I’ve carried/shot the original LCP for years absent a single malfunction and am interested in upgrading to the new MAX. Does anyone have one and if so what is your experience, good or bad, with it? Thx in advance.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Have a Max, have shot it probably 200-300 times, several brands of ammo, all ball.
No problems with the Max.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Have one, like the extra rounds. 200 rds, not a hiccup.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

I got one in March when the LCP Max was $329 again at Sportsman's Warehouse. It had two malfs in the first three mags, and never a one in the several range trips/300+ rounds since. (Mostly ball, some SIG-Sauer V-Crown JHPs.) I like the (L O N G SA) trigger and the sights and find it shoots better than a J-frame for me. I like the capacity. I find it carries great with the 12-round mags, even in the pocket (in a Simply Rugged holster). The slightly thicker gripframe actually works better in my hand than any other LCP (This is the fourth LCP I've bought (one early one, a second-gen LCP, a LCP II Lite Rack .22 and this one), and - it's a real gun). The LCP Max has fully arrived - the mess George Kelgren started with the Grendel P-10 back in 1988 (when five P10s didn't work for me in seriatim) has finally reached its potential.

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How God has blessed us!

$329 at Grab a Gun now in today's email ad.
Tempting but the 2nd Gen LCP/CT runs fine.

Took the CT off but it's good for point/shoot training.
Might try one just to feel the improved trigger.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

I’m in a similar situation, OP. I don’t have the MAX version but am considering buying one, so this is just a placeholder to remind me to come back to this thread for further comments. So far, everyone I have asked who has one has been positive about it.

Bought it to run alongside my Glock 42. Glock won. The ONLY thing the Max had was the extra rounds on-tap. Snappier, shorter barrel, and mine would print quite low of the POA. Quite sensitive to rust, also, as there is no anti-corro coating on them.

I've got 500 rounds through mine as of today's range trip with only one fte somewhere around 300 rounds downrange a few months ago.

Way better than the original and LCP II. Thicker grip is way more comfortable, only 1 oz heavier than the original and great capacity for a true pocket pistol.

Bought 1 4 weeks ago. I just sent it back for the 2nd time. Shoots 10-12 inches low at 7 yards shooting off pistol rest with 4 different shooters with same results. 6 brands of ammo tried. So far not bashing Ruger yet , they are trying but shooting that low I don’t see how they will fix it. Their is a lot folks with these pistols shooting this low on internet . Problem is front sight is made out of tritium and cannot be removed because the way it is attached to slide from what others have told me with same issue. Ruger switched my barrel they said 1st time but others with same issue needed barrel replaced and the whole slide with different front sight. I think the Front sight Should have been engineered different so it could be easily replaced. I would grind front sight down to a numb in a heart beat but with it having a tritium enclosed front sight it would fall apart and you would have even a bigger problem. So will see how Ruger responds to me a 2nd time with 6 different targets making the return trip again with pistol. Once again Ruger is trying they answer the phone when I call and have replaced barrel but more will need to be done to bring bullet impact up 10 inches. I hope they give me a full refund because the cost of buying and trying their ammo they suggested and other ammo i have bought to try is about to break me. Will see what happens. My advice would be to ask the dealer to let you shoot the pistol just 3 times at 7 yards to see the group. Other wise you could have a lot of heart ache like me and others. A lot of negative info here and I don’t want to come across as Ruger basher just a honest report from a buyer of this model of pistol. Other then pistol shooting low it is a great small conceal pistol and you cannot go wrong with the fire power it carries.
I am keeping my fingers crossed. MD

I have around 1200 rounds through mine. Its been great! 100% reliable. I carry it every day

I have one, and it's a good, reliable piece. No frills, but has capacity. I have given mine to my wife for the nightstand, mostly for the night sight. It's a good deal for the money.

I carry a PPK because I can use +P in it, which gives me all the power I need for a reasonable defense scenario. I mention that because Ruger recommends against +p in the LCP series.

Well, since there's no SAAMI spec for ".380+P," I'd be stunned if Walther OK'd it in their blowback gun, but Baruch haShem.


My rear sight needed to be moved slightly, but rounds hit just over POA at 10 yards. Good luck with the issue, NDAR15MAN.

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How God has blessed us!

