Anybody else think the lc9 trigger sucks?

Sbowling79 · February 13, 2012, 12:29 AM

I've been looking for a single stack 9 for easy conceal when it warms up. I don't like kel tec, couldn't bring myself to spend the money on a kahr so I decided on the lc9. Shopped around a few weeks and was able to get a brand new one for 310 out the door. So I couldn't pass it up.
Made it to the range today and started firing it. I shoot 8" targets at 25 yards and group pretty good with my glock and my model 19 smith. After 3 magazines I had one round on target. Just to make sure it wasn't me I grabbed my g27 and landed all 9 on target. How can anyone shoot that thing accurately with that trigger? I know the ideal conceal carry shot is at 7 yards but who couldn't hit at that distance. Is there anyone else that has trouble with the trigger on these. I ran across a video of how to change the trigger but not sure I want to void my warranty. I wish I would've shot one of these before buying.

Mosin44az · February 13, 2012, 12:32 AM

There are certainly others on this site who agree with you, judging from the posts I've seen. it sounds like the trigger on the Kel-tec P11.

Johnnymurad · February 13, 2012, 12:36 AM

I agree that the trigger is horrible for target shooting at the range but it is also a big part of why I am comfortable having a loaded gun with a chambered round in my pants right now. After a few thousand rounds you start to automatically pull the trigger 3/4 of the way before you start your actual trigger pull. I have gotten much better with it but I normally practice at 25 feet, 25 yards is a pretty good distance with such a short barrel.

Sbowling79 · February 13, 2012, 12:37 AM

It's like shooting a da revolver but worse. I had my finger curled all the way around the trigger to get it to break and I was pulling so hard the gun was shaking all over the place.

C0untZer0 · February 13, 2012, 01:46 AM

YES

Went to LGS, asked to dry fire it, started to pull the trigger, pulled the trigger some more, kept pulling the trigger, shook my head and said "I can't live with this trigger." And I thought to myself "Why would someone get one of these when the Kahr PM9, and CM9 are smaller, lighter and have such better triggers?"

Wildshot · February 13, 2012, 06:30 PM

I really dislike the LC9. Tried very hard to get use to the trigger. Finally just traded it off.

Mike1234 · February 13, 2012, 06:49 PM

I've read a couple of posts praising The Trigger Kit Here but I have no experience with it. Also, it seems a shame to have to spend another $60+ to make the trigger better.

The above stated, I opted for the LC9 for the sames reasons as the OP. I don't care much for the trigger either but it's a SD gun for close range anyway.

tension · February 13, 2012, 07:14 PM

I've spent the last three years shooting a J frame. The trigger on an LC9 feels good by comparison. It's very accurate at 10 meters. I have Hi-Powers, Ruger Mark II's and 1911's for target shooting.

loose_holster_dan · February 13, 2012, 07:18 PM

all those mouse guns blow. find someone stupid enough to buy it off you, and get a walther pps or one of the kahrs. there is a reason they are so cheap. i have a pf9. i just replaced the trigger yesterday, but one of the POS frame pins snapped clean in half under thumb pressure putting it back in. we'll see how it fires after i get the replacements pins in.

pps is CHEAP here.

blchandl2 · February 13, 2012, 08:01 PM

A coworker bought one and traded it in less than a month for a PF9. He had owned a PF11 and he said the LC9 and PF11 felt like the same trigger. The PF9 is much better according to him.

PSP · February 13, 2012, 08:15 PM

deleted.

Sbowling79 · February 13, 2012, 08:19 PM

I won't hold on to it to much longer. I know it wasn't intended to be a range gun but with the eleven safeties that it already has I didn't think you would need a tow truck to pull the trigger. Luckily I got it cheap enough so I won't lose money selling it. I need to go check out a kahr or other higher end gun.

Mike1234 · February 13, 2012, 10:01 PM

loose_holster_dan... you wrote... "all those mouse guns blow"... no disrespect intended but that's even dumber than my dumbest drunken post here or on any other forum.

ETA: Okay, maybe it's not the dumbest post. And maybe I've made dumber posts... okay some of mine border on moronic. Sorry for the harsh dumb post.

loose_holster_dan · February 13, 2012, 11:45 PM

haha why is that? i honestly believe they all suck. i only keep mine as a backup or for when i'm wearing gym shorts. i would hate to actually have to trust my life to it.

9mm · February 14, 2012, 12:21 AM

guns like these are self defence, cheap plastic guns, I am not going to be shooting in a shooting match with one to worry about a trigger. It is what it is.

