New LCP range report - the good and the bad

Wanderling · Apr 18, 2018

So, I took my brand new LCP (original, 2nd gen) to the range today and went through 100 rounds of WWB target ammo.

First, the good:

It was significantly easier to shoot than I expected based on all the people complaining about recoil. I shot it both two-handed and one-handed and I could have easily gone through another hundred rounds.
It is much more accurate than I expected it to be. At 15 ft, I can reliably hit the bullseye (not with every shot) and land most shots in the center of target, one handed. The photo below is my one-hand 15 ft target, with mainly quick mag dumps. I was trying different finger / trigger engagement methods, so I am sure once I get used to it I will tighten my groups. At 25 ft, it's still pretty accurate on a man-sized target. I kind of expected to struggle with it.
The sights are pretty useful.

Now, the bad:

I had multiple FTFs. About one per 6 rd mag load, and sometimes two. Almost ways on the 3rd to 5th round. And when I had an FTF, almost every time I'd fail to feed the subsequent round or two by slingshoting the slide. A typical mag would go bang-bang-click-rack-rack-bang-bang.

I hope this is something that can be easily fixed... I like the little gun but at this point can't rely on it until these kinks are worked out.

Wanderling · Apr 18, 2018

To add: often the loaded mag wouldn’t go in all the way without me giving it a generous thump on the bottom... wonder if this could be of any significance.

Here’s a photo of the first Failure to Feed

kcofohio · Apr 18, 2018

Do you have more than one magazine? If so, same results?
I'd try some RN to see if it repeats the same.

Wanderling · Apr 18, 2018

kcofohio said:
Do you have more than one magazine? If so, same results?
I'd try some RN to see if it repeats the same.

Just the mag it came with. I just bought the gun.

I didn’t clean it before shooting so perhaps that could contribute to the FTFs. Although I had always fired my Glocks right out of the box with no cleaning and never had any issues other than an occasional brass to the forehead.

I did contact Ruger via their web form, will see what they have to say. I really love the tiny size and don’t mind the recoil at all, and it’s accurate enough - I’d hate having to start looking for a pocket gun again.

Jeb Stuart · Apr 19, 2018

I really do not see any reason to contact Ruger at this early stage. You have only fired 100 rounds and using WWB for one. Two you say your are shooting one handed already? WWB can have issues, they have large rims and just cheap crap to begin with. Never know what each batch will offer. You say your felt recoil is mild? Regardless, the gun has significant recoil and high muzzle flip and I HIGHLY suspect your are limp wristing the gun. Especially shooting this little pocket gun which takes time to learn properly. You say FTE, do you mean Failure to fire, or failure to eject? Having to seat the magazine with a thump is common. Give it time to break in. I would bet those shots on your target that are high and right are your first few shots. At least mine were like that when I shot my first LCP about a decade ago. Why, because I was not use to the gun or the recoil.
Don't blame the gun or magazine so early. No need to contact Ruger and have to send in a gun just because you are unfamiliar with it. Take your magazine and load it up to full capacity and let it "Set" for a few days. Then only load the mag up to five rounds for a while to break in. Shoot different ammo. Buy another magazine because you need to anyway. Spend a lot of time shooting the gun. I mean a lot. Pocket guns require diligent time and practice to master. Save the one handed shots until you can become proficient with two hands.
Once you learn the gun with some target shooting, forget the target shooting. Learn good shoot and point skills. These ARE NOT TARGET GUNS!! Practice drawing all the time. Practice double taps and other drills. I have owned 4 LCP'S, however moved on to other Pocket guns which I feel shoot much better and built better. That said all of mine were very reliable guns. All four ate almost any ammo. All the problems I ever had was when I first owned them and limp wristed it which is easy to do for anyone. I feel I know the LCP as good as anyone. Spent years shooting them and thousands of rounds down range. You have to become one with the gun and the LCP is meant to carry each day every day.

