LCP Max: Good or Bad?

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JCooperfan1911

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Today in the store I saw and handled a Ruger LCP Max .380. I was floored by its compact size; light weight, and solid capacity numbers.

What are the thoughts on these? Above all, how is reliability? Is it a solid and dependable choice or is it unreliable junk?

Thanks!
 
I like mine, as I did the two earlier versions.As to reliable, it's still "new" all the others have been good. It's Ruger, if not they will take care of it.

Put around 200 rds of various stuff through it, try to make it fail (limp wrist, sideways etc)
I have to practice with it now, to get my groups better than what they are. I am used to shooting target guns,
For close up less than 10 yards it's good enough.
 
It’s not junk but there’s been complaints about specific issues.

I’ve had mine since November and my only issue was with Aguila ammo, I don’t have high round count but I’m confident it will go bang.
 
I have one and only carry and shoot FMJ. I carry it when it’s that or nothing.

I can’t hit much with it past 7 yards…maybe a torso but no head shots.

it’s been reliable.
 
I liked it well enough to pick one up to replace my LCP. Ran a few 100 rounds through it with no issues. Started to carry it and found its a bit heavy compared to the LCP when fully loaded. But I still like it.

WB
 
I had one, ran like a Singer sewing machine. Traded it to a member on here. Felt the itch for another, never made it to the range. It had a short chamber and would not allow a cartridge to be loaded. Went to Ruger. Got it back and it’s flawless.

Pros (for me)-it’s lighter than my G42 or P365/380
-I’m pretty accurate with it out to 7 yards. Sights aren’t bad.
-have over 300 rounds through the new one with no malfunctions.

Cons (for me)-I’m done after 50 rounds or so.
-doesn’t carry any better than my G42 or P365/380 in my pocket
-had to get an aftermarket trigger since I’m a Trigger Queen.
-anything over 7 yards is body shots only, for me. Doubt I will ever have to shoot it that far, but if I can shoot another pistol better then I’m inclined to carry that pistol.

I went back to pocket carrying my LCP Gen 2 for sweat pants. Even looking at a KelTec P32 for the role. I did put a Hogue LCPII slip on grip on it and it helped with my hands. But was about as accurate with the smaller LCP as I was with the Max.

I went back to my G42 as summer pocket carry for now, figured I was better off carrying a pistol I’m able to shoot. Still looking for an SA 911-380 for my pocket. Only pocket pistol I had that could out shoot the G42.

Everyone else I know that carry it likes their’s a lot too. I carried it this weekend on an emergency trip to see SEMO to see my mother. Just feel better with the G42.
 
Limited experience with it. Tried a rental (which was FILTHY when I shot it) and shot 150 rounds of PMC through it. No performance issues. Surprisingly controllable. Pretty accurate with it to boot, even though it was my first time shooting it.

I had the LCP 2 in .380 for a very brief time. Difference between it and the Max is substantial, with the Max winning on all fronts.
 
Happy with mine, had a lcp before but wanted a little more capacity & better sights. It's lighter & smaller than my 365 or csx, easier to pocket carry. Have about 400 rounds thru it with no issues.
 
average gun guy said:
Limited experience with it. Tried a rental (which was FILTHY when I shot it) and shot 150 rounds of PMC through it. No performance issues. Surprisingly controllable. Pretty accurate with it to boot, even though it was my first time shooting it.

I had the LCP 2 in .380 for a very brief time. Difference between it and the Max is substantial, with the Max winning on all fronts.
Click to expand...

How much thicker was the Max? Thanks.
 
Wildbillz said:
I liked it well enough to pick one up to replace my LCP. Ran a few 100 rounds through it with no issues. Started to carry it and found its a bit heavy compared to the LCP when fully loaded. But I still like it.

WB
Click to expand...

My experience as well.
 
So far the only downsides of the Max over my LCP are that I find the front sight harder to see over the tiny but painted orange front sight of my LCP. But... This is offset by the MAX having the tritium insert for much better nighttime visibility.

The other is that if you carry spare mags, the LCP mags are far thinner and easier to carry. Especially in an owb belt carrier.
 
Had a couple LCPs; all ran reliably, and were no fun at all to shoot. Sold them away for an LCPII for its more striker like trigger. Discovered it gave me trigger bite, and had a dead trigger that sent it back to Ruger.
Swapped it on a Max; better sights, a little bigger, same trigger bite (almost like trigger slap; wish I could explain it better).
Finally dumped the Max, bought a plain LCP from a buddy. It remains smaller and lighter than any of the alternatives.
Feel a lot better with a 42 or a 365, in terms of plain shootability and quality.
Can no one make a shootable LCP sized pistol?
Get the LCP if it is size uber alles.
Moon
 
A Hogue grip does wonders for the LCP. Doesn't help the trigger bite but its much more comfortable to hold and shoot. But it adds width making it as wide as the Max.
 
SwampWolf said:
I see small .380 pistols as being "niche" carry pieces but filling an important self-defense role. My personal caveat is that if I'm toting something much bigger and heavier than the original LCP, it will be chambered in 9mm.
Click to expand...
With close to 2 million LCPs having been manufactured so far, I’d say it is a very mainstream carry pistol.
I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it is carried more than any other model.
 
I've been carrying the MAX since last July, when it came out. I like it a lot, but it is indeed heavier and bulkier than the pistol I had been pocket-carrying prior, a Kel-Tec P32. I could lighten it some by switching back to its ten-round magazine (I have the 12-round one in there now), but then the gun doesn't seem to place as easily into my hand when I draw it from the pocket. The only other micro-380 I have that isn't a blowback gun is a Taurus TCP, which handles easily enough, but the MAX is noticeably better in hand as far as grip and flip-control goes.

The Ruger has been riding backup duty, usually to a belt-worn Taurus G2C, but it might become "first-up" if I ever decide to ditch belt carry altogether for tucked-in shirts. That's kind of what I'm "grooming" it for.
 
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