Part 2: LC9 vs PF9 Shooting Test
OK...
I was able to make time today for some shooting of each of the guns...the Ruger LC9 and the Kel-Tec PF9.
Ammunition Selection -- PMC 115gr FMJ
- Winchester WB 115gr FMJ
- Fiocchi 147gr XTP-HP
- Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok (Limited supply - shot in PF9 only)
- Federal Premium 124gr JHP
Conditions/Parameters -- Point of aim was dead center on all targets.
- Sunny and warm...about 60 degrees. (It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!).
- Little to no wind
- All rounds fired standing, off-hand.
- All rounds fired at 35 Ft.
- I didn't measure the groups...but you can get an idea of how well/poorly a particular brand (or I) performed.
PF9 -
Malfunctions -- Zero malfunctions with all ammo tested
Accuracy -- Almost every group seemed to have 1 or 2 flyers
- Didn't like the PMC at all
- Best performer = Winchester WB by far. At least half the size of any other group
- Worst = PMC. I shot the PMC again on another target...same general results.
Observations -- The trigger pull is long but smooth and manageable. The trigger, as I mentioned earlier, is far superior to the Ruger LC9.
- The trigger REALLY bites the trigger finger. That became a distraction almost immediately and I'm sure it affected my ability to shoot this gun well.
- Easy to control in rapid shooting.
- Plenty of self-defense accuracy but choose your ammo wisely!
- Recoil is noticeable but not a lot more than a P3AT or LCP. Plus you get 9MM performance.
- The long trigger pull certainly didn't contribute to increased accuracy.
LC9 -
Loaded Chamber Indicator -
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/t...9/bdae3532.jpg
Malfunctions -- Zero malfunctions with all ammo tested
Accuracy -- The LC9 appears to be a substantially accurate gun and outperformed the PF9 with all ammo types and brands.
- The Winchester WB was the worst performer but the PMC wasn't far behind.
- The Federal Premium 124gr JHP was the clear winner. This would be my choice for carry in this gun even with the heavier bullet weight/short barrel combination. Recoil was noticeably stiffer with this load over all the others...even the 147gr stuff.
- The Fiocchi performed quite well, too.
- As you can see by the location of the PMC group (upper left in the photo) the sights definitely required adjustment. After a little tap in place with a brass punch, looks like we got 'em right on.
Observations -- I honestly have to say the LC9 shot as well as it did despite the horrible trigger. I don't have a trigger gauge but I'm guessing the stacking at the end of the long, DAO pull required in excess of 15 - 18 pounds of pressure before the hammer would fall. It took an inordinate amount of concentration to keep the sights on target.
- Because of the heavy, gritty, stacking trigger pull I think accuracy of the LC9 suffered considerably. With a better trigger I think this gun would shoot with the best in terms of accuracy.
- In terms of comfort and ease of shooting, the LC9 is clearly superior and more comfortable to shoot than the PF9.
- No trigger bite...that was a welcome relief.
- Recoil seemed noticeably less than the Kel-Tec.
- I didn't use the manual safety at all. Trust me...with the trigger on this gun the way it is you could all but throw out RULE #2. It's that bad.
- The magazine spring was a little stiff and wasn't smooth at all. Not hard to load...but definitely not as easy as the Kel-Tec.