Congratulations, you have bought a great first time pocket gun. You chose the Gen2 which IMO is a much better gun than the LCpll. But remember you Have to spend diligent time and training with these guns.

Wanderling · Apr 19, 2018

Hi,

First of all, thanks for your reply.

I am not new to shooting snappy subcompacts that are sensitive to limp wristing. Glocks are pretty notorious for that.

My primary is a G26, which I fire both single and two handed. In years of shooting it I haven’t encountered a single failure to feed.

I did think of limp wristing so after the second mag I made sure I held the gun in a really rigid and firm way. Still got FTFs.

Ammo may be a problem, although WWB has been good for me in any other gun. I will try some Federal next.

I didn’t say that the recoil was mild. It’s snappier than my G26, for sure. It’s just not so bad that after 50 rounds I no longer want to shoot it. I don’t have huge hands, and can get a good grip on it, which probably takes care of most of the felt recoil. I suspect that many guys complaining about the recoil have bear paws that make tightly grabbing the tiny pistol grip difficult so every time it recoils, the grip beats up the inside of their hand. There’s a reason why women seem to not complain about LCP recoil as much. Not that I have delicate hands...

Anyway, having so many FTFs just doesn’t seem right. Especially since after the FTF, I’d often have problems manually loading the subsequent round - it’s like it was getting misaligned and stuck on the feed ramp, and I did not want to force the slide. The third one would then chamber normally.

So this could be a mag issue, or feeding ramp issue, or ammo issue. I disassembled and cleaned the mag, inspected the feed ramp (which looks good with no visible machine marks or burrs) and will try to buy and run some alternative ammo in it tonight even though if it is *that* sensitive to factory loaded brass FMJs from a major brand, it’s kind of disappointing.

Still, I think the first two variables do justify a call to Ruger. I don’t have a spare mag to try, and I don’t want to be messing around with a feeding ramp on a brand new gun. If after a thorough cleaning and a different box of ammo I still get FTFs, this puppy goes back to Ruger. I am not giving up on LCP, that’s for sure. Loving everything else about it.

kcofohio · Apr 19, 2018

Since you'll address two varibles at once, and if the gun runs fine. I would have some of that Winchester on hand to see how it does after cleaning.

Jeb Stuart · Apr 19, 2018

Of the four I owned, I never had to do anything with the feed ramp. Also, in the early years I did place a Houge grip on the gun. Later found out I did not need it. And I have a size large hand with long fingers. For myself, I found the more I handled the gun, the more the gun was easier to shoot without. I now only shoot the Pico which is a slim grip, yet I can out shoot the LCP all day long. And I was competent with the Ruger. Maybe I could do even better with a small hand, but I doubt it. The slim grip on the Pico actually works in my favor. I can automactically place it in the meaty flesh between my Thumb and fore finger and it anchors like steel. And the gun is such a Mild shooter to begin with.
It is all a matter of adapting. Just like going from a fat bicycle seat to a racing seat. Once you learn and adapt you don't want to go back.
Good luck with your LCP, I am sure things will work out. Just be sure to try some other ammo.

rsrocket1 · Apr 19, 2018

Wanderling said:
I didn’t clean it before shooting so perhaps that could contribute to the FTFs. Although I had always fired my Glocks right out of the box with no cleaning and never had any issues other than an occasional brass to the forehead.
.

Was there any hesitation on the slide while cambering a round or did it slide quickly then suddenly stop?

Definitely clean the gun. Every manufacturer has different shipping prep procedures and Ruger may have prepped it to prevent rust rather than immediate shooting. At the very least it's a good idea to flush it out with something like Hornady One Shot gun cleaner and dry lube. At least it will flush away some packing grease if any and not leave any residue like a spray CLP or oil would. A field strip, spray and wipe down would only delay your shooting by about 5 minutes. I do the same with my guns if at all possible on the first day of taking delivery. I bring a gun cleaner/lube in my range bag, do a quick clean and shoot.

