Anyone experience the Ruger LCP?

[rmmoore]

Curious if anyone out there has spent some time with an LCP? While frankly, I'm not particularly fond of the .380 in general, I realize they have a use and serve a purpose for a great many folks out there. My wife and I were recently discussing the "need" for her to carry something VERY small and discreet in her purse. She had a list of requirements, and none of my current handguns met her needs. We know someone who has an LCP, but hasn't spent much time at the range, or carrying it. She held it in her palm and smiled. I'd recognize that smile anywhere. Husbands, you KNOW the smile I'm talking about. I twisted in the wind for a week or so, trying to convince myself a mini 9mm would be "better" for her, and came close to buying a Keltec PF-9. But she just seemed to like that lil LCP.

So, I swallowed hard, and gave her an early Anniversary, or late birthday, present. Loaded with 90gr Hornady Critical Defense HP's, what do you think? Again, ANY .380 is not what I would recommend as a first choice for HER. She is perfectly capable of some fine shooting with her own .44 Mag, but it is rather big, and tends to get a bit heavy in her purse . She keeps a .38+P S&W in her truck, so this is purely "put it his chest or face and pull the trigger". Your thoughts please?

 

[AlaskaErik]

I carry an LCP in the summertime. It conceals very nicely in my front pocket. As for reliability, it did OK on the range, but there were a few FTFs. Nothing that a buff and fluff shouldn't fix. The biggest drawback right now is the lack of .380, although some people say they're seeing more ammo in stores. Also, if you buy used, make sure it's not one of the ones being recalled, or at least be aware of the recall. But all in all, it's better than wishing you had something bigger.

 

[rmmoore]

It was/is, a recalled unit. But it has already been sent back and "fixed", although I'm not familiar with what the recall was totally about. I did get a spare mag out of the recall deal though.

 

[SMMAssociates]

I've got a P3AT, which is nominally the same gun. (Although I think I'd trust the Ruger a tad more - it didn't exist when I bought the KelTec.)

The P3 tended to self destruct before finishing a magazine, but I've got most of that dealt with. I'm not sure that the new trigger will survive more than a couple rounds.

However, my biggest concern with the .380 is that the straight blowback guns, like the P3, LCP, or even a PPK or PPK/S, is just not a lot of fun to shoot, even for a guy with a lot of experience and big hands. My personal philosophy says that you should put between 100 and 500 rounds through a gun before you start carrying it, and I've never been able to get the P3 to shoot that long at one session even if it didn't hurt me too much anyway.

The PPK/S, btw, with Pachmayrs or a Handall, and maybe a glove, too, isn't too terrible. It, however, is expensive and bigger than the LCP, not to mention being all steel and kinda heavy. The current S&W version needs to be dehorned, but isn't bad. I've got one of the earlier (circa 1968) Ulm versions, and while it doesn't need the treatment, the newer one shoots better.

If you can tolerate a little more size, the Walther PPS in 9mm might be a lot better choice. A couple hundred bucks more, more or less.... (The PPS40 is kinda wicked.)

KelTec, FWIW, and the boards here, have been very helpful, but I think you have to be a tinkerer to buy theirs. Can't say for Ruger, but I would have higher expectations. (I AM a tinkerer .)

Concealment is superb. A pocket holster is always a good idea, too, but even then you don't have much to hide.

All of that said, the LCP or P3AT are NOT fun to shoot. Your wife may have a problem with that part. Quite a bit bigger, but a J-frame might be a better choice unless real deep cover is necessary. The PPS9 might be better.... The XD9SC and M&P9SC are both kinda big by comparison to everything I've mentioned. Good belt carry and all that, and IMHO, solid and reliable, but not small. My vote would be the PPK/S if the weight and size don't turn you off. The PPK is lighter and a bit smaller, but more uncomfortable to shoot. Neither is fun....

Regards,

 

[rmmoore]

Thanks Stu, good points and info. Size and weight DO matter to her, and she's not really looking for something that's going to be "fun to shoot". She has carried a J-Frame before, and although she loves it, her current "requirements" won't allow something even as small as a J-Frame. She does keep the "J" in her truck, since she is well schooled and 100% comfortable with it. This is intended to be an almost point-blank range shooter. Nothing more, nothing less. Sounds like maybe not going with the Keltec was a good idea, for her AND me

 

[jpwilly]

My pocet pistol / BUG is an LCP and I've been very happy with it. It's been reliable at the range and accurate if you can pull that trigger straight back smoothy it's very accurate. Went through the recall but it wasn't a bad experiance at all actually despite having my newly acquired pistol gone for two weeks the customer service was good and shows they will stand behind their products.

