LC9 now or wait for .40 XDs

[Noncentsical]

That, plus reload speed, plus recoil management capabilities of a well engineered small auto.

[Ridge]

Originally Posted by mongoose33

There was an interesting side effect from my learning the LC9 trigger--it improved my trigger action on my XDs.

I noticed the same thing after hundreds of rounds through my LCP. It was like an instant XDM trigger job LOL

[Chef_Dash]

Man after reading all the responses I got dizzy. But I think the XDs will be hip-side in the near future.

[Adyta]

Stay away from Ruger semi-autos. I have owned a few of them and on every one the triggers were garbage. They all felt gritty like the trigger was full of sand... The LC9 is the worst with a 3ish inch travel. It's crazy long. If you're dead set on those 2 guns, I'd go with the XDs simply because it can't possibly be worse than the LC9.

Originally Posted by MCFLYFYTER

I guess we will have to wait til someone makes a .45 revolver that is close to 1 inch wide, then compare them. I highly doubt that will happen ant time soon.

There are .357s and .38 +p revolvers that are around 1.2 inches in width. From experience that is definitely thin enough to conceal in even the lightest of clothes. Granted it isn't a .45, but in a defensive shooting I doubt the perp will know or even care what kind of round it is... he'll still go down without a problem. The .45 isn't the only viable defensive round.

Originally Posted by Noncentsical

That, plus reload speed, plus recoil management capabilities of a well engineered small auto.

Reloading speed for a defensive weapon is a moot point. How many defensive shootings (by civilians) can you name where they had to stop and reload? This isn't the movies, nobody is going to get into a 45 minute shootout in downtown L.A. Any reloading you do will be AFTER the shooting.

[ptwoody1]

Originally Posted by mingansr

the XD's have two safety features, the USA Trigger (two stage trigger), and the grip safety.

sure, it's a machine, and all machines can fail, but both the safety trigger and the grip safety at the same time?

So two safetys is a bad thing? There's nothing wrong with a grip and trigger safety. I don't think I would want a small 45 firing anyway if I didn't have a good grip on the pistol. I'm selling my Glock 36 to one of my buddies this week and replacing it with the XDS 45 when it comes out. Hopefully soon it is March after all, and they (SA) advertised that. I would wait....

[Stimo]

I have a little LC9 that has a SS guide rod (actually did the testing for the first one ever made for the LC9 on my gun and wrote up a long report on the ruger forum. Got bashed a bit because they thought since i was "testing" a part because i HATE plastic guide rods for the exact reason because they can break like mentioned, so i decided to call around and found a shop that would make one as long as i sent him a stock one so he could get the measurements. It was claimed that i was "associated" with the company when i was just trying to help out the community by testing out an aftermarket part to get more out there so there's more options, and a lot of people were really thankful which made up for the other half that thought i was just doing a sales pitch LOL.

Anyways, IMO they're 2 completely different guns. The LC9 has a horrible trigger pull that takes a lot of dry-firing/range practice to get used to (once you do though the gun is SURPRISINGLY accurate! At 7yds. i can shoot a ~3in. grouping) that trigger pull. There is a fix for out out now i believe that reduces the trigger pull/travel however.
I've had nothing but good experiences with my LC9, it's eaten ~2k round with only 1, yes, 1 FTF and that happened within the first 50 rounds, so i count that as break-in. Other than that no problems at all but IMO the gun is strictly for up close protection, or if you are carrying someplace where you REALLY don't want to accidentally be seen carrying. It is hard to aim accurately since the sights are so close together, with the combo of the trigger pull, it takes a lot of practice! I carry my LC9 when i'm mountain biking since it's lighter and if I'm wearing more dressier clothes and going out to dinner or something. If I'm going to be hiking or out and about doing things, i carry my XD40. I use each gun for different things, so IMO the guns are two different categories.