Wanderling · Apr 19, 2018

There was definitely some hesitation on the rounds that didn’t chamber manually. Felt like it extracted the round from the mag ok but then stumbled / got misaligned going up the feed ramp. But I am now imagining things, probably.

stchman · Apr 19, 2018

I own 2 LCPs (an original Gen 1 and an LCP Custom). Both guns have never experienced any FTF or FTE. I do clean and lube my guns before I ever shoot them. Also try a different mag.

Wanderling · Apr 19, 2018

Well, I’ve got a hold of a Ruger CS rep and was told that this is neither normal nor accepted behavior with factory brass FMJ ammo, and that they would rather have their technician take a look at it. So it’s all packed and ready to be shipped first thing tomorrow. I was told 2 weeks turnaround, so probably won’t see it back until mid-May. Oh well.

Jeb Stuart · Apr 20, 2018

Ruger has outstanding customer service. You should receive it back in about a week. I shot mine more than most and had to send them back a number of times for various reasons and they replaced two of them. I am now down to one but it is in retirement as a truck gun. I own about 5 or 6 different Rugers and have had to send most of them back for one reason or another, but always great service. Many times they have just sent parts.I would suggest investing in a stainless steel guide rod, buying extra recoil springs. Change the springs out often. I would buy them 5 or 6 at a time. Also buy extra take-down pins and replace as part of standard maintenance or buy a stainless steel pin.

Start inspecting the gun closely for cracks in the frame and especially around the polymer grip. Never shoot any plus p or hot ammo out of these guns. They are not built for it. I do wish you had tired different ammo before sending it in. Something other than WWB. Many Times Ruger will look at the gun and not tell you what they did to fix it.If they shoot it with other ammo and it has no problems they will just send it back to you. But then again, the WWB might will still give the gun problems. But you will be able to tell if they do. Ruger should sell these guns with two mags. They use to before, but I know they stopped.
You should get your gun back soon. Gives you time time to get a few more mags. Glad to see you were taken care of.
Ps, by the way fyi, the Gen 2's are now manufactured in North Carolina and not Prescott where the LCPll's are.

Also, Ruger is quick to send the gun back if you talk to CS. Many times i would politely ask to speak to a Technician for advice before sending it in.

stchman · Apr 20, 2018

Jeb Stuart said:
Ruger has outstanding customer service. You should receive it back in about a week. I shot mine more than most and had to send them back a number of times for various reasons and they replaced two of them. I am now down to one but it is in retirement as a truck gun. I own about 5 or 6 different Rugers and have had to send most of them back for one reason or another, but always great service. Many times they have just sent parts.I would suggest investing in a stainless steel guide rod, buying extra recoil springs. Change the springs out often. I would buy them 5 or 6 at a time. Also buy extra take-down pins and replace as part of standard maintenance or buy a stainless steel pin.

Start inspecting the gun closely for cracks in the frame and especially around the polymer grip. Never shoot any plus p or hot ammo out of these guns. They are not built for it. I do wish you had tired different ammo before sending it in. Something other than WWB. Many Times Ruger will look at the gun and not tell you what they did to fix it.If they shoot it with other ammo and it has no problems they will just send it back to you. But then again, the WWB might will still give the gun problems. But you will be able to tell if they do. Ruger should sell these guns with two mags. They use to before, but I know they stopped.
You should get your gun back soon. Gives you time time to get a few more mags. Glad to see you were taken care of.
Ps, by the way fyi, the Gen 2's are now manufactured in North Carolina and not Prescott where the LCPll's are.

Also, Ruger is quick to send the gun back if you talk to CS. Many times i would politely ask to speak to a Technician for advice before sending it in.

Really, I own way more Ruger firearms than that and have never had to send one back. I will give kudos to Ruger for great CS. I had a handguard on my Mini-14 develop a small crack. I called Ruger and the promptly sent me one out. I asked her if Ruger wanted the other hand guard back and she said, keep it as a spare if you like. She then re-iterated to me several times that if I EVER have a problem with a Ruger firearm, they'll fix it, no questions asked no matter how old the gun is.

