PF-9 vs. LC9 Pocket Pistols

Pocket 9mm Comparison:

                         Kel-Tec PF-9

                                                                               Ruger LC9




                                 Specs:

              PF-9                                                   LC9

• Length: 5.8"                                             6.0"
• Height: 4.4"                                             4.5"
• Barrel: 3.1"                                              3.1"
• Sight Radius: 4.7"                                     4.6"
• Front Strap Height: 1.7"                            2.3"
• Back Strap Height: 2.6"                            2.7"
• Weight Empty: 14.6 oz.                            17.1 oz.
• Weight Loaded (147 gr): 18.5 oz.             21 oz.
• Capacity: 7+1                                           7+1
• Max. Width: 0.98"                                     1.05"
• Max. Grip Thickness: 0.89"                          .97"
• Frame: Matte Black Polymer                      Matte Black Polymer
• Barrel and Slide: Alloy Steel                       Alloy Steel
• Trigger Pull: 5 lbs                                        7.4 lbs
• Trigger Travel: 3.3"                                     3.3"
• Warranty: Lifetime                                      None Written

Summary: Kel-Tec PF-9 $333.00
Slim and easily concealable. Available in blued, parkerizing or hard chrome. +P rated. 1 magazine and 2 floor plates, one flat and one with a finger ledge. Fixed sights with an excellent sight picture; rear sight adjustable for windage. Checkerboard grips provide excellent traction. Magazine release not easily accidentally hit. No data on whether this is a drop-free magazine. Gun fires without magazine in place. Snag-free out of the pocket. No mechanical safety; internal hammer-block. Good serrations in rear of slide. Light rail groove that did easily snag on clothing. Simple takedown procedure. Reassembly slightly more difficult. Long trigger reset required. Easily rapid-fired. Tendency toward trigger-pinch noted. Heavy recoil with most defense loads.

Summary: Ruger LC9 $443.00
2.5 oz. heavier than the Kel-Tec (17% heavier), steel sights and trigger-plastic on the Kel-Tec, thicker and longer slide, right-handed thumb safety, loaded chamber indicator, includes 1 magazine and 2 floor plates, includes polymer carry-box and pouch, nice matte-blued finish, slide and barrel-alloy steel, polymer frame, Italian-made magazine-like the Kel-Tec, swelled grip, frame cutout tended to cause thumb interference with trigger operation, identical trigger pull length (double action only), more room in the trigger guard, stiffer trigger pull (4 lbs+), "way worse trigger than the Kel-Tec with noticeable stacking at the end", highly visible white-dot steel sights-drift adjustable, front sight tended to snag on clothing, trigger return-reset shorter by 1/8", magazine disconnect means gun is useless without the magazine. Easy takedown and reassembly, beveled magazine opening for easier insertion, slower in rapid-fire, less felt recoil than the Kel-Tec.

Synopsis:
The Ruger is "Heavier, thicker and harder to shoot well"

"An imitation Kel-Tec by Ruger doesn't quite measure up to the original."