Updated Ruger KLCP vs. other pocket autos?

[Macchina]

I owned a Taurus TCP a few years back but sold it, and regret doing so. Since then I've been thinking about getting another pocket gun. Doing a bit of research, I see I have a lot of options. It looks like Ruger just updated the LCP with a stainless slide, talker sights, and a better trigger. Before I pick one up, any opinions on a better pocket gun? Wait for the Beretta Pico? Is the Beretta Nano small enough to fit in a pocket? Anything rise I should look at?

P.S. I already have a small revolver (KLCR), I'm looking for a smaller auto.

Ruger KLCP:

 

[MICHAEL T]

talker sights

where they fit the speaker ?

 

[gym]

Nano, Kahr PM, CM, CW series, Shield,XDS, all fit in pocket, I have carried all including the ruger LC9 and LCP, Didn't like the trigger, will have to see the new one. I carry a Kahr now or an XDS. Decide on a caliber the Pico is 380, the Kahr shield and XDS, are 9,40, and 45 depending on the model.

 

[Macchina]

talker sights

where they fit the speaker ?

No, they're for blind users...

 

[MikeJackmin]

Interesting. That fixes the two things I'd most most want to see fixed.

I'm curious how much better the trigger is now.

 

[HexHead]

Glock 42.

 

[Macchina]

Glock 42.

You forgot to add:

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Having shot all of them I'd recommend renting and shooting any you seriously consider....I'm not a fan of the LCP and it's not because I don't like Rugers. It's just too snappy to really practice with and with tiny pocket guns one needs a lot of experience to make them go the way they should.

Folks leave the G42 out of the "pocket pistol" list and it might be too big for some pockets but not mine. I can also pocket carry a G26 so....

Before you buy anything you should at least handle them all including a Glock 42 in my opinion. It's not very big in the hand and the recoil and general shootability is better than any of the others for me. I bought a G42 that ain't here yet and I'm waiting for the Pico which I will buy, shoot, and then either keep or sell depending on how it handles .32 ACP.

VooDoo

 

[HexHead]

You forgot to add:

I don't ever use smileys or other emoticons.

 

[easyg]

Having shot all of them I'd recommend renting and shooting any you seriously consider....I'm not a fan of the LCP and it's not because I don't like Rugers. It's just too snappy to really practice with and with tiny pocket guns one needs a lot of experience to make them go the way they should.

Different strokes for different folks....

I don't find the LCP to be too snappy to practice with at all.
And it is surprisingly accurate IMO.

 

[kokapelli]

Since you liked the TCP why not get another one?

 

[Armor Snail]

Since you liked the TCP why not get another one?

Agreed. Still the best .380 in that size range.
The days of the letter A serial number models are long gone.
That's Taurus's shining star IMO.
Most all other models they sell I wouldn't ever consider but the TCP is a winner.

 

[ritepath]

I can't imagine the LCP being much better than my 5 YO specimen. May have to pick up a new and improved LCP I keep reading about.

I haven't seen a pico in real life yet, but it has potential that's for sure.

The Nano and most all the other single stacks are way too large IMHO for true pocket carry. With a nice belt slide or pancake holster they make great CC pistols. I sure do love my shield. The CM9 comes pretty close to being pocketable bit it's still somewhat heavy at 14 ounces.

 

[Skribs]

Nano, Kahr PM, CM, CW series, Shield,XDS, all fit in pocket, I have carried all including the ruger LC9 and LCP, Didn't like the trigger, will have to see the new one. I carry a Kahr now or an XDS. Decide on a caliber the Pico is 380, the Kahr shield and XDS, are 9,40, and 45 depending on the model.

Here is a quick-and-dirty table of the specs for the various options presented in this thread so far. While you are correct that the other options can fit in a pocket (heck, I've fit my XDm 40C in my pocket), the LCP is smaller and lighter than most of the competition (and I've heard mixed reviews from gunsmiths regarding the P3AT's durability). Now, heavier is better if you don't like the recoil of the LCP. My Mom loves her Sig P238, but she can't handle the recoil on my LCP. However, if it's just meant to sit in your pocket, lighter and smaller is better IMHO. I'm actually looking at getting a P32 for that reason.

Model: Caliber / Length / Width / Height / Weight / Capacity
LCP: .380 ACP / 5.16” / 0.82” / 3.6” / 9.4 oz / 6+1
Nano: 9x19mm / 5.63” / 0.9” / 4.17” / 19.8 oz / 6+1
Kahr PM: 9x19mm / 5.42” / 0.9” / 4.0” / 14 oz / 6+1
Kahr CM: 9x19mm / 5.42” / 0.9” / 4.0” / 14 oz / 6+1
Kahr CW: 9x19mm / 5.9” / 0.9” / 4.5” / 15.8 oz / 7+1
Shield: 9x19mm / 6.1” / 0.95” / 4.6” / 19 oz / 7+1
XDs: 9x19mm / 6.3” / 0.9” / 4.4” / 23 oz / 7+1
TCP: .380 ACP / 5.25” / 0.87” / 3.75” / 10.2 oz / 6+1
P3AT: .380 ACP / 5.2" / 0.77" / 3.5" / 8.3 oz / 6+1

---

OP: Out of curiosity, what is the K in KLCP or KLCR?

