Ruger LCP 380 - the bad?

[CougarRed]

For those that hate the recoil, try the hogue LCP grip made specifically for the LCP AND a 13lb Wolf recoil spring.

I understand this really tames the LCP. Combined these 2 upgrades cost about $25 with shipping.

I have not seen it mentioned in this thread, but Ruger upgraded the LCP trigger and sights for 2013. Here's a video.

The sights are now like the Rohrbaugh sights. And the trigger pull is shorter and breaks sooner. What the video does not show is that the Gen2 LCP hammer is more pre-cocked than the older model.

 

[Gary A]

CougarRed - I just skimmed through this whole thread wondering why no one mentioned that Ruger has now addressed two of the most common complaints with the LCP, the long trigger pull and the sights. I have an earlier model which I like quite a bit and just bought a "gen 2" (for want of a better name) but haven't had a chance to wring it out yet. Thanks for pointing out the new version. The changes are significant.

 

[breakingcontact]

LCP is a good gun.

Didn't know they made a gen 2.

 

[CougarRed]

CougarRed - I just skimmed through this whole thread wondering why no one mentioned that Ruger has now addressed two of the most common complaints with the LCP, the long trigger pull and the sights. I have an earlier model which I like quite a bit and just bought a "gen 2" (for want of a better name) but haven't had a chance to wring it out yet. Thanks for pointing out the new version. The changes are significant.

For some reason, Ruger is not advertising the changes. I'm not sure why - maybe they don't want to undercut their dealers who have the old stock.

I was deciding between a P380 or soon to be released CW380 vs a LCP, and during my research I learned about the LCP changes. It was enough to convince me to purchase the LCP.

I'm guessing Kahr offering the CW380 at or near the LCP price point caused Ruger to improve their product.

 

[Gary A]

Who knows? I might find I prefer the older version with its longer trigger though I do like the newer version and think (without having fired it yet) that it is an improvement. I think either version is a great choice for what the gun is designed to be. I have no problem shooting the original version effectively, which is why I chose it over other models.

 

[marb4]

I traded my Taurus TCP about a week or so ago for a new "Gen 2" LCP. My Taurus was 100% reliable however it had one fatal flaw that I couldn't get past. There are two distinct "clicks" when resetting the trigger after a shot. In rapid fire, if you attempt to press the trigger but have only made it past the 1st "click" the hammer will drop from the half cock position and its about a 50/50 proposition whether or not the round will fire. After this, if the round didnt fire, the trigger is completely dead until you manually rack the slide. This is normal for the TCP and is even discussed in the owner's manual. It happened to me a number of times when practicing rapid fire drills. Yes, training is important, but in the event I actually needed to defend my life I would hate to not fully reset the trigger between shots and have my pistol be out of the game so to speak. The LCP trigger will not go "dead" if you fail to fully reset. Thats the main reason I made the switch. After about 150 rounds through the LCP, its so far been flawless and the trigger and sights are more than adequate for close personal protection distances. As many others have mentioned, it is by no means a bullseye pistol but I can easily quickly dump a mag into a 6 inch circle at 5-7 yards. For its intended purpose, I think the "Gen 2" LCP is an excellent option.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I had an LCP and I wasn't wild about it until I put a couple hundred rounds through it. It is a really a more capable gun than it has any right to be. The only downside of the LCP in my opinion is the construction of the barrel at the chamber is really thin. I would stick to regular ammo like the Federal Hydrashoks or Gold Dots and leave the hotter stuff like Buffalo Bore to pistols with a sturdier construction. That being said, it is a great pistol for its purpose.

 

[kokapelli]

When I carried a P3AT which has a similar barrel to the LCP, I always carried it with Buffalo Bore so called +P ammo and shot a substantial amount of the BB ammo through it at the range and never had a problem with the barrel.

Also Clark who posts here frequently has fired a lot of his personal loadings that are higher pressure loads from a P3AT and to my knowledge has never had a problem with the barrel on his P3AT either.

 

[Schwing]

I have pocket carried the LCP and don't care for it. It is a personal preference though. It is reliable but, even with my small hands, I just can't seem to get a comfortable grip on it. I carry a PX4 now but, when I do feel the need to pocket carry, I traded the LCP for a Bersa Thunder .380. The trigger pull is lighter, the grip is just a hair longer and it is single and double action. I think the reliability of the LCP is better but I figure if i can't even hold it comfortably in my hands at the range, what chance do i have when my hands are shaking in an emergency?

 

[CougarRed]

I have pocket carried the LCP and don't care for it. It is a personal preference though. It is reliable but, even with my small hands, I just can't seem to get a comfortable grip on it.

This is a common complaint about small 380 pistols in general, and the 9 oz versions like the P3AT and LCP in particular.

