New Ruger pocket .380 just announced

Old cop said:
I’ve owned the original/upgraded LCP for several years, shot hundreds of rounds absent a single failure. Put another 50 rounds of FMJ & HP down range yesterday, no problems. I’ll let others beta test Ruger’s new gun, but I do like the design. As an aside am I the only one who thinks the guy in the video bears a resemblance to the TV character Beaver from the ‘60s sit com Leave It To Beaver?
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I thought he looked more like NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee from the eponymous TV Show, but now that you mention it... Yeah, he does look sort of like an adult Beaver Cleaver too.

Speaking of the durability/reliability of the LCP, if that wasn't enough, it's backed by Ruger's top notch customer service, so even if it does break, they'll replace it.
Seriously, there's this guy on other forums who's always bashing the LCP for being cheap and flimsy, yet even he admits that Ruger's customer service is excellent, as they replaced the LCP he destroyed by shooting overpressure loads through it, whereas any other company would have rightfully refused to replace it on account of it was his own fault that it was damaged.
 
hyena said:
I checked one out at my local Bass Pro yesterday. $379. Much as I like the concept, I know I would just not be comfortable carrying essentially a single action pistol in my pocket without a manual thumb safety. That's just me.

I will hold out hope for S&W to match it with a higher capacity version of my Bodyguard in the same size gun.
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I wondered about that for a little bit, but I decided it was safe. The gun can't fire unless the trigger is pulled. The trigger has the dongle to keep the trigger from moving to the rear if the gun is dropped. There is a notch that is designed to catch the hammer if the sear slips without the trigger being pulled. I don't see it as being anymore dangerous than a Glock, M&P, or similar striker fired pistol, but everyone has their own personal practices that they feel comfortable with.
 
Mine will be here next week! Pd $379.99 NO tax, and $12.99 shipping at Impact Guns. Not sure how they don't collect tax, but it saved me $25. :)
 
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I had a S& W bodyguard and liked the size of it. Very thin, in fact, maybe too thin. After shooting it one round, the pistol rotated in my hand to the point where I couldn't shoot the second time without repositioning the pistol. My trigger finger would touch my thumb, at least that's the way I remember it. A disappointment. I've got two .380s and a Sig 360, which three make up my small pistol role. The fact that the Ruger doesn't have a safety on it means nothing to me. The gun isn't fully cocked until you pull the trigger, so it's not at all like carrying a SA pistol in your pocket.
 
Gene L said:
I had a S& W bodyguard and liked the size of it. Very thin, in fact, maybe too thin. After shooting it one round, the pistol rotated in my hand to the point where I couldn't shoot the second time without repositioning the pistol. My trigger finger would touch my thumb, at least that's the way I remember it. A disappointment. I've got two .380s and a Sig 360, which three make up my small pistol role. The fact that the Ruger doesn't have a safety on it means nothing to me. The gun isn't fully cocked until you pull the trigger, so it's not at all like carrying a SA pistol in your pocket.
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That is one of the improvements of the LCP Max over the previous LCP. The grip is just a tad bit wider, but makes a big difference in how the gun feels in the hand.
 
I personally won't go below .38 special/9mm Para for my EDC. About 2 1/2 years ago, I bought a Ruger EC9s that is extremely reliable and fairly accurate. On top of that, it will feed Speer shot shells. I always carry a spare magazine filled with hollow points and when I'm out and about on my 20 acres, I carry another mag filled with shot shells.
 
I had my hands on the new LCP Max last week. The trigger is a huge improvement over the older LCPs. I would even call it a "good trigger". Night and day better than the first LCP that has a horrid trigger.

The new sights are my favorite style...large U notch with a big bright color outlined dot. My old man eyes can see the sights and they are useable even without my readers.

The very slight added thickness in the grip does feel better in my paw.

For me, the extra capacity really is only a minor plus.

I think Ruger as a real winner in the LCP Max. I'm not ready to be an early adopter. I'll wait and see if there are any issues that crop up over the next few months.

If they don't have any issues I'm buying one.
 
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Muley Gil said:
I personally won't go below .38 special/9mm Para for my EDC.
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In case you aren't aware, .380 ACP is roughly on-par with standard pressure .38 Special loads. They penetrate about the same in Ballistics Gel and leave behind identical wound channels.

I'm not trying to convince you to carry .380 ACP either, if you prefer a .38 Special or 9mm Luger, then that's your prerogative. I'm merely informing you that standard pressure .38 Special and .380 ACP are roughly equal in performance.
 
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Forte Smitten Wesson said:
In case you aren't aware, .380 ACP is roughly on-par with standard pressure .38 Special loads. They penetrate about the same in Ballistics Gel and leave behind identical wound channels.

I'm not trying to convince you to carry .380 ACP either, if you prefer a .38 Special or 9mm Luger, then that's your prerogative. I'm merely informing you that standard pressure .38 Special and .380 ACP are roughly equal in performance.
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When I carry a .38 special, I use a load that has more oomph than standard pressure. Thanks for the info.
 
This first version is a 48 state sales version. On Ruger's spec sheet it lists the pistol as not available for sale in CA or MA. Perhaps a version suitable for sale there will come down the pike in time.

On DA or "safe action" semi auto's I find that a proper holster negates any reason for a manual thumb safety. On a subcompact semi auto that thumb safety becomes a serious liability for quick manipulation, as would likely be necessary in a serious use affair.
 
Can't wait to shoot it!

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LGS has a few, I wasn’t a fan of the trigger, but an LE buddy bought one for a back up gun.

I’ll stick with my G43 when I need a pocket gun.

Take up was long but clean and this may sound funny but I’m used to a more spongy take up with my Glocks. Break was great though.
 
Ruger used to be known for safeties on guns, now they seem to be going the other way. No way am I putting a striker fired gun without a safety in my pocket or inside my waistband. I’d carry it outside the belt but that’s it. Trigger dongle means nothing to me. Something gets in there it’s going off. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I should just “keep my booger finger of the bang switch”, and “my safety should be between my ears”, but a 5 pound trigger pull without a hammer to press on as I holster is a no go for me.

Before Glock millions of people carried semi auto pistols with safeties. They all survived. I honestly think the “no safety on a carry pistol” is just regurgitated propaganda.

I carry either a LC9S or the Shield Plus. If S&W comes out with a Bodyguard Plus I’m interested.
 
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kbm6893 said:
Ruger used to be known for safeties on guns, now they seem to be going the other way. No way am I putting a striker fired gun without a safety in my pocket or inside my waistband.
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In that case, you'll be fine with the LCP Max as it uses an internal hammer, not a striker.
 
hyena said:
I checked one out at my local Bass Pro yesterday. $379. Much as I like the concept, I know I would just not be comfortable carrying essentially a single action pistol in my pocket without a manual thumb safety. That's just me.

I will hold out hope for S&W to match it with a higher capacity version of my Bodyguard in the same size gun.
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Which is why I won't guy it.
I chose the M&P380 over the LCPII for the simple reason that it was a DAO design which means the hammer is at complete rest which I prefer when pocket carrying. I also like having an external safety. It looks pretty small though. Be interesting to see of the mothership comes out with a comparably sized M&P380 with the extra capacity with the same size as my current M&P380.
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Now the double stack .22 is interesting but the double stack .380 sounds good it's too close in size to my 365 to seriously consider.
 
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