 

[Macchina]

I really liked my TCP and I'm thinking of picking another up. I loved the trigger but I didn't love the really low profile sights or sharp edges all over the slide. I'm hoping the updated LCP has a similar trigger as the LCP but with a bit better sights and I know the slide is a lot more rounded.

Any comments on how the new LCP trigger feels?

 

[Macchina]

OP: Out of curiosity, what is the K in KLCP or KLCR?

Thanks for all those stats! I didn't realize the LCP was actually a decent amount smaller than the TCP.

Ruger uses the "K" to differentiate between Stainless and non-stainless models. The LCR has an aluminum frame and the KLCR has a stainless frame. When the Stainless LCP came out, they designated it a KLCP...

 

[okc-zee]

Just picked up a new LCP 2 weeks ago...I also own an older one...IMO,the newer ones are very different...much easier to shoot...trigger is a lot shorter and very crisp...shorter pull makes the gun a lot easier to control for me...sights are better...I really like it...I think it's a big improvement over my older one...Just my .02

 

[hardluk1]

I to would buy a new tcp if a 380 is what you want. NO 380 has a better trigger and all it done is get better with the c then d series. My wife and one daught carry the TCP 380 as part of there rotation.

The xds & shield are not practical pocket pistols, the cw9 is slightly shorter than the shield but other wise the same size and class it ain't a pocket pistol BUT the CM/PM kahrs are and what I carry. Don't over look a ruger lcr as a practical pocket carry too. far better than there 380 old or new.

 

[Macchina]

I had an "A" series TCP. What had changed since then?

 

[snooperman]

I have both. The Taurus TCP is several years old and has the best trigger of all the small 380 in that size. I only paid $195 for it. The Ruger LCP is only 4 months old and it is much better now than the older gun because of the new trigger.To me, with a life-time warranty, its price and reliability, and the Taurus customer service, the TCP is one of the best pocket 380 that is in the marketplace. At times you can get them on sale at Gander Mt. for $200.

 

[kokapelli]

I to would buy a new tcp if a 380 is what you want. NO 380 has a better trigger and all it done is get better with the c then d series. My wife and one daught carry the TCP 380 as part of there rotation.

The xds & shield are not practical pocket pistols, the cw9 is slightly shorter than the shield but other wise the same size and class it ain't a pocket pistol BUT the CM/PM kahrs are and what I carry. Don't over look a ruger lcr as a practical pocket carry too. far better than there 380 old or new.

I have and like the TCP and it does have a good trigger, but it certainly does not have the best trigger in pocket 380s. I also have a Sig P238 and it's trigger is without a doubt a better trigger than the LCP. I have also shot a Kahr P380 which also has a better trigger than the TCP.

 

[mgmorden]

The taller sights would help. I've got an original LCP (bought after they'd only been out a few months). The sights on the originals were barely there. The trigger isn't terrible for what it is. I am still able to keep a magazine as all head shots on a silhouette target at 7 yards. That's slow fire though. I doubt I could do that at higher speeds, though taller sights would help.

I do wish that they made an extended magazine big enough to give you a "real" grip though - like 9 rounds. That would make the LCP a bit more fun to shoot at the range, or if someone wants it to do double duty as concealed carry and home defense (ie, pop the big mag in when it goes on the night stand).

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned two LCPs (both the early versions).
I have shot the newer one and it is an improvement.

Just picked up a Kahr P380. Have not had it to the range yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Far better trigger and better sights than the LCP, and the stainless slide is free of charge.

 

[huntsman]

Here is a quick-and-dirty table of the specs for the various options presented in this thread so far. While you are correct that the other options can fit in a pocket (heck, I've fit my XDm 40C in my pocket), the LCP is smaller and lighter than most of the competition (and I've heard mixed reviews from gunsmiths regarding the P3AT's durability). Now, heavier is better if you don't like the recoil of the LCP. My Mom loves her Sig P238, but she can't handle the recoil on my LCP. However, if it's just meant to sit in your pocket, lighter and smaller is better IMHO. I'm actually looking at getting a P32 for that reason.

Model: Caliber / Length / Width / Height / Weight / Capacity
LCP: .380 ACP / 5.16” / 0.82” / 3.6” / 9.4 oz / 6+1
Nano: 9x19mm / 5.63” / 0.9” / 4.17” / 19.8 oz / 6+1
Kahr PM: 9x19mm / 5.42” / 0.9” / 4.0” / 14 oz / 6+1
Kahr CM: 9x19mm / 5.42” / 0.9” / 4.0” / 14 oz / 6+1
Kahr CW: 9x19mm / 5.9” / 0.9” / 4.5” / 15.8 oz / 7+1
Shield: 9x19mm / 6.1” / 0.95” / 4.6” / 19 oz / 7+1
XDs: 9x19mm / 6.3” / 0.9” / 4.4” / 23 oz / 7+1
TCP: .380 ACP / 5.25” / 0.87” / 3.75” / 10.2 oz / 6+1
P3AT: .380 ACP / 5.2" / 0.77" / 3.5" / 8.3 oz / 6+1

those in bold are legitimate pocket guns, everything else would be dandy belt guns.

 

[jfrey]

I have 2 of the older LCPs and they are what they are. My wife wanted one a while back and just by chance got one of the new models. What a difference! Very accurate and much improved trigger and sights. I tried to swap her but she wasn't having any of that. I wish Ruger would do a retro fit of the new trigger. I can live with the sights.