which gun to upgrade from an lcp

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gym

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For the last 3 years I have carried my LCP, 24/7, as my bug when I leave the development where I live, and for general things like dog walking , and working outside, on the house or cars, even working out. I always have carried at least a 9mm or 38 in the first 20 out of 40 years carrying.As of late it's an EMP in 40 or a 1911, sometimes Glocks just for the storage capacity. But I would like to retire the LCP, as it's too convienient and I have grown too comfortable carrying it as of late. So I looked at the sig 290, the Lc9, Baretta Nano, and some high dollar 45's as well as the xds45, which is stretching the envelope as far as pocket guns. I can't seem to find anything better as far as weight and comfort than the 9.4 oz 380, for a bug.
They all have had some bad reviews, and my 380 has "never" hicuped" no matter what I fired out of it. "thats why i carry it to begin with" So after way to much reading I am stuck, I did carry a ppk's for 20 yrs in NY, and maybe I should just stick with what works. The only thing I don't like is the trigger and lack or sights. But it's small and goes bang.Am I overthinking this?
After all I do have a second gun on me when I leave the area and go into the real world.
 
Ruger SR9c. Sweet gun with good sights and trigger .
Light weight, and comes with one high capacity mag of 17 rounds. Awesome gun. Not as thin as your lcp, but thinner than a glock.
 
As soon as I return home from the paved world I remove a IWB S&W 5904 and take a LCP out of my pocket, and replace with a 2-1/2"bbl S&W 637 in my pocket in a Desantis Nemesis. I have found this to be the perfect (for me) homeplace carry.
 
Am I overthinking this?
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Yes you are. It's a bug. If you would rather when not carring a primary, then just carry the EMP or 38.

Jim

If you are looking just for a new BUG, then check out the Bersa in 9mm not as small as the LCP. Mine is in 380.
 
Kahr CM9 is a very nice small 9mm. I pocket carry it almost as much as my LCP. The trigger is much nicer and the recoil is surprisingly minimal for a 9mm of such diminutive size.
 
Another vote here for the LC9. tI went from secondary, to backup to summer to pretty much all time. 7+1 of 124gr+P JHP should handle my needs these days.
 
I've wanted an LCP for some time but lately Im thinking about just skipping it and getting the Sig 938... Or a Kahr PM9. I also hear great things about the Walther PPS... But if there is a range that rents guns in your area just go and try em all out. Thats really the best way to decide. Best of luck!
 
But I would like to retire the LCP, as it's too convienient and I have grown too comfortable carrying it as of late.

and my 380 has "never" hicuped" no matter what I fired out of it.
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So it meets two of the most important aspects of an EDC yet you reject it? Have you had an occasion to use it in SD and found the caliber lacking? Or are you just looking to spend money?
 
I'd pick either the Ruger LC9 or Diamondback DB9 if I was going to upgrade from my LCP and DB380, lots of personal preference involved of course...and finding one that "fits you" in terms of grip and just feeling it belongs in your hand. If you look around at the forums enough almost every single pocket 380 or 9 will have bad reviews, but despite what I'd read about the Diamondbacks it seems to be the older ones as my brand new DB380 has been flawless after the break-in and not feeding it crappy low powered FMJ rounds lol.
 
I thought that "forgetting that it's there" was the point of the little 380's. That's why I carry my Taurus TCP almost everyday at least. I will not forget that it's there when I need it most though. But for me, not feeling it weigh my pants down as I sit, walk, etc. is the point. I just recently bought a Kahr CM40 and a Nemesis pocket holster (also have the Nemesis for my TCP) in hopes of carrying it the same as my TCP and it's not even close to being as comfortable. Night and day unfortunately.

"Routine" is what keeps me from completely forgetting it's there. Everyday I do the same routine as far as putting it in my pocket for the day and taking it out of my pocket at the end of the day. Routine is what helps me with that part, but of course, everyone is different.
 
You say you usually carry 2 firearms, which is great. Nothing really beats the LCP as a pocket backup gun. There are others of similar quality... Kahr P380, S&W BG380, Kahr PM9/CM9, etc. However, they probably aren't much better, especially since you've never had a problem. A pocket gun can be always with you no matter what comes up. It should also never really be your only gun unless necessary.

Keep the LCP and carry a better weapon with it as often as possible.
 
S&w 360

I am upgrading my LCP for the S&W 360 [ in .357 mag ] for the BUG gun.

I shoot + P loads and its still a handfull for this senior citizen,back a few years it would have been magnum loads all the time :banghead:.

I wanted more in a BUG than a .380.

And its a BUG for the Glock 23 that is at my side 95% of the time.

Replaced by a Kimber ,either the CDP II or a Super Cuastom Carry both in .45 ACP.

Back when I worked,the BUG was a G-27 that sits in the safe now.
 
Before you replace a gun that has been reliable, and that you KNOW you have with you 24/7, consider improving the little LCP's weaknesses.

Weakness 1: .380ACP. Check out Buffalo Bore's .380+P ammo. I have their 90-grain hollow points, and I have personally tested about 6 rounds through my LCP over a chronograph. They fed great. And whereas the typical 90-95 grain ammo leaves the LCP around 900-950 f/s, these Buffalo Bore rounds were averaging very near the 1,100 advertised by Buffalo Bore. They sure make the little LCP want to jump out of your hand, but they are probably the most powerful commercial .380 load you can buy. It brings a new power level to this little cartridge. I keep the chamber of my LCP loaded with one of these, followed by a full magazine of FMJ (for feeding reliability). Although I'm sure the LCP would feed a magazine full of these Buffalo Bore rounds no problem (as mine did), I just haven't had the time and resources to blow through a few boxes of the expensive rounds to test feeding reliability. And I'm not sure my hand would last through that kind of testing, anyway. ;)

Weakness 2: Sights (or lack there of). I've heard/read a lot of great things about the Crimson Trace laser for the LCP. I imagine it does wonders for aiming with the tiny gun.

Increasing the lethality of the .380 round, and improving the aiming system may just be a better solution than trying to find the "perfect" replacement pocket gun. It sounds like your LCP has been a faithful little companion.
 
When it comes to true pocket pistols nothing shoots even close to the P238.

If you want a small 9, try a PM/CM9 for shootability.
 
I say don't overlook the Sig Sauer P290. It's a fine gun which shoots pretty well for a full 9mm. in a compact size. Some magazine tests indicate it's better than average accuracy as well.
 
I thought that "forgetting that it's there" was the point of the little 380's.
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A violent-crime victim is recovering from some injuries in the emergency room as he answers questions from a police detective about the incident. When the detective asks him why he didn't shoot his assailant with the LCP found in his pocket, he replies "I forgot it was there..!" :D
 
The R9 is indeed the one with the smallest profile in length and height, but it is not the lightest. Both the Diamondback DB9 and the Kel-Tec PF9 are lighter. The latter also holds one more round. That being said to present truly accurate information, the R9 is the "finest" of the three (and its price reflects that!)
 
Quote:
But I would like to retire the LCP, as it's too convienient and I have grown too comfortable carrying it as of late.

and my 380 has "never" hicuped" no matter what I fired out of it.
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I got a laugh out of this one. I thought to myself that the OP must want the opposite:

A gun that is inconvenient, that is uncomfortable to carry and always messes up, no matter what is fired out of it. :D:D

Might I recommend the Chauchat? I think it will fit the above perfectly. ;)
 
My best friend has a kel-tec PF9 and loves it; I've shot it several times and don't have anything bad to say about it. I'd also look at the Nano if I were in the market for a gun that size.
 
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