Erich
Member
Amusingly, I actually have a photo of me concealing an LCP in a swimsuit.
Ruger LCP 380 vs Airweight .38 spl. snubby
- Thread starter Backlighting
- Start date
Erich
Member
Hey, I didn't POST it!Dude, TMI ...
I have more than half a dozen J's, and a pair of LCP's.
I own the LCP's because I can carry/conceal them in shorter & tighter jeans pockets that won't work with my J's. (Then, I became increasingly spoiled with the lighter & thinner LCP in other situations. )
I prefer the heavier bullet weights I can use in my J's, even if it's only 110gr standard pressure loads in a pristine 37-2. The 125gr, 130gr, 135gr & 158gr +P's I can use in my J's rated for +P use would seem to have a bit more "punch" (technical term
) than the much lighter bullet's I can use in my LCP's.
I won't try to "magnumize" my LCP's by using any hot-rodded loads.
My LCP's include a current (stainless slide) version and the previous (carbon/blued slide) version. The newer version has the revised sights and trigger pull. I've found it surprisingly easier to run through the same qual/drills than my lightweight J's, with equal speed and accuracy, but that's only out to 15yds.
Lots of folks like the larger & heavier .380's, meaning the pistols that are similar in size to some of the available 9's on the market. I haven't had an interest in owning one of those since I traded off a Beretta M84 close to 30 years ago.
The diminutive LCP's, though, appeal to me for a very specific role. I still consider them, and the .380 ACP, to be pretty much a "step down" in a defensive caliber when it comes to pocketable guns (or even for small belt guns).
When I compared the S&W Bodyguard .380 to the Ruger LCP .380, I decided I liked the slight advantage in small size of the LCP, for me, but someone with larger hands might easily find the Bodyguard to be the smallest size they can safely handle and manipulate.
A couple things to perhaps consider about the itty bitty .380's is the small grip, as well as the small size & weight of the slides.
I've seen an otherwise very experienced shooter (instructor) unknowingly press his thumb against the slide of his LCP and induce stoppages. His grip and thumb placement, suitable for a larger pistol, put him at a disadvantage with the LCP. He eventually found the S&W Bodyguard .380 had a barely (enough) larger grip which worked better for him (but he still has to mind his thumb placement).
Some folks like to use ball loads for their little .380's, looking to optimize penetration. I tend to prefer some of the better JHP's, accepting the potential risk of expansion (if it occurs) possibly resulting in less penetration. Pick your compromise.
I own the LCP's because I can carry/conceal them in shorter & tighter jeans pockets that won't work with my J's. (Then, I became increasingly spoiled with the lighter & thinner LCP in other situations.
)I prefer the heavier bullet weights I can use in my J's, even if it's only 110gr standard pressure loads in a pristine 37-2. The 125gr, 130gr, 135gr & 158gr +P's I can use in my J's rated for +P use would seem to have a bit more "punch" (technical term
) than the much lighter bullet's I can use in my LCP's.I won't try to "magnumize" my LCP's by using any hot-rodded loads.
My LCP's include a current (stainless slide) version and the previous (carbon/blued slide) version. The newer version has the revised sights and trigger pull. I've found it surprisingly easier to run through the same qual/drills than my lightweight J's, with equal speed and accuracy, but that's only out to 15yds.
Lots of folks like the larger & heavier .380's, meaning the pistols that are similar in size to some of the available 9's on the market. I haven't had an interest in owning one of those since I traded off a Beretta M84 close to 30 years ago.
The diminutive LCP's, though, appeal to me for a very specific role. I still consider them, and the .380 ACP, to be pretty much a "step down" in a defensive caliber when it comes to pocketable guns (or even for small belt guns).
When I compared the S&W Bodyguard .380 to the Ruger LCP .380, I decided I liked the slight advantage in small size of the LCP, for me, but someone with larger hands might easily find the Bodyguard to be the smallest size they can safely handle and manipulate.
A couple things to perhaps consider about the itty bitty .380's is the small grip, as well as the small size & weight of the slides.
I've seen an otherwise very experienced shooter (instructor) unknowingly press his thumb against the slide of his LCP and induce stoppages. His grip and thumb placement, suitable for a larger pistol, put him at a disadvantage with the LCP. He eventually found the S&W Bodyguard .380 had a barely (enough) larger grip which worked better for him (but he still has to mind his thumb placement).
Some folks like to use ball loads for their little .380's, looking to optimize penetration. I tend to prefer some of the better JHP's, accepting the potential risk of expansion (if it occurs) possibly resulting in less penetration. Pick your compromise.
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palmetto99
Member
I have carried an LCP and a model 60. The LCP is easier to carry in a pocket and is a little easier to shoot accurately when compared to a j-frame with boot grips.