If you want a strictly EDC SD gun for close-in protection and easily concealable, go with the LC9. Don't plan on having too much fun target shooting though, its more practice to stay consistent with the trigger than it is fun, especially since recoil is just about the same as my XD40 since it's so small and light. Also, you only have 8 rounds (9 if you do the mag feeder modification), 7(or 8 with the mod) in the mag and one in the pipe.
The XD you have 11/13/14rds, depending on what mags you have (at least for the service model) so not only do you have harder hitting round, but you have more of them, and the gun is MUCH easier to shoot, it's fun at the range, and still small enough for EDC.

If i had to choose one or the other, it would be XD all the way. However the LC9 does fill some roles better than the XD40 does for me (for example mountain biking/carrying out to restaurants when i have my shirt tucked in, and long car drives it's more comfortable to have a smaller/lighter gun on you) and same with the XD, i don't really enjoy target shooting the LC9 like i do my XD. Maybe it's because of the nasty trigger pull, but that's next on my list of mods for my guns is fixing that trigger pull. So anyways i hope this helps, but IMO they are just a different category of gun. Different calibers, sizes, etc. The LC9 is more in line with the kel-tecs (which i hate BTW) and the little Kahrs, etc. The XD IMO is just a larger size gun and is more comparable to so many others i don't wanna start, but yeah just two different animals IMO. I do have to say though, i do like both of them and wouldn't want to give either up, but if it came down to it the XD is more accurate, more rounds, bigger rounds, more mod friendly, easier to shoot, better trigger, and fun to shoot at the range for more than 50 rounds
Or, you can be like me and get both! Problem solved!

[Bugs1961]

I have been very happy with my LC9 so far. 600 rounds to date, 500 reloads. I use Unique and have had no issues. The trigger can be improved in much the same way the XD triggers can. Galloway Precision has kits and good videos on installation.

LC9 detail strip and hammer mod - YouTube

I took the mag safety out--I want my gun to fire when I pull the trigger, whether or not there is a magazine in place. None of my other handguns have a mechanical thumb safety so that came off too. (Thanks to all the lawyers for your concern, but anything the prevents me from pulling the trigger when I want to is a problem.) The only real safety that I need is my trigger finger--just don't pull if you don't want to fire. The LC9 has the same type of "striker safety" firing pin stop just like the XD has that will prevent the gun from firing if the trigger isn't pulled. With the long DA only pull and a little care, there will not be an accidental discharge while holstering, etc.

The gun shoots well for me.

[GMBurnz]

Originally Posted by mongoose33

There was an interesting side effect from my learning the LC9 trigger--it improved my trigger action on my XDs.

+1 my LCP did the same for me.

[jerry806]

I have two XD(m) girls from SA and love them dearly BUT I also often carry a Ruger LC9. My little Ruger banger has been modified quite abit and is one accurate easy to shoot reliable pocket carryable sob. i took out the mag saftey and then replaced the guide rod, and added the heavier sprng along with a new trigger bar and hammer which got rid of the long trigger pull and reset and the "staging" at the end before the break. While things were apart the barell got a polish job which goes nicely with the satinless steel guide rod. Lastly the complete striker assembly was removed and thourghly cleaned and reinstalled.
All the parts came from Galloway Precesion. Galloway will be intoducing a completley adjustable trigger upgrade in the next week or so and one will be goin in the Elsie as soon as Mike gets out. (I'm just a customer nothing more guys)
The above changes sound like alot of work but it really isn't/wasn't and the mag saftey removal along with a couple of other modifications are on the Tube as well as the Elsie Ruger forum.
I pocket carry in cargo shorts as well as dress slcks when out to dinner or church. My holster of choice is made by DeSantis (Nemisis I think) and the material it is made from keeps the holster in my pocket almost like it has glue on it but releases the weapon easily.
To wrap things up I can put a full mag in a group that is coverable with my fist at 10 yards and have run just shy of 500 rounds thru my little guy and couldn't be happier with the LC9 both on the range as well as for concealed carry. The additons above took an okay small 9mm. and turned it into one bad ass accurate little gun that my XDMc9mm and tricked out XDc45 bitone don't mind hang'in with one bit. Hope this helps with the OPs decesion.

[jerry806]

I referred to Mike at Galloway precesion....it's Eric. Sorry for the mistake Eric, a senior moment I guess.