Do I send it back to Ruger?

Mn Fats · May 20, 2019

I just bought an LCP, brand new. I didn't even notice at the shop, but it seems to be a 10 year anniversary LCP.

This is my first pocket pistol (aside from an NAA mini) so I was kinda excited to see how well I could hit with it.

Unfortunately, it's a single shot. Mind you, I've only tried one type of ammo. Federal 95gr FMJ. Should be no problems there.

It won't fully eject the fired round to make way for the next one. I havent limp wristed since I was 10, so thats out. I stripped it from the factory and cleaned/ lightly oiled it. I polished the feed ramp and chamber. No better.

Do I send it back to Ruger? I could try different ammo but I've read what I've been shooting is solid stuff, and at $18 a box, seems spendy.

Any similar experiences? Did I fudge the warranty by polishing?

Zaydok Allen · May 20, 2019

Try different ammo first, if it still doesn’t work, send it in.

Personally, I’d never send a gun anywhere until I’ve tried at least one alternative ammo.

Mn Fats · May 20, 2019

460Shooter said:
Try different ammo first, if it still doesn’t work, send it in.

Personally, I’d never send a gun anywhere until I’ve tried at least one alternative ammo.

Agreed. It's FMJ though and I've ran the remaining rounds through the caliper and it's all in spec. according to the info in front of me. Others have said federal 95gr fmj's work fine.
Since I posted this, I tried out a handful of Blazer's, not sure the grain as they were loose. Single shot.

Zaydok Allen · May 20, 2019

Well then, I guess it’s time. That sucks.

Ruger will take care of you though.

Theohazard · May 20, 2019

Mn Fats said:
I havent limp wristed since I was 10, so thats out.

I’ve worked at two different public ranges, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve had customers have the exact same problems you’re having who claimed they weren’t limp-wristing the gun, but when one of us shot it the gun worked fine. Have you had someone else shoot it? What type of grip do you use? LCPs are very prone to having failure-to-eject stoppages when the shooter is using a poor grip technique; you might have been using a sub-optimal grip for all your other guns that still allows the gun to work, but it doesn’t work with the LCP.

Please don’t take my comments as an insult, I’m simply trying to help you rule out any other possible cause for your problems. LCPs are known for having issues so the problem might still be the gun, but in my experience when a shooter is having a problem with an LCP it’s more often due to a poor grip technique than to a faulty gun.

94045 · May 20, 2019

I would try a box of some other inexpensive ammo with a decent rep such as Aguila, Fiocchi, S&B or WWB just to rule out a lot of lightly charged ammo.

I would have another experienced shooter shoot it just to rule out the possibility it's your grip.

Your description almost makes it sound like a failure to extract (didn't clear chamber) instead of failure to eject (didn't clear action). Regardless the LCP has pretty light springs which usually means they extract and eject with authority and if they have an issue it's with return to battery. This is usually where a light chamber polish may help.

Given that I would just get the dealer to return it to Ruger. They usually are pretty quick about repairs and usually don't give any fluff about any mods unless they actually caused the problem. Im guessing it's ether an extractor or ejector issue or something is binding.

PS That is indeed a 10th Anniversary.

Mn Fats · May 20, 2019

Theohazard said:
I’ve worked at two different public ranges, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve had customers have the exact same problems you’re having who claimed they weren’t limp-wristing the gun, but when one of us shot it the gun worked fine. Have you had someone else shoot it? What type of grip do you use? LCPs are very prone to having failure-to-eject stoppages when the shooter is using a poor grip technique; you might have been using a sub-optimal grip for all your other guns that still allows the gun to work, but it doesn’t work with the LCP.

I'm usually the guy that suggests limp wristing, then shoots thier gun and it functions flawlessly. But yes, two others have fired the gun today.

As far as grip, that may be? I have large hands and just kind of bury it far into My palm. My main shooters are 1911's and revolvers. I am used to the nice crisp pull, but also shoot my revolvers double action so I found the LCP to be okay to pull. Mushy, but not as bad as I've read.

The way it fires now, I'm able to keep all 6 shots inside a 6" plate at 15 yards. That's all I've tried so far, and I'm happy enough. Just wish it ejected...

Mn Fats · May 20, 2019

94045 said:
I would try a box of some other inexpensive ammo with a decent rep such as Aguila, Fiocchi, S&B or WWB just to rule out a lot of lightly charged ammo.

I did replace cheap range Federals with cheap range Blazers. I'll try one last "decent" box of ammo before I send her home.

Mn Fats · May 20, 2019

94045 said:
Your description almost makes it sound like a failure to extract (didn't clear chamber) instead of failure to eject (didn't clear action). Regardless the LCP has pretty light springs which usually means they extract and eject with authority and if they have an issue it's with return to battery. This is usually where a light chamber polish may help.