 

[ent]

Get her a crimson trace for it. Adds very little bulk/weight to pistol and greatly improves accuracy.

 

[Tirod]

I consider that straight blow back guns are perfectly ok - since Browning invented the .380 just for that, and pistol to go with it.

Unless godforbid Browning made a mistake in his engineering? That might call into question some of his other highly regarded and prized designs - which he kept improving until the day he died.

I appreciate the concern you have for what your wife carries, but I suspect as a .44 shooter, .38 in the vehicle owner, and now, a CCW carrier, she might have a clue whats up and how to use it.

To paraphrase a current comment, as an wise and experienced female who has navigated, and continues to face a potentially hostile environment just to live life, maybe she has the ability to make a decision as good as some white male?

There's probably over 100,000 LCP's out there, including mine, and it's recommended for exactly the use she's putting it to, by some very experienced names in personal defense, many of who bought their own. I think she's in good company.

Haven't you thought of getting yours? Pair it with a Kangaroo holster, you can even be secure washing the car in your yard in baggies, flip flops, and a t-shirt.

 

[chuckusaret]

I had one that FWD and is no longer in my collection. My backup is now NAA .380

 

[Wes Janson]

For what it's worth, neither the P3AT nor the LCP are blowback designs; both incorporate a Browning-style locked breech. The Walther, SIG, and similar fixed-barrel handguns are designed off of the straight blowback principle (and consequently tend to have larger slides in order to function properly).

 

[Dirty Bob]

One of the mildest shooting .380s I've found is the Makarov. It's rather heavy, but that weight really mitigates the recoil, and the Russian commercial versions have much better sights than the average mil-spec Makarov.

BTW, any woman who can handle .44Mag or a .38+P snubby is probably going to be just fine with an LCP!

All my best,
DB

 

[natman]

However, my biggest concern with the .380 is that the straight blowback guns, like the P3, LCP, or even a PPK or PPK/S, is just not a lot of fun to shoot,

I agree that the P3 is not a "fun gun to shoot", but that is a function of its light weight and small size. However, it is NOT a straight blowback gun. Check the lug on the barrel.

 

[Husaberg Man]

I've run about 300 rounds through my LCP, using ammo of various manufacture and type...not a single hiccup. I'm not accurate with it. Part of that is due to my inability to practice frequently (ammo availability issues) and part is no doubt just a function of the short barrel, etc.

For its role though, I'm 100% satisfied and absolutely confident that it will go bang when I pull the trigger.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I like my 380LCP. It hides in any pocket big enough to hold it. I barely can get two fingers on the grip, but then my pinky finger is more or less just along for the ride anyway.

I recommend the Crimson Trace laser sight for it. It's the type of arm that will get used in close quarters (like most!) and I would guess presenting the gun up into a Weaver stance for aiming will be out of the question more often than not. That little red dot is both a serious threat to your assailant and an assurance to you that you're going to make a hit.

Woody

PS: It's light weight makes it a handfull to shoot. A firm grip is required.

 

[Animal Mother]

I would recommend that you scrounge up enough .380 rounds for your wife to make sure the ammo and the gun are going to get along. At least go though a box or two.

 

[jerkface11]

Not a single gunshop around here has .380 ammo so good luck.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

If the gun has a 371 prefix to the S/N, it is post-recall. I do not recommend using a thumb-over-thumb grip with the LCP, the slide can, and will, rip the weak hand's thumb. If my grip had been 1/32" higher with the weak hand, I'd have probably lost the gun into the weeds, having launched it with my non-bleeding strong hand. As it was, I felt the slide travel over the second knuckle back from the tip of my weak side thumb. No blood, no real pain, but it sure made me aware of the possibilities.

Other than that, it's been reliable in the limited use I've put it to. With diligent searching, I have been able to get a limited amount of .380. I too would like to use the new Hornady Critical Defense for "social ammo", but haven't been able to locate any of that.

Recoil is substantial, which is not surprising considering the size & weight of the gun. I doubt I'll ever think it's fun to shoot, and that's coming from a guy who owns a handgun that allows him to call the .44 magnum a weak-kneed bed wetter round.

900F

 

[Stratoghost]

I have not seen .380 ammo in 6 months around here. Since it is in my preferred summer carry piece, I have not practiced with it in quite a while.

 

[SMMAssociates]

My apologies for mixing up "straight blowback" and "retarded blowback"....

(Or getting that wrong now, too .)

Either way, the smaller or lighter guns tend to transfer more recoil to the shooter. The .380 is a nasty load in that respect.

Regards,

 

[gglass]

I carry my LCP even when I carry something larger. There are many times that I just can't conceal one of my full size handguns, but my LCP is with me 100% of the time.

 

[hunter25]

I want one but can't find one here yet.