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 -



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.