Ruger LCP 380 auto

[19-3Ben]

Mat, it seems like you may be the one unlucky guy who gets struck by lighting twice and then victim of a shark attack. I've heard of people have problems here and there with Rugers, but they are VERY few and far between.

I for one am running 2/2 with fantastic Rugers.
I admit, I'm a bit of a Ruger fan. In fact, my SP101 is on my hip as I type this.

 

[peacemaker45]

Mat, it seems like you may be the one unlucky guy who gets struck by lighting twice and then victim of a shark attack. I've heard of people have problems here and there with Rugers, but they are VERY few and far between.

It's not really bad luck. It's not really bad production on Ruger's part either. (except for the sights and grip on the bisleys. They really should make an effort to have fixed sight guns send their bullets in the same general direction as the sights, but that's a fairly common issue with lots of guns.) What it is, is that my Rugers are CAS guns. They get shot a LOT. They get dryfired even more. They get run hard, run fast, and often enough put away wet. I'm not saying Rugers suck. The fact that I've got so many of them ought to say something in that regard. I'm just saying that they're not paragons of perfection, that it's not like anything with the Magical Ruger Name will never, ever break.

If it's a mechanical device, it will break. 1911, Glock, HK, Sig, Ruger, Colt, whatever uber-brand it may happen to be, if shot enough, it will break.

In point of fact, as CAS guns go, Ruger is the only one that won't self destruct without an action job. Even high dollar Colts will. With proper action work, though, the foulup rate becomes about equal. I've had about the same number of breakages from slicked up Colt clones as from slicked up Rugers.

Although CAS SA revolvers is a bit OT for a discussion of pocket pistols.

Anyhow, Kel-Tecs break. Ok, sure. They're guns. With proper fluffin', buffin', and maintainence, they're fine. The Ruger will likely be similar. The only guarantee I can make about it is what it won't be. Perfect.

 

[jocko]

amazing

If a dealer told anyone the lcps don't lock back on the last round, then that has to be the most stupid dealer around. If one wants to brag on his dandy kt, that is fine with me, some work ok, my 3 never did, got tired of sending them back, my lcp has been perfect ofr 1000 rounds, END OF STORY..

 

[19-3Ben]

I'm just saying that they're not paragons of perfection, that it's not like anything with the Magical Ruger Name will never, ever break.

Agreed. In my admitedly limited experience, they tend to fail less frequently than other guns. but any gun from Lorcin to Korth can fail.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

As far as Rugers being spectacular for reliability and product finishing, etc, that just ain't so. Anyone who wildly jumps around and yells about "rugged, reliable, Ruger firearms," needs to be bludgeoned with their own ruger. They break, just like anything else. If you haven't broken one, it's because you haven't shot it enough. "Oh! Oh! Oh! I've got 500 problem free rounds through my Ruger _______!" Call me back when you've got ten thousand down the pipe.

Well, how about 5 thousand or so. And hundreds of them idiotic loads. That was the story back when I was in my "bigger is better" kick. I think I read too much Ross Seyfried back them. But my Redhawk is still ticking. 2 of my friends that owned S&W 29s can't say the same thing, though most of the gun rags back then even said not to try the same loads in a 29 that you would in a Redhawk.
I've got many thousands of rounds through my Mark I as well. Nary a part has been replaced in it either, except the grips, but that was personal choice. I agree that anything can break. But model for model as far as strength goes, I would put Ruger at the top for the normal competitive manufacturers. Actually, I'm a Colt guy. But I'd probably still rank the Redhawk above the Anaconda for strength.

I also have 2 KelTecs. But I definitely want the new LCP. Don't know how it'll fare, but I like it.

 

[Marshall]

Are these becoming anymore available than they have been?

 

[Top_Gunn]

"If a dealer told anyone the lcps don't lock back on the last round, then that has to be the most stupid dealer around."

Huh?? They don't. There's a manual slide lock (unlike the KelTec), but that's it. If your LCP is locking back on the last round, it's broken.

 

[jocko]

top gun

just reread my post. what you said is exactly what I meant to say. It is manual slide lock only and not an auto slide lock, I guess what I meant was if a dealer thought it was supposed to oo9ck back then he was an idiot dealer thanks for correcting me.. the kt 32 has an auto slide lock the kt380 has zero

 

[cowssurf]

Mat, not doormat said: "You've handled a KT in a store, and read about them on the internet. You've read reviews of the Ruger. Have you ever shot either?"

When I said in my post that "I like my LCP," that was because I own one (the reason I used the possesive) and because I like the way it shoots, feels in my hand, and feels in my pocket. You are right that I haven't shot a Kel-Tec. There's a chance I may never. I certainly don't want to buy one for two reasons: 1) their reputation is too spotty for me to want to spend my money (I realize I don't have all knowledge of them, and obviously no first hand shooting experience--I said too spotty for MY money), and 2) I don't like the quality of the finish--the most important aspects of that being I find them uncomfortably rough on the sides of the grip, and the irregularities and assymetry I've witnessed on the outside make me question the consistency of quality on the inside. Now of course, if I find a friend who's got one, I'd love to shoot it to give me the first hand shooting experience.