I have one. I wanted a good pocket gun when I was having lots of health problems and couldn’t reach back beyond my sides. About 200 rounds through mine. Few hiccups in first 1-2 mags then fine all else. I find it fits better than a j frame in some of my pants pockets so it wins on those occasions. It makes for a potent little package and carrying a spare mag is very easy. I’m happy. If you liked the original version I have a feeling you’ll really like the Max. It’s just more of what was already good.

Sold mine and got the Sig P365-380. Not that anything was wrong with the Max but the Sig trigger was a vast improvement and I already have several iterations of the 9mm P365. Never could achieve the accuracy I wanted with the Max. More money, though.

Never cared for the LCP 6 rd version……then the Max was born.

12+1 yes, no brainer.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

ERICH , forget the Ruger. Let’s talk about that customized Opinel.

Bless you for noticing - they sure are fun and talented people do much better than me.

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How God has blessed us!

Old Cop - just curious if the replies helped you decide. I'm on the fence about buying a Max myself. I've been tempted ever since their release.

I read about problems on the Ruger forums. Common complaint is the gun shoots way below point of aim. And some other issues, trigger pinch, etc.

The other thing is the size. I had an LCP. Eventually bought a BG380 because it fit my hand better. It's a bit larger than the LCP, as you know, just like the Max is a bit larger than my BG. Keep following that trend, and next thing you know I'll be trying to pocket carry my Shield .45. Unlike some, my BG has been very reliable, and I shoot it very well. (Still wish I hadn't sold the original LCP though.)

So about the time I decide to pass on the Max, I see one at my LGS today for $359, and I'm back to considering it again.

I BOUGHT A REGULAR LCP JUST BEFORE I RETIRED. LOVE IT. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD BOUGHT THE LCP MAX. HE CAME BY WHEN I HAD A COOKOUT. I SHOT IT . THAT WAS ALL IT TOOK. I ORDERED 1 RIGHT AWAY. I LOVE IT. DON'T HESITATE. JP

Just to give folks an idea of where mine shoots (10 yards, V-Crowns, POA was bottom of white circle - forgive the flier (guy at the next bench touched off a beast!)):

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How God has blessed us!

One more noteworthy thing about the LCP Max - a thing that makes the gun for my use: the magazine release is reversible. If you like to pocket-carry in your left hand front pocket, you may have found the regular holstered LCPs can drop their mags without you knowing it when you brushed the exposed mag release button against a counter or something during your daily activities. You can set the Max up to not have that issue.

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How God has blessed us!

I just reread all these comments, especially Post #21 (above) about the mag release problem I’ve experienced a few times, and decided to pick up the MAX. I’ll post my experiences w/the MAX after a few months of EDC. Thx everyone!

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Picked one up couple weeks ago. Reliably shoots center-mass at 10+yards, has run flawlessly. What a dream it is to pocket carry this as opposed to OWB/IWB something else. Oh, and I don't get why some call this a snappy shooter.

I have owned the LCP, LCP II, Body Guard .380, and now the LCP Max. I can say that I did like the ergonomics of the Body Guard .380 somewhat better. Here is a thread to my impressions:
LCP Max vs S&W Bodyguard

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otis

I purchased two LCPs (when they first came out and when they upgraded the sights and trigger) and inherited one more. I gave my son the money to get an LCP2 so I could have something to carry when we flew out to visit him in Washington state. I liked the LCP2 (this was before the MAX came out). I've been wanting to get a MAX for the wife, BUT, that was until she saw a youtube video on the Security380. Now, I'm (we) holding out for that.

I actually shot a Ruger LCP Max last week - at least it's way better than the original version. The reason I shot it was because one of the women I'm teaching to shoot wants a carry piece and she is a very small woman. She liked the LCP-Max and while she is deciding what to buy, I get to shoot a bunch of guns I would not normally shoot. With the 10 round magazine it is quite concealable, but with the 12 round mag. - not so much.

Personally I am not a .380 acp fan and think it's a bit weak for personal defense. That said, if all you can conceal and are willing to EDC is a .380, it beats a knife. 9mm / 38 Spl. +P is about as low a caliber as I will go for SD.

Finally p/u the MAX at a gunshow today for $370 OTD. Got it home, wiped down all the excess lube & re-lubed it. I’ll get to the range ASAP & post the results.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Use it in good health, amigo!

