LCP Max. First impressions.

[ontarget]

I picked up a new LCP Max on Friday.
Honestly I wasn't expecting much, as it is just a higher capacity pocket pistol.
Here are some of my first impressions.
The trigger was horrible. Very gritty. I experienced none of the trigger bite that I've read about, so that was good. The more I shot it, the trigger did smooth up a bit, but is still gritty.
Mags were easy to load. It only comes with 1 10 rd, so I picked up 2 more factory 12 rd mags locally.
I only had time to put 100 rds of S&B 92 gn fmjs through it and had 0 failures of any kind. The sights are pretty good, and believe it or not I found it very easy and fast to get back on target for follow up shots. I have XL hands and the grip was still very useful, even though It's small.
Here is a pic of my second group I fired through it. This was with my hands rested on the bench at 10 yards. This gun definitely can shoot decent groups, if the shooter does his part.
I'm not going to show the rest of the target, because after a couple of groups to check up on the sights I just started playing with some rapid fire and Mag change type of shooting.
This thing does launch brass somewhere into low earth orbit. I could only find about 70% of my brass.
Over all I'm very satisfied with the LCP Max so far. It is far better than I expected as my comparison example is the original LCP, which I also like for what it is.
I need to put lots more ammo through it before I would carry it, but at this point I'm very satisfied with the LCP Max.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Thanks for the review! I have been on the fence about getting one of these for a while, not to replace my LCP1 (since it is still smaller) but as another pocket option in my lineup.

The only thing that holds me back, and I know I go against the grain here, are the sights. They just look like a snagging hazard to me, for a pocket gun. I find the low profile sights of my LCP 1 to do the job just fine; the Max sights are overkill to me. IF I do eventually get one of these, I plan on changing out the sights... possibly, if they fit, with sights from a S&W M&P Bodyguard 380. I know everyone else would think that a huge downgrade, but those snag free style sights are what I want.

 

[Rule3]

I just had to have one. To replace all the other versions of it that I had over the years. I like it

A few more rounds, fit my pocket the same as the other. No failures at all with factory and my reloaded ammo. The sight doesn't snag
I have noticed the mag release is to easy to activate and the mag is partially out when in a pocket holster, Don't know what the fix for that is??
Need to call Ruger. Maybe a heavier release spring??
I need to shoot it more to get my accuracy a bit better,

 

[bannockburn]

ontarget

I picked one up this past Thursday. Had it narrowed it down to the Ruger LCP MAX and the SIG P365 .380. I liked them both but the SIG really wasn't all that much smaller (if any) than my P365X. That and the SIG is like 7 oz. heavier than the Ruger made my choice easy as I really wanted the smallest and lightest 10+ magazine capacity .380 out there.
The gun itself is nicely made and assembled, the slide is easy to rack, a big front sight with a U shaped rear sight is quick to acquire, and the grip frame is just the right size for me to get three fingers on it comfortably. It also has just the right amount of tackiness to it. The trigger is a bit heavy and gritty but I'm hoping things will smooth out a bit with more usage. Another plus is that a lot of the holsters I already have for my small .380s fit the LCP MAX perfectly!

 

[ontarget]

ontarget

I picked one up this past Thursday. Had it narrowed it down to the Ruger LCP MAX and the SIG P365 .380. I liked them both but the SIG really wasn't all that much smaller (if any) than my P365X. That and the SIG is like 7 oz. heavier than the Ruger made my choice easy as I really wanted the smallest and lightest 10+ magazine capacity .380 out there.
The gun itself is nicely made and assembled, the slide is easy to rack, a big front sight with a U shaped rear sight is quick to acquire, and the grip frame is just the right size for me to get three fingers on it comfortably. It also has just the right amount of tackiness to it. The trigger is a bit heavy and gritty but I'm hoping things will smooth out a bit with more usage. Another plus is that a lot of the holsters I already have for my small .380s fit the LCP MAX perfectly!
View attachment 1083680

I am really impressed so far. I only paid $318.00 OTD, and at this point feel like I got a gem. Even with the 2 finger grip I love it. I shoot SA revolvers more than anything else so tucking the pinky is second nature anyway. I can't wait to put a couple hundred more rounds through it. I don't find the recoil objectionable at all for its size.