Mr. Doormat, I feel flattered and a little nervous by your quote. You really went back into the annals for that one. I'm either being stalked or I've got a serious THR historian on my hands.

 

[wendell]

Hey Cowssurf, I like the way you feel about concealed weapons. I hope you vote the way you feel. Thanks Senator!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Huh?? They don't. There's a manual slide lock (unlike the KelTec), but that's it. If your LCP is locking back on the last round, it's broken.

If your LCP is not locking back on the last round then it is function exactly as designed. It even says so right there in the owners manual (which I troubled myself to read before I took it to the range).

Brad

 

[Top_Gunn]

Brad wrote: "If your LCP is locking back on the last round then it is function exactly as designed. It even says so right there in the owners manual (which I troubled myself to read before I took it to the range)."

No. It doesn't lock back on the last round and the manual doesn't say that it does. It has a manual lock, so you can lock it back. That's all. Your post is quite odd--why in the world would you make this claim?

Here's what the manual does say: "Manual Slide Hold Open: This allows the user to manually lock the slide open. Note: When the last shot has been fired and the magazine is empty, the hold open does not automatically hold the slide open."

 

[Caipirinha]

I concur with Top Gunn on what the manual says and how the gun functions. Further, even with an empty magazine inserted, it is a PITA to try and get the "Manual Slide Hold Open" feature to engage that it's next to worthless. Perhaps Ruger has already changed that feature but I haven't heard that.

 

[alamo]

If your LCP is locking back on the last round then it is function exactly as designed. It even says so right there in the owners manual

Ahh Brad, you started out with an honest mistake and then you had to add this part -

(which I troubled myself to read before I took it to the range).

I've made a few big ones too.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Yep, my bad. Trying to type and answer the phone at the same time. Corrected now.

By the way, my LCP doesn't like reloads (or at least the reloads I have). It has a distinct distaste for them with FTEs at least twice a mag. Wolf seems to function fine, as does WWB. My particular LCP does seem rather tight. I might be that I just need to put a couple hundred rounds through it and get things worked in properly.

Brad

 

[Milspec78]

While the differences between the P3AT and LCP actually are significant (it's sort of like a Gen 3 version), I like the Kel-Tec better...so that's what I bought. My P3AT's fired 250 rounds so far without a hiccup...

Milspec

 

[Newton]

Love my LCP, really didn't have any time for either of the P-3ATs I owned (both jammed).

The LCP has been 100% reliable with all brands of ammunition.

Awesome little pistol.

 

[grouperman35]

grendel=keltec=ruger

didnt keltec simply copy grendel(hence no patent)then ruger simply followed suit to copy keltec?

 

[Disaster]

didnt keltec simply copy grendel(hence no patent)then ruger simply followed suit to copy keltec?

Actually, the Grendel was designed by the same guy, George Kellgren, who is the owner of Keltec. I don't think you can charge him with copying himself.

http://www.ktog.org/grendel.htm

I am a little shocked the Ruger did such a blatant copy. You would think they had the resources to design it themselves. I'm also a little surprised that none of the magazine reviews bother giving Keltec, and George any credit. They all fawn over the LCP like it was a fresh idea from Ruger.

 

[RUT]

>>am a little shocked the Ruger did such a blatant copy<<

Why, Taurus does it all the time.

 

[Disaster]

>>am a little shocked the Ruger did such a blatant copy<<

Why, Taurus does it all the time.

You have an example? Taurus's Beretta clone was bought from Beretta. Taurus licensed S&W's J frames. Everyone makes a 1911 clone. Is there another Taurus that is a blatant copy?

As far as I know, Ruger didn't offer anything to Keltec.

 

[jocko]

If I recall the taurus/beretta is made on equipment that was once owned by Beretta. Beretta does not make taurus. I might be wrong on that but I don't think so. Can you give me the information where taurus licenses the Smith J frames, That is also a new one to. learnig something here every day. Hummm, now I wonder what does Ruger owe kt???

 

[Disaster]

From Taurus's website.

http://www.taurususa.com/company/history.cfm

Smith & Wesson had been purchased by a conglomerate named Bangor Punta. In 1970, Bangor Punta also purchased 54% of Taurus. Thus, the two companies became "sisters". Smith & Wesson never owned Taurus. They were both independent companies. However, during the next seven years, a great deal of technology and methodology was passed between the two. What may come as a surprise to some is that more of what was "right" in Porto Alegre was sent to Springfield than was sent from Springfield to south of the equator.

I'm not sure about Taurus's take on who helped who more but I recall Taurus first selling a revolver that was based on the S&W design in Brazil then later exporting it to the U.S. I suspect S&W didn't mind sharing technology with Taurus till they brought them to the U.S. and began competing directly with S&W.

 

[Tirod]

"They all fawn over the LCP like it was a fresh idea from Ruger."

I noted the Am. Rifleman article seemed to lack a reference to the Keltec. Perhaps the author decided if he couldn't say anything nice, he wouldn't at all. It makes it appear as less of a "road test" and more of a sponsored ad in that light.

But, I'm on three lists and working toward getting one in hand.

 

[John3-16]

I have 2 L.C.P,s no problens with either one.If they are copy;s of KT,s I will buy 2 KT380,s.They would have to be very good gun,s