Sbowling79 · February 14, 2012, 12:49 AM

I know if I had to use it would most likely be close up but for me to be comfortable carrying it I'd like to be able to hit what I'm aiming at and I don't feel comfortable with this gun. Maybe I'm wanting more out of it than it's capable of. Or maybe I need more practice with it. I'll give it one more range trip before deciding to sell it.

fastbolt · February 14, 2012, 01:09 AM

I've only fired one (belongs to another LE instructor).

The trigger is what it is, for the price it costs, and the market niche its intended to attract.

You can pay more for more refined designs and get more "agreeable" trigger designs for more money.

One of the benefits of having been a revolver shooter for a number of years is that I can adapt and learn to shoot just about anything.

I decided to pass on the LC9, though. Feels too much like a Kel-Tec, and that's not something I feel like owning/using.

I prefer using J-frame DAO wheelguns, even though they only hold 5 rounds.

Different strokes. To each their own. Etc.

BTW, I didn't have any problems wringing some pretty decent practical accuracy from my friend's LC9, using at least 4 different types of 9mm loads. Just didn't want to own one.

B.N.Real · February 14, 2012, 01:15 AM

I owned a used P11 for one trip to the range.

As the OP said about his LC9,I never got used to the P11's stiff and very long trigger pull. The other options are way costlier but the quality is way better in my opinion.

Guns like the Kahr line,the new Beretta Nano and the Walther PPS all look like better options as far as single stack pocket pistols,if close to the size limit for such.

I'd even give the Taurus Slim 9mm a shot if the price was right.

I won't be going back to a P11 style trigger ever.

Marquezj16 · February 14, 2012, 01:59 AM

My LC9 was a bit of a challenge for accuracy, but since it was one of my carry guns, I took it to the range and practiced with it often. The trigger feels smoother after 300 rounds or so. At 7 yards, I can pretty much stay around a 2" group now. At 15, it doubles to around 4-5" and at 25 around 6-8" inches or so. It's not a range or target gun but for it's intended use of inside 7 yards, it will do the job.

Water-Man · February 14, 2012, 02:28 AM

Get the LCR.

cheezhed · February 14, 2012, 04:36 AM

I have a lc9 and at first the trigger seemed strange but I now shoot it as if it was a revolver and it is just fine. I think that the people who have a problem with the gun are expecting it to be like a sr9. Once I learned to take up the slack it shot okay. I carry this pistol in a Black hawk #1 IWB. holster and it points at the twig and berrys so a long pull is just fine with me.

Fargazer · February 14, 2012, 01:05 PM

My wife had a LC9; she loved everything except the trigger pull. It's certainly possible to shoot the LC9 accurately, but to do so you need to get used to that long stiff pull.

My LGS owner told me of a gentleman who recently purchased a LC9; he came in very concerned, and asked him to shoot the pistol because he didn't know if his inaccuracy was due to him or the gun - not upset, but he needed to know where to put his efforts. Luckily, the owner had some experience shooting the pistol, so he was able to shoot a nice tight group with it.

The Galloway Precision link was interesting; I'll have to look for forum feedback from people who have tried it.

TDodge7 · February 14, 2012, 02:24 PM

The more I shoot mine the more it smooths out, the worst part was that last little bit before the trigger breaks where the firing pin block is moved out of the way, the trigger would stack there pretty badly on very slow pulls at first but it's going away. I think the majority of the online complaints about the trigger are from people that don't shoot a lot of DAO guns. As far as DAO triggers go this isn't the best, but it's not the worst by far.

wild cat mccane · February 14, 2012, 04:17 PM

what is worse that is compariable?

TDodge7 · February 14, 2012, 06:32 PM

The two most comparable triggers I've felt recently would be the Kel tec P11 and the P32, my LC9's trigger breaks crisper and with a lighter pull than both, but is closest to the P32 in length of pull and weight and feels a lot better than the P11's trigger. The kel tec PF9 trigger does feel much lighter and smoother than all of the above mentioned triggers. There seem to be inconsistent reports on the LC9 trigger though, some get great smooth ones right out of the box and some get gritty stacking ones. Mine started out gritty and stacky but seems to be getting better on it's own fairly quickly. The trigger won't win any awards but I like it and shoot well with it, most of my guns are DAO or DA/SA so I'm used to the pull .

February 13, 2012, 07:14 PM	#8
tension Junior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Posts: 12	I've spent the last three years shooting a J frame. The trigger on an LC9 feels good by comparison. It's very accurate at 10 meters. I have Hi-Powers, Ruger Mark II's and 1911's for target shooting. __________________ People tend to believe what they want to believe.

February 13, 2012, 08:15 PM	#11
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,496	deleted. Last edited by PSP; February 13, 2012 at 09:12 PM.

