LC9 vs S&W J-frame

[chsk9]

The question was raised, for back up or pocket carry: better to have 8 rounds of +P 9mm or 5 rounds of +P .38? I opted for the LC9 for pocket carry but the J-frame for backup. Thoughts?

[Doug B]

I went with the LCP for pocket carry. Its thin, light and conceals well with anything I wear. I also use it as my back up. Honestly though, if it comes down to having to use your back up gun, you're probably in a SHTF situation where it probably wouldn't matter what gun you had as a back up as long as you could put rounds down range. I know there are arguments to support either way but thats just my .02

[chsk9]

You feel a .380 is sufficient for backup? I was thinking 9mm or .38 were minimum caliber choices.

[Notorious]

I have both the LCP and J-frame. Carried both for backup. Felt both were inadequate, bought a Taurus 709 Slim. 7+1 9mm +P+ firepower. Glock type trigger which is lightyears ahead of the LCP's 14 pound trigger. 3 shots more than the J-frame. Barely bigger than the LCP.

I love it. It is my backup and off-duty weapon, replacing my G26 in that role as well.

[Doug B]

.380 seams to get the job done for all the little gang bangers in my area... lol

In all seriousness though, if I was in a fire fight and had to go to a back up gun I would make an effort to tactically retreat to my car where a full arsenal is waiting (G22, 870, AR15 and about 1500 various size rounds). I understand that it not always possible so thats why I chose the LCP. I can carry more rounds for it on me and those rounds provide the ability for a quick change since it uses a magazine. I should add though that I bought it when it first came out so the LC9 was not available. I have been giving serious thought though to a LC9.

[Doug B]

I have both the LCP and J-frame. Carried both for backup. Felt both were inadequate, bought a Taurus 709 Slim. 7+1 9mm +P+ firepower. Glock type trigger which is lightyears ahead of the LCP's 14 pound trigger. 3 shots more than the J-frame. Barely bigger than the LCP.

I love it. It is my backup and off-duty weapon, replacing my G26 in that role as well.

Might have to look into the Taurus.

Swyped from my htc Evo using Tapatalk.

[TenSeven]

...I opted for the LC9 for pocket carry but the J-frame for backup. Thoughts?

I really like my Ruger LC9 for CCW. It is my first experience with a DAO trigger system and I need more work on it.

That said, I am FAR more confident with the LC9 w/8 rounds of hot Speer 124gr 9mm ammo over my SW J-frame (340PD) with 5 rounds of .38 Special (if I want to come close to hitting anything, I can forget putting .357Mag ammo in the J-frame).

I retired my HKP7M8 in favor of the Ruger LC9 for CCW. The HK was just too bulky and heavy with regard to ease of carry. IMO, Ruger hit a home run with the LC9. And the price is very right.

[Notorious]

The LCP and LC9 both suffer from the super long and heavy double action trigger, IMHO. If you grew up on the Glock like me, then the Taurus is a natural transition. The price is comparable. The Taurus also has double strike capability. Just pull the short trigger again and it strikes again. Pretty amazing. It also has a frame safety a la 1911 for extra... Ummm... Safety.

I paid $380 + tax & DROS for my stainless 709. I like it stainless because it is a daily carry and it just looks cooler.

[1911su16b870]

The LC9 trigger sucks. The LCP trigger is ok. J frame is a great pocket gun. Currently I am enamored with a well broken in Kahr PM9.

I have not checked out Kimber's or Sig's new single stack sub-compacts yet.

[Notorious]

Careful with that PM9. My buddy and his whole squad changed out their PM9 off duty guns due to catastrophic failure. Forgot what the exact reason was... But if it works for you, that's awesome. I wanted one actually but since they were backordered, I bought the Taurus instead.

[mej16489]

I always figured that 99% of the time a backup would be needed is because I'm rolling around on the ground in a wrestling match over a primary. With a high likelyhood of a contact shooting I'd rather have a j-frame with an enclosed hammer vs a pistol that can get pushed out of battery or not cycle properly.

[1911su16b870]

Careful with that PM9. My buddy and his whole squad changed out their PM9 off duty guns due to catastrophic failure. Forgot what the exact reason was... But if it works for you, that's awesome. I wanted one actually but since they were backordered, I bought the Taurus instead.

Thanks brother for the heads up! I'm wishing I knew what went down for them. I've put over 1500 rounds through my PM9 without issue.

[retired]

Notorious, how do you carry the Taurus in your pocket; cocked and locked. I read a review on it and they did mention it has a safety like a 1911, so you can carry it that way.

I also read a thread on another forum where one member had a lot of problems with WW box ammo not ejecting properly, but did ok with Federal practice ammo. He got rid of it tho because he still had an occasional problem with the gun and went to the Ruger.

Have you experienced any of those problems. Wondering, thanks.

[Notorious]

Thanks brother for the heads up! I'm wishing I knew what went down for them. I've put over 1500 rounds through my PM9 without issue.

I'll ask him again for the details. He's on a local agency swat team so he's a bit hard to find on a regular basis. Those guys are always training like they think they are something special or something.

Notorious, how do you carry the Taurus in your pocket; cocked and locked. I read a review on it and they did mention it has a safety like a 1911, so you can carry it that way.

I also read a thread on another forum where one member had a lot of problems with WW box ammo not ejecting properly, but did ok with Federal practice ammo. He got rid of it tho because he still had an occasional problem with the gun and went to the Ruger.

Have you experienced any of those problems. Wondering, thanks.

I use a Bob Mika pocket holster made for the S&W 6906 which comes out a bit longer than the body of the gun but it clears the grip so I can still get a solid grip on it. The extra material on the body protects the safety from being clicked off inside the pocket. I carry it in condition 1 inside the pocket as well as IWB. The safety has clicked off while IWB but since the trigger is covered, I haven't had any problems with that.

The gun works fine with Winchester range and duty ammo. If it didn't, I would be out of luck since I am mandated to only carry our Winchester duty ammo and nothing else is authorized.

The LCP is the funny one that doesn't work with anything but the 95 grain Winchester Ranger duty ammo. The FMJ range ammo doesn't feed 100% so we practice with duty ammo which can get very expensive.

[1911su16b870]

Thank you again! Please pm me if you do not want to post. Take it easy!