Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec...Why?

[heeler]

These two little pistols pretty much for now at least hold the popularity spot for small pocket pistols used for CCW.
Both are priced very closely to one another with the Kel-Tec probably running around 25-30.00 cheaper.
So those among you have made one of these your final choice I ask what it was that convinced you to buy one over the other.

 

[oldpal]

I have over a dozen Ruger firearms including rifles, pistols and shotguns and have been pleased with them. I bought the Ruger LCP because of Ruger's reputation. Also the LCP slide can be locked open which is a big benefit when cleaning. I do have some friends that own the P3AT and are happy with their Kel-Tec.

Hugh

 

[Nasty]

I don't own either...

That said, I would choose Kel-tec first because it was *their* design and secondly because of how Bill Ruger sold us out on magazine capacity.

I know...he's dead...but his family still gains from every new sale and as much as I like Rugers, can't get the taste of his betrayal out of my mouth.

 

[X-Rap]

I have dozens of Rugers but bought the Kel Tech before Ruger produced its copy. My dad has a LCP with the lazer and likes it. They both are reliable with factory and reloads so there really is very little difference.
I would still buy the KT though.
What ever Bill Ruger did wrong he also revolutionized the gun making business and put more guns in more hands than most makers have done in his short period of time. That fact seems to be lost at times.

 

[PT1911]

Kel tec.... their design and they actually have a lifetime warranty..... ruger comes with a promise.Sort of..????.. If you want a slide stop... get a Taurus TCP.. original design and actuallyhas a functioning slide stop...oh, and a lifetime warranty.

 

[Just One Shot]

I checked out both months ago and went with the LCP.

It has better fit and finish and I like the slide lock.

As far as it being a copy, why aren't those of you who are whinning about Ruger doing the same about all the 1911 copy cats?

 

[MCgunner]

I like both. It would depend on price and availability with me. I'd be tempted by the LCP because it'd be my 8th Ruger, but then, my Kel Tec P11 has been awesome and continues to be. If I could get the P3AT 20 bucks cheaper, I might go that route. 40 bucks and I'm a Kel Tec guy. Equal price, I'll pick the Ruger.

If I get a baby .380, though, it's probably going to be a Taurus TCP M738. STAINLESS and the slide locks back on the last round which is what a slide lock is supposed to do. That would be my 4th Taurus and first Taurus auto.

 

[Ben86]

"They copied Kel-Tec." Yeah, and you know what? They made a better version. I went with the LCP because it is more refined. It is more comfortable to shoot, has slightly better sights, a slide lock and from what I hear feeds a wider range of ammunition. Kel-tec also seems to have more quality control issues than Ruger.

Honestly though, if I were to buy another .380 I'd go with either the Taurus TCP or the Kahr P380 if I felt like paying more for better sights.

 

[StarDust1]

"Hmm" lets see, the one that works vs the one thats under perpetual factory recall, is this a trick question?

 

[heeler]

Not a trick question at all Stardust.
I know the Ruger had a recall but what was the Kel-Tec's issue??
Have not heard about that but then again I am fairly new at handguns as most of my life my hands held long guns when it was firearms time.

 

[Strahley]

I'd go with the Kel-Tec for a couple reasons

1) i wouldn't take .380 over 9mm
2) dont like Ruger

 

[Ben86]

Sure Ruger has had some recalls, but those were initial safety design flaws, not quality control issues.

 

[jsg]

I have had the Keltec for a long time. So long that it was only offered in 32 when I got it. If I had to replace it today, I would probably get the Ruger if I went 380 due to fit and finish. I have had zero problems with the Keltec.

 

[19-3Ben]

I checked out both and went with the Ruger because for $25 difference, you are getting much more than $25 worth of fit/finish difference. The Ruger is very noticeably smoother.

In my experience it is also more reliable than the P3AT. I went to the range with a buddy and I shot my LCP while he shot his P3AT. He brought along some old Russian surplus garbage ammo. Steel cases washed in copper, Cyrillic all over the box, etc...
He said his P3AT can't shoot it worth a darn. he was right. He got about 2 FTF/FTE out of each mag.
I traded him the two boxes of Russian stuff for two boxes of S&B .380 that I had brought along. I shot the remaining ~85 rounds of Russian stuff without a single malf of any kind in the LCP.

Edit: I want to be clear, I have absolutely nothing against the KT. I just preferred the Ruger, and found the differences to be well worth the $25.

 

[heeler]

Thanks Ben.
That's a good example of real world sort of reasoning I was asking for.

 

[Warhawk83]

I own the LCP and have handled several Kel-Tecs. LCP hands down, the quality is miles ahead with the Ruger. The Kel-Tec just feels cheap. Now here is the kicker, I wouldn't buy the LCP again, can't find any ammo. So if you get a Kel-Tec get the Pf-9 or 11.

 

[heeler]

That's weird Warhawk cause i recently bought 250 rds of WWB 380 and saw plenty at an Academy by my job.
Not sure if Monarch is good ammo or not.

 

[Just One Shot]

Strahley I'd go with the Kel-Tec for a couple reasons

1) i wouldn't take .380 over 9mm
2) dont like Ruger

They're both .380's.

 

[Avizpls]

I dont like copy cat bitches unless its a mil-spec design (AR, 1911, etc)

I would choose Kel-tec primarily because it was *their* design and secondly because of how Bill Ruger sold us out on magazine capacity.

Ruger is shady to me.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have 4 Kel Tec no Ruger's All my KT have worked perfect from first day.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Kel-Tec. Better company, period. And they're so innovative, I'd rather send my money to them so they can keep developing and producing neat stuff. I love my PLR-16's, and can't wait to get my hands on an RFB and PMR-30.

 

[Occam's Razor]

Haven't had to use Kel-Tec's service department myself but I have heard a lot of good things about their service.

 

[Steve 48]

My P3AT shoots just fine. It's the brass that is kind of beat up if your a reloader.

 

[inherentical]

Sure Ruger has had some recalls, but those were initial safety design flaws, not quality control issues.

I guess they should have copied the design better when they stole it.

 

[heeler]

If the design was stolen why did Kel-Tec not take them to court.
Last I heard patent infringement can cost a company a lot of money....Unless it's a Communist Chinese company as they never met a patent they would honor.