Hi need help w/Ruger LCP

[mickeyblueyes]

Hi all, I just signed up. I hope you can help me make up my mind. First I have been shooting for 40 years so its not a new hobby. My problem is this, I purchased a Ruger LCP as a carry pocket and keep it loaded with +P holllow points. I practice as often as I can, but I can not hit a target with it. I mean zip zero. I have a Glock 17 i can hit a bug between the eyes with a Ruger 22/45 that I can shoot the black out of a target with. Even a Ruger 45 LC Vacaro that I can get a head shot at 100 feet easy with what they consider sights. I know the issue is the 2 inch barrel with the Ruger, so 1) Its uncomfortable to shoot 2) do I invest more money and put a laser sight on it? or sell it and get a small Glock or a small Colt or a small CZ Rami ? I was thinking the Glock 36 (45acp) or the colt new agent in a 45 acp, or the Rami in 9mm or 40. I know there are Glock haters and lovers and Colt lover and detractors , my guess is there are a dozen more small arms to consider. I have wheel guns and like them also, but I sold my S&W Chief special as it was time for a change. I like the small autos but need better accuracy. Please speak up, if you say practice practice practice, I will never get to Carnigie Hall with this Ruger. Thanks every one.

 

[PT1911]

and this friend is the compromise in the micro 380's... they are the newest incarnation of the "bellygun." IMO, something that may help would be investing in a crimson trace lasers to aid in your training with that gun... IMO, though they are no substitute for training, they are a huge aid in showing what you are doing through the trigger pull... From what i have heard, when fired from a rest, the ruger, kel tec, and Taurus are all surprisingly accurate... That said, it is quite difficult to hold them steady while pulling through the somewhat heavy trigger on all of them and especially the LONG heavy trigger on the kel tec and ruger. ANY mistake you make will be greatly enhanced.

Oh, and welcome to THR...

 

[DasFriek]

The Sig P238 .380 would clear those issues up quickly with its SAO trigger and less recoil with its metal frame.
It is a tad larger but still very pocket-able and very accurate due to the very good short 1911 like trigger.

The next step up is the Kahr PM9 which is also pocket-able but does increase in size and slightly in weight but you also get a 9mm.
Its DOA trigger is the best one ive ever pulled and a statement like that from a 1911 guy is impressive.

Anyhow i think your issues are trigger pull related and recoil anticipation mixed in.
Of course practice and a good "Fluff and Buff" on the trigger could help your lcp alot if you decide to try and stay with it.
Imo it only needs to be able to stay in a 6" circle at 10 feet as its a close up and personal SD gun, And as that is more the usable imo if you can get used to it.

 

[ants]

Welcome to the Forum

Sorry, friend, but those pistols can shoot straight. In range qualification last summer I hit 350 out of 360 points with my LCP.

By this I mean to tell you that a shooter can hit the target with an LCP. Either yours is broken, or you haven't learned to shoot it yet.



First clue: Get rid of those +P. Ultralight pistols are hard enough to shoot. Get standard ammo. Then go to the range and practice.

Also, use the fingergrip magazine pad. Give yourself the advantage, and learn to shoot your pistol.

If you're really convinced that you need another gun, go ahead and buy it. I guess not everyone can shoot a small pistol accurately.

Sorry to be blunt, but that's the truth.

 

[harmon rabb]

I pretty much suck with my LCP as well. However, I just picked up a Sig 238, and I can shoot that pretty much as well as a full size.

Try out a Sig 238. The difference in how I shoot with mine vs. my LCP is so great that it makes the Sig worth any extra amount of money or hassle.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Thanks guys ,I am glad to know the problem is me and not the gun. I was giving it my full concentration ,but as PT1911 mentioned it is a really long hard trigger pull. I bet I am neglecting that. One other thought that bothers me about the Ruger LCP and it also holds true for the Glock is the lack of External safety. Yes I know they have "built in safeties" like the long hard pull ,or Glocks triple action stuff , But with one in the chamber I would like to be able to flip off a safety on my way up. Does this bother anyone else? Does anyone care for the CZ?

 

[wow6599]

I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with my LCP when I first got it, so I moved in to 3', then 5' and so on. After a couple hundred rds I could keep the shots in about a 5" group at 7 yards.......and that's all I need from my LCP.
YMMV

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It is a tiny gun with a 1 1/2-finger grip and a trigger pull force about nine times the weight of the gun, so I am not surprised. My only suggestion is to practice more, starting at no more than about 6-7 feet (you read it right) and working your way out from there. I am not particularly enamored of such guns as one's only gun, and this (along with cartridge power) is a primary reason.

 

[alfack]

It just takes a while to get used to. I actually shoot mine better with one hand.

The CT laser is more than just a training aid, if accuracy is your concern. It is a whole lot easier to look at the dot on your target than to try to use the non-existant sights.

 

[wally]

I actually shoot mine better with one hand.

Another thing to try is the middle finger on the trigger one handed "point shooting" grip. Having the index finger along the frame, "pointing" at the target helps keep the trigger pull straight back.

Besides if you actually ever need to use one of these little pistols two handed aimed fire is probably not a viable option. Point shooting is about all I ever do with my mouse guns.

 

[george30]

Do you have the flat magazine plate on your gun? When I first started shooting the lcp I had the flat mag plate on it. Couldn't hit anything in rapid fire cause I couldn't really keep a grip on the gun. Switched to the pinky extension and it made a huge difference. I also had to practice pressing the trigger and then letting off right before the hammer was ready to strike. Mine was plenty accurate I just got tired of buying 380 ammo off gunbroker when there was a shortage a year or so ago.