 

[ontarget]

I put 170 more rounds through her this evening. 100 Federal 95 gn fmjs and 50 Ammo Inc. 100 gn fmjs, and 20 Barnes 80 gn JHPs.
Basically shot straight through them as fast as I could load the mags.
So now with 3 different weight FMJs and some lightweight JHPs, still not a hiccup!
Not a single failure of any kind.
Damn I wish ammo was cheaper, I actually enjoy shooting this gun alot.

 

[unclenunzie]

But 380 is so weak it will get you killed in the street. That's why you need 10+

Seriously, you guys are making me think hard about this. Already have an LCP post recall gen 1, and an LCP II. Maybe I'll go trifecta. If they made it with a heel mag release I'd be all over it.

 

[ontarget]

But 380 is so weak it will get you killed in the street. That's why you need 10+

Seriously, you guys are making me think hard about this. Already have an LCP post recall gen 1, and an LCP II. Maybe I'll go trifecta. If they made it with a heel mag release I'd be all over it.

Grab one! So far I'm very comfortable recommending the Max to others.
It may not be as hip as a 365 or Hellcat, but I've never been accused of being hip anyway, so who cares.

 

[MedWheeler]

Ethan Verity writes:

The only thing that holds me back, and I know I go against the grain here, are the sights. They just look like a snagging hazard to me, for a pocket gun.

I got mine the day after they were announced, and said this from the get-go. Pocket pistols are, to me, likely going to be point-shooters when it comes to defensive use. My previous pocket-carry guns have been a P32 and a TCP, and I prefer their sights to those of the MAX.

Still, I have made the MAX work well from a DeSantis Nemesis holster (actually a Superfly with the flap removed) and it does not snag. It did not work well at all with the holster that came with it. That one went to the little Kel-Tec.

 

[WYO]

Aside from the trigger, which is vastly different from my other guns, I liked everything about the LCP MAX, but only until I fired it. I got a lot of trigger slap and it was very slow between shots.

Here is a pic of my second group I fired through it. This was with my hands rested on the bench at 10 yards. This gun definitely can shoot decent groups, if the shooter does his part.

That is a great group, and I doubt I could have done that from a bench at 10 yards with that gun.

I'm not going to show the rest of the target, because after a couple of groups to check up on the sights I just started playing with some rapid fire and Mag change type of shooting.

This was the deal killer for me. I just can't shoot it quickly and accurately at all but the closest range. My Glock 42 is accurate and fast and fits in my pockets. The Sig P365 .380 is slightly larger than the Glock and also shoots like a dream. (It is too big for my pockets.) I realize that both are bigger than the MAX, but I will have to deal with a larger gun to get to my own base line performance parameters. The MAX was a huge failure for me. But, I can see that those who already like the LCP platform would like the MAX.

 

[Wildbillz]

Only bad thing I can say about the Max is that loaded it weighs more then the LCP did. More ammo so more weight but I didn't expect to notice it as much as I do. Other then that I am happy with it.

WB

 

[Buzznrose]

I’ll concur with the OP and others. I have an LCP Max and it is a pretty good pocket pistol. My trigger is pretty smooth but heavy…I have no issues with that.

I wish the gun came with 2 mags… think it is a foul on Ruger to sell with just the 10 round and have to pay $40 for the 12 round mag, but it is what it is and I bought one.

 

[bannockburn]

Buzznrose

I ordered a two pack of factory 12 rounders for my LCP MAX for $43.99 from The Mag Shack. Same price if you just want 10 rounders.

 

[Joezilla]

I put 170 more rounds through her this evening. 100 Federal 95 gn fmjs and 50 Ammo Inc. 100 gn fmjs, and 20 Barnes 80 gn JHPs.
Basically shot straight through them as fast as I could load the mags.
So now with 3 different weight FMJs and some lightweight JHPs, still not a hiccup!
Not a single failure of any kind.
Damn I wish ammo was cheaper, I actually enjoy shooting this gun alot.

How is the recoil? I would love to get one for my wife, but she is so against recoil she is currently carrying the LCP II in 22LR.

Joe

 

[bannockburn]

Joezilla

How's your wife's LCP II in .22LR? I have found some mixed review on it, ranging anywhere from "works fine" to "nothing but problems". I was thinking about getting one to go with my LCP MAX. Thanks!

