Below are two post from another forum I posted last year regarding testing the LCP, LCR, Glock 43 and later a Glock 26. I was surprised at the results as to how well the LCP did.
"I did a test today to determine the difference among these handguns in terms of practical accuracy. The "test" was shooting at 10" paper plates. Ten rounds with each gun at 3 yards and at 7 yards. I was at a commercial range so I couldn't draw from a holster or concealment. I started from a ready position with finger off the trigger, pushed the gun forward placing the finger on the trigger as I did so and firing as the gun punched out and the front sight was on the plate. I was not target shooting or shooting for groups. The LCP feels like a DA trigger and of course the LCR is DA. So both these triggers I began the pull as soon as the finger was on the trigger. My Glock 43 has a much lighter and shorter trigger so I didn't begin pressing the trigger until the front sight was on the target. I had assumed the 43 would easily out perform the LCR, and LCP. Not so. The LCP had all 20 rounds on the plate but 2 shots were close to missing the plate. The LCR had 19 rounds with one about 1/2" off the plate. The groups on both Rugers were pretty good and about the same. The 43 grouped tighter than the Rugers with all 20 rounds on the plate. But in practical terms a BG would have been in a world of hurt regardless of which of the three guns I used. Of course I'm not discussing caliber wars or capacity. The LCR is 5 shots with the LCP and 43 having 8 rounds. However at the end of the test I shot a cylinder of Speer Gold Dot .357 135gr short barrel which produces around 300 foot pounds of energy. Also there is the issue of getting a quick combat grip that produces a reasonable sight picture and the LCP takes a lot more practice for me than the LCR or 43 to do so. But bottom line the LCP performed just as well as the Glock 43 and LCR. I have confidence in all three to perform if needed. I will repeat these test again and extend the range to 10 yards. I suspect the 43 will perform noticeably better than the LCR or LCP at that range with me behind the wheel-YMMV. And once again I am amazed at the performance of the LCP."
"This was my unscientific test of "practical accuracy" for SD purposes previously shot at 3 yards and 7 yards. See LCP Custom, LCR .357 and Glock 43 Comparisons (the thread is midway down this page). My purpose wasn't to compare calibers, or capacity or speed/accuracy for follow up shots. I wanted to determine how well the LCP would do at various realistic SD distances with the first shot. Previously the target was 10" paper plates at 3 yards and 7 yards. The LCP was just as "effective" for SD purposes as the LCR and Glock 43. This time I shot 10" paper plates at 10-11 yards and added a Glock 26 into the mix. I shot 15 rounds with each gun. The LCR shooting standard velocity .38 had 13 hits and 2 misses. The LCP, Glock 43 and Glock 26 all scored 15 hits, no misses. The Glock 43 grouped a bit better than the LCP and the Glock 26 grouped rather well for the type of shooting for the test-see prior test for description of method of shooting. No surprise the 26 was the most "accurate" and easiest to shoot. The continued surprise was how well the tiny LCP did compared to what many consider serious SD pistols. For practical purposes Mr. Paper Plate was in the same world of hurt whether it was a Glock 26 shooting at him or the little bitty LCP! I am not suggesting that a LCP is as good or appropriate SD handgun as a Glock 26 or a ............(fill in the blank) but the little rascal performs adequately that I'm not uncomfortable relying on it. When I can carry a 9mm instead of the .380 I will-well sometimes as I get lazy and the LCP is so easy to carry. The test also showed I shoot the LCP better than the LCR. I think the trigger on the LCP is shorter, lighter and easier to hit with as the distance increases. The LCP has significant increased capacity over the LCR (3 rounds) and it looks to me I have to shoot the GD .357 135gr short barrel to get significantly better ballistics over the LCR shooting .38+P. I'm a descent shot but not an impressively good one. But I've concluded from the tests it probably doesn't matter what I carry. I can hit Mr Bad Paper Plate as long as he's not shooting back."
But the point I was trying to make in this discussion isn't how well the LCP shoots but can you grip it appropriately from concealment and get off an accurate first shot without having to adjust the gun in you hand. For me a snubbie is easier and more consistent than the LCP. I think a Glock 42 would be easy but at that size I would carry the 43. I carry all the guns I did the test with depending upon weather, clothing, where I'm going what i had for breakfest.