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How God has blessed us!

Bought one.
Liked it so well I bought another one.

Finally got to the range today and I’m impressed w/this little gun. No malfunctions with over 100 rounds of FMJ & HP, shot to POA w/everything and amazingly accurate out to 10 yards. The sights are easy to pick up and I’ll try further distances next range visit.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I won't carry any weapon that doesn't have a firing pin block. If I remember correctly, Ruger's solution for a drop safety is a strong firing pin spring and a light firing pin. When I carry a small weapon, it's because I'm involved in outdoor physical activities, the kind where having a bike crash or falling is a possibility. No matter how remote the possibility, that's a risk I won't take.

Prior to picking up the gun I carried the original design LCP for several years w/o any ND or other issues & feel perfectly safe with the new MAX in a pocket holster.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I've now have a bit of experience with the two friend's guns I am teaching to shoot, who both bought a Ruger LCP Max in .380 acp. Both of them were purchased new and they have both had a bunch of jams and FTF. Every time we go to the range the failures do diminish so I hope this is just due to the break in period and will disappear soon! They are both shooting a bunch of different brands of ammo, but it is all 95 grain hardball. They include CCI Blazer, Federal and A/E, Remington, Winchester, Magtech, Fiochhi. So far they have around 250 through one of them and about 200 through the other. I told them that if they are still experiencing issues after 400 rounds they should contact Ruger to have them inspect the guns.

I have not seen too many compact 380's run 100% perfectly. I guess making a low powered cartridge cycle a miniature pistol is not easy. After having them try the LCP Max, the S&W Bodyguard, Karr, Glock42 - they all had a stoppage of some sort - with the Glock 42 being the most reliable of the bunch. Hopefully this Friday the pistols will come into their own and work flawlessly, we'll see. BTW they both get cleaned and lightly lubricated after they are shot.

Bought one.
Liked it so well I bought a second one.
Happy camper.
No light primer strikes like I had on 2 previous Bodyguards.

I'd never recommend the LCP Max as a first gun for someone just learning to shoot.

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How God has blessed us!

I wouldn’t recommend the LCP, or a Smith J Frame, as a first gun to a new shooter either. Both are what I would consider experts guns. IMHO new shooters should consider a service size weapon as a first handgun.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

UPDATE: Put another 200 + rounds of mixed hollow point & FMJ down range today at distances out to seven yards & everything hit POA. I purchased two 12 round mags from Ruger and they performed flawlessly too. I even mixed FMJ with different brands of hollow point self defense rounds in the same mag and not a single hiccup. I didn’t find the MAX to be snappy at all, and much easier to shoot than a light J Frame.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I have a pair of MAXs with around 850 rounds each. They both needed a bit of break-in to smooth out the rough edges but are solid pistols. I like them enough that I just bought the new stainless 2-tone model.

I wasn’t aware of a new two tone stainless model, I’ll have to look into that.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I really like the Max and LCP II. I have M&P for everything larger but I think I'd trust the Rugers a whole lot more than a bodyguard. Thinking about getting one myself as I dont have a true pocket gun.

Just an FYI. MY 2 older MAXs were made at or near the time when the MAX first came out. This new one went to the range yesterday, and it was flawless. I guess they've smoothed things out in two years of production. Here it is:

Attached Images

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Talldog: Where did you get the slip on grip for your Max?

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

This may help.

Grips-Sturm Ruger & Co

I came to the same conclusion.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Yes, from here.

FYI, I think this grip is made for another gun and relabeled for the MAX, because it requires a bit of trimming at the bottom of the front strap. However, the trimming is minimal and easy, and the grip fits great.

Purchased my LCP Max in March and have exactly 300 rds thru it. Other than 2 FTEs with Silver Bear steel cased ammo around the 200 round mark. The pistol has been flawless since with brass cased ammo. I did, however, experience a blood blister on my trigger finger and from what I've seen /read, is a common complaint. I installed a Mcarbo trigger on it recently and so far the trigger bite has gone away.

I find my Max to shoot point of aim with moderate recoil. I'm really liking the size, weight, capacity and reliability. It has now been moved into my EDC rotation.

Moving from the pad to the first joint fixed that for me.

Bought one in April. Cannot believe how reliable and excellent the performance is. 4 of my friends have bought one, too.