February 13, 2012, 10:01 PM	#13
Mike1234 Junior member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Alamo City Posts: 356	loose_holster_dan... you wrote... "all those mouse guns blow"... no disrespect intended but that's even dumber than my dumbest drunken post here or on any other forum. ETA: Okay, maybe it's not the dumbest post. And maybe I've made dumber posts... okay some of mine border on moronic. Sorry for the harsh dumb post. Last edited by Mike1234; February 14, 2012 at 01:23 PM.

February 14, 2012, 01:09 AM	#17
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,966	I've only fired one (belongs to another LE instructor). The trigger is what it is, for the price it costs, and the market niche its intended to attract. You can pay more for more refined designs and get more "agreeable" trigger designs for more money. One of the benefits of having been a revolver shooter for a number of years is that I can adapt and learn to shoot just about anything. I decided to pass on the LC9, though. Feels too much like a Kel-Tec, and that's not something I feel like owning/using. I prefer using J-frame DAO wheelguns, even though they only hold 5 rounds. Different strokes. To each their own. Etc. BTW, I didn't have any problems wringing some pretty decent practical accuracy from my friend's LC9, using at least 4 different types of 9mm loads. Just didn't want to own one. __________________ Retired LE - firearms instructor & armorer Last edited by fastbolt; February 14, 2012 at 09:38 PM.

February 13, 2012, 12:29 AM	#1
Sbowling79 Member Join Date: December 10, 2011 Posts: 86	Anybody else think the lc9 trigger sucks? I've been looking for a single stack 9 for easy conceal when it warms up. I don't like kel tec, couldn't bring myself to spend the money on a kahr so I decided on the lc9. Shopped around a few weeks and was able to get a brand new one for 310 out the door. So I couldn't pass it up. Made it to the range today and started firing it. I shoot 8" targets at 25 yards and group pretty good with my glock and my model 19 smith. After 3 magazines I had one round on target. Just to make sure it wasn't me I grabbed my g27 and landed all 9 on target. How can anyone shoot that thing accurately with that trigger? I know the ideal conceal carry shot is at 7 yards but who couldn't hit at that distance. Is there anyone else that has trouble with the trigger on these. I ran across a video of how to change the trigger but not sure I want to void my warranty. I wish I would've shot one of these before buying.

February 13, 2012, 12:32 AM	#2
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,627	There are certainly others on this site who agree with you, judging from the posts I've seen. it sounds like the trigger on the Kel-tec P11.

February 13, 2012, 12:36 AM	#3
Johnnymurad Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 135	I agree that the trigger is horrible for target shooting at the range but it is also a big part of why I am comfortable having a loaded gun with a chambered round in my pants right now. After a few thousand rounds you start to automatically pull the trigger 3/4 of the way before you start your actual trigger pull. I have gotten much better with it but I normally practice at 25 feet, 25 yards is a pretty good distance with such a short barrel.

February 13, 2012, 12:37 AM	#4
Sbowling79 Member Join Date: December 10, 2011 Posts: 86	It's like shooting a da revolver but worse. I had my finger curled all the way around the trigger to get it to break and I was pulling so hard the gun was shaking all over the place.

February 13, 2012, 01:46 AM	#5
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	YES Went to LGS, asked to dry fire it, started to pull the trigger, pulled the trigger some more, kept pulling the trigger, shook my head and said "I can't live with this trigger." And I thought to myself "Why would someone get one of these when the Kahr PM9, and CM9 are smaller, lighter and have such better triggers?"

February 13, 2012, 06:30 PM	#6
Wildshot Member Join Date: October 10, 2011 Location: Camano Island, Wa. Posts: 86	I really dislike the LC9. Tried very hard to get use to the trigger. Finally just traded it off.

February 13, 2012, 06:49 PM	#7
Mike1234 Junior member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Alamo City Posts: 356	I've read a couple of posts praising The Trigger Kit Here but I have no experience with it. Also, it seems a shame to have to spend another $60+ to make the trigger better. The above stated, I opted for the LC9 for the sames reasons as the OP. I don't care much for the trigger either but it's a SD gun for close range anyway.

February 13, 2012, 07:18 PM	#9
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	all those mouse guns blow. find someone stupid enough to buy it off you, and get a walther pps or one of the kahrs. there is a reason they are so cheap. i have a pf9. i just replaced the trigger yesterday, but one of the POS frame pins snapped clean in half under thumb pressure putting it back in. we'll see how it fires after i get the replacements pins in. pps is CHEAP here.

February 13, 2012, 08:01 PM	#10
blchandl2 Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: TN Posts: 528	A coworker bought one and traded it in less than a month for a PF9. He had owned a PF11 and he said the LC9 and PF11 felt like the same trigger. The PF9 is much better according to him.

February 13, 2012, 08:19 PM	#12
Sbowling79 Member Join Date: December 10, 2011 Posts: 86	I won't hold on to it to much longer. I know it wasn't intended to be a range gun but with the eleven safeties that it already has I didn't think you would need a tow truck to pull the trigger. Luckily I got it cheap enough so I won't lose money selling it. I need to go check out a kahr or other higher end gun.

February 13, 2012, 11:45 PM	#14
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	haha why is that? i honestly believe they all suck. i only keep mine as a backup or for when i'm wearing gym shorts. i would hate to actually have to trust my life to it.

February 14, 2012, 12:21 AM	#15
9mm Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 2,834	guns like these are self defence, cheap plastic guns, I am not going to be shooting in a shooting match with one to worry about a trigger. It is what it is.

February 14, 2012, 12:49 AM	#16
Sbowling79 Member Join Date: December 10, 2011 Posts: 86	I know if I had to use it would most likely be close up but for me to be comfortable carrying it I'd like to be able to hit what I'm aiming at and I don't feel comfortable with this gun. Maybe I'm wanting more out of it than it's capable of. Or maybe I need more practice with it. I'll give it one more range trip before deciding to sell it.

February 14, 2012, 01:15 AM	#18
B.N.Real Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 4,092	I owned a used P11 for one trip to the range. As the OP said about his LC9,I never got used to the P11's stiff and very long trigger pull. The other options are way costlier but the quality is way better in my opinion. Guns like the Kahr line,the new Beretta Nano and the Walther PPS all look like better options as far as single stack pocket pistols,if close to the size limit for such. I'd even give the Taurus Slim 9mm a shot if the price was right. I won't be going back to a P11 style trigger ever.

February 14, 2012, 01:59 AM	#19
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	My LC9 was a bit of a challenge for accuracy, but since it was one of my carry guns, I took it to the range and practiced with it often. The trigger feels smoother after 300 rounds or so. At 7 yards, I can pretty much stay around a 2" group now. At 15, it doubles to around 4-5" and at 25 around 6-8" inches or so. It's not a range or target gun but for it's intended use of inside 7 yards, it will do the job.

February 14, 2012, 02:28 AM	#20
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Get the LCR.

February 14, 2012, 04:36 AM	#21
cheezhed Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Posts: 302	I have a lc9 and at first the trigger seemed strange but I now shoot it as if it was a revolver and it is just fine. I think that the people who have a problem with the gun are expecting it to be like a sr9. Once I learned to take up the slack it shot okay. I carry this pistol in a Black hawk #1 IWB. holster and it points at the twig and berrys so a long pull is just fine with me.

February 14, 2012, 01:05 PM	#22
Fargazer Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 466	My wife had a LC9; she loved everything except the trigger pull. It's certainly possible to shoot the LC9 accurately, but to do so you need to get used to that long stiff pull. My LGS owner told me of a gentleman who recently purchased a LC9; he came in very concerned, and asked him to shoot the pistol because he didn't know if his inaccuracy was due to him or the gun - not upset, but he needed to know where to put his efforts. Luckily, the owner had some experience shooting the pistol, so he was able to shoot a nice tight group with it. The Galloway Precision link was interesting; I'll have to look for forum feedback from people who have tried it.

February 14, 2012, 02:24 PM	#23
TDodge7 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 111	The more I shoot mine the more it smooths out, the worst part was that last little bit before the trigger breaks where the firing pin block is moved out of the way, the trigger would stack there pretty badly on very slow pulls at first but it's going away. I think the majority of the online complaints about the trigger are from people that don't shoot a lot of DAO guns. As far as DAO triggers go this isn't the best, but it's not the worst by far.

February 14, 2012, 04:17 PM	#24
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,869	what is worse that is compariable?

February 14, 2012, 06:32 PM	#25
TDodge7 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 111	The two most comparable triggers I've felt recently would be the Kel tec P11 and the P32, my LC9's trigger breaks crisper and with a lighter pull than both, but is closest to the P32 in length of pull and weight and feels a lot better than the P11's trigger. The kel tec PF9 trigger does feel much lighter and smoother than all of the above mentioned triggers. There seem to be inconsistent reports on the LC9 trigger though, some get great smooth ones right out of the box and some get gritty stacking ones. Mine started out gritty and stacky but seems to be getting better on it's own fairly quickly. The trigger won't win any awards but I like it and shoot well with it, most of my guns are DAO or DA/SA so I'm used to the pull .