Why did I want to do a Lionheart LH9 review? Because when the pistol first came out in 2014, I was fascinated by the introduction of a “new” DA/SA pistol to the US market. I got in touch with the guys out there, and we did the Lionheart LH9 review.
Fast forward six years later, and the LH9 is still available. The team at Lionheart also have added a bunch of new products to their lineup, including the fully customizable Regulus pistol. This allows users to design a pistol to their specific desires. The most interesting aspect of all Lionheart pistols is their unique DA+ system. The Lionheart DA+ works by keeping the mainspring compressed, but the hammer goes forward. This removes the majority of the initial pull weight from the first double action shot. The gun operating in DA+ mode has a long trigger travel for the first shot, but with reduced pull weight, then all subsequent shots are single action. It’s an interesting system that gives the safety of a DA pull without a heavy trigger.
The biggest drawback to the LH9, and the entire Lionheart family of pistols is the same as in 2014. Getting quality accessories for them is difficult. Yes, Lionheart sells you magazines and holsters right on their website, but that’s pretty much the only place to get them. A brief check of Galco’s website shows zero options, and neither does JM Custom Kydex, who basically make holsters for everything. It’s a bummer, because the LH9 really is a cool gun.
I liked the LH9 that I shot for review all those years ago. 2014 was a long time ago, but the gun is still available, and after looking online it’s incredibly affordable, going for around $450. It’s worth buying just because it’s interesting mechanically, and it also makes a great gateway gun for people who are DA/SA curious but might be concerned with DA trigger management. Or just buy it to be a hipster, so when people ask what you’re shooting you can say “oh this is a Lionheart, you probably haven’t heard of it.”
