Hey, look, an LCP Review!

[craig_o]

Howdy folks,

Dad got a call from Academy saying that his number had come up. He had just purchased a 638 at my suggestion for pocket carry, but figured he'd at least go LOOK at the LCP since he was curious... big mistake

He got the LCP figuring it'd be good to have a little variety... and honestly, this damn thing could fit anywhere. Paid $299 out the door.

Off to the range we went. I've got smaller hands and I've still got a two finger grip on this gun. Nevertheless, it shoots easy enough that I didn't find myself bemoaning the small size. I'm still a relative novice shooter, but I did perfectly acceptable at 3 and 5 yards and I liked the surprisingly smooth trigger more than my Dad's aforementioned J-frame Smith. I also felt like it was more pleasent to shoot (read: less recoil, less juking around). We shot a box of WWB with zero issues of any kind.

Two problems:

#1 The slide lock sucks ass for spare change, to put it mildly. It flat-out does not engage (I'm not talking about empty chamber lockback, which the LCP doesn't do nor claim to do). I talked to Jim Mills at Ruger, who explained to me that, yeah, they were replacing slide locks for free whenever I wanted to send it in. One free shipping label in the mail. He sounded embarrassed. It's a bonerhead error for Ruger to make, but not the end of the world. Sling-shotting the slide had no negative impact on my shooting experience (no functionality issues), but my 60-year old pop didn't enjoy it. It's his gun, so he wants the slide lock... I probably wouldn't have bothered.

#2 The trigger guard smacks my finger when I pull from my prefered location. It's mildly irritating, not painful. I'm typing away on it right now !!!!! In the future I'll put a mag or two through the LCP and take a break with another gun if I just couldn't kick back for 2 minutes and watch somebody else shoot something else interesting. It's not a serious beef. I can move my finger up a fraction on the trigger too, and the problem thusly ceases for me, but it's such a negligible issue that I don't bother.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM JIM MILLS, OFFICIAL RUGER SERVICE GUY

...besides the voluntary slide catch replacement deal. I called Ruger because I wanted a definitive answer on the dry-fire issue. You may have seen the infamous post on the Sig forum about an LCP self-destructing after 80-100 dry fires. Well, while there has been plenty of speculation and theorizing on what caused that particular defective gun to be defective, Mr. Mills made it clear that firing WITHOUT SNAP CAPS is FINE. Noooo problem at all. I'm not dying to practice with the trigger anyway (it's not in need of lightening), but it's good to know that I can click on an empty chamber without freaking out. Finally, NO +P AMMO! Don't do it. He said he was also aware of issues with Rem UMC (no news there) and, brace yourself.... CorBon. I don't know if that's because their stuff is largely +P, but I'm not wild about speding $33 for a box of 20 rounds that are questionably "better" than SGD in the first place so I didn't really care.

All in all I'll be buying one of these as soon as I need a CCW. It's better than I could have hoped for (sorry 642/442).

For the record, as there have been duds on the market (it's a new gun, I'm not surprised) I encouraged my Dad numerous weeks ago to wait and handle the LCP he would buy before/if he bought it. I don't know how widespread the problems have been (they obviously circulate repeatedly), but it's a sensible precaution I'd personally adhere to for any new gun.

Count us in as extremely satisfied consumers.

 

[legion3]

The LCP manual says nothing about +P and frankly what 380 ammo is +P?

The LCP manual states

" The Ruger LCP pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow point loads loaded in brass or aluminum cases. No .380 Auto manufactured in accordances with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols."


Corbon DPX has worked fine in my gun and is certainly not as hot as other factory rounds I have shot or the Santa Barbara JSP, which has worked well. Maybe the Corbon PP 90 grain ammo is hot, I have not tried anyout so far.

Check out this ammo test:

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=29742

 

[Disaster]

I bought the Buffalo Bore Gold Dots and would like to think they were OK for use in the LCP.

 

[legion3]

The link I proveded above talks about BB GD and were not impressed with them, FWIW...which is probably not much.

 

[Rex B]

Keltec designed the action used by the LCP. They say don't dry-fire the gun as it will damage firing pins eventually.
Keltec also says +P loads are fine as long as you don't give it a steady diet of them.
But then there's no such thing as a SAMI +P in .380, which is why the Ruger statement is worded like it is.

 

[jocko]

rex B. the kt and lcp slides are entirely different. kt says not to dry fire their kt becuase that buttonhead screw is soft and will get damaged if you dry fire it. The lcp does not have this soft screw holding in the firing pin but a roll pin which is much stronger and goes all the way through the slide. Where as the kt screw just rides in that slotted area of the firing pin. There is a big difference in the design and makup of the two slides. If Ruger says you can dry fire it, and one feels comfortable doing it, then go for it. Do it with a kt and you will cause damage. They tell you not to do it also. snap caps seems the way to go for both IMO>

corbon dpx works perfect im my lcp as has remington fmj ammo to. I shoot for range use the lowest priced ammo tha tI can find, that works. So far I have found no brand that does not fucntion perfect. My lcp has 1100 flawless rounds through it. I have changed recoil springs..

 

[alamo]

kt says not to dry fire their kt becuase that buttonhead screw is soft and will get damaged if you dry fire it.

KT recommended not dry firing before they used the buttonhead screw on the 2G models. They recommend not dryfiring due to possibility breaking the firing pin. Many have dry fired plenty of times without ill effects but doing it extensively could possibly damage the pin. I've seen very few reports of this happening but it could.

I've seen 2 reports of broken LCP firing pins. It is probably as prone to breakage as the KT.

 

[bill bryant]

When you say that the LCP slide doesn't engage, do you mean it doesn't hold the slide back, or you can't engage it with your thumb because it's too flat?

