Ruger LC9 Conversion Kit

Sturm, Ruger & Company continues to capitalize on a powerful market increase marked by the 2 million new firearms manufacturing feat in 2013. The latest offering by Ruger is a LC9 conversion kit for their LC380 semi-auto pistol. The LC9 conversion kit is a very easy switch, and is specifically designed to fit a LC380 frame.

Just a few years ago the .380 craze was in full swing, and the Ruger LCP became one of the most popular .380 caliber semi-auto pistols on the market. However, many shooters desired just a bit more handgun to hold onto, and a pistol with legitimate sights. The Ruger LC380 provided the answer, without compromising too much on the slim width, and offering more traditional sight offerings. The demand for .380 caliber ammunition became so intense that .380 caliber ammunition became scarce, the stuff of urban legend, and if the ammo could be found it often went for over a dollar per round.

Despite this popularity many “pocket pistol”, or CCW firearm owners, desired a compact pistol that provided a little more punch. That started the growth in 9mm “pocket pistols”, and the Ruger LC9 again enjoyed tremendous success, like its smaller LCP and LC380 brothers. Now Ruger is allowing LC380 owners an opportunity to upgrade to a 9mm LC9, without having to buy a whole new gun.

From Ruger:

The LC9 Conversion Kit for the Ruger LC380 pistol is a genuine Ruger product and consists of a 9mm Luger barrel, slide assembly and magazine. The kit allows owners of a LC380 or LC380CA to safely and reliably convert their .380 Auto pistol to fire 9mm ammunition, giving them the flexibility of shooting either lighter recoiling .380 Auto or powerful 9mm Luger in the same handgun.

Ruger LC9 Conversion Kit:

• LC9 Slide
• LC9 Guide rod
• LC9 Spring
• LC9 magazine
• MSRP – $299.00.

LC9 Conversion Kit Thoughts

Ruger continues to impress. The company is producing quality firearm designs that exceed most market offerings. Ruger is thinking outside of the box with the LC9 conversion kit. There may be a desire among some LC380 owners to have a simple conversion kit, that doesn’t require an additional firearm. However, the $300 price tag is a big drawback. A full LC9 can be bought for around $400 – only $100 more.

The whole point of having a conversion kit is to be able to switch calibers relatively easily, without spending enough to buy a whole new firearm. The Ruger LC9 conversion kit appears to meet the first criteria, but is really pushing it on the second. Hopefully, as retailers start to stock these kits, the price will drop to make them more in line with what shooters expect in a conversion kit price.