danjman

Years ago Taurus had a reputation of putting out guns plagued with problems.
That being said, in a past post I told how the front sights fell off my LC9 the first time to the range, and I also had 3 FTFs (fail to fire) or light primer strikes.
The pistol was sent to Ruger and returned to me with the the front sight installed with a roll pin, and the paperwork stated it was test fired with 28 rounds.
Yesterday I returned to the range with 8 different types of ammo. Seven rounds each of Federal HST 124gr+p, 147gr+p, 124gr, 147gr, Speer Gold Dot 124gr+p short barrell, and 124gr. Also a box of Federal 115gr fmj, and a box of Remington 115gr jhp.
To my extreme disappointment, I had at least 1, and sometimes 2 FTF or light primer strikes with all the HST and Gold Dot ammo. All of these light strikes were reloaded and fired with the exception of 1 Gold Dot +p.
I had no FTF with 14 rounds each of the Federal 115gr fmj, and Remington 115gr fmj.
The first time to the range it was Winchester 115gr fmj that were FTFs.
Am I doing something wrong thats causing these FTFs, or is it the gun?
Seven different types of ammo with FTFs leads me to believe that that pistol is the problem.
The only positive thing I can say is that the pistol was extremely accurate.
I'm very discouraged with this gun and it will take a lot to convince me to use it in the future as a CCW.
I did remove the slide to clean, and from what I can see, there is no way to remove the firing pin without removing at least two roll pins, to clean the firing pin and slot.
I'll be calling Ruger later for a label.

TMD

Try removing the striker and cleaning it and the cavity is resides in. If that doesn't help then definately send it back.

mndoggie

I could be wrong, but the LC9 is a hammer fired firing pin (just like the LCP, unlike the SR9) and is isn't so easy to get to the firing pin.

You need a new roll pin and a couple of punches to get it started and put back in place. Not something you do very often.

I'm not saying it's not the problem, but it's not as easy to remedy as in a striker fired pistol.

UPDATE: Just looked closer at the exploded view of the LC9. It doesn't use a roll pin to keep the firing pin in. I suppose with all the mag disconnect safeties, etc they had to change things. It may be easier to get the firing pin out to clean it.

WheelyGuy

I feel your pain. But mine comes from a Kel-Tec.

I was thinking that I wish Ruger had announced the LC9 a couple of weeks earlier than they did, and maybe I wouldn't have given Kel Tec another try. But they didn't and I did.

Just got my PF9 back from factory service, and it is still defective. They sent a work order showing all the stuff they supposedly did to fix it and test firing was included. If so, then they only tried it with ball ammo. It still will not function properly with hollow points of any kind.

So I was thinking that I might have given the LC9 a try under different circumstances, but then I would probably experience your run of luck and get a lemon as well.

There's a reason I chose my moniker. I guess I should just keep reminding myself of that and stay away from these small autos. In my personal experience they are very lacking.

mlk18

The LC9 is hammer fired, similar to the Keltec P11 in design.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, does sound a little lemonish to me. But it's not a Taurus because you said you sent it back and it was returned in short order. With a Taurus you may have to wait a long long time. Anyway I would send it back to Ruger and give them one last chance. If that fails I would demand a replacement gun.

Metalguy

I feel your pain. I have tried about every small bottom feeder out there, with the exception of the LC9. I am like Wheelyguy, just went back to a snubby wheelgun. At least I know it will go bang when I want it to, at least 99.9 percent of the time.

TMD

Duh, I was thinking of he SR9. Sorry about that. Either way though, try spraying brake clean in the firing pin channel and see if that cleans it out enough to get consistant strikes on the primers

TMD

Duh, I was thinking of he SR9. Sorry about that. Either way though, try spraying brake clean in the firing pin channel and see if that cleans it out enough to get consistant strikes on the primers.

mndoggie

UPDATE on cleaning the firing pin channel in a LC9.

I don't have an LC9 so I can't tear one apart to be sure.

It appears that an roll pin is involved in the removal of the firing pin. From the manual, it looks like the firing pin is retained by part number 34. To remove that part, the Loaded Chamber Indicater appears to have to be removed (parts 30,33and 35.) Part 35 is a roll pin.

(When I needed to remove a roll pin on my LCP I was able to get a tool the right size from Brownells... good place, besure to request a catalog.)

Also interesting is that the firing pin block seems to be accessed from under the rear sight (part 38).

I guess when you add more features in a relatively small unit, things get very intricate.

To those who say that the LC9 is a copy of the KelTec, I would ask are all these same parts in the Keltec? or did Ruger just make a pistol that is the same size. IMHO copying size isn't a sin.

clarkston_cz

Anyone look at the CZ RAMI as an option?

mndoggie

The RAMI is longer, taller, wider and heavier.

Looks to be more in the SR9c size.

n8tureboy

Pretty much the same gun only kel tec didn't feel the need to make their gun so lawyer friendly. The way Ruger complicated the LC9 with all the safety features make it a no go for a ccw in my book. Mag safety, thumb safety, internal lock, firing pin safety, loaded chamber indicator, DAO........why not a grip safety? I wish these companies would stop trying to make these "idiot" proof guns and just give us a reliable accurate weapon without all the politically correct crap attached!

mndoggie

I went to the KelTec site and viewed the exploded view diagram and compared it with the diagram for the LC9.

Yes, they are similar sized and used a hammer to hit a firing pin. They both use a magazine to hold the rounds. both have a barrel, trigger, slide, a handgrip and sights. After that point and I'm pretty sure Keltec didn't invent those items, there really isn't much in common any more. All of those items are common to semi autos that have been around for decades.

There are alot of differences in how the internals work. Parts are not interchangeable between the Keltec 9 and the LC9.

boomer1

I am sure that it can be very frustrating and disconcerting to have a new firearm that is unable to perform to your satisfaction. After having reviewed numerous threads, on several forums, posted with all manner of issues associated with seemingly inevitable "teething" issues of new models of firearms, I tend to avoid newly released firearm models from any manufacturer. I prefer to not immediately jump on the "latest and greatest" bandwagon, I would rather let those teething issues be worked out before I purchase a new firearm. If you just have to have the "latest and greatest,".... caveat emptor....

The one thing that I feel confident about new model releases by Ruger, they are backed up by superior customer service. If there is something amiss, they will make it right. I think that is quite commendable, considering Ruger products' relative price point.

YMMV,

boomer

OpsMgr

+1. I sprayed copious amounts of Break Free Powder Blast into the firing pin hole/channel on my LC9 before ever shooting it for the first time. Plenty of crud was flushed out. Have 500 rounds of various brands and weights of ammo through it without a problem - Function is 100%. Powder Blast or brake cleaner may be worth a try in your case. Like you, I will NOT stake my safety on a weapon that is prone to malfunctions. Hope you get it up and running...