The slide lock on my LCP holds the slide back just fine, but it's hard to grab with the thumb because it doesn't protrude.

Also, when you say that Ruger will replace this part, are you saying that the part has been re-designed, or are you saying that some parts are defective and will be replaced by parts properly blueprinted?

 

[StephenT]

Hey Craig, are you in Houston? I was looking for a $299 LCP at one of the Academy stores, but they didn't have one. At which Academy did you get yours?

 

[jon_in_wv]

My LCP has been flawless with WWB and Hydrashoks. I don't see what your other issues are. It seems like you just didn't do the research before you bought it and you just don't want to like it. The slide is not supposed to lock back automatically, the slide lock is for ease of disassembly, you are supposed to use the slingshot method when you reload. There is on other way to do that as the slide doesn't lock back. I don't know what your gripe is there. If your finger is getting smacked by the trigger guard you need to work on your grip. You can't expect a weapon that small and light to shoot comfortably without a proper grip. Many weapons can be harmed by extensive dry firing. I really doubt the occasional dryfire is going to damage the LCP. If you have so little confidence in it I suggest you just sell it. It doesn't sound realistic that you really going to like it. I like mine just fine. It works great for me.

 

[wuchak]

You're not supposed to just release the slide lock to load any semi-auto. You're always supposed to grab the slide and "Slingshot" it. This more closely mimics the way the gun loads itself when firing. It's the best way to ensure a round is properly seated.

Releasing just the slide lock is the equivalent of doing the wrist snap to close the cylinder on a revolver. Neither are done by those who know what they're doing.

At least that's they way I understand things.

 

[btg3]

craig o,
Great post on your impressions with the LCP. Makes me want to get one now, rather than wait.
FWIW, recently got a 642 and it suits me well, so I'm thinking about also getting another Airweight. If your dad would sell his 638, please send me a PM.

 

[esq_stu]

Thanks for the review. Although the reviews have been generally favorable, I'm probably going to wait a while more before buying. But it's definitely on my wish list for after I sell one of my safe queens.

 

[jocko]

btg3. I would wait, until I at least post that I have my second one, then start looking. My first one is perfect at 1100 rounds but my son took it with him 100 miles away, so I have to get me another one and simply cannot find one anywhere around this area...

 

[skinewmexico]

Releasing just the slide lock is the equivalent of doing the wrist snap to close the cylinder on a revolver. Neither are done by those who know what they're doing.

Wow. Don't come to an IDPA / IPSC match.

And do you hear that still, small voice? It's saying............"wait for the Gen II, wait for the Gen II..........."

 

[Marshall]

Thank you for your post!

 

[craig_o]

In case it wasn't clear, I like this gun. A lot. The slide lock "issue" to me is a non-issue, but they're being replaced for free all the same. The "issue" is that the lock is recessed to the point of being nearly impossible to engage (trust me, that ain't exaggeration).

Another 250 rounds or so and I'll be feeling very comfortable with the LCP (I have to keep reminding myself that this is my DAD'S gun!). 300 rounds is good break-in and good familiarization and good fun

FWIW there has been a lot of surprise over the CorBon stuff, and I really can't explain it. CB loyalists have had, as far as I can tell, nothing but success with it in the LCP.

 

[craig_o]

Stephen: Grapevine TX Academy. There is a waiting list. Near Forth Worth, if that's worth the drive to you.

 

[Quoheleth]

Stephan: Check out the nearest Carter's Country. Both the Pasadena store and north store had them in the cabinet the last time I was there. Now, both salesmen at the stores say they don't gather any dust, but they are there.

If you're on the east side of town, check out one of my LGS's in Highlands: The Pig Stop. Google them for a phone number. Her price is a bit higher - $320 ish - but if you want it bad enough, she'll have it.

Q

 

[blackcash88]

You're not supposed to just release the slide lock to load any semi-auto. You're always supposed to grab the slide and "Slingshot" it.

Um, big fat no on that one. You must not be familiar with Kahr pistols. The manual specifically states using the slide lock to load the first round from the magazine.

Here's a thread on it from our very own THR. Look at the second and third posts.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=344958

That said, I don't like to drop the slide like that because I feel it causes extra wear on the slide notch. Once my PM9 broke in, I can slingshot it all day long, but not everyone can. You really have to "grip it and rip it".

 

[TxCajun]

Also, when you say that Ruger will replace this part, are you saying that the part has been re-designed, or are you saying that some parts are defective and will be replaced by parts properly blueprinted?

I saw a thread on the Ruger Forum indicating that the slide stop has been re-designed. I think someone said it is very similar to the old one, maybe just sticks out a little more. Call Ruger and perhaps they'll send you one.

 

[blackcash88]

TxCajun, please check your PMs.

 

[Scratchshooter40]

I don't know. I was trained to use the slide lock to release the slide into battery when replacing the magazine by the USMC and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Never had an issue with that from 1911's to the newer polymer frames. Don't even try to engage turning targets if you take the time to "slingshot" the slide between mags, ain't gonna happen. It makes as much sense to me as pointing the weapon at your off elbow and racking the slide into battery with live ammo by pushing your hands towards each other. Seen too many range accidents due to not following rule #4.

 

[blackcash88]

Scratchshooter40, I was trained the same way. Even when I took classes at Gunsite. For "real" use, drop the slide with the release, but for everything else not "life threatening", just slingshot the slide. It saves wear and tear on the slide lock and the slide (notch) itself.

Interestingly enough, if I really slam a mag home in my G19 with the slide locked back, it automatically chambers the first round. I've heard this is a "feature", but I'm not going to rely on it 100%. Especially since I have a few semi-autos in my carry rotation.

 

[StephenT]

Thanks for your reply, Craig. The Fort Worth area is a bit too distant for me. There's a gun show in Houston in mid July, so I'll probably pick one up there.