It’s not often that something “new” comes on the market. With the popularity of the AR-15 and other mostly modular firearms designs, gun manufacturers have taken to making small changes and calling the result a “new” gun. Which pisses me off to no end. But in this case, not only do we have a new manufacturer with a new gun for the U.S. market, but they have an interesting and actually “new” feature as well. The question: is it any good? . . .
Lionheart Industries is the American-based importer for S&T Daewoo, a Korean firearms manufacturer that’s been producing the K5 pistol since the 1980′s. The LH9 is the American version of that handgun, now being introduced to US buyers for the first time. And while there may be a stigma associated with Asian-manufactured firearms among some US gun owners, Daewoo has been known as a quality manufacturer for ages and makes some very nice stuff.
That manufacturing background certainly shines through with the LH9. Despite the rather involved machining required to create the handgun, everything feels nicely fit and polished. The slide moves back and forth freely, the parts are smooth and well formed and even the grips feel like they were hand fitted to the gun. The overall appearance of the LH9 is clean and polished, and I like it. Even the logo looks bad-ass.
In therms of the basic functions, the gun works, plain and simple. I had one failure to extract when I was running the gun, but since I was using remanufactured ammo I’m more likely to attribute that to a crappy case rim than any mechanical issue with the gun. After running hundreds of rounds without any other malfunctions, that seems like a fair conclusion.
Accuracy in single action mode is pretty good as well. The standard 10 yard target shows 4 rounds through the same hole before I screwed up the group. Yes, I take full responsibility for pulling that shot.
Speaking of single action mode, while the single action trigger pull may not be the crispest I’ve ever felt, it isn’t half bad. There’s a pretty clean break and a nice positive reset. That said, the trigger system is the downfall of this gun.
The LH9 has a single action mode, where the trigger releases a cocked hammer. It also has a double action mode, where the trigger cocks the hammer and then releases it to fire the gun. And then it has a “double action+” mode that’s its claim to fame. Here’s how it works:
- Rack the slide, loading a live round into the chamber. This cocks the hammer back to full cock.
- DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER. In fact, flip the safety on.
- Using your finger, push the hammer forward towards the firing pin. There is a firing pin block, so the gun shouldn’t go off without the trigger being pulled.
- When ready to fire, flip the safety off. A light touch of the trigger will snap the hammer back to full cock and give you a single action trigger pull.
Here’s a quick video of the system in action to give you a better idea of how it works:
In theory, this gives you all the benefits of a single action trigger and a double action trigger combined. In reality, though, it’s more like you get all of the drawbacks of both.
The trigger pull may be longer, but its much lighter. Even compared to the single action trigger pull, the double action + trigger feels much lighter as there’s really no break. Your finger is moving too fast to feel it. Something about momentum, I’m guessing. Anyway, the big advantage to double action is the weight of the trigger pull which keeps you from accidentally pulling the trigger acts as its own safety. This gun doesn’t have that.
Since the “double action +” pull is lighter than a normal double action gun’s, you need to use the frame mounted safety. And in my opinion, the safety is impossible to use under stress. It’s simply too small to hit with any certainty when you’re hustling to take a shot. RF’s of the opinion that the 1911 is terrible for self defense because of the manual safety, and the only reason I disagree is that the safety on my Wilson Combat is MASSIVE. That makes it easy to find and disengage under pressure.
The LH9′s safety, on the other hand, is roughly the size of a Tic Tac. Even under the best of circumstances, it’s tough to find and flip it at the range. So if its tough in a no-pressure environment like the range, I shudder to think how it would work (or not) in the middle of the night with a home intruder bearing down on you.
I really wanted to like this gun. And on a flat range where punching holes in paper is your only concern, it’s pretty darned good. It feels nice, looks sharp and shoots well. But this gun is an accident waiting to happen. When you’re depending on a gun to save your life, you want something that works easily and intuitively. And thanks to the terrible safety and the way-too-light trigger in “double action +” mode, I wouldn’t recommend this handgun to anyone.
Note to the manufacturer:
- Bigger safety
- Decocker for full-on DA mode
- Did I say bigger safety?
Fix those and then we’ll talk. But for now, for the money, stick to a Glock.
Specifications:
Caliber: 9mm
Frame: Milled aluminum, black or FDE
Sights: 3-Dot
Barrel Length: 4.10″
Length:7.5″
Weight: 28.0 ounces unloaded
Capacity: 13 or 15 round mags
Price: $615 msrp
Ratings (Out of Five Stars):
Style * * * * *
It looks great. Everything from the slope of the frame to the design of the logo is top notch.