Given that I would just get the dealer to return it to Ruger. They usually are pretty quick about repairs and usually don't give any fluff about any mods unless they actually caused the problem. Im guessing it's ether an extractor or ejector issue or something is binding.

PS That is indeed a 10th Anniversary.

Definitely failure to extract, sorry for the wrong nomenclature. And I polished the chamber and feed ramp. Nothing doing.

94045 · May 20, 2019

Mn Fats said:
Definitely failure to extract, sorry for the wrong nomenclature. And I polished the chamber and feed ramp. Nothing doing.

Then I would just return it to Ruger as I've seen plenty of people return a pistol with similar work for warranty and Ruger didn't say a thing.

PS To clarify, When I was saying have someone else fire it I was just making sure that your grip itself (as opposed to limp wristing) wasn't causing the pistol to malfunction. On small pistols I've actually seen people get enough drag on the slide to stop function. Sounds like you have that covered.

Mn Fats · May 21, 2019

94045 said:
Then I would just return it to Ruger as I've seen plenty of people return a pistol with similar work for warranty and Ruger didn't say a thing.

PS To clarify, When I was saying have someone else fire it I was just making sure that your grip itself (as opposed to limp wristing) wasn't causing the pistol to malfunction.

Theohazard said:
LCPs are known for having issues so the problem might still be the gun, but in my experience when a shooter is having a problem with an LCP it’s more often due to a poor grip technique than to a faulty gun.

Grip looks like this.

Its not a death grip, just grabbing what i can. Reasonably comfortable for a pocket pistol. The wrist is more in line with the forearm when I'm actually shooting. But even if it wasn't, this is a self defense gun. If your technique is just a hair off, you die?

I'll try a third type of ammo and see what happens. Otherwise, back to Ruger. No big deal, that is, unless I have to pay a dime for shipping or repairs.

MedWheeler · May 21, 2019

Mn Fats writes:

But even if it wasn't, this is a self defense gun. If your technique is just a hair off, you die?

While pocket-rockets do require a firm and precise grip, no, they aren't this demanding. While your gun is away, you should try shooting someone else's LCP, or similar gun (Taurus TCP, Kel-Tec P3-AT, etc) just to see what it should feel like, and how easy it will be to find the grip that will indeed work for you. Then, you'll definitely be able to evaluate yours when you get it back, knowing what it's "supposed" to feel like.

Armored farmer · May 21, 2019

Mn Fats said:
Grip looks like this.View attachment 842450 View attachment 842451 Its not a death grip, just grabbing what i can. Reasonably comfortable for a pocket pistol. The wrist is more in line with the forearm when I'm actually shooting. But even if it wasn't, this is a self defense gun. If your technique is just a hair off, you die?

I'll try a third type of ammo and see what happens. Otherwise, back to Ruger. No big deal, that is, unless I have to pay a dime for shipping or repairs.

I just bought that same lcp for mrs farmer....havent even picked it up from the lgs yet.
You should get yourself an extended magazine. It holds an extra round, and adds grip length....win/win. I carry the smaller original mag in my left pocket as my spare.

I have plenty of carry guns. I typically choose to go with the lcp.

Mrs and I can share mags and ammo.
I like my Desantis SofTuck holster. It can be worn in multiple positions. I can wear my shirt tucked over the gun, and my belt clip works with the holster too.
Oh....and yes, send it in to ruger. My lcp has only had two failures, both ammo related(hornady critical defense)

FL-NC · May 21, 2019

Send it back. Ruger has outstanding customer service.

huntsman · May 21, 2019

View attachment 842462 I got big hands and needed a Pierce grip extender just to get a 2 finger grip.

My “old” LCP required a 13lb spring to return to battery on some JHP, but the only FMJ it choked on was Aluminum.

Big hand grip means squeezing down on it with thumb also.

Theohazard · May 21, 2019

Mn Fats said:
Its not a death grip, just grabbing what i can. Reasonably comfortable for a pocket pistol. The wrist is more in line with the forearm when I'm actually shooting. But even if it wasn't, this is a self defense gun. If your technique is just a hair off, you die?

That’s not a bad grip, but a thumbs-forward grip would give your left hand more contact with the frame of the gun and therefore more recoil control, which helps with stoppages. (Unless your fingers are huge and your left thumb ends up in front of the muzzle; but I have large hands and that’s not an issue for me with the LCP.) If you want to keep your right thumb from dragging the slide, you could do what I do and rest my right thumb on top of the base of my left thumb slightly away from the gun.

