Ruger LCP 380 - the bad?

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d-dogg said:
Just exactly how big a guy are you, txgunsuscg? Glove size please, if you know it. Curious how big is just too big for this gun. I haven't handled one yet.
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I wear large to extra large depending on the cut of the glove. I'll see if I can get a pic of my grip on the LCP when I get home. For reference right now, here is a pic of my hand compared to a Smith 442.
 

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It's a good small and reliable pocket gun, but the sights and trigger sucks. Went to the range with my friend and his LCP vs. the Sig P238 and the Sig won for getting the tightest groouping and target acquisition.
 
Update.

I got my hands on one tonight. Played with it for quite a while. Tried carrying it in front pocket, back pocket, shirt pocket, socks and waistband. Practiced drawing for all hiding places. With deference to all of you who had problems with the magazine accidentally ejecting, I simply don't see how, unless Ruger finally stiffened up the ejector button. I could not for the life of me made it accidentally eject.

Dry fired it a few times. Yes, it has a long trigger pull, but no worse than my P89. Observed that yes, the sights are next to useless, but I won't likely be using them.

Didn't feel the gun was too small for my hands, though I typically also wear a large to extra large glove (a size 11 actually, from back in the day when gloves and hats were actually made to fit).

Dealer made me a really good deal on it with a Laserlyte, so I brought it home. Will follow up Saturday afternoon when I have a chance to fire it at the range.

Thanks for all the well thought out and objective input!
 
When I first got in to shooting and collecting guns, ruger was my first choice. Mostly on price and design. I have had problems with ever ruger I've owned. I don't knock them, they taught me a lot about firearms, with all the tweaking and parts I had to replace. From them I've learned the differences between average and excellent. I found most of my problems were with their magazines and the after market ones. Spend good money on your mags and everything is fine, short change the mags and your in trouble. I would never tell anyone not to buy a ruger, I just don't have anymore in my collection. I prefer sig, glock, and Springfield, but that's just me. Happy shooting and may your gun fire for ever for you.
 
Armybrat said:
Don't like the LCP because it's a bit harsh to shoot and the itty-bitty sights suck?

Then take a look at the brand new, just-announced (yesterday) Ruger LC380:

http://www.ruger.com/products/lc380/models.html

But I'm sticking with my LCP.
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The LC380 looks like it's just the LCR chambered for 380. If it is, what's the point?

If I'm going to have the same exact gun, I'd go with the 9mm version.
 
Perhaps Ruger is trying to make a 380 pistol that is more enjoyable to shoot.
Since we all know the LCP is not a range gun perhaps as far as 380 caliber goes this might be a better choice for range folks.
And I agree that at that size of gun I am going with my PM9 but the new Ruger still is sized for conceal carry for those who may be recoil sensitive and just want a bigger 380.
 
heeler said:
Perhaps Ruger is trying to make a 380 pistol that is more enjoyable to shoot.
Since we all know the LCP is not a range gun perhaps as far as 380 caliber goes this might be a better choice for range folks.
And I agree that at that size of gun I am going with my PM9 but the new Ruger still is sized for conceal carry for those who may be recoil sensitive and just want a bigger 380.
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Good point and with the tilt barrel action it should have very soft felt recoil in 380.
 
Initial impression.

Sights as mentioned are useless. I'll try to paint the front. Gun seems to shoot low, but perhaps that is me not being used to its long trigger pull yet.

Trigger pull is long but smooth.

Fit in my hand not too bad.

Kick not bad at all considering how light the gun is.

I'm satisfied overall.
 
I own my own weight in handguns, some nice big ones, but it is the miserable little guns I carry:

1) 50% of the time 380 Ruger LCP with laser with pocket holster DESANTIS M44BJG5Z0 for LCP with laser marked "G5". I carry 90 gr Gold Dot bullets loaded with Power Pistol to 1100 fps.
2) 25% of the time 380 Kel-Tec P3AT with pocket clip in shirt pocket or DESANTIS M44BJG3Z0 for P3AT marked "G3", same ammo as the LCP
3) 10% of the time 9mm Kel-Tec PF9 Hinterbergen 100gr +P+ ammo and the holster is:
DESANTIS M44BJMKZ0 for PF9 marked "MK"
4) 5% of the time S&W model 60 with commercial 158 gr JHP 38 sp ammo
5) 1% 357 mag
6) 1% 45 Super
7) 1% 44 mag on hip when standing around in the woods.
8) etc
 
I find the recoil on the LCP a bit sharp but hardly horrible.
I can regularly shoot 50-75 rounds at the range without feeling totally put out and I am not a big guy with big hands.
On the other hand my experience with an air weight J frame in .38 Special to be intolerable to the point that I sold mine and will probably never own another one.
 