Ergonomics (firing) * * *
The gun feels good in the hand and recoil is mitigated very nicely. But that DA+ trigger pull is neither intuitive nor accurate. And the tiny safety . . . yikes.
Reliability * * * * *
Only one cycling issue, but I think that was ammo related.
Customize This *
The sights are removable, but that’s about it. Right now there are no aftermarket parts.
Overall *
It looks good, but the word ‘dangerous’ comes to mind. I would hesitate to recommend this gun for anything except having fun at the range.
” There is a firing pin block, so the gun shouldn’t go off without the trigger being pulled.”
A phrase that fills me with confidence. 8)
Well, I’m sure some of that was self-protection. If Nick had said “…won’t go off without the trigger,” there’d have instantly been a hundred keyboard commandos in here saying, “Yes it can…” and “I knew this guy…” and “I had my safety on and…”
+1
I don’t even care about that, it’s ugly and confusing.
I always trust TTAG to pull no punches… sounds like the safety was a big issue. Was it mainly the size (too small), or was it also too stiff to actuate as well? Also, I’m surprised there’s no video with this review… might be helpful to see the safety being used since that seems to be the main issue.
Bummer. I was hoping for a positive review of this gun since the manufacturer is pretty much located in my backyard here in WA state. I’ll probably still give it a try, but I’ll definitely be aware of how the safety works in conjunction with the gun when I do.
Hopefully Lionheart will work out the kinks in its Mark II, the railed version they’re working on.
Uploading now, forgot to tack the video on. Sorry about that.
Cool, thanks!
Woof. Take a page out of Kia’s book, people. If you want to sell a hunk of inferior Korean metalwork, you’ve got to sell it cheap!
This pistol does look reeeeally cool. But boatloads of bad things have happened when the word “shouldn’t” was used. I do disagree with the idea of a safety being counterintuitive and possibly dangerous, every single time I grab my 1911 my thumb moves to the safety. Do I understand the appeal of having a gun that you can grab and shoot right away? Of course. But for me, the peace of mind of having that safety is worth the minuscule amount of time necessary to flick it down. As always, YMMV.
Same here on the safety, I disengage the safety on my PT-111 with my thumb as part of my drawing motion. That being said, the Sprinfield pistols with both a pressure plate on the back and trigger safety I think I could live with.
+1
I have been shooting a 1911 for many years. You can train yourself to disengage the safety by using a drill 15 minutes a day for about 2 weeks. You repeatedly draw and push down with your thumb. It becomes automatic. It has become such a habit that I do it with every pistol I own including those without a safety. I realized I can’t use my wife’s M-9 because my thumb always push down on the draw. Beretta built a gun that engages the safety on the downstroke. Works for her but not for me.
The safety is off before the barrel is out of the holster.
Try it with force-on-force training.
A valid point. I do however draw a parallel between the practice I got playing water polo and practice using a firearm, in that yes, practice for the most part lacks the same intensity as a game (and of a gunfight, by a WIDE margin), but the manner in which I prepare for a shot in water polo is dictated precisely by how I prepared for shooting in practice. In this manner, I feel my athletic background is a major plus in practicing for using my firearms. One drawback for firearms training versus athletic training is that said firearms training costs substantially more than practicing water polo. Is that training worth it? Of course. But, financially speaking, it is FAR easier for me to practice and excel at water polo than it is to practice and excel with firearms. I am now, shooting-wise, at the level I was as a 10 year old water polo player (started playing polo as a seven year old). Is the raw material there? I’d like to think so. But it’s going to take many more years, and consequently many more Benjamins, to reach what I see as the high level of firearms proficiency that I wish to achieve.
All training is artificial since you aren’t going to die. If I know I am going into a fight the safety is off. In a real fight it’s all reflex so if have trained to hit to desafe your weapon you are going to act on instinct. There are a lot of German, Japanese, North Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese widows and orphans who understand this.
Let me know when water polo training can save your life, then we can talk about cost differences.
I’m also guessing you’re not paying for the pool maintenance…
Levi B, I
“now being introduced to US buyers for the first time”
Isn’t it more accurate to say ‘being introduced for the first time under this model name’? I have seen plenty of Daewoo’s in the DP-51 guise in the hands of US buyers. Which sure seems to be the same exact gun with different finish and grips. IIRC the DP-51 could use S&W 59XX mags. Is that true for the LH9 as well?
