RUGER LCP II 380 - Advice, tips, thoughts?

[triplebike]

Any experience owners or have knowledge of this firearm. My son is looking for a small pocket pistol. I was at my LGS yesterday and saw the Ruger. (I was there to cancel the KAHR P-380 that I had on layaway) It was priced right and would fit the bill for my son perfectly so I put it on layaway. Any ammo tips or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jstert]

Any experience owners or have knowledge of this firearm. My son is looking for a small pocket pistol. I was at my LGS yesterday and saw the Ruger. (I was there to cancel the KAHR P-380 that I had on layaway) It was priced right and would fit the bill for my son perfectly so I put it on layaway. Any ammo tips or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

full disclosure, i don’t enjoy recoil. i suggest that your son try some pocket 380acp pistols before buying. out of my own informal tries, the ruger lcp was the least comfortable in my hand to shoot by far. the best was a s&w bodyguard minus the laser. i didn’t get the s&w but i would if i didn’t find a keltec p32. i wish that all 380acp pocket pistols were also offered in 32acp. i only shoot fmj ball ammo.

 

[AustinTX]

Think you probably made a wise move there. The LCP is much more likely to be a trouble-free gun.

Doesn’t fit my large hands very well, unfortunately, but I’ve never had any malfunctions in the ones I’ve fired. I don’t find the recoil to be bothersome, either. They’re far more comfortable to shoot than any blowback .380 pistol, in my experience.

 

[Pistolay]

I just got rid of my LCP II. It was a good pistol for what it was, but the LCP MAX is the same weight (unloaded), and very close to the same size. And it slightly bigger grip makes it a bit easier to shoot.

It's not a precision made pistol. Mine had a few rough edges that smoothed out over the first 200 rounds or so. I carried mine with Hornady American Gunner XTP. It was completely reliable with the XTP bullet, which is very highly thought of in .380.

Not pleasant to shoot, but not horrible. And much easier to rack than the P380.

 

[Jimster]

Love my LCP 2 but thinking about getting the Max for the hell of it. I shoot ball ammo in mine. Very comfortable and concealable in the front pocket. Snappy to shoot but it’s not exactly a range gun but it’ll get the job done when called upon.

 

[lee n. field]

Any experience owners or have knowledge of this firearm. My son is looking for a small pocket pistol. I was at my LGS yesterday and saw the Ruger. (I was there to cancel the KAHR P-380 that I had on layaway) It was priced right and would fit the bill for my son perfectly so I put it on layaway. Any ammo tips or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Go back to the Kahr? Or go for the LCP Max?

When Ruger went to the version 2 LCR, they changed what didn't need changing, and didn't fix what I thought did need changing. As always, IMHO & YMMV.

I see Hogue does have a version of their Handall grip sleeve for the LCP II. Consider getting one. Getting one for the first generation LCP made mine a lot less obnoxious to shoot.

 

[Tallball]

I've owned a Kel-Tec P3AT, original LCP, Pico, and LCPII. I've not had a Bodyguard or Kahr.

Of the ones I've owned, the LCPII is my favorite by a large margin. It has good sights and the trigger is excellent. Mine has never malfunctioned that I can recall.

It's what I carry when I can't carry anything. I'll maybe look at a Max one day, but I probably don't want my tiny hideout pistol to be less tiny.

My hands are XXL. The micro-380's will beat my hands up a little bit if I don't hold them perfectly. I shoot maybe 3-4 magazines per session, keeping the practice sessions short so I won't develop a flinch. I can shoot them almost as well as a snub 38 at seven yards.

Bring out the torches and pitchforks! I load mine with FMJ, preferably some faster foreign stuff.

I have the little Desantis pocket holster for it. Good for back pocket (walking the dog) or in the breast pocket of a big flannel shirt (cool weather).

Warning: This pistol has a nice crisp trigger and no safety. If you carry it without a pocket holster, you will eventually shoot yourself.

Ruger LCPII 380acp

• Tallball
• Aug 3, 2018

 

[WisBorn]

Really like my LCPII. Yes it is small, not ideal for big hands and light weight so it has a fair amount of recoil. But that is what makes it a great carry gun. Easily slips into a pocket.
I have found Percision One Ammo HP'S to cycle well in mine along with sig and most other defense ammo.

 

[triplebike]

Appreciate all the comments so far. Definitely more positive than in the KAHR thread. Not his primary carry. For when he's working, especially in the summer months. He'll be using a ankle holster. If there's one think I'm sure of is the superiority of Rugers customer service and thats a big plus to me when buying a used firearm.

 

[Riomouse911]

The LCP II is a very good little .380. I have both of the single-stack LCP models, IMHO the LCP II is a vast improvement over the original model. The sights are much better, there is a last-round slide hold open feature and the trigger pull is so much better than the original it is night and day.

Keep any pocket gun in a good holster, whether it’s a pocket liner type, ankle, or a belt-IWB design. I use an older Bianchi IWB that clips inside my beltline and is all but invisible to anyone I pass on the street.

I painted the front sights white, then blaze orange, with Testors model paint. This makes the front sight really stand out when you draw and fire.

LCP II



LCP


Side by side


I have used Hornady Critical Defense for years, the ammo has not had an issue feeding or firing for me to date.

Stay safe.

 

[DTL]

I like mine, bought the ll version on it's release and at first painted the front sight, but later added a Lasermax Gripsense green laser.

 

[CDW4ME]

If I was limited to just pocket carry (I'm not) a LCP 380 would be as small that I'd begrudgingly go. (I'm not betting my life on 22/25/32)
If I carried a 380 I want (obtain) bullets that penetrated at least 12'' with consistent expansion.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
Hornady 90 gr. FTX Critical Defense and Sig 90 gr. V-Crown are examples of ammo that meets that minimum desired performance.

 

[DTL]

You can add Underwood Extreme Defense and Extreme Penetrator to that list. My Bersa Thunder and LCPll are filled with Defenders. (No HP's are legal carry in my state.)