anyone carrying a ruger LCP???

[Erich]

Just an update - I've already put this info on its own thread here earlier this week, but thought that it might be good to include it on this thread.

I tried some Buffalo Bore 95-grain FMJ flat-point .380 "+P" through the LCP. I now have an extra-power recoil spring on order from Wolff and so I thought I'd give it a try in the little locked-breech gun. (Note that there is no such thing as SAAMI-spec ".380 +P" - these rounds are just overpressure, pure and simple, and Ruger would advise against their use.)

They shot fine. I only shot five. Here are the velocities in FPS (5950'>sea level, 41°F, c. 15% humidity):

1066
1075
1112
1074
1133

M 1092
ES 66.98
SD 29.01

That's really cooking with gas - for any .380, but particularly out of a sub-3" tube. The rounds were decently accurate at ten yards - they'd all group into a heart at that range - but they were not the most accurate round from this gun. I think that the one to the upper left is my fault - they were really snappy and pretty darned unpleasant to shoot.

(Knife point is at point of aim)

It was really snappy and kicked noticeably hard. Primers looked fine (like that means anything) and gun functioned fine. Brass was thrown back about 20 feet. I stripped the gun afterward and examined every stress point I could think of under bright NM sunlight through a magnifying visor. I could find nothing at all out of the ordinary.

Apologies for my crappy cell-phone pictures - I didn't think to bring the camera.

 

[CowboyKen]

Just an update ... The rounds were decently accurate at ten yards - they'd all group into a heart at that range - but they were not the most accurate round from this gun. ...

Great post Erich, very useful data, I have one question - "ten yards," thirty feet? Please excuse the ignorance of my question.

When/why would I want to use my lcp for its intended purpose at such a distance?

Maybe it is just me, but most of my practice is at 15 feet and if I am shooting my lcp I move the target up to 9 or 10 feet. Please feel free to advise on a better plan.

Ken

 

[26Ford]

I carry my LCP in my front pants pocket for about 2 years now. I am very comfortable with it and I have medium sized hands. I carry it with the little extended floor plate on the magazine. My Desantis pocket holster is very nice dont get me wrong, but I will change over to a IWB, as soon as I get a chance. Nothing wrong with the Desantis, I think I would feel more secure with a IWB. I am 100% satisfied with all aspects of the LCP. Hope you enjoy your also. 26

 

[Erich]

I have one question - "ten yards," thirty feet?

When/why would I want to use my lcp for its intended purpose at such a distance?

Ken, ten yards is as close in as we go at the lovely Albuquerque City Shooting Range Park. I'm pleased to see the LCP shoots decently well at such a distance, as I suspect it's beyond where I'm likely to use an LCP.

 

[Irishreign]

"I am getting one in February. I carry a glock 27 and a 642 as a BUG. I retired from NYPD in 1988 and I wish that something like the LCP was available when I was on the job as it would have made a nice third hideout (think Onionfield) BUG."

Not to change the subject or anything...but are you referring to the movie "The Onionfield??" My dad got me to see it and to read the book...I loved it!! If that is not the reference, could you explain to me, please??

Irish

 

[gregintenn]

I don't have one bad thing to say about mine. I shoot and carry Winchester White Box ammo in it. I sometimes carry it OWB

Sometimes IWB

but mostly in my front pocket.

It isn't a target pistol, and I'm not that great a handgunner either, but I'm pleased with it for concealed carry.

 

[2hawk]

I've had mine about 2 years now, and it can go anywhere, no doubt. If the elastic is good in your PJ's, and you've got pockets, it even works there!

I outfitted mine with the Pearce mag ext., CT laser, and an 11 lb. recoil spring from Wolff, which seems to be the best weight to run the BB 100 gr. that Erich referenced above. Recoil is noticeably harder with either the stock 9lb or the heavier Wolff springs. I also polished up the feed ramp with some 600 grit, and then the Dremel felt wheel, and I have had no FTF's with any ammo I've tried.

I would have to say I think it is the least pleasant gun I own in terms of shooting comfort. But, it fills a niche- when I am meeting clients or otherwise keeping a low CCW profile (or in my "loungwear"), it cannot be beat!

 

[slappy27]

"I am getting one in February. I carry a glock 27 and a 642 as a BUG. I retired from NYPD in 1988 and I wish that something like the LCP was available when I was on the job as it would have made a nice third hideout (think Onionfield) BUG."

Not to change the subject or anything...but are you referring to the movie "The Onionfield??" My dad got me to see it and to read the book...I loved it!! If that is not the reference, could you explain to me, please??

Irish

That was what I was referring to.

 

[Bud11]

Considering getting one also - would it be worth to get the factory laser grips?

 

[cshoff]

From my experience, I have found that, while the "mouse guns" are quite popular, they are also awkward/uncomfortable/punishing to shoot. So much so that most people simply will not train with them enough to become truly proficient with them. I can't tell you how many guys I've seen show up to take a training class who who say they normally carry some variety of "mouse gun" for daily carry, but then they get out their Glock, XD, or S&W revolver to take the class with. You ask them why, and they usually say something like, "I don't think I could spend a day training with that little gun".

While a number of skills can cross-over well from one pistol platform to the next, these type of guns are so small that they simply can't be handled and manipulated with the same dexterity-poor skills that one can deploy a larger handgun with. If we haven't addressed this size issue and the unique handling and presentation techniques that go with it in our training, it's not realistic to think we will be able to utilize the gun efficiently when we need it most. YMMV.