You are correct, the DP-51 was imported into the US back in the 1990′s. It was more affordable in those days, but the unique double action system never really caught on. The gun slipped quietly from the market until Lionheart reintroduced it. It’s the same gun as the DP-51, and it’s been used by the South Korean military as the K5 for a couple of decades.
I don’t have an issue with the operating system. It’s unique, but I don’t find it to be particularly complex. I don’t think it would replace my G19 as my carry gun any time soon, but I do find it to be an interesting piece of military history and I would like to own one for that reason alone. I just wish the price were more attractive.
Dear lord, what a disaster of a gun… first you push the hammer forward trusting a safety to ensure the gun doesn’t fire. Then, when you are getting the gun ready to fire, you break the first rule of gun safety and you not only put your finger on the trigger, but you pull it… trusting that the gun will not go off the first time you pull the trigger, but it will the second. I am at a loss for words.
ht4, you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t!) actually ever pull the trigger to set the hammer back again in DA+ mode unless you’re actually going to take a shot.
This system is a whole lot like FN’s SFS that they put into the Hi-power, except for the addition of a double action option as well.
The SFS did not go over well, and I think FN dropped it after the inital run.
El Guapo, that’s all true… but try to think like the less gun-educated masses. When they hear a bump in the night and take out their gun, you know that the first thing they will do is pull the trigger (“to get the gun ready”)… but what if they don’t remember the first time they did it and do it again? or if they never decocked it? It’s an accident waiting to happen… make no mistake about that.
Ooooooo.
That’s an ugly scenario you just lined out. Yeah, I think “unsafe” does sum it up.
ht4 you don’t seem to understand how it works, if the safety’s off and you pull the trigger it will go bang, there is no “first pull”. The pull of the trigger cocks the hammer and releases it just like normal double-action, it just doesn’t have to compress the hammer spring so the pull is very light, in fact if you pull slowly the trigger will actually “fall” back to the single action-position. functionally it works like Walthers “anti-stress” trigger on the famous P99 but with a frame-mounted safety rather than a slide-mounted decocker.
+1. it blew my mind.
No thanks, I’ll pass for now.
It seems to me that whomever came up with this action didn’t really understand the whole point of carrying with the hammer down (unless of course *I* missed the point). When carrying with the hammer down one has removed all the potential energy from the hammer, so you need to PUT energy into the hammer to make the firearm discharge thus making it “safe”. This whole automatic cocking of the hammer thing keeps that potential energy in the hammer, so I fail to see what the whole point is (maybe it’s more comfortable to carry without the hammer hanging out?)
The gun business has to be one of the least innovative in the world. New releases have been an endless parade of single stack 380s/9mms, 1911s, ARs, and Glock knockoffs.
Look at the last half dozen or so new releases from Ruger. A P3AT copy, a PF9 copy, a combination of those two copies, a Colt 1911 copy, and a J-frame imitation. And then everyone jumped in to copy Ruger’s copies.
And what is Glock’s idea of innovation? Adding a spring and being the 114th company to offer replaceable backstraps.
Practical or not, I’m happy to see that someone in the business had an original idea.
+1
This gun IS a Daewoo DP-51.
And I’m not faulting Nick because I’ve yet to see a good description by anyone, but how the double action+ works and its function is not as “dangerous” nor as complicated as it sounds. I mean seriously, this is the issue sidearm for a country that’s been under constant threat of attack for half a century; its not perfect, but it’s not some ticking time bomb either.
seriously, if you have a DA/SA gun with external hammer, and you really want to, or have time to, think about getting off a first shot in SA, just pull the friggin hammer back.
Not every gun has to be defensive weapon. Most of us probably have a safe(s) full of capable CCW/HD/SHTF guns.
It looks like it would be a fun range toy.
$615 MSRP? No thanks, I’d prefer a CZ or Ruger for less bucks.
A new feature, from a firm mostly unknown to the American gun community, without a real-world track record to consider the feature and manufacturer? No thanks, I prefer proven known guns.
I’m no ones test kitchen meat loaf and thats the Truth.
Let’s see, $615 for an untested, unproven gun, $525 for a Glock, $500 for an M&P, $450 for an XD. No thanks.
Never seen an xd for less than a glock or m p. never not once. From what I’ve seen they are always at least a bill more. Could be location…
$459 all day long at my LGS.
