As background I'm an experienced shooter and had no problems when my former LE agency transitioned from the thirty-eight to the Glock 23. I qualified as High Expert (95% +) for my whole career and have continued shooting into retirement. Now for the problem: Every .380 I've owned/shot (Ruger, Glock, S&W) has malfunctioned, normally stovepipe or fail to eject. I have the older LCP and it runs perfectly through about 50 rounds, then problems start. I have big hands so shooting this is a challenge and hurts after awhile. At the risk of surrendering my man card I'm wondering if fatigue is setting in and I begin to limp wrist. Any experts out there care to weigh in? Any help would be appreciated.
.380 & Limp Wristing?
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Have a known gun person load and shoot the gun with the ammo your using and see what they do!
JMHO but I think "limp wristing" is BS and a over used term.
First what ammo are you using, does it happen with all different ammo??
What are the first 3 digits of the serial number? I ask because first there was a recall on them and second they changed the trigger to one with much less take up (not the new version 2)
Some blow back back guns have problems with stovepiping but locked breach shouldn't.
As I have a vacant range most of the time I deliberately try to make my guns (new ones) fail.
I collected 380's for a while. I would try all different ammo, deliberately lump wrist them, Hold them with pretty much two fingers, shoot sideways, gangster style (all on a vacant range and safely)
If it failed I tried different ammo if it kept up I would send it back to the factory. If they couldn't fix it, it was gone.
No Way a Glock or the SW BG380 should ever fail??
Heck the best 380 (but it was way to heavy and a (blowback) the NAA Guardian would shoot anything anytime,
LCP never failed, The Kel Tex did, but the factory fixed it twice. Sig P232 just fine as did the Walther A Bersa went in the trash.
Make sure you keep them really clean, use premium ammo and as mentioned have someone else shoot it and see if they have problems.
Ballistic147
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I've got a little Taurus TCP and with the right ammo it has been 100% reliable for me after about 700 rounds now. It likes Prvi Partisan, Geco and my own handloads. The only failure ever with the above ammo was a dud Winchester primer which doesn't count as a gun malfunction. With that in mind it will stovepipe every 1 in 6 rounds when my wife shoots it.
Her S&W Bodyguard has been flawless so far with any ammo it has been fed but after a hundred or so rounds at a single range session it has malfunctioned a few times. A quick field strip and cleaning and it will run 100% again. While some would consider this an issue this is a carry gun that is cleaned after each range trip and it has never failed at all under 100 rounds per session.
Guess what I'm trying to say is it could be ammo related, need a good cleaning, limp wristing (even the toughest guy can do it when pain is factored in) or a problem that needs factory attention.
Her S&W Bodyguard has been flawless so far with any ammo it has been fed but after a hundred or so rounds at a single range session it has malfunctioned a few times. A quick field strip and cleaning and it will run 100% again. While some would consider this an issue this is a carry gun that is cleaned after each range trip and it has never failed at all under 100 rounds per session.
Guess what I'm trying to say is it could be ammo related, need a good cleaning, limp wristing (even the toughest guy can do it when pain is factored in) or a problem that needs factory attention.
Another "brainstorm" I forgot.
You say it is a older Ruger. How many rounds thriygh it? ) I know I hate that question too like who really knows.
But has it been shot a lot??
If so what I would do is go to Wolff Springs and get a new recoil and magazine(s) springs
Sometimes worn out springs will cause the problems.
Not expensive and can't hurt!
Well forget that Wolff only has the recoil spring.
Call Ruger they are super customer service, the mag springs if weal will cause failure to push up the last round. For Recoil spring I would use regular power unless you are shooting "hot" SD ammo.
Heck Ruger may even just give them to you. Tell them you are a a LEO and it's a backup gun.
You say it is a older Ruger. How many rounds thriygh it? ) I know I hate that question too like who really knows.
But has it been shot a lot??
If so what I would do is go to Wolff Springs and get a new recoil and magazine(s) springs
Sometimes worn out springs will cause the problems.
Not expensive and can't hurt!
Well forget that Wolff only has the recoil spring.
Call Ruger they are super customer service, the mag springs if weal will cause failure to push up the last round. For Recoil spring I would use regular power unless you are shooting "hot" SD ammo.
Heck Ruger may even just give them to you. Tell them you are a a LEO and it's a backup gun.
Thanks everyone. I took the LCP (no dash in the serial number) to the range today and ran about 60 rounds of mixed FMJ & HP through it, no problems. It had been sitting in the safe for about three weeks and I ran it just as it came from the safe. I bought it new two months ago and have run around 400 rounds through it.
