LCP: Enhanced control grips?

[Packman]

I test-fired a guy's LCP at the range the other day, thinking I might like to buy one.

I was not impressed. Even with the extended floorplate mag, I was still having a hard time controlling the gun. It tended to jump and rotate in my hand such that the support hand was more or less tossed of the firing hand, and the trigger guard was slamming into the bottom of my trigger finger.

Does this gun benefit from something like a Hogue slip-on grip, with the finger grooves? Or is the extra "grabby bit" not especially helpful?

I like the idea of the LCP, even though I can't stand that DAO trigger travel, but it's a defensive gun, not a range toy. If it can be made more controllable, I'd be willing to reconsider my decision to not buy one.

 

[bigfatdave]

Making an LCP bigger defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Try out the Kel Tec original (P3AT), and if it is a no-go as well, you'll be faced with the choice between a P32 (same size as a LCP/P3AT in .32acp, less recoil and an extra round) or a PF9 (9mm, slim, slightly bigger than a P3AT or LCP but with more grip).

Mouseguns are all about compromises, I'm sure there's something out there you can enjoy shooting and endure carrying.

 

[Just One Shot]

I have one holstered in my right front pocket as I type this. Mag finger extension took care of the problem for me. It helps me control the muzzle flip by allowing me to get 2 fingers on the grip instead of just one and it doesn't add much printing to the little gun.

 

[DasFriek]

Take a good look at the Sig P238, Its a mouse gun thats actually fun to shoot.
It also has a great SAO trigger with all the safety features of a 1911 except the grip safety.
I carried mine holstered cocked and locked in my rear pocket and im 6'4" 270lbs and sat on that gun all day with no issues.
They have been known to be finicky at times but ive read Sig has worked to get that ironed out like any new gun on the market usually has a flaw or 2. Imo it was all mag related in more cases.

 

[Packman]

Just to clarify, I'm talking about one of the slip-on rubber grip sleeves that essentially adds finger grooves to the grip. It wouldn't add much, if any, noticeable bulk to the gun. What I'm curious is to whether it would reduce muzzle flip, since even with the extended floorplate, I had a hard time controlling the LCP. And, I have pretty slender hands, I can get 2 fingers on the grip even with the standard floorplate.

The Sig 238 is a nice gun, no doubt about it. It's also double the price (ish) of the LCP, and I'm not paying that for a .380, I don't care how nice it is.

What's the verdict on the NAA Guardian .380? It's not much more than the LCP, but I like the idea of a little extra mass. I haven't had a chance to handle one though.

 

[1KPerDay]

If the guardian is anything like the seecamp, which IIRC it's nearly identical, it will be seriously painful to shoot. Talk about banging your finger against the triggerguard?? The blow-back .380s are WAY worse in that regard. I shot a .380 seecamp and I could only handle 2 mags worth before I'd had enough. The LCP I can shoot all day long.

Try gripping it a bit harder. I find the LCP positively pleasant to shoot.

 

[Just One Shot]

If it's mass you want you might look into the Bersa Thunder .380. It's not as concealable as the LCP but it is real dependable. I had one and it ate everything I fed it and the price is right.

 

[larryh1108]

The slip on grip combined with the finger hook helps a lot! It's amazing what a little rubber can do. The grip sleeve keeps it from torquing in your hand, too. Spoken from experience.

 

[Packman]

Thanks, Larry. That's what I was looking to find out. Much obliged for the input, and thanks a bunch for the pics!

 

[Big Bill]

Here's mine with a 7 roung mag extention... My slip on grip is a Hogue.

 

[Big Bill]

Making an LCP bigger defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Adding a few accessories to make the gun more comfortable to hold and shoot doesn't defeat the purpose of the gun. I added the Hogue slip on grip, mag extensions, and an 11 lb Wolff Spring to lessen the recoil without affecting the operation of the handgun. I probably didn't add more that one or (at most) two ounces to the overall carry weight, and the added bulk is negligible.

 

[Magoo]

"Agrip" is another option. I get a much better purchase on my PM40 with it. It adds practically no size to the gun and won't hang up if drawing from a pocket.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

For full disclosure: I've never actually fired one of these, but have handled them at gun shows.

This is a tiny gun, with a one- or 1 1/2-finger grip, in a size that used to be primarily the home of .25 and .32 calibers, but firing the .380 cartridge. I am unsure what more you could do to it other than some sort of grip sleeve and a finger extension, but if you make the grip too large you defeat the purpose of its being little.

