Concealability of Ruger Pistols: Which One and Why

It’s probably no surprise that Ruger pistols and even the discontinued Ruger sr9C are some of the most popular choices for concealed carry handguns.

Ruger has been a trusted American-made gun manufacturer for over 70 years. Because of its longevity and reputation for making dependable, affordable firearms, Ruger is one of the top most beloved gun brands in the world.

Many consumers love the price, reliability, and personality that come with many Ruger pistol models. If you’re unsure which Ruger is the right gun for you, narrow down the list below to your favorites and try them out at your local gun range. Ultimately, the best concealed carry handgun is the one that feels most natural and comfortable in your hands and slides easily into your concealed Ruger holster.

1. Ruger LC9s

The Ruger LC9s is a compact pistol that is incredibly lightweight and simple to use. There aren’t a lot of frills on this gun, although you can purchase it in fun, bright colors if you wish. For such a lightweight gun, the LC9s still holds a 7+1 magazine of 9mm rounds, which is impressive compared to other brands.

The LC9s is striker-fired with a crisp trigger pull that feels effortless to shoot. There is minimal recoil, a checkered grip for added accuracy and comfort, and the slide is easy to grip and cock. The LC9s is a huge improvement on the original LC9, mainly in the trigger. The LC9 featured a trigger pull of almost seven pounds, with a long, gritty break and a false halfway reset.

The LC9s features a blade safety, and it breaks much sooner than on the original LC9. The trigger pull on the LC9s is around five pounds, and it’s a much smoother experience overall.

Here are the key specifications of the LC9s for consideration for concealed carry purposes:

• Length: 6”
• Barrel Length: 3.12”
• Height: 4.50”
• Width: .90”
• Weight: 17.2oz
• Mag Capacity: 7+1, 9+1 option
• Drift adjustable rear sight; fixed front sight

2. Ruger EC9s

The Ruger EC9s is quite possibly even more impressive than the LC9s because it does a lot more for a lot less. The price of an EC9s is going to be between $150-200 cheaper than the LC9s, which is one reason why this model is so popular.

Other reasons for the EC9s’ winning popularity include a smooth, crisp trigger pull, weighing in at around five pounds and sometimes a bit less. Like the LC9s, this 9mm handgun is lightweight and easy to handle, with minimal recoil and added accuracy. With the right Ruger holster, you’ll likely forget you’re even carrying a gun. The grip is similarly checkered for added texture and comfort. The EC9s also has a magazine capacity of 7+1.

The EC9s uses a more simplified manufacturing process and features a black oxide finish instead of bluing like on the LC9s. Both these steps allow for the cost of manufacturing this pistol to drop dramatically, offering an affordable, dependable concealed carry handgun for the public. The fixed sights are a bit of a pain for those who enjoy the adjustable drift sights, but the fixed sights also help keep costs low. Here are the key specs of the EC9s:

• Length: 6”
• Barrel Length: 3.12”
• Height: 4.50”
• Width: .90”
• Weight: 17.2oz
• Mag Capacity: 7+1, 9+1 option
• Fixed, integral sights with rear-facing serrations to reduce glare

3. Ruger LCP

The Ruger LCP stands for “Lightweight, Compact, and Powerful,” and it lives up to its name. This ultra-compact handgun packs a big punch in a tiny package. In fact, the LCP isn’t much larger than most smart phones, and it can fit in the palm of some men’s hands. Yet, this 9mm pistol is an incredibly powerful self-defense tool, and it’s fun to shoot, too.

The LCP comes with a slightly smaller magazine capacity, a 6+1, which isn’t bad considering its size and caliber. The checkered textured grip is the same as the LC9s and the EC9s, for that same accuracy and comfort during shooting. Even though this gun is significantly lighter than its counterparts, it handles a 9mm round with relatively little recoil, increasing its accuracy. Some models feature a Crimson Trace Laser for added defense and aim.

Even though Ruger uses the bluing process of the LC9s, the LCP is still significantly cheaper than the LC9s or EC9s. Here are some of the other key differences in the specifications of the LCP model:

• Length: 5.16”
• Barrel Length: 2.75”
• Height: 3.60”
• Width: .82”
• Weight: 9.6oz
• Mag Capacity: 6+1
• Fixed integral front and rear sights

4. Ruger American Pistol LE Only Model

If you’re looking to up the ante on your Ruger pistol without getting too large for concealed carry, the 9mm Ruger American Pistol LE Only Model should be at the top of your list. This particular model is compact and features Trijicon tritium night sights for added accuracy in all kinds of lighting.

It’s a heavier gun, but it’s still easily concealable. It features a 12+1 magazine capacity and three grip modules for customization. The grip allows for palm swell adjustment and trigger reach, and the textured grip is comfortable to hold and shoot. The pre-tensioned striker-fired system in the Ruger American Pistol reduces trigger pull, while the barrel cam reduces recoil for added accuracy and control.

Like other popular semi-automatic pistols, the American Pistol features a Picatinny rail for accessories such as lasers and tactical lights. This gun is an overall fun gun to shoot, and it’s also really cool-looking on the outside. You will pay for the extra features, as this handgun is significantly more expensive than the LC9s, the EC9s, or the LCP. However, once you’ve had a chance to shoot it, the price may not matter. Here are the key specifications of the Ruger American Pistol LE Only Model:

• Length: 6.65”
• Barrel Length: 3.55”
• Height: 4.48”
• Width: .1.05”
• Weight: 28.7oz
• Mag Capacity: 12+1
• Trijicon tritium night sights, fixed

Final Thoughts

There are other Ruger pistols available for concealed carry, but these are the top four to begin checking out. With a Ruger, you won’t go wrong in the reliability and precision of whichever gun you choose.