Ruger LCP vs Kel-Tec vs Baretta Tomcat?

[SwampWolf]

Swampwolf have you fired both? The LCP does in fact have less recoil and the weight does make a difference. If you were comparing a 34oz 45acp versus a 35oz 45acp perhaps not but in a 14-15oz 380acp it does make a difference.
The slide lock however does not. How is it going to make clearing a jam under fire easier?? I would challenge anyone to even USE the tiny little slide lock hurriedly under normal conditions much less under fire. The only purpose of it is to make disassembly easier not for emergency clearing drills.

Fire a P3AT and LCP back to back and you'll see there is a difference in recoil for sure. But the LCPs smaller sights may offset the speed with which you can shoot it compared to the P3 so the advantage may not materialize on paper. If your point shooting the advantage goes to the LCP. At least thats how I perceive it.

Yes, though I own neither, I have fired both: my next door neighbor owns the LCP and another good friend who lives across town owns the KelTec. I've probably put fifty or so rounds through the KelTec and maybe twice that many through the Ruger. And, on one occasion, shot them "back to back". None of the three of us noticed any difference in recoil between the two pistols nor, for that matter, do any of us feel that excessive recoil is a problem with either pistol. I don't doubt that you can tell the difference one ounce makes-we couldn't.

As for whether or not the slide release might make a difference in clearing a jam under fire, nobody said it would be easy. But if you don't think that it is easier to clear one with the slide held back by the slide lock as opposed to trying to hold the slide (under the pressure of the recoil spring) back with one hand while you're attempting to clear the weapon with the other hand, try setting up a double-feed situation in either pistol and then tell me it's not harder to clear the jam with one hand as opposed to being able to use both hands. Is it difficult to clear a malfunction with these little pistols? Yes. But in real life even the best pistol can jam at the worst possible time and that little slide release just might buy you a couple of extra seconds.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Fair enough!!! I still think you would be very hard pressed to clear a jam with the slide locked back on the LCP. You would probably be better off shaking any loose round out and if there is a round in the chamber, racking the slide a few time to allow the extractor to pull it out. I really doubt you would be able to lock the slide back and extract a round with your finger or some object small enough to get in that small ejection port to pry the round out. At that point if would probably be more effective to run your butt off!!
The thing I noticed with the KT is that when I shot it the trigger guard would slap my trigger finger under recoil. I've experienced no such thing with the LCP. Recoil is very subjective but I think the LCP gives ME less felt recoil. That may not be the case for you so I wouldn't try to say you are wrong.
At least your man enough to disagree without getting snippy. There are a lot of people on these boards lately who don't seem to understand that DISCUSSION doesn't mean we all have to agree. We need more guys like you here.

 

[1time]

Kel-tec's haven't had any recalls because they won't make good on POS firearms. Not that all of theirs are POS, but mine was.
I'm glad Kel-tec has treated some of you well but I bought a P40 that never ran right. They would not/will not fix it. They stopped making the gun and will not even look at it.

Another downside to the Ruger is they don't have an entire website dedicated to trying to make them run without malfunctions but I will forgive them for that.

My LCP had a few FTF, FTE during the first 100 founds. Since then I have several hundred rounds though it without a hicup.

 

[btefft]

+1 - Ruger LCP. Not a pleasure to shoot, but it gets the job down. I've also owned the KT 3AT and don't a great deal of difference between the two. I do, however, appreciate the slide release on the LCP. I wish they'd offer a mode to that would make the slide stay back after the last round was fired.

Hack

 

[SwampWolf]

I wish they'd offer a mode to that would make the slide stay back after the last round was fired.

Amen to that!

And thanks jon in wv for the kind words. You're right,of course- if we all agreed about everything there'd be no need to discuss anything.

 

[jercdevil]

Do's anyone have the Rugers in stock? I have one on order since June 2008

 

[stalkingbear]

Here's another vote for the Ruger Lcp. After having fired both the Kel-tec and the Ruger, I chose the Ruger and it's proven 100% reliable so far for me.

 

[ivydivfour]

I read numerous posts about Ruger recalls and I had a Kel Tec 32 and a 3AT didn't like either. My Inox Tomcat has never failed and I had no reason to contact Beretta service Dept. It works.

 

[Enachos]

lol... this is a 2 year old thread buddy hahaha

 

[LightningMan]

I would like to add that I own both the LCP & P3AT and they have both been flawless in function. I can't really say if one has more recoil than the other, but the Kel-Tec had a nasty sting to it, caused by the rough edge inside the trigger guard. Most likely left over from the polyomer molds seam. I easily puffed that out, which cured it. The Kel-tec has slightly better sights than the LCP, but nothing a little white modeling paint or nail polish can't fix. IMO either one is a good choice but after buying a SIG P238, I believe this is great little .380, fantastic sights (nite-sights), 1911 style single-action, Aluminum frame, and it shoots with softer felt recoil than either LCP or KT. It does weigh a bit more at 15.2 oz. (6-7 oz. more than KT or LCP) but not much bigger in size, because I can still carry it in a pocket holster. This is now my favorite little .380 to carry. LM

 

[Girodin]

I still think you would be very hard pressed to clear a jam with the slide locked back on the LCP. You would probably be better off shaking any loose round out and if there is a round in the chamber, racking the slide a few time to allow the extractor to pull it out. I really doubt you would be able to lock the slide back and extract a round with your finger or some object small enough to get in that small ejection port to pry the round out. At that point if would probably be more effective to run your butt off!!

Why theorize? Just set up some jams and try each. A double feed (the type of jam that one would lock the slide back to clear) is much easier to clear with the slide locked back. Set up some double feeds (safely) and try it.

I can just about guarantee that if you are not practicing clearing jams you'll be hard pressed to do it when you need to.