LCP, Critical Defense, and confidence

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sbwaters

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I prefer my Ruger LC9s but, when I need a small gun, I like my .380 Ruger LCP that I have had for a couple of years, have shot it enough with regular ammo to feel comfortable with it, and put about a box of Hornady Critical Defense through it when I got it to know it eats it well.

I’d go out every six months the cycle it with regular ammo and the gun has never failed to fire. Last week, I happened to put a magazine of Critical Defense through it and had the first failure to fire ever. Solid dimple on the primer. It fired when I tried it again.

Having lost confidence in either the firing pin spring or Critical Defense, I now feel obliged to put at least another box of Critical Defense through it to regain confidence.

I guess my point is that I should regularly shoot in the gun what I plan to use in it, even if it is more expensive.
 
Years ago, they had problems with critical defense. Certain lots had primer issues, and the rounds would not go off. I remember this was 9mm rounds 1 or 2 times. Maybe there is also an issue with 380. How old were the rounds.

I use that ammo in some 9mms. In my own LCO, i use Federal hydrashok.
 
BSA1 said:
Have you cleaned the firing pin channel and inspect the firing pin, spring and slide for mechanical problems?
Click to expand...
Just happened two days ago. Firing pin channel definitely on the list. Rest of the gun regularly inspected.
 
If it has a solid dimple I'd maybe suspect a bad primer over a light strike, hard to know without inspecting it.

Bad primers do occasionally happen, so it's good to keep on your malf drill practice.

But you've got the idea, clean the striker channel, run some more ammo and hopefully it's all good!
 
I have nothing good to say about Hornady Critic Defense:
20170727_191748.jpg
This one didnt go off.

20170905_202757.jpg
This one didnt pass through a two liter bottle filled with water!

I sent the remainder of the box downrange, and washed my hands of them.
 
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Shipwreck said:
Years ago, they had problems with critical defense. Certain lots had primer issues, and the rounds would not go off. I remember this was 9mm rounds 1 or 2 times. Maybe there is also an issue with 380. How old were the rounds.
Click to expand...

Hornady has a reputation among Rohrbaugh owners for having hard primers. It's a cartridge the R9 sometimes doesn't fire.
 
Look at the AmmoQuest tests for .380.



As a result I have gone from Critical Defense (still have 4 full boxes) to XTP loadings as a result. I have Fiocchi, Hornady, and Precision One loadings at present with Fiocchi in the gun at present simply because I have shot a lot of it and like the nickel cases.
 
Currently using Underwood Extreme Defender in both my 9mm's and LCP's.
 
C0untZer0 said:
I think Hornady makes one of the best if not the best .380 ACP SD bullet out there, but its not Critical Defense, it is the XTP.
Click to expand...

Yes in addition to Hornady in 9x17 the XTP is used by Underwood, Buffalo Bore and Fiocchi.
 
Somewhere in my drawer of useless crap, I have a 357 leverevelution, 12 gauge “dead coyote” and a 30-30 shell. All are solidly struck and did not fire...

I will never buy hornady ammo. I love their bullets however.

HB
 
UPDATE: After shooting another string of Hornady .380 ACP Critical Defense purchased some years ago and having 2 of 6 fail to fire the first time (they fired he second), I ordered a couple of hundred Hornady XTP bullets, Hornady .380 dies, and some cases and set to work.

Today I reloaded 10 each of Hornady XTP with Hodgden TiteGroup at 2.4gr, 2.6gr, and 2.9gr at Hornady’s recommended COL of .965 and headed to the range with my new Federal HydroShock. 380s, too. Posted pie plate targets at 15 yards, set up the pistol rest, and got to work with my trusty Ruger LCP.

Hornady XTP over Hodgden 2.9 grains gave the best groupings and the best feel. The Federal HydroShock were as accurate but they were not fun to shoot - they sting in the short handled LCP. According to the Hornady manual, the 2.9 gr load s/b 1000 fps but I assume that is with a five inch barrel so these, not yet chronographed, must be around 875-900 fps in the short-barreled LCP.

Interestingly, I had two friends shoot the LCP with my XTP rounds. They loved the trigger and admired the accuracy.

I understand the Critical Defense may be better now, but my own Hornady XTPs have earned my trust and respect.

Oh, all my reloading gear is Hornady. Although I did spring for 100 Starline Nickel cases for carry.
 
C0untZer0 said:
I think Hornady makes one of the best if not the best .380 ACP SD bullet out there, but its not Critical Defense, it is the XTP.
Click to expand...

The best for me, is the XTP PrecisionOne as placed on the top with ammo quest. I shoot a lot their FMJ for training, but shoot a a lot of the XTP and and have been through a couple of the Mega Packs of 250 Plus P in my Pico. Never a problem. I find it shoots more accurately as well. For Carry it is the Plus P which came out after the standard XTP. Actually both my Pico's and my Kahr love this ammo. Have not tried any yet in my LCP, but will try and see how well it shoots the standard PrecisionOne this weekend. I also do like the Fiocchi in the LCP and the other pocket guns. Use to shoot HST, but not that much any more.
If you like Hornady XTP I suggest you try PrecisionOne. I was glad I did.
 
sbwaters said:
I understand the Critical Defense may be better now, but my own Hornady XTPs have earned my trust and respect.
Click to expand...


Critical Defense is not better. XTPs are better than Critical Defense in .380 ACP

My RM380s are loaded with Precision One XTP.
 
Jeb Stuart said:
The best for me, is the XTP PrecisionOne as placed on the top with ammo quest. I shoot a lot their FMJ for training, but shoot a a lot of the XTP and and have been through a couple of the Mega Packs of 250 Plus P in my Pico. Never a problem. I find it shoots more accurately as well. For Carry it is the Plus P which came out after the standard XTP. Actually both my Pico's and my Kahr love this ammo. Have not tried any yet in my LCP, but will try and see how well it shoots the standard PrecisionOne this weekend.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I would not fire any "+P" through an LCP, personally.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ruger-lcp-frame-cracked.796333/
 
sbwaters said:
Hornady XTP over Hodgden 2.9 grains gave the best groupings and the best feel. The Federal HydroShock were as accurate but they were not fun to shoot - they sting in the short handled LCP.
Click to expand...

I carry my LCP with the factory 6 round magazine but I shoot the 7 round extended magazine at the range. The extra length of the extended magazine makes it tamer to shoot so I shoot it a lot more at the range. I pretty much always empty the 6 round magazine I carry to keep the ammo fresh and make sure the magazine functions properly. I am not too worried about the extra sting of the shorter magazine in the heat of the moment.
 
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