Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Are They Really so Alike?
The Taurus 709 Slim and Ruger LC9 pistols may have been discontinued, but that doesn’t mean they are any less of a popular choice for daily concealed carry.
When comparing the specs of these two subcompact pistols, you will see they are remarkably similar, though there are a few key differences between them.
Though the 709 Slim is the slightly larger of the two,the biggest difference between these pistols is the trigger. While the Ruger LC9 features a heavy double-action trigger, the Taurus 709 Slim, on the other hand, features a DA/SA trigger that functions more like a single-action trigger.
Keep reading to see our comparison of the Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Taurus 709 Slim
This subcompact pistol isn’t called “slim” for no reason. Its small size and single stack magazine make it one of the smallest single-stack subcompact 9mm guns available.
Don’t let its small size fool you, though; this pistol is tiny but mighty. The DA/SA Taurus 709 Slim features a light trigger pull, reversible manual magazine release, manual thumb safety, and more.
This nearly pocket-sized pistol is chambered in 9mm luger and comes standard with a 7-round magazine. Extended magazines can also be found for this gun, the most common of which is a 9-round magazine manufactured by Taurus.
Overall, the 709 Slim is a great option for a concealed carry pistol. If you are left-handed, you may want to think twice, though, because the thumb safety is not reversible on this pistol. Looking for a Taurus 709 Slim holster? Be sure to check out our Holsters by Gun Mode page, where you can customize a Kydex holster for your carry gun.
Ruger LC9
If you are a fan of the Ruger LCP, then the Ruger LC9 won’t disappoint as it’s a 9mm variation of the popular LCP model.
This double-action-only (DAO) pistol is built with a polymer frame and is chambered in 9mm Luger. It’s capable of shooting +P ammo, thoughonly in limited quantities. It features a slide and magazine release, three-dot fixed sights, and a traditional thumb safety.
The Ruger LC9 comes standard with a 7-round magazine and two different magazine bases, one with a flat base for easier concealment and the other with a curved finger hook for a full grip even if you have an average hand size. Extended magazines can also be found for the Ruger LC9 so its capacity can be increased to 9- or 10-rounds.
Ultimately, if you are left-handed, this gun isn’t for you as the thumb safety is not ambidextrous. If you are right-handed, this compact pistol is a great option, providing you with all the features of a Ruger LCP with the power of a 9mm pistol. Looking for a holster for Ruger LC9? Check out our Holsters by Gun Model page for custom Kydex holsters.
Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Specifications
Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Size and Capacity
When comparing the Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9 in size, you will find that the 709 Slim is slightly larger than the Ruger LC9.
The Taurus is 3.5” tall, 6.25” long, and 0.95” wide with a barrel length of 3”. It weighs 19 ounces, just two ounces heavier than the 17-ounce Ruger LC9 pistol. The Ruger LC9 is 4.5” tall, 6” long, and 1” wide with a barrel length of 3.12”.
The Taurus 709 Slim and Ruger LC9 both come standard with a 7-round magazine, but you can find extended magazines – usually 9-rounds – for both models.
It’s also worth noting that the Ruger LC9 comes with two different magazine bases. One with a flat base for easier concealment, the other with a curved finger hook allowing the user to get a full grip with an average hand size.
Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Ergonomics
Frame
Both the Taurus 709 Slim and Ruger LC9 are built with a durable polymer frame. While two-finger grips are most common among pistols of this size, the Ruger LC9 is built with a full grip and curved magazine base.
Slide and Barrel
There isn’t much of a difference when it comes to the slide of these two pistols. They both feature a stainless steel slide and slide releases.
Both guns also feature a loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide as well as rear slide serrations.
Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Sights and Optics
Both the 709 Slim and Ruger LC9 feature three-dot white sights.Their low-profile sight designs help reduce snags during use, though beyond that, the two sight systems are quite different.
The Taurus 709 Slim rear sight is adjustable for wind and elevation, while the Ruger LC9 pistol features dovetailed and drift adjustable sights that are large for a gun of its size.
When it comes to optics, neither model comes optics-ready.
Taurus 709 Slim vs Ruger LC9: Controls
Safety
Both of these easily-concealed pistols come standard with manual thumb safeties, though they aren’t ambidextrous. So, if you are left-handed, these might not be the guns for you.
In addition, the Ruger features a magazine safety and internal lock key so the gun can be disabled while in storage.
Trigger
The main difference between these two remarkably similar guns is the trigger. Starting with the Taurus 709 Slim, which features a double-action/single-action trigger. Although it is labeled as DA/SA, it is really a “single-action pistol that has repeat strike capability,” according to USA Concealed Carry. As a result, the Taurus has a light 5-pound trigger pull.
The Ruger LC9, on the other hand, features a double-action trigger with a 7-pound trigger pull. The action and trigger pull weight result in a pull that is “very long and stacks considerably toward the end.”
Which is Right for Me?
While these two compact gun models are very similar, there are a few key differences.
When comparing the Taurus 709 Slim and Ruger LC9 in size, you will find that the Slim is slightly larger than the LC9. Both pistols come standard with a 7-round magazine, but you can find extended magazines for both models. Neither comes in an optics-ready model, but both have three-dot sights.
The Taurus 709 Slim has a light DA/SA trigger that functions like a single action. Additional features include a reversible manual magazine release, manual thumb safety, and more. The Ruger LC9 has a heavier double-action trigger and features a slide and magazine release, three-dot fixed sights, and traditional thumb safety. The Ruger also comes with two magazine bases for additional customization.
So, think about what you need out of a concealed carry gun. Now that you have a better understanding of the differences, strengths, and weaknesses of the two firearms, you can make the choice that’s right for you.
If you’re looking for belts or holsters for the Taurus 709 Slim or Ruger LC9, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.
Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.