I am awaiting delivery of an LCP. In my research, it appears many people find they like the gun better with the $10 Hogue grip. In addition, many write that an $8 recoil spring (rated at 12-13 pounds) makes the gun more comfortable to shoot. I have ordered both enhancements.

 

[wgf]

Instead of an extra magazine I have two LCPs.

 

[Roadking Rider]

Can't speak for the LCP, but the P3at has been a very good pistol. It's not a range toy or all that much fun to shoot, but it has been very reliable. I've CC mine mostly during the summer months for around 5 years and have not always treated it so nicely, but after about 800 rounds it still keeps working as good as the day I bought it.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned two LCPs. Both were flawless performers. The newest ones have better sights and triggers, and I will own one of them soon. In the mean time, I have a Kahr CW380 on order.

Why not buy a Kel-tec?

Because I have owned four of them and they are crap. Opinion, based upon repeated experience.

The TCP would be a significant step up for a reasonable price.

Opinion, stated as fact. I'm sure you can find 100 posters who say that any Taurus is crap. I have not tried the TCP and have no desire to. It is a Taurus.

BTW, that is opinion as well...but is stated as such. See the difference?

When someone builds a better pocket .380 than the LCP, I'll buy one. I suspect the CW380 may be exactly that, but will wait until I can hold it, carry it and put 1000 rounds through it.

 

[Clark]

1) KEL-TEC P3AT
I carry the Kel-Tec P3AT 380 80% of the time. The most power I can get with handloads is the same as Buffalo Bore +P 90 gr claims: 1100 fps.
The big attraction is the clip that grips my jeans pocket like a pocket knife.

2) RUGER LCP
The slide mass are so close to the LCP that I feed them the same handloads.
The big attraction is the laser.
It is a little nicer gun than the P3AT.
I carry it with pocket holster DESANTIS M44BJG5Z0

3) KAHR P380
I carry the Kahr P380 10% of the time.
This is a little heavier, but much better spring and case support.
I use the same holster as the LCP.
It is a lot nicer gun than the above two.

4) KEL TEC PF9
The Kel Tec PF9 9mm is so small and light, it is as easy to carry as many 380s.
I carry it less than 1% of the time, but if you are going to visit a bad neighborhood,
it is good to take extra power.

 

[ritepath]

2009 LCP here with almost 700 rounds....it's been super solid performer. I have a reflective orange sticker on the front hump, and painted two thin lines on the rear sight.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Only 700 rounds since 2009?? Good lord man get out and shoot that thing. I put 500+ rounds through my LCP in the first couple weeks! Seriously though, I think the LCP can hold up to a little more practice and the more you shoot it the more confident you will be in its abilities as a defensive pistol. I know it changed my mind about it.

 

[g_one]

+1 for the Hogue LCP specific grip. It's a complete game changer as far as comfort is concerned, but it doesn't make it feel any bigger when you slip it into your pocket. I carry mine 24/7, if you count keeping it on the nightstand while sleeping carrying.

Trigger pull took some getting used to - I have larger hands and discovered that when I used the pad (fingerprint?) of my finger to pull the trigger back it felt better but I was less accurate. Switched to using the first knuckle and although it felt odd at first my accuracy at 7 yards was instantly improved, and by a lot.

Only modifications I will make (besides the hogue grip that is already on it) is to get it cerakoted later this year.

 

[CougarRed]

Here's my initial range report for the Gen 2 LCP with improved sights and trigger. Before taking it to the range, I installed the Hogue grip and 13 pound recoil spring.

Synopsis: no failures, not painful to shoot. Some groupings:

 

[Rugerspyderon]

Love mine. I have lighter spring and hogue jr. Grip. It shoots well and accurately. It carries like a dream. I like Speer Gold Dot.

 

[CougarRed]

Now 260 rounds (4 different bullets) out of the box without a hiccup. I find I am most accurate with standard pressure Buffalo Bore 100 gr Flatnose Hardcast:

 

[History.Doc]

You definitely shoot about a million times better than me, that's for sure. I'm lucky to get a fist size group at seven yards.

 

[Eb1]

Bersa Thunder 380? Might be to big if you are use to the LCP.

 

[Blackhawk30]

Mag release button tends to rust and get sticky.Ruger really should make this gun in all stainless.

 

[19-3Ben]

Ruger really should make this gun in all stainless.

They are selling a bazillion of them just as they are, and the polymer frame they are using costs much less and requires less tooling.
I am a steel guy, and would buy one in a heartbeat if it were available in steel, but guys like us are rare. Ruger has no incentive at all to do it unfortunately.

Heck, I'm surprised that Kahr still maintains their steel lineup of the MK, K and T series guns!

 

[kokapelli]

Mag release button tends to rust and get sticky.Ruger really should make this gun in all stainless.

That would be a significant increase in weight and would increase felt recoil as well.

There are a number of all metal micro 380 pistols if you want one, like the P238, Micro Desert Eagle, Seecamp and the Rohrbaugh.