My local gunshop had one of these in for $480, and last I checked the MSRP on a Glock was around $600…
Comparing the MSRP on a new gun to the “I saw it for…” price of a well established gun is kinda pointless.
While I have rarely, if ever, disagreed with Nick I have to this time. I was at my LGS today when they got 2 of these L9′s in. The owner and I unpacked them, wiped them down and proceeded to go over them for functionality.
I have carried and shot 1911′s for year(since 1981), and currently carry an SAR K2/45 which I absolutely love, having replaced my compact 1911 carry gun with the K2.
After an hour or so of the owner and I playing with the L9′s I like the system!! We dry fired(usig snap caps), these probably 100 times each and never had any type of problems. The thumb safety is a tad small for me( kinda big thumbs, size 12 1/2 ring), but after three or four times I was natural to drop the safety as I drew.
Now being in town we did not get to actually shoot them but otherwise it seems to be a viable carry gun with a little practice, as with any new firearm.
My only real gripe just from handling them is adapting to operating it left handed, otherwise when the price drops a little may end up with one for shots and giggles.
Just my opinion and as always ymmv!
Another review of the pistol, in its Daewoo Dp-51 form.
The guy is a bit goofy, but does a pretty thorough video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRKD_4IvE9I
Reservations about the safety manipulation aside, I’m still itching to try one… if for nothing else to try to support a local gun manufacturer that trying to do something new. Mmm, Cerakote!
Heh, figured someone would link the firydeth video. I don’t suppose the magazines will be compatible w/the DP-51?
I’m guessing that will probably be. The gun’s design hasn’t been modified that much that the magazines would NOT be compatible… but then again, we’d someone with an original Daewoo DP51 to test it.
Yes, the mags will work. I ordered new LH9 mags for my DP51… Perfect fit.
Um, you want cocked and locked? There’s a gun for that. You want hammer down for the first shot? There’s a gun for that. You want a gun that requires odd manipulations to achieve the first two? What in blazes is wrong with you.
If my finger’s on the trigger, I’m squeezing through to the shot. Staging the trigger in a questionable situation makes no sense.
if it was SAO, maybe. otherwise i don’t see the point.
Anything a human operates is an accident wanting to happen; you can’t tell me that you yourself have never screwed up, right?
I’ve owned a LH9C from the first week they were in the local gun shop, Beararms.
I had a Glock 19 Gen. 3 that I sold and don’t miss one bit now owning this little Asian hot rod.
I don’t need another hand gun, one of these is just plain right, very concealable, you know you didn’t leave home without it, just plain fun at the range, different ways to get the rounds off, straight shooter with less recoil, faster action and better rail axis balance than any composite frame.
My ability to operate the slide lock, mag release, and trigger safety with no problem, now that I have broken the 1000 rounds down the tube the safety works even smoother and easier.
I shoot all over the target cause 50 holes in the same spot is a waste of paper.
As for the heavy trigger weight of double action operation, snap cap practice, lots of it.
No problem at all, then when it glides into single action on the second round you’re now in the WEEEeee mode, thing will do a full dump almost like a turbo kicking in at 3 grand in an STi.
You’re low and left of the Bull on this one.
“I really wanted to like this gun. And on a flat range where punching holes in paper is your only concern, it’s pretty darned good. It feels nice, looks sharp and shoots well. But this gun is an accident waiting to happen. When you’re depending on a gun to save your life, you want something that works easily and intuitively. And thanks to the terrible safety and the way-too-light trigger in “double action +” mode, I wouldn’t recommend this handgun to anyone.”
This weapon is exactly the same as the Daewoo DP-51, with slightly different grips, hammer, and slide serrations, I’m pretty sure every part is interchangable, they are identical, The (originally called and still probably more appropriate) tri-action trigger is the coolest thing since sliced bread! But it’s hardly a new concept, I’ve had my DP-51 for close to 20 years, it has the exact same trigger (cuz it’s the same gun). I have never had a problem with the action and it is much more pleasant to shoot then say a double action only Glock, Carrying with a round in the chamber is not a problem, you had to rake the slide to get it in there, it’s already in Tri or DA+ mode or whatever you want ot call it, all you have to do is flip up the safety, you’re cocked and locked. As soon as you take the safety off and put your finger on the trigger with the hammer back already, there is a very short trigger pull, it breaks clean, and it’s a hell of a lot quicker getting your first shot off, subsequent shots after that are normal double action. If you have moved the hammer back with your thumb to start position, there is staging, but not with the hammer back already. This concept might be a little different on first use, but nobody that has a weapon waits until a panic situation to first use it, a couple of trips to the range and you are good to go. If you use it as your self defense weapon, you know how it works, it doesn’t take any extra thinking or manipulation.
