Ruger LCP: hand-loads OK with polygonal rifling?

[yhtomit]

I understand (which is not to say "I know" ) that the polygonal rifling in Glocks makes them either inappropriate or less appropriate for use with lead bullets. (If I'm already wrong, won't be the first time -- just let me know.)

If the new Ruger LCP has polygonal rifling, is the same thing true?

Now that I have a press and more than 100 pieces of decent-looking .380 brass, it's ever more tempting to get a Cz-83 in 380, an LCP, a Guardian, or other .380 pistol.

The LCP sure looks sweet -- but not if reloads are inadvisable in it!

timothy

 

[Mortech]

Jacketed bullets only! Lead bullets are definitely a no-no in polygonal rifled barrels .

 

[jocko]

NO

tHE rUGER LCP Does NOT HAVE POLYGONAL RIFLING. the kahrs P380 will have. They don't advise shooting lead bullets out of polygonal rifled barrels BUT you can, if you really clean the barrel good after shooting. I sure don't know of anyone that relaods with lead bullets in their 380's.. If you take care of your guns well, youcan shoot lead bullets. I know alot of glocks shooters who reload with lead and have no issues and glocks are polygonal rifled,but they do tend to give their barrels a better scrubbing.

 

[Brassman]

I use 90g lrn that I reload in my P3AT with no problem. It's probably had about 2000 run through in about 3 years.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I wouldn't have spent that kind of money on a Kahr .380 anyway, but I will own NO gun that won't shoot lead. I cast and keep the costs down that way. I don't understand, really, why anyone would put the polygonal rifling in a defensive handgun. But, then, not everyone reloads, much less casts, I reckon.

 

[yhtomit]

Good info -- thanks. I do want to see that new Kahr in person! But the price I think would push me toward one of the others I mentioned. Glad to hear therefore that the LCP's barrel is *not* polygonal.

Also, (aimed at Mortech), Thanks! I was blanking on the fact that it's only *lead* that's the real problem -- even polygonal barrels are OK with reloads, if they're jacketed. The few reloads I've made have all been only with jacketed bullets so far, anyhow, but I have not reloaded for .380 yet at all, only .45ACP.

Never would have been interested in a .380 before, but some of the guns that have come out in the last couple of years seem to be giving it a revival -- or at least making *me* notice more of them! And while I'd rather carry a bigger caliber, a .380 seems like the right size for a lot of situations where the only other option would be to carry a small packet of hope and a belt of optimism.

(And, well, the NAA Guardian is just a good-looking pistol!)

timothy

 

[MCgunner]

You can get twice the power for not much more weight in a subcompact 9x19. Just a thought. I'll probably get the LCP sooner or later. I own a .380 now, old Grendel P12 which is a 100 percent functional gun, but is not nearly as compact as the LCP or P3AT, but does carry 12 rounds. I most often carry my Kel Tec P11 which is only a little longer than the Grendel, more powerful, and more accurate. I need one of the super small .380s to add to my carry battery, though. You just can't have too many options in your collection for carry. I also have small revolvers for carry, .38 and .357, more options the better.

 

[yhtomit]

MCgunner:

The size-v-caliber dilemma is one that will never be resolved, I think -- in the larger world, or inside my own head

For a long time, I've been intending to make a small 9mm one of my next purchases, on the same basis -- there are some 9mms that are truly quite handily small, and the cartridge is considerably more powerful.

What's changed my mind, so that I'd be interested in a .380? Partly it's outside either of those calibers -- I was taken with a Taurus (model number is escaping me), a tip-up .22LR pistol very close to the Beretta Tomcat. Now, I've read mixed reports of that particular gun's reliability, but the size ... I thought "I could really carry this very nearly everywhere."

And now that I've reloaded some cartridges (just a few, so far), I am less hidebound on the issue of caliber creep. As long as I could make more ammo for any gun I own, I wouldn't feel as oppressed by the cost of cartridges. (And .380 is a bad one that way -- it's not priced in proportion to its horsepower )

timothy

 

[jocko]

cast rounds

I seriously doubt if any handgun mfg-er really cares if someone casts their owns bulelts etc. A person that does that today is probablly less than one in 200 and expecially in the 380 rounds. I don't know to many who even reload the 380 , let alone cast. Evidentely to kahrs, they feel the polygonal rifled barrel is more of a sales plus than a negative. I do to.