff.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR), announces the LC9™, a lightweight, compact 9mm pistol for discreet carry by law abiding citizens, or a full-power, no-compromise backup for off-duty law enforcement officers. This highly requested pistol was developed through Ruger’s Voice of the Customer program and incorporates the features and rugged reliability desired by Ruger customers.The LC9 has a 3.12? barrel, is 6.0? long and 4.5? tall, making for a very compact 9mm pistol. The LC9 is impressively narrow at a mere .90? wide, and weighs only 17.1 ounces with an empty magazine. Featuring a black polymer (glass-filled nylon) frame and blued alloy steel slide and barrel, the lightweight, full-featured Ruger LC9 offers the versatility and capability of the popular 9mm cartridge in a highly compact, reliable, and user-friendly pistol.
“On the heels of the overwhelming and on-going success of the LCP®, customers repeatedly requested a lightweight, compact 9mm pistol. Frankly, they wanted an LCP chambered in 9mm” said Ruger CEO Michael Fifer. “Delivering an American-made, compact 9mm that provides the same legendary Ruger reliability as the award-winning LCP, LCR® and SR9® became our focus. Meeting customer expectations is our goal and key to Ruger’s continuing success,” Fifer continued.
The LC9 is a double-action-only, hammer-fired, locked-breech pistol with a smooth trigger pull. Control and confident handling of the Ruger LC9 are accomplished through reduced recoil and aggressive frame checkering for a positive grip in all conditions. The Ruger LC9 features smooth “melted” edges for ease of holstering, carrying and drawing.
One seven-round, single-column magazine is provided with each LC9 pistol. The magazine’s standard flat floorplate aids concealability, while the provided finger grip extension floorplate offers an option to shooters who prefer a longer grip surface with more hand-to-pistol contact. Seven-round magazines, holsters and other accessories are available for purchase at ShopRuger.com.
The wider rear aperture of the dovetailed, low-profile, two-dot rear sight aids quick acquisition of the single-dot, dovetailed front sight. This high-visibility, three-dot sight system provides fast, positive sight alignment.
The slide locks open on an empty magazine and the external slide stop is easy to reach and manipulate for positive firearm functioning. A single-sided manual safety and a magazine disconnect are additional features of the Ruger LC9. A California-approved loaded chamber indicator allows for immediate visual and tactile confirmation that the chamber is loaded. A pivoting external extractor provides reliable extraction of the 9mm cases.
Specs:
Catalog Number: LC9 | Model Number: 3200 | Caliber: 9mm Luger
Slide Material: Through-Hardened Alloy Steel Slide
Finish: Blued
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel Barrel
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 3.12?
Length: 6.00?
Width: 0.90?
Height: 4.50?
Weight: 17.10 oz.
Sights: Adjustable 3-Dot
Capacity: 7+1
Grip Frame: Black, High Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Twist: 1:10?RH
Grooves: 6
MA Approved & Certified: No
CA Approved: No
Suggested Retail: $443.00
For more information on the Ruger LC9, or to learn more about the extensive line of Ruger firearms, visit www.Ruger.com. To find accessories for the LC9 or other Ruger firearms, visit www.ShopRuger.com.
It’s a nice looking, small, lightweight pistol designed for the concealed carry market. It is chambered for the 9mm which is a step up from most of the smaller concealed carry pistols. With the Ruger name behind it, and the commercial success of their LCP the LC9 should find a home with a lot of folks looking for a small, lightweight pistol that will fire a caliber that they are confident in. The reality of it is the same as it has been, you have to be able to place your shots quickly and accurately, then worry about how big the hole in the target is.
I have never worked with a Ruger weapon, and have not had an opportunity to handle this weapon either. However, Michael Bane has and has posted a bit of video on the LC9 here.