I carry my LCP a lot, I have nearly 300 flawless rds thru it. The only work I did to it was add a Keltec pocket clip and a piece of bicycle inner tube around the grip. At the ranges it was intended for it points naturally for me and is accurate enough. I don't even look at the "sights". If I slow fire the trigger stages nicely.

I have bigger, harder hitting, ballistically superior options but the LCP is there for me when those are not. I don't kid myself either, this little pistol is for intimate defensive work not a long day at the range.
 
The LCP is surprisingly accurate. The only limitation is the poor sights. mechanically I would bet its more accurate than most here are capable of shooting. I had and LCP and sold it after I purchased a S&W BG380. The BG380 chamber is about 3 times thicker compared to the LCP at its thinnest point. At one point in the chamber the LCP is literally paper thin. I would NOT feel comfortable shooting any of the more powerful 380 ammo through an LCP. The BG380 also have much better sights, a better trigger, and really gives up nothing as far as conceal ability. The BG380 is also a pretty accurate little shooter and the better sights make it much easier to make use of it. Both can be comfortably shot on the range for extended sessions. There is quite a bit of advice on here I just don't think sounds like it is coming from people who have actually owned one or done much shooting with one. I think the LCP makes a great BUG, but for primary concealment the BG380 is much better in that class of pistol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Ybql8mDbs
 
I just check the serail number 377-xxxxx I think it was made in 2012
I seem not to have any issue as far as sights ,the gun was design for a point and shoot gun for self defence by no means a target gun.I find the trigger pull is long but not heavy for me I see no difference if you were to shoot a S@W chief double action or the LCP
 
For those that hate the recoil, try the hogue LCP grip made specifically for the LCP AND a 13lb Wolf recoil spring.
 
I never had a problem with the reliability or recoil of my LCP. Very nice little gun but I decided to get rid of it due to the fact that I bought it to use when I couldn't carry my Glock 23. After a couple of years I found that there really were no times that I couldn't carry my G23.

The final straw though was I let a buddy shoot it and asI was watching, i noticed he had to readjust his grip on the gun after every shot, just as I had to do. Even holding the gun, it feels as though it wants to roll forward in my hand. I sold it with the idea of buying a Taurus TCP which feels better to me or some other.380 but realized I just don't have any need for a .380.

As far as easy to shoot .380's go, my wife got a Walther PK380 for various reasons, and it is a very easy to shoot gun due to size and weight. The slide is extremely easy to rack which was a major selling point as my wife could no longer actuate the slide on her Glock 23, not to mention just about any other .380.
 
I shot a friend's LCP and I wasn't impressed. It wasn't fun to shoot and I had to constantly readjust my grip. I already have what I consider the "king of .380's", the Beretta 84, and it's closed slide twin, the Browning BDA .380, both are a pleasure to shoot and I got both of them in nice shape for less than $300 each.
 
hemiram said:
I shot a friend's LCP and I wasn't impressed. It wasn't fun to shoot and I had to constantly readjust my grip. I already have what I consider the "king of .380's", the Beretta 84, and it's closed slide twin, the Browning BDA .380, both are a pleasure to shoot and I got both of them in nice shape for less than $300 each.
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Yes but try putting them into your pocket!
 
A couple years ago OI bought a LCP and a Keltec P3AT.

Both were reliable but the LCP had a lot better fit and finish. The number one downside to the LCP was that it's slick, not grippy enough for my hands and I couldn't hold onto it.

Sold the LCP and kept the Keltec. I carry it daily in a Bear Creek Wallet holster.

Holster001.jpg
 
Houser,my brother has been looking at one of those back pocket holsters and I was wondering if the pistol can be seen while carrying it in that mode.
That is a nice looking holster by the way.
 
I have a holster like that. Fits nicely in a front pocket. It will also fit in a rear pocket, but the gun isn't so easy to get to then.

The holster shows in the pocket. The beauty of a holster like that is that it appears to be a wallet.
 
The 380 in a bigger better case support pistol, I can do 1187 fps 158 gr and exceed the 357 mag for that barrel length.


But not in an LCP.
The most I can get out of an LCP is 1100 fps 90 gr Gold Dot.
And that is right on the edge.

Edge of what?
The case support in my LCP is at .270".
The only 380 I have seen that is worse is the Kel Tec P3AT at .290".

That really limits the power with hand loads.
 
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