Ruger LC9s  9mm Luger carry pistol, TALO edition.

The concealed carry handgun market is pretty popular, and rightfully so. Though there are a plethora of small carry guns, the vast majority are in minor calibers. That is not as important now as it was a decade ago, due to advancements of bullet technology, and I also believe gun owners are seeking more and better training now than before. With that said, if you can get a small carry gun that is in a larger, more popular caliber that is controllable there is no good reason not to.  Enter the Ruger LC9s, TALO edition, including Tritium pro night sights.

Initial Impressions 

 

Right and left side of the LC9s striker fired polymer receiver pistol.  You will notice the checkering on the grip area and front strap aid in keeping a good purchase on the little pistol. The little pistol felt good in the hand, a bit thin, but plenty of checkering. A generous trigger guard for easy access to the trigger, even with gloves on. This pistol incorporates a magazine disconnect, and honestly I am not a big fan of that but many folks I know are.

Just above the trigger, you will see the take down pin, protected by a retainer. Behind that is the slide stop. While it reliably locked the slide to the rear on an empty magazine it is not large enough to be thumbed down to load the gun from slide lock easily. Behind that is the manual safety, which is a little different. Personally I have no issue with this feature but if you were to Ruger makes the LC9 Pro that has omitted the manual safety.

 

The feature that makes this model a TALO edition is the dovetailed Truglo Pro Tritium three dot night sights. In daylight they act as a three dot sighting system, which is very popular. In low and no light they glow bright green. Not only does this aid in getting correct sight picture in low light but helps you locate your pistol if it were laying on your night stand and you had to find it in the dark. The rear sight has the tactical ledge that allows you to operate the slide one handed, so you could rack the slide on your belt, pocket, table top, or whatever.

The backstrap is also checkered, and a deep enough beavertail for a solid purchase during live fire. You will also notice the magazine extension that adds just a bit of real estate to accommodate your pinky, adding comfort and controllability.

The trigger with it’s incorporated safety, similar to what you are used to seeing on striker fired handguns, disengaged as soon as your finger made contact with the trigger face.

Range Time 

3 shot groups from a rest at 25 yards, please click on the table for a larger version.

I was surprised how well the little Ruger shot, this was the best group shot offhand at 25 feet.

Conclusions 

Over 400 various rounds and about ten people running the little Ruger, there were no problems. While most of us really liked the pistol, Allison said it had a bit of a bite in her hand and personally preferred LCP. That is the good thing about Ruger though, they make so many different models in several calibers that you will not have a problem finding something that fits you. I like the LCP fine but the LC9s being an inch longer and an inch taller allows you to go from .380 Auto to 9mm Luger. In my opinion that is worth the increase in size but here again not everyone will agree with that. The fact the Ruger LC9s was flawless over a good cross section of 400 rounds, many of which were aggressive defensive rounds, makes it a great candidate for concealed carry but I will be honest, it was far more accurate that I would have guessed. If you are in the market for a small pocket pistol that delivers a bit more payload than the average pocket pistol, it is well worth looking at the line of LC9s. The addition of three dot night sights is a huge plus and I am a firm believer in night sights on a defensive pistol. While they act as standard three dot sights in the day, they glow bright green in the dusk and dark. All in all I am satisfied this pistol is exactly as Ruger advertises, and is a bit more user friendly with the TALO included enhancements.

Comparing the Ruger LCP in .380 Auto to the LC9s in 9mm Luger. With the LC9s you gain an inch in length and height and 9mm over .380

Specifications 

  • Capacity 7+1
  • Slide Material Through-Hardened Alloy Steel
  • Barrel Material Alloy Steel
  • Barrel Length 3.12″
  • Grip Frame Black, High Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
  • Slide Finish Blued
  • Barrel Finish Blued
  • Width 0.90″
  • Sights Drift Adjustable 3-Dot Truglo tritium night sights
  • Weight 17.2 oz.
  • Safety Option Standard and receiver mounted thumb safety
  • Overall Length 6″
  • Height 4.50″
  • Grooves 6
  • Twist 1:10″ RH
  • Suggested Retail$479.00

Acknowledgments 

TALO

Ruger 

Cor Bon Ammunition 

Hornady

Defender Ammunition 

Stillwood Ammunition 

Sig Sauer Ammunition 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

2 thoughts on “Ruger LC9s TALO edition, handful of pocket pistol.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *