Pocket Carry: M&P.380 or Ruger LCP?

[Old cop]

Gander Mountain has the LCP on sale until 8/6 @ $199 so I picked one up. It's no fun at the range but it shot equal to the M&P as far as accuracy and quick follow up shots. No failures of any kind. The real difference is in the pocket w/a holster. The LCP is about three ounces lighter, which may not sound like much, but is lots easier to carry. Ruger tosses in a pocket holster in the box so no need to buy anything except an extra mag, you only get one w/the LCP. The LCP is much easier to carry in both dress slacks and jeans but the M&P (no laser) is more fun for extended range sessions. The LCP will now be my EDC and the no laser M&P will probably go to my son in law.

[Jim L]

I have a Ruger LCP custom & I am very happy with it as a pocket gun or a back up.
I did not like the heavier trigger pull on the S&W M&P 380
I got the custom for $219 new

[Fastbolt]

Pretty much the same line of thinking I used when deciding between the S&W Bodyguard .380 and the LCP. I went with the LCP, and liked it so much I bought a second one (stainless), even after comparing it to the G42 and the new M&P branded Bodyguard .380.

I did add a carefully trimmed Hogue Handall Junior grip sleeve to both of my LCP's. That little bit of palm swell and the short finger groove just make it feel rock solid in my hand, and cut back on the sting factor just enough to make them almost enjoyable to shoot for fast drills and shot strings.

I used to find 50 rounds about my limit for the LCP without the stubby grip sleeve, but after adding them I found I was still enjoying shooting the LCP after 120 rounds. The trimming has to be done carefully, though, to make sure it doesn't interfere with the mag catch and mag floor plate.

I also added a bit of bright nail polish to the front and rear sights to help with fast acquisition and alignment. Bring the small spots of color together and press. Amazingly accurate little plastic guns.

Congrats.

[Jim1392]

I also have a LCP. My EDC is a Shield 9. But when I need something smaller, or when I'm out walking my dog in my neighborhood I just drop it in my pocket in a Remora holster. It's like it's not there it's so light. I also picked a spare magazine that I carry in my weak side pocket.

[loknload]

My LCP is like my American Express,,,,Never leave home without it !
I think it's the greatest and easiest light weight pocket gun there is!

[Rustyt1953]

^^^^^ What he said^^^^

[indigo22]

Originally Posted by loknload

My LCP is like my American Express,,,,Never leave home without it !
I think it's the greatest and easiest light weight pocket gun there is!

Yup right there with you on that one. I have a Gen 1 LCP that I have done a few upgrades on. It's reliable as all get out.

[garddogg56]

Old Cop , Do you think you will miss the second strike capability or the last shot hold open or the less expensive cost of spare mags or the firmer grip ya get with a BG380 OR THE ss slide and rod or the better sights or the S&W logoI mulled these fact over and the gen II LCP went to my wifes pocketbook.just sayingPS what about the safety

[kbm6893]

I love Ruger and have an lc9-S and an SR9, but the absence of a safety and the no locking back when empty feature, not to mention only one magazine and the much better sights, and second strike capability, made the Bodyguard .380 my choice. A bit heavier but the pluses outweigh the minuses.

Old Cop, sorry to see you leave the BG380 for the LCP! You were a big factor in me getting my BG380. Always a positive post about them. I'm happy with mine so far. About 300 rounds. No light strikes or any malfunctions. I'm gonna start hand loading for .380. That cheap wwb ammo is still way too expensive.

[Old cop]

I won't miss the second strike capability and the last round hold open much. The weight difference was the biggest deciding factor for me. I have some medical challenges and as I get older really need to lighten the daily load. I did paint the front sight w/white appliance touch up and will add a grip sleeve, along w/a spare mag, in short order. I do like the trigger on the (Gen 2) LCP much better. As to a steel guide rod my LCP came that way.

[shawn mccarver]

I vote neither the LCP, nor the BG 380.

