In our epic Single Stack 9mm Shootout last year, one of the guns we reviewed was the Ruger LC9. It’s a decent pistol, but the general perception among the Lucky Gunner team was that it was the most difficult to shoot of the six guns we tested. A long, heavy double action trigger is hard enough to master as it is, and the light weight of the LC9 makes it even more challenging.
By the time we published that article, Ruger had released a new striker-fired version of the LC9 — the LC9s. By switching from a double action to a striker-fired design, Ruger was able to make the trigger much lighter, smoother, and easier to manipulate. At SHOT Show this year, I saw the newly released LC9s Pro, which omits the manual thumb safety and magazine disconnect safety found on the original LC9 and LC9s. Ruger let us borrow one of these pistols, and I made another quick 60 second review video to summarize my impressions.
Ruger LC9s Pro: 60 Second Review Video
Ruger Answers
I’ve mentioned before how impressed I’ve been with Ruger over the past few years. More than any other large firearms manufacturer, they seem to be in touch with what customers actually want (unless you ask them when they’re bringing back a .44 mag semi-auto carbine). They don’t always hit home runs, but the changes Ruger has rolled out between the LC9 and the LC9s Pro are proof that they are paying attention to our feedback.
My initial complaints with the LC9 have all been addressed in this model — a better trigger and no more obtrusive and unnecessary safety features. I’m still not wild about the trigger, but that’s largely a matter of preference — it’s a significant improvement and will prove far easier to use for the majority of shooters. I would also like to have seen larger sights, though I understand the appeal of keeping the sights small for a more snag-free profile.
Magazine Issues
From a functional standpoint, the only issue I’ve had with the Ruger LC9s Pro is related to the magazine. After a few hundred rounds, I noticed the slide would no longer lock back on the last round, and the magazine wouldn’t drop free when the mag release was pressed. A bit of poking around online revealed that I’m not the only one to witness this problem.
The issue is caused by problematic interaction between the slide lock lever and the plastic magazine follower. A “shelf” on the front of the follower is designed to press up on the slide lock lever inside the mag well when the magazine is empty. However, on the magazine I have, the plastic on this shelf has worn away so that instead of pushing up on the slide lock lever, it slips off and wedges itself beside the lever. So the lever is not activated when the gun runs empty and the slide doesn’t lock open. And because the follower is then stuck beside the slide lock lever, the magazine doesn’t drop free from the mag well unless it’s pulled out manually.
This doesn’t happen with every LC9s, but there seems to be a sizable batch out there that exhibits similar problems. Fortunately, Ruger’s customer service is aware of this issue, and they’ll happily fix it at no charge to the customer. I wouldn’t let the potential for a problematic magazine alone turn me off to owning an LC9s — almost every mass produced handgun has minor production-related hiccups like this, especially in the first couple of years after a new model is released. However, I want to make sure folks are aware of the possible problem, and that it is easily remedied after a quick phone call to Ruger. Consider it just one more good reason to always extensively test fire a self-defense pistol before carrying it.
Ruger LC9s Pro Technical Specs
| Barrel Length | 3.1″ |
| Overall Length | 6″ |
| Height | 4.5″ |
| Width | 0.9″ |
| Weight (unloaded w/ magazine) | 1.08 lbs (17.3 oz) |
| Sights | Drift Adjustable White 3-Dot |
| Action | Striker-fired |
| External Safety | N/A |
| Ammo Capacity | 7+1 |
| Measured trigger pull weight | ~5.5 lbs |
| Included Accessories | One 7-round magazine, two magazine basepads (one flush fitting, one with finger extension) |
| MSRP | $449 |
I have a LC9s Pro and after 500 rounds I’ve not experienced any problems with the gun. I don’t get what you don’t like about the trigger. Mine has a pull of a little under 5 lbs. and resets quickly. My only gripe is shared by you. The sights could be bigger. Compared to those on my Sig P290RS, they are practically non-existent.
The trigger weight is fine, but the length of the travel and the reset are much longer than what I’m accustomed to on semi-autos. From teaching several inexperienced shooters on Kahr pistols, I’ve noticed these light-but-long triggers oftentimes exacerbate issues with recoil anticipation, leading to frequent shots low and left. Plenty of people like the the LC9s trigger and can use it well, but making a trigger light isn’t a magic cure-all for everyone.
He said the trigger here was *better* as in not a problem. The orginal LC9 had an awful trigger.
Put on a set of the tru glow after market sights. Makes a huge differance. They run anout $93.00 with another. $30.00 to install. Sights good in the daylight and at night. I checked out at my range and as soon as I can give up the gin they are getting installed.
I have the regular LC9s, and it’s my EDC. I’ve put maybe 450 rounds through (including about 125 mixed JHPs). Really like that gun, particularly for the price paid. I keep a magazine in “minute of hand” at 7 yards and that’s good enough for this for me, and I haven’t had a problem with the gun yet. (knock on wood).
I have the original LC9 with the Lasermax (I never use the laser), and I tested an LC9s yesterday. The trigger on the LC9s is much better and makes it much easier to shoot accurately and rapidly. The original LC9 is accurate, but it takes a great deal of practice and concentration to shoot accurately at any significant distance. However, as a personal protection device, I wouldn’t expect to use it at greater than 10 yards. It is more than adequate at that distance. Since I carry it in a pocket holster, I like the long trigger – just gives me a little extra peace of mind.
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Are you sure the unloaded weight is 33oz? I thought it was around 17.
Yes, you’re right. The lbs was correct, but the oz was a typo. It’s been changed now. Thanks for catching that!
I have a new (green frame) LC9s
w/safety and the mag safety is removed , A “Semi-Pro” if you will. The trigger is almost too light ( I had an inadvertent bang at the range during a fast fire exercise-my fault, need to practice more). but it works well and shoots great. Compared to several other 9mm single stacks I have it is the smallest. lightest , slimmest and easiest to carry. Accuracy at 7 yds is very good. No problems so far. (other than me)
You need the Italian made mags, no issues.
I have the LC9s. Mags stopped staying in the gun and the release would not work. Sent it back, had my gun back in 5 days. Gun working good now. I may get rid of it for a LC9s Pro. This gun looks like a larger versipn of the LCP which is my favorite carry gun.
I had an LC9… along with the horrible trigger, it had magazine problems. Mags would pop loose on their own… I did some detail work on the mag notch to make them work better, but not a reliable product. Now that the new LC9s has possible mag problems it shows Ruger isn’t paying enough attention to the mags. In general I think the Ruger semi-autos including the new American 9 & 45 leave a lot to be desired. Checked them out recently and laughed at the flimsy look and feel of the mags and how sloppy they were in the well. I’ll stick with my G26 and 19 along with my SIG Pro 2022 9mm.
yes i have same problem with my lc9 and it is not a reliable gun for conceal carry. for one the clip pops out every now and then. that could mean life or death!!!! for 2 i have shot 800 rounds out of mine and it broke at the range. the tiger bar broke after 2 shot. now hear is the bad news. ruger does not list the part and everybody else discontinued the part. now what!???????
signed IT FAILED
Bought the ruger lc9s fired 250 rounds threw it and the slide kept locking open and double staking. Called ruger sent the gun back at no cost to me. They repaired it in 3 days and sent it ba k 2 day so I had it back with in 7 days. Sofar works perfectly. Better than before I would say. Customer service was great had a pleasent experience. So yes you may have a issue and if you do call them. I really like the gun itself compact, trigger is easy, not alot of recoil for a small gun ( and yes I am a wman ladies) and shots pretty accurate. Thanks