 

[BP Hunter]

The LCP is an excellent gun...if you knew how to shoot it. I didn't. I kept mine for a few months. After many boxes of ammo, I could only keep at 5" group with it at 7 yards. I didn't like it because I had to work hard for it to shoot where I wanted. I decided that I could not rely on it for accuracy, so I traded it in for a Glock 36. Now, with that Glock, I grouped a 2-3" AT 7 yards OUT OF THE BOX! I just had to point and shoot. I did not have to work to aim it. That was the type of defense pistol I was looking for.

 

[ants]

Hello, Mickey. For external safety, take a look at S&W M&P compact. I believe they have an optional external safety. I've never shot one, but one of the members on this site said he surprised himself by scoring well in an IPSC shoot using an M&P without practice. Maybe it's worth a look. Maybe not. Hard to say until to check it out.

I've got a Colt Mustang and a Pony, one has the thumb safety and the other is double action. Both are excellent pistols, but you can't buy them new any more. The single action Sig clone is certainly worth a look, although definitely heavier to pocket carry than the lightweights.



*** ALL these small guns will be hard to shoot with +P ammo. Stick with standard velocity until you get the hang of it. ***

 

[dh2683]

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the LCP was NOT rated for +P ammo according to the owners manual.

 

[joe_security]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39CoST0Vqw4&NR=1
LCP shooting steel @ 10 yards. Make mine a Kahr P380.

 

[Centaur 1]

It's all in the trigger pull. Practice squeezing slowly while keeping your sights on the target.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Re: "Plus P" ammunition

Assuming it really does have the added velocity and is not a marketing hype, there is no use for overpowered ammunition in a little gun like this if you don't hit the target.

 

[PabloJ]

Hi all, I just signed up. I hope you can help me make up my mind. First I have been shooting for 40 years so its not a new hobby. My problem is this, I purchased a Ruger LCP as a carry pocket and keep it loaded with +P holllow points. I practice as often as I can, but I can not hit a target with it. I mean zip zero. I have a Glock 17 i can hit a bug between the eyes with a Ruger 22/45 that I can shoot the black out of a target with. Even a Ruger 45 LC Vacaro that I can get a head shot at 100 feet easy with what they consider sights. I know the issue is the 2 inch barrel with the Ruger, so 1) Its uncomfortable to shoot 2) do I invest more money and put a laser sight on it? or sell it and get a small Glock or a small Colt or a small CZ Rami ? I was thinking the Glock 36 (45acp) or the colt new agent in a 45 acp, or the Rami in 9mm or 40. I know there are Glock haters and lovers and Colt lover and detractors , my guess is there are a dozen more small arms to consider. I have wheel guns and like them also, but I sold my S&W Chief special as it was time for a change. I like the small autos but need better accuracy. Please speak up, if you say practice practice practice, I will never get to Carnigie Hall with this Ruger. Thanks every one.

I suspect you're not the only one. It's hard to accurately shoot something that fits comfortably into five year olds hand.

 

[InkEd]

It is a hard gun to shoot accurately! I have one and practice regularly with it but anything good beyond 7' - 10' is luck for me. Admittedly, I am not the greatest shot in the world or probably even the room. That said, I like it and carry pretty often but really don't consider it to be more than a belly gun. As a few have mentioned, the LCP does seem easier to shoot with one hand and SLOW delibrate trigger pulls are essential.

 

[jpwilly]

Our 2 LCP's can pound a 10yrd target. I can keep them in a 3-4" circle no problem when I try but I don't target shoot with it. It's a point and shoot weapon, you need to learn to instinctivly shoot one of these pocket pistols it will most likely, if ever needed, be deployed in that way. I have trouble picking up the sights at the range I couln't imagine finding them in a typical SD senario.

 

[gym]

I think us old revolver shooters have less of a curve than you guys who started with 5lb or less triggers. I just picked up an lcp, first fireing was on friday of this week. Just a function and relaibility test more than a shooting match. all 50 rounds hit between the 10 and the outer ring, shooting rapid fire, slow and one handed from 7-50 ft. I don't hope to ever plan on firing that sucker past 30 ft at worse. The trick is not to pull the gun expeting the round to fire prematurlly, My first clip were all low center.Much like an old revolver, Once I realised what I was doing it came right back, you are anticipating the discharge. Just practice staging the pistol at home, "empty of course", hold it and pull past the point where you have been expecting it to fire. it's either the long pull or your mechanics arent right. try taking 3 deep breaths and watching or have a buddy watch from the side to see if you are pulling the weapon off target in anticipation of the shot. I found the first few with the keltec the same. We get used to those glocks and 1911's with much better firing systems, and forget that theses are guns of last resort unless you practice with them. I'm 62 and if I can hit it every time I fired it you can also

 

[1KPerDay]

Pay close attention to the tiny sights, and I use the tip/first pad of the trigger finger. That may not work best for you but it does for me. Slow and smooth pull. Mine hits a bit low (cover the intended impact area with the front sight if you're trying to hit something).

Remarkably accurate little pistols, IMO, considering their size, sights, and trigger.

 

[Diggers]

Yes the LCP is an accurate pistol AND hard to shoot because its real small and looong trigger pull.

Probably depends a lot on the shooters hands on how accurate they will be.

BUT from what I've read here its seems some people who bought this gun don't have a realistic expectation of how its intended to be used. They want it to shoot nice groups at 10+ yards (it can if you can) HOWEVER its not meant for that. These pocket guns are inteded to be used at ranges better measured in FEET not yards. I mean look at the sights on it they are almost to small to see for range shooting. Combat shooting? Forget about it.

If you can point shoot the gun at 10 feet and hit COM then your doing fine.