 

[Johnsonator]

Like you I recently was ready to purchase the LCP but found that it just didn't feel very stable in my hand even with the pinky extension so the search was something that had a better grip. I checked out the Sig and liked the feel of it but didnt like the steep price tag and the single action only. Then I found the new Taurus TCP and it was exactly what I was looking for. The TCP is similar to the LCP but the grip feels so much more secure. It handles like it is a much bigger pistol while being the same size as the LCP. The trigger is smooth and the recoil is much less than I expected. So far I have 100 rounds though it with no malfunctions, I highly recommend anyone looking for a pocket .380 to check out the Taurus TCP.

 

[wrench]

I have an LCP I like a lot. I've put the extended floor plates on the magazines, and one of those rubber grip sleeves with the finger grooves on the grip.
Doesn't make the gun appreciably bigger, but is much more comfortable to shoot, and more controllable.

 

[Big Bill]

...but if you make the grip too large you defeat the purpose of its being little.

No you don't defeat the purpose. (Where is this nonsensical idea coming from?) It's still easy to conceal, etc. All you are adding is a couple of ounces (at the most) and the grip is only widened perhaps 1/16".

 

[AK103K]

I stippled my grip....



It feels a lot like skateboard tape, but even better. You cant really see it in the pic, but it goes completely around the front strap and I did the spot on the back strap they had done.

The grip feels a lot more secure, and the gun doenst move at all in your hand when you shoot it.

I also dont understand adding all the extra stuff that makes the gun bigger, as it just defeats the purpose. If you need something bigger, might as well get something bigger. I actually have pretty much given up now on the LCP and carry a Glock 26 in its place (both were/are back ups). The LCP is OK, it just doesnt do anything better than my Seecamps, so I'm sticking with them.

I had a lot better luck with my LCP than I did my P238, which was not at all reliable. The LCP has never missed a beat, which trumps anything else the P238 might have had going for it. When shot realistically, side by side, they both shot very much the same. The only difference there is, the P238 is the better deliberate "target" shooter. If thats how you shoot, and you can find one that works, then the P238 would probably be the better choice for you.

 

[Zerodefect]

If you don't have a LCP yet, skip it, and get a KAhr p380.

Better grip and less recoil.

 

[Packman]

Only problem with the Kahr is the price. I won't pay 500+ for a pocket gun.

The Taurus might be a contender. I handled one in a gun shop a while back, but I handed it back and basically forgot about it. Haven't thought about it again since.

However, it's got the price right, the size is pretty good....Might be worth tracking down one at a range somewhere. Hmmm...

 

[larryh1108]

Only problem with the Kahr is the price. I won't pay 500+ for a pocket gun.

Not being able to pay $500 and not wanting to pay $500 for a pocket gun are two different things. If you can pay the $500 the you should at least hold the Kahr and feel it before you rule it out. The Taurus is not a lot cheaper than a used Kahr PM9 or .380 and the quality is night and day. If you can't afford the $500 then the Kahr is out of the picture.

 

[verdun59]

I'll second Zero's comment, the Kahr P380 is the way to go. It really is an easy shooter.

 

[Big Bill]

If you don't have a LCP yet, skip it, and get a KAhr p380.

Better grip and less recoil.

Or, better yet, you could just buy a Kel Tec PF9 new for $260.

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...9mm-dao-7rd-new/cPath/16_298/products_id/2880

 

[Johnsonator]

I liked the Kahr but couldn't justify the price tag. The Taurus TCP is usually $10-20 cheaper than the LCP, I paid $269.99 for my TCP.

 

[benzy2]

For me, by the time you lengthen the mags and thicken the grip frame of the LCP, you might as well be into a small 9mm like the PF9. I think the beauty of the LCP is how small it is. If that is a problem, don't make a small gun bigger, buy a bigger gun. It has little to do with weight and a lot to do with size. Claiming it only adds an ounce or two isn't near as much of an issue as to the size increase, at least compared to the size of the smaller 9mms out there.

 

[larryh1108]

For me, by the time you lengthen the mags and thicken the grip frame of the LCP, you might as well be into a small 9mm like the PF9.

You're kidding, right?

We're talking a grip sleeve and a magazine floor plate.