 

[Joezilla]

Joezilla

How's your wife's LCP II in .22LR? I have found some mixed review on it, ranging anywhere from "works fine" to "nothing but problems". I was thinking about getting one to go with my LCP MAX. Thanks!

It has been flawless, but it doesn't get enough exercise. She has gone through periods where she wanted to carry and then periods of not wanting to carry. Now she carries in her purse, but doesn't carry her purse everyday. It drives me crazy! She says she feels protected when I am around because I carry pretty much 24/7. Still, I wish she would be better.

The LCP II in 22lr has been a good gun. It has not had any issues and even I thought it was very accurate. I bought her 2 extra mags for it and one of those is in her purse with the gun.

Joe

 

[ontarget]

Only bad thing I can say about the Max is that loaded it weighs more then the LCP did. More ammo so more weight but I didn't expect to notice it as much as I do. Other then that I am happy with it.

WB

I carry IWB not in my pocket, and I can honestly say that I don't notice the weight difference at all, even though I know it is heavier.

 

[ontarget]

Buzznrose

I ordered a two pack of factory 12 rounders for my LCP MAX for $43.99 from The Mag Shack. Same price if you just want 10 rounders.

I got 2 for 54.00 OTD locally.

 

[ontarget]

How is the recoil? I would love to get one for my wife, but she is so against recoil she is currently carrying the LCP II in 22LR.

Joe

The recoil isn't bad IMO. That said, I'm a decent size guy, and have never been bothered by most recoil. After 170 rounds in about 20 min yesterday, I had no discomfort in my hand at all. Wish I could have fired 170 more, but it started raining too hard.
I find the felt recoil of the Max to be less than the Bersa Thunder I have, and the Bersa is a heavier gun, and it's a single stack.

 

[Buzznrose]

I think the recoil is pretty mellow for such a light gun.

 

[MrChicken]

Only bad thing I can say about the Max is that loaded it weighs more then the LCP did. More ammo so more weight but I didn't expect to notice it as much as I do. Other then that I am happy with it.

WB

The other unavoidable downside is a fatter spare mags.

 

[defjon]

Aside from the trigger, which is vastly different from my other guns, I liked everything about the LCP MAX, but only until I fired it. I got a lot of trigger slap and it was very slow between shots.
My experience mirrors yours.


That is a great group, and I doubt I could have done that from a bench at 10 yards with that gun.



This was the deal killer for me. I just can't shoot it quickly and accurately at all but the closest range. My Glock 42 is accurate and fast and fits in my pockets. The Sig P365 .380 is slightly larger than the Glock and also shoots like a dream. (It is too big for my pockets.) I realize that both are bigger than the MAX, but I will have to deal with a larger gun to get to my own base line performance parameters. The MAX was a huge failure for me. But, I can see that those who already like the LCP platform would like the MAX.

My experience mirrors yours.

 

[Armybrat]

I’ll concur with the OP and others. I have an LCP Max and it is a pretty good pocket pistol. My trigger is pretty smooth but heavy…I have no issues with that.

I wish the gun came with 2 mags… think it is a foul on Ruger to sell with just the 10 round and have to pay $40 for the 12 round mag, but it is what it is and I bought one.

I bought three of the 12 round mags for $31 each. Will try to remember to look for the invoice in my files.
But yeah, i think it is something of a racket to just supply one mag with the gun. Bean counters.

 

[unclenunzie]

Due to you guy's postings and my general enjoyment of pocket guns, I began to carry my LCP II again in this EasTex heat wave. Just for feel I put 10+1 in the bottom of my pocket with unloaded LCP II for the weight of the MAX. I've placed an order for the MAX, probably be at my dealer in a week. That's right, take my money! LOL

 

[ontarget]

Due to you guy's postings and my general enjoyment of pocket guns, I began to carry my LCP II again in this EasTex heat wave. Just for feel I put 10+1 in the bottom of my pocket with unloaded LCP II for the weight of the MAX. I've placed an order for the MAX, probably be at my dealer in a week. That's right, take my money! LOL

I believe you will like it. I'm still liking mine. Might just head out for some shooting with it later this evening.