I vote for either the Shield 9, the LC9sPro, or the Glock 43 as a perfectly functional pocket gun, with my preference going to the Glock 43 for all sorts of reasons.

[Old cop]

Agree that a 9mm is a better defensive weapon but there are none that I can comfortably get in a pocket, and pocket carry is how I have to do things b/c of physical limitations.

[Kanewpadle]

As of yesterday I now have three pocket guns. An LCP, a 442, and a Glock 43. Picked up the Glock yesterday.

The LCP excels where others fail. Especially in the weight/mass category.

Some of my cargo shorts have extra large pockets to accommodate the G43. Some don't don't. So each gun has it's own role.

[kthom]

I've owned about five different brands of very small .380 caliber semi autos. I finally settled on the gen 1 LCP as the best overall. Then the custom model came out and I bought one. It's even better. Some of the brands had a feature or two that was nice, but others that were not as nice for me. Most such purchases involve some compromise, but for me, the LCP-C has been the best compromise I can find for me. You'll notice I've said "for me" several times. Each of us has "special" needs at whatever time of life and situations and circumstances dictate. At my time of life, for my needs, the LCP-C has been the best choice of all the small semi autos in .380 caliber. It eats whatever I've fed it so far, and it does the job very well for what I need it for. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg in the bargain! Again, all this is for my needs. But, FWIW, that's my take on this comparison question.

[Owly]

I've carried a Gen1 LCP for almost five years now. Terrific pocket pistol with a few simple upgrades. Mine features a 13lb recoil spring, stainless guide rod, SweetPea trigger, Pierce grip extensions, and nail polish painted sights. With the heavy recoil spring it is almost enjoyable to shoot at the range and still functions reliably with any ammo I've tried. The Pierce grip extensions are longer than the ones provided by Ruger and offer a full three finger grip on the tiny gun while still remaining slim and easily concealable.

[Wise_A]

I'm a champion of handguns people can actually afford, and frequently make fun of people that thing you need to drop a grand on a gun for it to be any good at all...

...I even like Rugers, own two, and could see buying a third or a fourth...

...but for some reason, $200 just seems like too little to spend on something to pin my life to. I even understand that this is somewhat irrational and inconsistent and irrational, but I see the price tag, and I think "My God, that's how much a Taurus goes for, and I wouldn't use one of those!"

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Size, weight, reliability, no miniature safety controls to fumble with and low profile sights... Ruger hit a home run with the LCP.

[Protected One]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

I love Ruger and have an lc9-S and an SR9, but the absence of a safety and the no locking back when empty feature, not to mention only one magazine and the much better sights, and second strike capability, made the Bodyguard .380 my choice. A bit heavier but the pluses outweigh the minuses.

^^^^^What he said^^^^^

[Whitwabit]

I never liked the feel of a "Pocket Gun" .. couldn't find one that I really liked the feel of it in my hand .. Then a friend and RO at a range I go to had his wife's Sig P238 in to shoot and knew I was looking and wanted me to shoot a few rounds to see if I liked it .. He's a Sig fan and I think he's turned me into one also now !! Now have 2 Sigs ..

With the extended mag it felt better in my hand then the BG or Glock did grip angle felt good and natural shooting it from the hip as in a SD situation it shot true .. Well I ended up buying one for pocket carry or when my 40 Compact is just a bit too big .. it carries very nice in a GX holster by Garrett Industries .. either at 1 or at 5 .. or stick it in your pocket or cargo pants pocket or your back pocket always in a holster and off you go !!

Will be looking at The Sig P938 next in either 9 or 40 .. for a carry pistol for summer carry .. a miniature 1911 .. very easy to conceal ..

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Originally Posted by Wise_A

...I even like Rugers, own two, and could see buying a third or a fourth...

...but for some reason, $200 just seems like too little to spend on something to pin my life to. I even understand that this is somewhat irrational and inconsistent and irrational, but I see the price tag, and I think "My God, that's how much a Taurus goes for, and I wouldn't use one of those!"

S&W Forum members are here to help.

I'll sell you my LCP for $500, coffee cup included.

7 yards

[Jessie]

I agree with Chat.Phil about the safeties.
On these small, immediate action guns a tiny safety is not something I want to fumble with.
I find the long trigger pull of the early Rugers, my finger and brain are the right combination of safeties for a gun designed to do what a small .380 is designed to do. The long pull is not as nice as the striker fired trigger for bullseyes but for up to 7/10yds. it's perfectly fine.

[Old cop]

Re: Post #20 that's some impressive shooting.

[TeaDub]

I have a pair of micro 380s. A Kahr CW380 and more recently an LCP. Specifically, a Gen2 stainless. Both have proven to be reliable and more accurate than they should be.

While a fine weapon, the Smith just never entered into the running for me. YMMV. A longer and heavier trigger, a grip that just didn't feel good to my hand (totally subjective), and an awkwardly placed, stiff thumb safety. The one sided safety was a big deal to me as a lefty.

When Ruger lowered their price by $100, I grabbed a stainless LCP, and am quite pleased. Pleased enough that I find myself reaching for my LCP over my beloved 642 more often than before in the sauna of Georgia summer heat. Even an airweight J-frame can't compete with the ease of carry of the LCP. Ruger did hit a home run with their mouse gun.

[Fastbolt]

Originally Posted by TeaDub

... and more recently an LCP. Specifically, a Gen2 stainless. ...

While a fine weapon, the Smith just never entered into the running for me. YMMV. A longer and heavier trigger, a grip that just didn't feel good to my hand (totally subjective)...

When Ruger lowered their price by $100, I grabbed a stainless LCP, and am quite pleased. Pleased enough that I find myself reaching for my LCP over my beloved 642 more often than before in the sauna of Georgia summer heat. Even an airweight J-frame can't compete with the ease of carry of the LCP. Ruger did hit a home run with their mouse gun.

Similar to my experience.

I liked the first earlier version of my blued LCP so well that I tried the newer stainless version, which I like even more. My J's are seeing more time in the safe.

[Drummer Boy]

Originally Posted by Old cop

Gander Mountain has the LCP on sale until 8/6 @ $199 so I picked one up. It's no fun at the range but it shot equal to the M&P as far as accuracy and quick follow up shots. No failures of any kind. The real difference is in the pocket w/a holster. The LCP is about three ounces lighter, which may not sound like much, but is lots easier to carry. Ruger tosses in a pocket holster in the box so no need to buy anything except an extra mag, you only get one w/the LCP. The LCP is much easier to carry in both dress slacks and jeans but the M&P (no laser) is more fun for extended range sessions. The LCP will now be my EDC and the no laser M&P will probably go to my son in law.

Thanks for the review, & the Gander Mt. heads up. My wife will be getting her CCH permit soon, and will be taking the BG 380. I'm gonna need a pocket gun replacement and was looking at the LCP or the Taurus TCP. I was leaning toward the Taurus, just because of the cheaper price, but with the Gander Mt sale the Ruger would actually be cheaper. I like Taurus, but Ruger does have a better reputation, plus you said it comes with the pocket holster. How does the LCP trigger compare to the BG 380? I know the BG has about a 12lb DAO pull, much like a revolver, and 2nd strike capability which I'll probably miss.

[TeaDub]

Originally Posted by Drummer Boy

How does the LCP trigger compare to the BG 380? I know the BG has about a 12lb DAO pull, much like a revolver, and 2nd strike capability which I'll probably miss.

My Gen 2 measures 6 1/2 pounds of pull on my Timney Gage.

[Drummer Boy]

Originally Posted by TeaDub

My Gen 2 measures 6 1/2 pounds of pull on my Timney Gage.

Wow! Wanna trade?

[Old cop]

The trigger on the newer model LCP is crisper and lighter than the M&P .380

[diyj98]

I've owned both. I much prefer the LCP.