Ruger LCP .380

They fit a certain niche, up close and personal. If that is your main concern than look into it.

I would shoot one first though, as many folks find them to be unpleasant to shoot. You need to regularly practice with what you plan to carry so that means you need to be comfortable shooting it.

Personally I would recommend a mid sized compact pistol for a first CC gun instead of a "pocket pistol", but that's just my opinion. Keep in mind that .380 isn't the cheapest caliber to shoot either.

Can't think of a better pocket pistol. If you shoot it often you can get quite proficient with it. if you plan to carry IWB or OWB, get a bigger, more powerful pistol IMO.

They can be a tad difficult to control at first. Using the magazine with the larger pinky rest helped me with that, though. Once you learn to control it, I suspect you'll find that it's not unpleasant to shoot.

The only complaint that I have from a design perspective, given what they are, which is a super-compact, short-range handgun, is that the slide doesn't stay locked back after the last round. (You might also have a look at the Glock .380, which I learned to shoot much more quickly.)

For pocket carry the LCP is a great pistol. Perfect for when you are running out the door. I carry mine in a desantis nemesis pocket holster. I have no problem shooting mine. I have the custom model with the bigger sights. Now on days when I carry something bigger I carry IWB a kahr cm9 or an XDS 45. Both are too big for my pockets.

I second the recommendation that you shoot it first. That is true of any handgun but for a small pistol like this you want to make sure it is reasonably comfortable to shoot and they it points well for you. It has minimal sights and for defensive shooting you are likely going to be point shooting it. My wife has one and she can reliably and quickly hit the center circle in an IDPA target from 21'. However, others have tried it and had more trouble with it.

Not fun to shot, but I can hit a paper plate at seven yards virtually every time. It is decent firepower in a VERY small and light package. I carry it often.

Yes.

Great little carry gun.

For it's intended use, the LCP is about as good as a pocket pistol gets. They can be shot quite well without mag extensions with practice.
str1

Which model, the first or new Second Generation? They are two different guns.

In terms of choosing a "pocket" pistol the newer version isn't as small or light. The older version is also hampered with a trigger that is less than stellar, and it has a lot of perceived recoil compared to other guns nearly identical in size and weight. The lack of a last round hold open doesn't sound like a significant issue until you try practicing with it, at which point you find yourself pulling the trigger on an empty chamber.

That can and will happen when you don't need it to in self defense. It's the specific reason Ruger now includes it in my opinion. Too many of us criticized it for that lack. It also make shooting at the range less fun, too.

It's like buying cars, you are better off test driving the short list to see what you expect and what they deliver are actually in the same ballpark. If at all possible get thee to a rental range and actually shoot some guns to see what you might like.

First, tho, put together a list of the features you actually need in that gun to see which actually qualify for consideration. The LCP lacks in some areas where others shine, and it the gun is less comfortable shooting and you therefore practice less with it, then that has a significant influence on whether you should trust it in carry. When I went down the list of features I needed, and came up with a short list, they all had last shot hold opens, had a measured trigger pull under 7 pounds, and that trigger was not overly long. That is what eliminated the RM380 for me, and why I found myself pleasantly surprised to discover the Kahr CW380 at the top of the list.

Just because it's cheap and popular doesn't mean it qualifies for your use. Shooting it should have a say so that you make an informed decision. I sold my first Gen LCP and plenty of others are for sale on Gunbroker, there's a reason for that. There are better guns for the money and even Ruger has abandoned the concept by moving into a larger replacement.

The LCP is perfect if what you want is one of the smallest, lightest, and least expensive but effective pocket pistols out there.

Not particularly pleasant to shoot, but you're not buying it for a range or target pistol. Practice enough to become familiar with it and you'll be fine. Be sure to run some of your carry ammo through it to be sure it will feed it correctly.

I will carry mine when I wouldn't take a better choice because it would be larger or heavier. Better something marginal than nothing at all.

Had one but It's long gone since I got a TCP which for some reason is much more comfortable to shoot.

Also IMO though a little larger the G42 tops all of the pocket 380 pistols.

Its a budget issue.At the local Cabelas,I can get the pistol,50 rds target ammo and 20 rds defense ammo for about $250 including tax.

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Judging by the price, you are looking at the original LCP and not the LCP II. Great little gun, but if you add a Hogue Handall Hybrid grip, it will feel much better recoil wise. You can find them for 6 or seven bucks on line. https://www.hogueinc.com/store/products/handall-hybrid-ruger-lcp-grip-sleeve-black/7331

My LCP, I never leave home without it! And when I feel I want something bigger I go to my Glock 27.
For what it is,it does the job!

I've carried one as an EDC for six years now it's a home carry gun, when I leave the house it's a G-23 that I carry and leave the LCP at home.

i think my local shop has lcp for $200 and lcp 2 for $300. i only care about reliability. which one? it would be a backup for my lcr 38spl or glock 19.

The LCP is a great back up. If you are on a budget get the cheaper one. But to the point of the post. There are many options and opinions to be had. Handle some guns and see what feels good in your hand. The LCP great to carry, a handful to shoot. If this is your first conceal carry handgun I would recommend something that blends concealment and decent to shoot. LC9, Glock 42or43, M&P Sheild, or XDS. If you are less mainstream like me I carry a Polish P64 currently. I have a Smith 60 in 357mag in my pocket as backup. My point is to each his own. If possible shoot as many as you can and hold as many as you can. In the end you have to carry and shoot it. Get something you are comfortable doing both with because leaving it at home won't do you any good and if you cant group or control the gun it wont do you much good either.

Definitely add the Hogue grip. It makes a huge difference in comfort and 'grippiness' with almost no increase in bulk.

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kokapelli said:

Also IMO though a little larger the G42 tops all of the pocket 380 pistols.

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I have both Glock 42 and LCP (2nd generation). The LCP is excellent as a backup/hideout gun. The 42 is outstanding as a small EDC (everyday carry) gun as it is much easier to shoot and quite accurate.

When jogging or in gym I use "thunderwear" and the LCP. The 42 is used like my old S&W 642 as the EDC.

Deaf

Investigate the Beretta Pico before making your choice. It has every feature I personally want in a small carry gun, plus it is easy to shoot. Not harsh at all even with +p ammo.

I'd go with the LCP custom, nicer trigger. Last round hold open on the new model is nice, but unnecessary in a pocket self defense pistol unless you're going to carry an extra mag and are expecting to have time to reload in a self defense situation. Plus the new model is substantially more expensive.