The Ruger LC9, which stands for Lightweight Compact 9mm, is exactly what the name describes—a small self-defense pistol designed for concealed carry. Developed through Ruger’s Voice of the Customer program, the LC9 was named Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence’s Handgun of the Year in 2011.
I purchased mine in 2011, shortly after it was released from my local gun shop. I looked at the LCP, but I wanted something in 9mm. I’d heard Ruger was following up with the LC9 based on customer feedback, so I waited because back then, there weren’t a lot of small 9mm choices. It was the first concealed carry pistol I bought.
A lot has changed with concealed carry guns since 2011, and I don’t carry mine daily anymore. I hadn’t shot it in years, so I grabbed it from my safe and headed to the range. I remember not liking shooting it when I first got it, so I wanted to see if a decade’s worth of experience changed anything. Let’s see how it went!