I also had one of the range masters shoot it, trying to induce a failure, and no problems. Today I slowed my cadence, made sure my grip & wrist was solid and kept the groups tight at three yards. Maybe the gun starts to fail when really dirty. The ammo is a mix of Winchester White Box FMJ, Federal FMJ and my carry load, HPR 90 grain hollow points. I do know the LCP runs fine for the first three mags, more than I'd ever need in real life.
I'm going to order the springs as suggested and try that too. I really like the convenience of this gun and do not want to give up on it.
I also had one of the range masters shoot it, trying to induce a failure, and no problems. Today I slowed my cadence, made sure my grip & wrist was solid and kept the groups tight at three yards. Maybe the gun starts to fail when really dirty. The ammo is a mix of Winchester White Box FMJ, Federal FMJ and my carry load, HPR 90 grain hollow points. I do know the LCP runs fine for the first three mags, more than I'd ever need in real life.
I'm going to order the springs as suggested and try that too. I really like the convenience of this gun and do not want to give up on it.
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Whitwabit
US Veteran
I think the key here is "after 50 rounds" think your getting tired and your grip can be lacking when you do ..
If it never happens when you first start shooting I think you've found the reason ..
If it never happens when you first start shooting I think you've found the reason ..
LVSteve
Member
I know that practice makes perfect, but it strikes me that guns like the LCP, TCP and the P3AT are not made to run 100 rounds per session. They are small, and small things gunk up quicker than big things.
In .380 caliber I've had a Kel tec, Ruger LCP, Taurus, Ruger LCP second Gen, and now a Ruger LCP II. I never had any jams with any of them except my new LCP II and it would jam occasionally on the last round in the mag when it was new. Now it is 100% reliable after getting broken in and I will tell you this, it is the only tiny .380 I have owned that is enjoyable to shoot. The other guns made my hand sore after a couple of magazines but the LCP II is very comfortable to shoot 100 rounds through and it is darn accurate.
Only 400 rounds, it should not need new springs. As indicated it is probably choking on fouling. They are not range guns,
Try shooting it till it gives you problems do a quick field strip cleaning and then shoot again see if that solves it. Don't over lube it. That just attracts more fouling.
ParadiseRoad
Member
...get you a Desert Eagle...gas operated...rotating bolt...limp wristing has no effect...except you may be wearing it for a hat...or picking it up out in the parking lot...
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FwHZprXYbs[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FwHZprXYbs[/ame]
ChattanoogaPhil
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Your self diagnosis of fatigue is probably right.
I regularly shoot my LCP but not that many rounds at one time. Usually 4 mags which is one box of Hornady CD-- I only shoot the same ammo I carry in it. The trick with these little boogers is finger grip... there just ain't much there to wrap around. I only get about a finger and a half purchase including the mag extension. LCP is the only pocket .380 I own. Had if for about three years. So far it has operated 100%. These little 9oz guns aren't fun to shoot. Maybe if I put 100rds though it at a time I'd have problems too, but I'm not interested in fixing what ain't broke.
jag312
Member
The only .380 I have ever owned is my Browning BDA380. I bought it in 1983 or 84, and since that time it has been absolutely 100% reliable with any ammunition I use. I have fired other .380 pistols with good results, but the BDA380 is my baby.
My wife bought a Kahr 45 ACP recently.
While at the range, she had a couple of stove pipes after shooting about 30 rounds..
I asked her if her hand and wrist was getting tired. She said "yeah, I may be letting it buck more than when I started.
She firmed up her grip and finished the box of 50 rounds with no further problems.
While at the range, she had a couple of stove pipes after shooting about 30 rounds..
I asked her if her hand and wrist was getting tired. She said "yeah, I may be letting it buck more than when I started.
She firmed up her grip and finished the box of 50 rounds with no further problems.
Like Phil, my LCP hasn't hiccuped in 4 years. However, If I hold my Bersa Thunder loosely, being a blow-back, I can make it stovepipe. If I hold it firmly, It just keeps on rocking.
If, for whatever reason, during an armed altercation, I were to lose any strength in my hand (and in my condition it's entirely possible) I don't want any chance of limp-wristing to occur.
That's why the Bersa goes to the range and the LCP goes in my pocket.
If, for whatever reason, during an armed altercation, I were to lose any strength in my hand (and in my condition it's entirely possible) I don't want any chance of limp-wristing to occur.
That's why the Bersa goes to the range and the LCP goes in my pocket.
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