Compact 9mms Head to Head: New Ruger LC9 Vs. Kel-Tec PF9
In our June 2008 issue we compared Ruger's then-new LCP 380 with the established Kel-Tec P-3AT, and it seemed to us that Ruger had simply cloned the little Kel-Tec. While the two guns obviously had identical designs, and some of the parts would interchange, there were some significant dimensional differences that distinguished the pair. But to us, there was no doubt Ruger had simply copied the Kel-Tec 380's design with enough changes to avoid legal problems. Now it appears Ruger has done it again, this time with its LC9 going against the Kel-Tec PF-9, both slim, single-stack, easily concealable DAO 9mm handguns. But now, instead of a $6 difference in price and not much different about the operation of the two 380s, there's a $110 extra charge for the Ruger 9mm, a third again the cost of the Kel-Tec. As we'll see, there are some notable differences.
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Springfield Armory XDM 45 XDM945BHC 45 ACP, $709
In this test we evaluate the $709 Springfield Armory XDM 45 XDM945BHC. It is a full-sized gun with polymer frame and a barrel length of 4.5 inches. It offers an accessory rail, low-mount sights, double-column magazines, and a measure of ambidextrous features.
The trigger on the XDM 45 requires a takeup and press that was much shorter than that of other tested guns. That was because the striker inside the XDM 45 is primed to a point just short of ignition by movement of the slide. However, the XDM 45 is categorized as a double-action pistol. This is based on the actions of pressing the trigger renders final compression and release of the striker.