Collaboration Is The Name Of The Game

When introducing a new pistol such as the Ruger LC9 it helps to have the accessories lined up to go with it. For example, if you can’t get a holster that fits your new carry pistol how useful is that pistol?

In an obvious sign that Ruger collaborated with other manufacturers when announcing the LC9, Crimson Trace just announced a new Laserguard designed for the LC9. It will hit dealers shelves at the same time that the Ruger LC9 will – Februrary 1st. This comes two days after Ruger announced their LC9.

From the press release:

Incorporating all the lessons learned from the LCP and SR9 models, the laserguard fits seamlessly to the trigger guard of Ruger’s latest polymer framed carry gun and features the classic Crimson Trace instinctive activation system.

 

The specifications for the LG-412 are as follows:

Beam Intensity – 5mw peak, 633 nm, Class 3R laser

Dot Size – Approximately 0.5″ diameter at 50 feet

Batteries – One 1/3N 3V lithium or two 357 silver oxide batteries; over four hours of illumination

Activation – Front-located integrated momentary pressure switch

Warranty – Three-year full warranty

This product complies with 21 CFR 1040.10
features
Polymer Housing With Rubber Overmolded
Activation Pad
Front Activation Pressure Switch
Ultra-Compact 3.3mm Diode
Precise Windage And Elevation Adjustments
Three-Screw, Tab Lock Attachment
Suggest Retail Price: $209

Having a product like this which works seamlessly with the pistol seems to me a  win-win for both Ruger and Crimson Trace.

 

I Didn’t See This Coming

After building suspense for it throughout the New Year’s Weekend, Ruger annouced they are introducing the LC9 effective February 1, 2011. It is a slightly larger 9mm version of their popular LCP .380 pistol. MSRP on the LC9 is $443.

From their press release:

The LC9 has a 3.12″ barrel, is 6.0″ long and 4.5″ tall, making for a very compact 9mm pistol. The LC9 is impressively narrow at a mere .90″ wide, and weighs only 17.1 ounces with an empty magazine. Featuring a black polymer (glass-filled nylon) frame and blued alloy steel slide and barrel, the lightweight, full-featured Ruger LC9 offers the versatility and capability of the popular 9mm cartridge in a highly compact, reliable, and user-friendly pistol…

The LC9 is a double-action-only, hammer-fired, locked-breech pistol with a smooth trigger pull. Control and confident handling of the Ruger LC9 are accomplished through reduced recoil and aggressive frame checkering for a positive grip in all conditions. The Ruger LC9 features smooth “melted” edges for ease of holstering, carrying and drawing.

Specifications:

Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 7+1
Sights: Adjustable 3-Dot
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Finish Blued
Slide Material Through-Hardened Alloy Steel
Slide Finish Blued
Grip Frame Black, High Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon

There has been a lot of talk on the blogs, podcasts, and forums that pocket or micro-9’s were going to be the next wave after the slew of .380s introduced in the last couple of years. It looks like Ruger took that seriously and wants to be one of the first out with a pocket 9. SigSauer introduced their Sig P290 which is another of the polymer pocket 9’s not that long ago. I’m sure we will see a number of these pocket 9’s introduced at SHOT.

As to whether I want to buy one, I’d have to shoot it first. I could see the recoil on something this small being rather snappy. Still, this new LC9 did catch me by surprise as I was expecting a full-size SR45. Maybe that is being left for introduction at the SHOT Show.

UPDATE: Michael Bane reviews the LC9 and compares it head to head with the LCP in the video below. He also has a full post on the micro or pocket 9’s here. In the comments there has been some criticism of the external manual safety. Bane comments that he likes it for carrying outside of a holster such as a fanny pack or a Wilderness Tactical Safepacker.