I do disagree with the issue of the safety. I feel the safety is very easy to locate and quite natural to hit from your draw, it’s almost exactly the same as a 1911 but smoother. BUT I think your comfort level with this is also very dependent on your hand size. The main reason I bought my 51 was because I have small hands (size 8 ring), I can manipulate the safety, the hammer, the slide and the mag releases without having to move or tilt my hand, everything is just in the right place and very natural. This was not designed for big football player hands (origin -> Korea), If you have small to medium hands, everything is almost perfect. If you have big meaty hands (12.5 ring), this gun will probably not be for you. Easier, if you can palm a basketball, your fingers are just plain going to be in the wrong place to be really comfortable. Then again, YMMV, I’ve always had small hands so I really don’t know, but it works for me.
This weapon concept was used by the Korean army for over ten years, I’d have to say it is safe, it was not made to be a cheap knock-off, it is an issued military grade weapon, I can easily say I’ve gone through thousands of rounds in the last 20 years and it has held up remarkable well, through a huge range of ammo loads and brands and I think I can count the FTE or FTF on one hand (still putting that off to reloads), very dependable. Now it’s being manufactured in the States instead of Korea, pretty much the only difference, it is exactly the same in form, fit and function as the DP-51.
Now, 20 years ago, I bought mine for right around $250, so it was a pretty good deal! Then again I bought my SKS NIB at the same time and paid $90, we all know times and climate have changed dramactically. The case is pretty cool though, not many manufacturers are doing that. Now with the Lionheart LH9 in the market at least maybe I’ll be able to find more readily available mags.
tdiinva says:
March 4, 2013 at 20:50
All training is artificial since you aren’t going to die. If I know I am going into a fight the safety is off. In a real fight it’s all reflex so if have trained to hit to desafe your weapon you are going to act on instinct. There are a lot of German, Japanese, North Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese widows and orphans who understand this.
“Yep, that is the answer I am looking for” I am off to buy one! Thanks!
I am a bit confused… Throughout the whole review, I got the feeling the reviewer actually LIKED the weapon, commenting on its appearance, its feel, its accuracy etc. etc. – even its logo! But then at the end, as an overall rating, he gives it only a 1 star, indicating it is an ok weapon to play with at the range. I gather that the reviewer’s biggest concern is a “small safety”? This weapon has many safety features on-board that are no less designed for the safety of the shooter (and everyone else) than any other quality firearm out there. Personally, I like the smaller, out of the way, ambidextrous safety lever. In a tactical draw, it’s a simple process to deactivate the safety as you clear the holster and bring the weapon on target, then to reactivate the safety in a tactical re-holster. Personally, I prefer this “tiny” safety lever to the little push-button safety so many other weapons have. I don’t think the lever has anything to do with the blocking mechanism inside the weapon. You’re exhibiting a personal opinion on a safety feature of this weapon. I don’t think it’s fair to beat the weapon to death with 1 star and call it a range weapon because you don’t like the safety lever.
There was no comment on how closely the LH9 (and Daewoo DP51) are “related” to the Smith & Wesson 5906 (it’s a copy)… They can even share magazines and likely some other parts. In my opinion, the S&W 5906 was a superior weapon to others in its class in many ways. The 5906 was trusted by me as a duty weapon while I was a Police Officer. Now, I have the predecessor to the LH9, the Daewoo Dp51, which follows the S&W 5906 in dependability. The Lionheart LH9 is exactly the same weapon in form and function as the DP51, including the “Double Action+” feature. It is manufactured by the same company, with only a slightly different outwardly appearance, so this is not a NEW weapon with NEW features. It’s an old, reliable car with a new paint job. The only difference is, the LH9 has a more tactical appearance than the DP51. Other than that, it’s a tried and true design and was the side-arm of choice of the South Korean military and law enforcement agencies.
I have personally never had a single safety issue with the DP51. I trust it with my safety as it is often my CCW. I have no concerns with carrying this weapon for protection. It’s remarkably accurate, dependable and it eats any ammunition I put in it with no issues.