I have two Ruger LCP Max .380’s.
They both shoot pretty good, but neither will eject loaded rounds by racking the slide only. Bullet noses invariably catch on the barrel breech “ hood “ at 12 o’clock. The only way to remove a loaded round is to drop the magazine, retract the slide, and then the round falls down and out the magazine well.
Have tried 3 kinds of factory ammo-same results. It’s like the slide needs to come back at least another .050” or the ejector is too long. I do not think the OAL of the ammo is the problem. Two of the brands of ammo have pretty short, stubby FMJ Flat Nosed bullets.
Is this common? A design flaw?
If there is not a fix it is a deal-breaker for me and I will sell them both.
BTW, a new Glock 42 I bought two weeks ago has cycled everything I have shot thru it and always ejects loaded rounds. But the Glock does not fit in pants pockets as well as the Rugers do.

Any suggestions?

I have an LCP II and an LCP Max. Neither performs as you have described.

I also have a Max 9. There was an issue with that model and the factory did a recall. They identified me as an owner, send me a pre-paid shipping box and I had it back in a short week.

I find that Ruger's customer service is awesome. Call them with your serial numbers and give them a chance to fix them.

Just got my LCP Max out of the safe and tried it.
Mine ejects just fine.
Dropped 3 rounds on the floor.
Does need a pretty hard pull at the end of the slide pull.
Federal 95 grain Ball.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I take it there are no custom springs or guide rods fitted to these guns. Perhaps the recoil assemblies were put together incorrectly and the springs are bottoming out before the slide reaches its full travel. I would cycle with each spring individually to see if that is the issue. Obviously, the gun should not be fired with only one spring installed.

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Release the Kraken

I had similar issues. After Ruger sent me 2 slides, one of which wouldn’t even mount on my gun I sent it in. Came back the same. I just don’t like Ruger’s anymore. I got an Sig P365 .380 for a pocket gun and couldn’t be happier.
I find it interesting that everyone always comments on Ruger customer service. Seems like they get a lot of practice with fixing their problems.