 

[GKC]

From my experience, I have found that, while the "mouse guns" are quite popular, they are also awkward/uncomfortable/punishing to shoot. So much so that most people simply will not train with them enough to become truly proficient with them. I can't tell you how many guys I've seen show up to take a training class who who say they normally carry some variety of "mouse gun" for daily carry, but then they get out their Glock, XD, or S&W revolver to take the class with. You ask them why, and they usually say something like, "I don't think I could spend a day training with that little gun".

While a number of skills can cross-over well from one pistol platform to the next, these type of guns are so small that they simply can't be handled and manipulated with the same dexterity-poor skills that one can deploy a larger handgun with. If we haven't addressed this size issue and the unique handling and presentation techniques that go with it in our training, it's not realistic to think we will be able to utilize the gun efficiently when we need it most. YMMV.

I understand what you are saying, but I also think of these little guns as similar to the donut size (or temporary) spare tires that come on some model cars. They aren't intended to be used for anything but an emergency. Guns like an LCP aren't intended as range guns, or for extended firing sessions like in training, etc. I see their purpose as only an emergency last resort, and while they do need to be fired enough to insure reliability and familiarity of operation, I can't imagine using one for anything else. Such is not their purpose, just like the donut spare tire.

 

[crracer_712]

I bought one with a Lasermax on it. It was only 50 bucks more for one with the laser than one without, so I figured why not. I pocket carry it in a Desantis Super Fly, sans the fly.

Installed the Hogue handall for the LC0, made it much easier for me to shoot. Liked it so well, I bought the LCPZ

 

[cshoff]

I understand what you are saying, but I also think of these little guns as similar to the donut size (or temporary) spare tires that come on some model cars. They aren't intended to be used for anything but an emergency. Guns like an LCP aren't intended as range guns, or for extended firing sessions like in training, etc. I see their purpose as only an emergency last resort, and while they do need to be fired enough to insure reliability and familiarity of operation, I can't imagine using one for anything else. Such is not their purpose, just like the donut spare tire.

I do agree with your post, Ken. That said, my point wasn't that these little guns can't be an effective "spare tire" in an emergency situation when we suffer a flat at just the wrong time. Rather, the point was that many folks are carrying these things around as a primary weapon and only practicing with it a very small amount due to the fact that they are uncomfortable and even difficult to train with to any large degree. It would be like installing 4 donut spares on your vehicle with the idea of using them as though they are full-sized, full-capacity tires, IMHO.

Now I am not saying that these little guns are useless and should never be used. While they are most certainly not something I believe should be carried a large percentage of the time as a primary weapon, there are times when they might be about the only type of handgun that could fill that role. You could conceivably conceal a LCP or P3AT (or other similar sized gun) while wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks and some flip-flops. There is no doubt that if ultimate concealment is your requirement, it's hard to beat the flat, compact design of some of these pocket pistols. I certainly wouldn't try to argue that point. However, that same attribute also changes the dynamics of the training one must utilize in order to learn how to "run the gun" efficiently. As has already been pointed out, it takes more dexterity to properly manipulate these smaller pistols than it does a larger gun.

It's just my opinion, but of the people I've met that actually carry these little guns, 95% of them do it purely as a matter of convenience - not out of necessity. And I've yet to meet anyone who actually trains to the point of being "fight ready" with one of these things.

I only hope the people who are still choosing to carry these guns and bet their lives on them each day will take the time to train with them as if their life depends on it - because it does.

 

[gregintenn]

I shoot mine as regularly as I do anything I own. I even shot an oppossum with it a while back.

 

[cshoff]

I shoot mine as regularly as I do anything I own. I even shot an oppossum with it a while back.

I am glad to hear that, Greg. +1.

 

[gmiller0737]

I have had My LCP for a year or more & Carry it more often than any of My other "Carry" Guns for it's size it is plenty accurate & has always been reliable,I carry the Federal Hydra Shock's but would have went with Hornady's Critical Defense if it would have been available when I was trying out diferent ammo every place was sold out.

 

[hawgleg]

Nope, S&W 638.

 

[palmetto99]

A bit of an update on the LCP. I've run about another 150 rounds through the the lil' thing and discovered that it was not happy with steel case ammo. Was trying out Monarch 95 grn FMJ, 95 grn FMJ steel case and 95 grn FMJ steel case. The steel case seemed to hang up on the feed ramp. Quick pop on the back of the slide and all was well. It happened about 5 times out of 1 box (50 rounds). Everything else cycled fine. Decided 95 grn FMJ is the way to go.

Picked up an IWB holster and have been tying it out this weekend.

It now travels almost everywhere I go now and usually close by when at home.

 

[GKC]

I only hope the people who are still choosing to carry these guns and bet their lives on them each day will take the time to train with them as if their life depends on it - because it does.

That is absolutely correct!

 

[sourdough44]

I'm not worried about lack of detailed sights on my LCP, being 'snag proof' is more important. For pocket carry(holstered) I'll also accept a heavier trigger. You'll have to want to pull it to fire. For what it is, it's fine. It's not ment to edge out your favorite 1911 at the range. I use Speer 90 grn GD's & Hornady CD also in 90 grn. That's when I'm not shooting my 100 grn RN reloads.