LCP

[MikePaiN]

....I was planning to get a smaller pistol for summer carry and "grab and go" duty. I was dead set on a Kahr CM9 or some small(er) 9mm....but as it happens so often fate intervenes and
I hooked up with a very nice local trade, which landed me with this very nice Ruger LCP package. I never thought much about a "mouse gun" but you can't get much smaller or easier to carry. This one was pretty much spot on ready to go. Late build(2010) LCP w/ 250 rounds through, 2 mags w/ extensions, Pach. grip, 2 holsters and a Wolff extra power recoil spring installed.... + cash to me


Seems to be a very well built little weapon that feels good in hand. Excellent fit & finish, with no sharp edges or seams(like the KT P3AT)....
I'm getting out to shoot it this morning I report back on how it goes...

 

[HPFlashman]

Splendid choice for a tiny gun, I got one last year and have shot something around 400 shots through it without any problems, untill the latest competition I shoot it in, then I got some serious glare out problems on the front sight on the last stage with some 20ish meter shots with non-shoot targets in the mix. (local program called civilian pistol - shot with IPSC rules, but with a weaponprotocol for smaller guns).

Mine has been shot with some 33 years old Winchester brand ammo and current American Eagles, both 95 grains FMJs...

 

[will_m68]

I bought one this year as well. It's been a very good gun so far, no problems as of yet. I have about 100 rounds through it. I also shoot Winchester with no problems. Great trade!

 

[MikePaiN]

I just picked up a 100 pack of 95g WWB and I have some Federal Hydra-Shok 95g on hand ...
off to the range

 

[Jotobo]

Let me/us know what you think of that HydraShok

 

[Lateck]

Congrats,

The little LCP is a great carry gun and can be quite accurate.....
Let's know how she shoots for you.

Lateck,

 

[Hypnogator]

My LCP makes up for its atrocious trigger-pull by being dead-nutz reliable with any ammo I've yet put through it. It resides in my back pocket in a wallet holster loaded with Cor-Bon DPX as I type this.

 

[19-3Ben]

Well done, Mike.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Been carrying the chromed slide one for about 8 months all day every day- the boss and I run practice drills a couple times a week with them (he carries one at work too) several thousand rounds and nary a sight of wear.
polished the ramp and chamber for reliability- touch of red paint on the front sight helps wonders! the boss has a crimson trace but i still shoot a bit better

 

[MikePaiN]

I shot 80 rounds, this LCP ran on both the WWB and Hydra-Shok without issue. I carried it as I will normally even at the range the little gun so easy, its not much more trouble the a smart phone(and I like guns...better than phones )
Its also comfortable to shoot, I had no issue with the recoil or handling.
The bad news is, I shot it like crap. I'm used to my Kahrs and Glocks that shoot where I point them. With this one I had no idea where it was going to hit(if at all) My range minimum is 7 yards, which is where I was set. After a few mags I got it on paper(4" Hi-Vis @ 7yrds) and could keep it there but it took A LOT of concentration and trigger coaxing. My accuracy with the LCP is bad enough to concern me if I ever have to use it in a defensive situation.
I need to give the LCP more trigger time before make any decisions.

 

[Jotobo]

Dude, I suuuuuucked at shooting the LCP for a good long while. Now I am ok. I cant shoot it very well by holding it with two hands. I can shoot it much better one handed. I dont know why that is.

One handed I can keep the shots in about a 6" circle. With two hands, its all over the place. Sometimes I even miss the target all together.

I have put about 400 rounds through mine at this point and can do well with it, with one hand at least, haha! But the good thing is, thats kind of the point with a gun like this. Pull it out, point, and shoot.

I have been shooting the Critical Defense ammo. I would be interested in the HydraShoks as they are about $5 cheaper per box.

 

[MikePaiN]

The performance of the .380 Federal Hydra-Shok seems okay too me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6PgHhNYg0

 

[Jotobo]

Wow, thats actually pretty impressive.

 

[Mad Magyar]

One handed I can keep the shots in about a 6" circle. With two hands, its all over the place. Sometimes I even miss the target all together.

To be honest, it wasn't designed for a two-hand-sighted-Weaver fire...You can't even place your little finger around it with your shooting hand, at least I can't. A nice pistol for close-up, belly to belly firing for SD....

 

[PcolaDawg]

Nice. I've got the Kel Tec P3AT, and I love it, but they are so similar I think I would really like the LCP. Especially since I've been very impressed with the Ruger's I've bought so far.

 

[franco45]

It does take a while to get used to Mike. I too own a couple of Kahrs and the LCP trigger seemed weird at first. It is just so easy to throw in your pocket and very reliable too.