Wanderling · Apr 20, 2018

I got spoiled I guess as neither one of my Glocks nor my S&W AR15 ever gave me any problems... all ran great straight out of the box with any ammo... so I don’t have any reasons to praise their Customer Service.

Unfortunately G42 is still a beast...

Jeb Stuart · Apr 20, 2018

stchman said:
Really, I own way more Ruger firearms than that and have never had to send one back. I s.

Lol. Really, I am not complaining but you want to go down that road fine.

Ruger SR22 sent back a TWO times, this is a example of one of them.

Many splits with LCP's

Split rail

Here is my LCR-Now this is after it was sent in once-now I just live with it.

I had take down pins break of the LCP's, the spring for the pin break, I had the LC9 break take down pin front sight come off and others problems. Go to Ruger forum and you see problems all the time. And yes, Ruger does a great job of taking care of the customer. I am in no way saying Ruger's are bad gun, I perfectly understand that all guns can have problems. But please DO not put a Halo on the brand. REALLY!
And fyi, I love Ruger.

stchman · Apr 20, 2018

Jeb Stuart said:
Lol. Really, I am not complaining but you want to go down that road fine.

Ruger SR22 sent back a few times, this is a example of one of them.

Many splits with LCP's

View attachment 786477

Split rail

View attachment 786478

View attachment 786479

Here is my LCR-Now this is after it was sent in once-now I just live with it.

View attachment 786480

I had take down pins break of the LCP's, the spring for the pin break, I had the LC9 break take down pin front sight come off and others problems. Go to Ruger forum and you see problems all the time. And yes, Ruger does a great job of taking care of the customer. I am in no way saying Ruger's are bad gun, I perfectly understand that all guns can have problems. But please to not put a Halo on the brand. REALL

I'm just telling you of my experiences. I own 2 LCPs and they've never given me any problems. Now with that being said, I don't use my LCPs as "range" guns. I shoot them every once in a while to try and stay proficient with them. IMO, the LCP is not meant to be a gun to put thousands of rounds through. My original LCP may have 300 rounds through it and I've owned that gun almost 8 years. The LCP is so small that its internals aren't made to be a heavy use gun. After I shoot a few mags through my LCP, I remember why it sucks so much to shoot. The LCP is a deep cover gun, treat it as such.

As far as the SR22, I've owned mine for years but frankly may have 500 rounds through it max so it's not super high round count either.

I do OTOH have a few Ruger pistols that are pretty high round count, my SR9 and RAP 45. To be honest, those guns were designed with duty and high round count in mind.

Jeb Stuart · Apr 21, 2018

stchman said:
I'm just telling you of my experiences. I own 2 LCPs and they've never given me any problems. Now with that being said, I don't use my LCPs as "range" guns. I shoot them every once in a while to try and stay proficient with them. IMO, the LCP is not meant to be a gun to put thousands of rounds through. My original LCP may have 300 rounds through it and I've owned that gun almost 8 years. The LCP is so small that its internals aren't made to be a heavy use gun. After I shoot a few mags through my LCP, I remember why it sucks so much to shoot. The LCP is a deep cover gun, treat it as such.

As far as the SR22, I've owned mine for years but frankly may have 500 rounds through it max so it's not super high round count either.

I do OTOH have a few Ruger pistols that are pretty high round count, my SR9 and RAP 45. To be honest, those guns were designed with duty and high round count in mind.