Keep in mind that — if the issue is indeed your grip technique — the problem is exacerbated by lower-powered range ammo. Self-defense ammo is usually hotter, and you see a lot fewer grip-related stoppages with it as a result.

murf · May 21, 2019

I would send it back to ruger. your ejection problem should not happen with any reasonable grip or ammo. I had this problem with my lcp ii. I fixed it myself by filing down the casting sprue on the ejector. works fine now with any ammo and my "left hand only" grip.

your problem may not be the same, so the vote to send it back.

luck,

murf

I meant to say "extractor" instead of "ejector". remove the slide and run a case up through the extractor. the case should not bind. I took a small file and removed the offending material until the case moved smoothly by the extractor. I don't know if this voids the warranty (ruger has no warranty per se), but i'm sure they will sell you a new extractor.

Texas10mm · May 21, 2019

Are you by any chance riding the slide? On small guns, and some large guns, it's way to easy for us big handed guys to accidentally contact the slide. This causes short stroking.

Theohazard · May 21, 2019

murf said:
I would send it back to ruger. your ejection problem should not happen with any reasonable grip or ammo.

Well, that depends what you mean by “reasonable grip” or “reasonable ammo”. Larger guns have a much bigger operating window: Use an inferior grip technique and/or lower-power range ammo with a gun like a Glock 19, chances are it will still work just fine. But when you have a tiny gun that’s chambered in .380 or above, you’ve got a lot less wiggle room.

Take grip for instance: the thumbs-forward grip is the optimal grip for recoil control on a semi-auto pistol. There’s a reason why that grip technique has become universal in the competition and defensive training worlds. And the better your grip technique controls recoil the less of a chance you have for a grip-related stoppage. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen customers who’ve been shooting handguns their whole life (with an older style grip technique) have problems with a micro gun like the LCP, and when one of us shot it the gun worked fine.

And when you add in lower-power range ammo, it makes it even more likely that a poor grip technique will cause limp-wristing stoppages on a micro gun, whereas it wouldn’t be an issue on a larger gun.

joseywales76 · May 21, 2019

Send it in. I would skip the part where you worked on it. They may void warranty on it.

BSA1 · May 21, 2019

Do you only have one magazine? The usual suspects are ammo and the magazine. Ammo seems to be out as the cause of the problem.

Mike J · May 21, 2019

I would call Ruger. Tell them what's going on & ask for a shipping label. That is what I did when I had some rust spots on the frame of my SR 1911 under the grips. They took care of me & I had it back within about a week.

Mn Fats · May 21, 2019

Texas10mm said:
Are you by any chance riding the slide? On small guns, and some large guns, it's way to easy for us big handed guys to accidentally contact the slide. This causes short stroking.

No. I when I first started shooting, my 1911 wouldn't hold open after the last round. I discovered my left thumb was riding on the slide stop, I changed my grip and the problem was solved. I'm very conscious of grip and hand/finger placement these days.

BSA1 said:
Do you only have one magazine? The usual suspects are ammo and the magazine. Ammo seems to be out as the cause of the problem.

Yes, just one mag. I figured "good enough", trusting Ruger's reliability. I honestly didn't know these pocket guns could be so finicky. This is my first experience with a true "pocket gun". My last closest pocket gun was an SP-101 and she went bang everytime. Might have to go back to a snubbie if this doesn't pan out.

joseywales76 said:
Send it in. I would skip the part where you worked on it. They may void warranty on it.

I called them up and a UPS guy is coming tomorrow with a shipping label. The lady said 2 weeks is the normal turn around. That's pretty impressive. Great CS and great CS rep with the classic Southern Hospitality. Gotta love it.

I'll post an update when I get it back if anyone is curious.

Pat Riot · May 21, 2019

Call Ruger and get it returned. I am sure they will fix the problem. I wouldn’t mention the polishing though I doubt they would make a fuss about it.

My friend had 4 Ruger LCPs. He really liked LCPs. Anyway, the 4th one he bought had the same issue. He sent it in and got it back in a couple of weeks and it worked perfectly. I do not recall if he mentioned what Ruger did to it.

straightshooterjake · May 21, 2019

This pistol is a defensive pistol. It should work correctly if you take a hasty but firm grip with either hand or with both hands. If not, send it back to the manufacturer. A defensive pistol needs to work under lots of less than ideal situations.

I am not opposed to the idea of having someone else shoot the pistol as an additional test. But with experienced pistol shooters, I have found grip induced issues to be pretty rare.

Also, when a pistol works with a very firm grip, but is sensitive to "limp-wrist" issues, I ask myself the following questions. If this pistol was completely in-spec, would it still be sensitive to poor grip? Or is it really a bit out of spec, and that is why an extremely firm grip is required? The answers to these questions can vary based on a range of factors, but they are worth considering.

Do I send it back to Ruger?

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