 

[larryh1108]

Heavy trigger, light and small gun... easy to pull or push your shots. Yes, concentration and trigger control is what it takes. It took me over 500 rounds to "get it". It is no 1911 but it does have it's purpose. Once you zero it in, it's a really nice and small pocket gun.

 

[Jotobo]

There is a vid of NutnFancy punching out a hole with an LCP from about 8 yards away. Once I saw that I knew that I could learn to do that too. Im getting there.

 

[PX15]

Mike,

Just my old fart opinion, so take it for what it's worth..

I bought my first LCP a while back, and was so impressed with it's performance, and RELIABILITY, that I bought a 2nd, for a b/u.. My wife enjoyed shooting the LCP so well she bought her own (engraved slide model) LCP...

We are both seniors (I'm 68, she's 67), and If old farts like my wife and myself can shoot an LCP accurately enough at self defense distance (and we can), I believe anyone can.

I would suggest you check out three options when you have the time and inclination.

First Crimson Trace makes an excellent laser for the LCP and it runs around $150.00... For a self defense firearm DESIGNED for close up and personal self defense I don't think a laser is necessary, but I'm a big fan of Crimson Trace Lasers in general (from years of past experience) and IF they make one for the pistol I carry for personal protection I want one on it.

It can't hurt..

Second, for me personally I have found a quality rear pocket holster is the easiest way to carry MY LCP concealed. In a crisis you can offer the bg your wallet from one back pocket, or your LCP from the other.. I like having the option.. Rear pocket carry is, for me, absolutely the quickest way to bring a concealed firearm into play if needed.

Finally, you often read about how crappy the sights are one the LCP.. Well, yeah, but it's not designed as a target pistol.. For "point and pull" use, it's perfect. You will be looking at the THREAT, not for a perfect sight picture anyway.

But..

Just in case you have some extra money laying around you feel the need to spend on your LCP, please check out the External sight/slide refinish upgrade as offered by Phillip & Jenny Woodell of "Innovative Arms, LLC".. (1-803-528-8709/www.innovativearms.com)

This upgrade runs about $150.00 or so (incld return shipping) and for your money you get a slide refinish (you'll need one sooner or later, trust me on this) a set of external sights of which the rear is NOT a night sight, but reverse ramped so that in a crisis you can actually pull back the slide with one hand by friction against another object, like the pants leg.. The front sight is a Trijicon night sight.

IMOFO the LCP does NOT need a laser or external sight for the purpose for which it was designed, BUT, I want my personal self defense weapon to be as "good as it can be". The addition of the CT laser and the IA upgrade TO MY GUN is just icing on the cake.

I do believe rear pocket carry is the best way (for me) to carry a concealed firearm.. Trouble is most cc pistols are too large for that mode of carry, but fortunately the LCP is not one of them..

All personal opinion, and no offense to anyone, anywhere, anyhow.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. And then you need......

 

[shootingthebreeze]

Thanks PX for your good information and congrats to Mike.
I want to get the Ruger LCP; after going back and forth reliability and concealability are the 2 factors driving me to the LCP.
I don't think the laser is necessary because engagement will be less than 10 feet. As far as ammo I will stick with FMJ to maximize penetration.

 

[joe_security]

PX15, excellent post . Very well done!

 

[PX15]

stb:

I don't think the LCP "needs" a Crimson Trace Laser either to do the job it was designed for.

I just WANTED one...

As to the reliability of the LCP?

Well, JoAnn and I have three between us, my buddy and his daughter have one, and another friend bought FIVE for himself and his kids, and I've yet to hear about any of them being less than 100% reliable.

I'm betting keeping the little bugger clean, and using quality ammo will keep it "rocking and rolling" just fine..

My pleasure with my LCP's caused me to buy the LC9 which is basically an LCP on steroids... I like it too, but it's too large for cc... (Which is why I have an iwb holster for it..)

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. Thanks to j_s for the kind words.

 

[InkEd]

How do you like the slip-on grip? I have a couple of the Hogue slip-ons for some of my other pistols and have thought about adding one to my LCP.

As you have discovered, the sights on the LCP are really not to useful. You just have to learn to "look down the rail." It is made to be used at very short distances. Mine seems to shoot Hornady Critical Defense ammo the best. Lastly, I have discovered that I can shoot it BETTER with just one hand, especially using an "old-timey" bullseye stance.

 

[larryh1108]

I love my slip on grip. It gives just that little extra stability in your hand with an otherwise small grip. It also softens up the recoil a bit. Maybe it's subjective but I didn't expect it to when I put it on.

I also agree that the wallet holster is the way to go. You forget you have it and it feels natural,,, like your wallet!