I will respectfully disagree with you concerning the fact that pocket guns are not meant for high round count or range guns. Yes, You are right the LCP is not meant for for a lot of range time, but there are guns that will in fact go the distance and keep on trucking. The Pico is the one I prefer and has proven itself to do just that. I personally feel that any pocket gun that you may CCW on a Regular basis should be shot often, and diligent practice. I practice each week. For one thing a short barrel pocket gun is NOT easy to shoot. You have to become proficient and that means practice and to stay sharp means practice and training.
Yes, the LCP "Sucked" for me at first as well. That changed with more and more shooting. There is a point where the gun's recoil is not anywhere as harsh as when you first start. You simply adapt and become immune to the recoil. For me, I actually enjoy shooting pocket guns. They are a challenge, and it is this fact that makes them fun. Same with a little Snubbie. They require Practice. Just like in any sport.
I CCW my Pico every day. Even if I CCW my 9mm sub-compact. I want to know that if I am carrying that gun and the SHTF, I will be able to draw quickly and go center mass quickly. Maybe a few people are just naturals and can simply do this without practice. Unfortunately I am not one of them. I need to keep sharp.
Today is a range day as well as tomorrow. My main concern today is the 9mm. I will be shooting a lot this weekend as usual. No matter what I shoot for the day, The Pico will go along and it will get a minimum of 25 rounds shot. The same as tomorrow.
That said "DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS"
I am in no way, implying your are wrong, just wrong for my personal beliefs. Hopefully neither you nor I will ever have to put our views to test.
Life is good, enjoy this great sport.
PS Perfect day for the range!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vern Humphrey · Apr 21, 2018

Wanderling said:
I had multiple FTFs. About one per 6 rd mag load, and sometimes two. Almost ways on the 3rd to 5th round. And when I had an FTF, almost every time I'd fail to feed the subsequent round or two by slingshoting the slide. A typical mag would go bang-bang-click-rack-rack-bang-bang.

I hope this is something that can be easily fixed... I like the little gun but at this point can't rely on it until these kinks are worked out.

This is a self-defense gun. It has no other use. A self-defense gun that malfunctions like that is unacceptable.

I would call the factory and complain -- see what they will do for you/

Wanderling · May 2, 2018

So, on Monday I unexpectedly received FedEx shipping notification - despite Ruger CS rep telling me on Friday that they were running two weeks behind - and today, I have the pistol back with the following note:

“ITEMS REPLACED: HAMMER CATCH AND SLIDE ASSEMBLY

AFTER REPAIR, FIREARM WAS FUNCTION FIRED 24 ROUNDS WITHOUT MALFUNCTION. USED HORNADY CRITICAL DEFENCE
HP ROUNDS, WIN WHITE BOX FLAT NOSE, AND HORNADY CUSTOM HP ROUNDS”

I will try shooting it tomorrow and see if they really fixed it. A week and a half turnaround time, including shipping, is not bad.

Jonesy814 · May 2, 2018

I think not cleaning it first was part of the problem. All my Tigers had a coat of preservative on them that was kind if sticky

Jeb Stuart · May 3, 2018

Jonesy814 said:
I think not cleaning it first was part of the problem. All my Tigers had a coat of preservative on them that was kind if sticky

I doubt cleaning had anything to do this gun. Most of my Rugers have been shipped on the dry side. They do not have tight tolerances and shoot well when dirty. The Op stated that Ruger replaced the slide assembly. I would guess it was just a bad gun out of production. It happens. Regardless, Ruger customer service is top shelf and the gun will be running fine. Glad to hear the OP is getting his gun back so soon.

Wanderling · May 3, 2018

It looks like they replaced the barrel as well, after I shot 100 rds there was some finish wear on top where it rides under the slide, now it’s all black again.

Wanderling · May 3, 2018

So it looks like they’ve replaced the mag as well. The problem is, I can barely load the 6th round now, I really have to jam the mag into the gun to make it latch, and racking the slide loading the first round is hard.

Hopefully letting it sit for a while fully loaded will loosen up the spring.. if the problem is the mag spring.

C’mon Ruger...

Wanderling · May 3, 2018

Jonesy814 said:
I think not cleaning it first was part of the problem. All my Tigers had a coat of preservative on them that was kind if sticky

I cleaned it after the range and it wasn’t all that gooey. I’d say it had what appeared as regular amount of lube. Very slghtly more than my Glocks came with, but then Glocks run on the dry side.

New LCP range report - the good and the bad

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