Ruger LCP VS Kel-Tec 380

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CZ223

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I know a lot of you have, and are very fond of, the Kel-Tec 380's. I also know that the Ruger LCP is pretty new and, have had some initial problems. I would be very interested in what those of you who have shot both think about how they compare. Interestingly, I bought the Ruger for $254 at KTP and the Kel-Tec was $229. At Cabelas the Kel-Tec was $269. Either way, price was not a huge factor. Honestly, I think that the Ruger looked a little nicer than the Kel-Tec. I also have to admit picking the Ruger just for the name. I suppose if the gun functions well, then I did the right thing. If not someone will surely say I told you so.:D So what do you guys think of the KT VS the LCP?
 
I voted LCP a couple months ago at Cabelas. Nice little 380. Finish and style points but functionally they are almost identical. If Ruger hadn't come out with the LCP I would have had no problem getting the KT.
 
Ruger LCP

I currently have a LCP with the crimson trace laser on it I love my RUGER the fit and finish are hands down better than the Kel Tec I sold at the last gun show. As far as reliability I would say they are both about equal. The reason I bought the RUGER and sold my Kel Tec is I like the slide lock on the RUGER some ranges I shoot at want the gun left open and that is a nice feature in my opinion. I also like the feel of the trigger on my RUGER over the Kel Tec I don't know that there is weight difference but I like the feel a lot better.:scrutiny::scrutiny:


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I own a KT but if I were looking today for another I would probably go with the Ruger for the better finish and the slide lock.
I have never had any problems out of the KT either, it has been 100%
 
I don't have a Ruger, but my Keltec P3at has been reliable and accurate out of the box. I think Keltec has a better warranty.
 
I have shot both and I purchased the LCP. I have a friend who did the opposite. it is all in the shooter
 
WOW Craig

I didn't expect that at all. I have tried the triggers on the the KT and the LCP that I bought has a much nicer trigger. I was actually surprised by just how smooth it was. My daughter agrees as well. Maybe you just have two really nice KTs, who knows. As far as the other poster who mentioned the recall, since this gun was 1 of 100 that were brought in for the sale last Saturday and Sunday I would have to say that it is post recall. I am glad to see that many of you favor the LCP. Keep it coming.
 
Ruger LCPs subject to recall have serial number with prefix '370' - 2nd generation with redesigned hammer/sear engagement will have prefix '371'.
Refitted 1st Gen. LCPs will have an 'X' stamped into the recess in slide behind the hammer.
on both the Ruger and Kel-Tec, after the chamber has been charged with a round, the hammer remains at about 60% cocked - if it slips off the sear, there is a chance it will impart enough force to ignite the primer - especially if dropped on the rear of the slide - but incidents were also recorded where the piece was "set down forcefuly" on a hard surface resulting in discharge. There's not much else being released by Ruger, other than they are replacing the hammer and some other of the "fire control" parts.
 
I much prefer my Kel-Tecs. I looked at an LCP but I didn't like what Rugar did with the design. The trigger on my P-3AT is better than the one on the LCP I handled as well. KT customer service is also some of the absolute best I have ever experienced.
 
I've only held the ruger but I own the kel-tec, I prefer the heavier checkering on the kel-tec instead of the smoothness of the ruger. Other than that there really isn't much difference.
 
on both the Ruger and Kel-Tec, after the chamber has been charged with a round, the hammer remains at about 60% cocked - if it slips off the sear, there is a chance it will impart enough force to ignite the primer -

Huh.

On a completely unrelated subject, when is someone going to make an updated lightweight I-frame in some modern (i.e. case not designed for blackpowder) :D
 
I probably will not buy a Ruger product again.

Firearms(and the times you need to use them) just are not mistake-friendly. Ruger has now released TWO semiauto handguns that required a recall in a very short period of time.

In addition to releasing the unsafe firearms, new updated LCPs are showing up on store shelves before Ruger fixes the unsafe ones they've already sold. I signed up online almost a month ago and have heard nothing(other than the confirmation email, of course). I also emailed them about 5 days ago.

They already have my money, so what do they care that I have an unsafe gun? They've got money to make by selling more LCPs! :fire:

My P3AT had a problem, too. One phone call to Kel Tec, though, and all was good within a week.
 
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on both the Ruger and Kel-Tec, after the chamber has been charged with a round, the hammer remains at about 60% cocked - if it slips off the sear, there is a chance it will impart enough force to ignite the primer -

Huh.

Try this - unload your KelTec or LCP - after racking the slide take note of the hammer position - raised off the firing pin but still within the slide hood - pull the trigger and look at where the hammer is now located - full forward against the rear of the bolt/firing pin. That's what I meant about the hammer being at about 60% cocked when there is a round in the chamber.
 
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