Anyone Here Have a Ruger LCP?

[Texas Star]

Any of you have a Ruger .380? Do a summary of how you like it: reliability, accuracy, recoil effects, etc.

What are the good and the bad aspects of this little gun?

Thanks,

T-Star
P.S. No need to point out that a .357, etc. is a better weapon. We all know that a .25 or a mini .380 fills a specialized need.

 

[TXSWFAN]

I've got one. Sent it in for the recall fix. Haven't shot it much, but the three times I've shot it, it's been a jamomatic. I don't have $400 to shoot the 400 rounds thru it to break it in. It's laying around somewhere. I'll probably sell it.

 

[samIam]

I had one till about a week ago.I traded it to another member for a revolver and some cash. I really liked it.Shot well,no FTF in 200 or so rounds.Good trigger and a damn good price.I traded it because the edge of my finger would roll under the trigger when firing.I crushed my trigger finger about 10 years ago in a press brake,blew it open from fingertip to second knuckle and broke two bones.The finger healed up fine but is much flatter than my other fingers.I have the same problem with other guns as well,so its not limited to the LCP.
OK now all the guys that don't own or haven't shot one can chime in and tell you how crappy they are.(sarcasm alert)

 

[diamonback68]

Anxious to hear also. I just bought one Friday and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I do like the fact it is so light and small for pocket carry. Time will tell.

 

[JcMack]

I bought one used about 2 months ago used LN for $275. Ser # prefix put it in range of factory updated guns. After a month in my hot pocket it showed signs of wear and rust. Not much, but enough. I sold it and bought a new KT .380 with a chrome slide. If you want a small .380 either one will do the job. The Ruger looks better, grip is better, has a built up area around mag release to prevent accidental release that KT is famous for. Poison arrow frogs die instantly when they touch my skin, so I need a gun with a really tough finish.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My wife bought one a little over a year ago. She bought a Crimson Trace laser for it and shot it pretty well. It fit in her purse or pocket with ease. However, the downside was the price and scarcity of ammo, the long trigger pull, the slide doesn't lock open on an empty mag, and the slide was at times difficult for her to operate. The CT laser uses very small batteries and the activation switch was hard for her to manipulate. Every time I shot the gun my thumb would hit the mag release and the mag would drop just enough to cause a mis-fire.

She decided to trade it in. She has shot my 642 so we went to buy her one. She ended up buying a Ruger LCR .38 Special instead. She has become very proficient with the gun and loves it. The trigger is much better than the LCP...even seems better than my 642, and the recoil also seems a lot less.

I would suggest that before you buy an LCP that you find a friend with one or a range that rents them and shoot it for yourself.

 

[BigRich315]

I may be looking to pick up a used one, so I'm also interested. I bought the K-T a couple months before the LCP came out and, at the time, wished I had waited. Now I'm thinking I made the better buy but still want to check it out.

 

[Wyo]

My experience has been nothing but positive with mine, so maybe I'm the odd man out here. Reliability has been 100% through about 400 rounds of ball, hydra-shoks and Silvertips. No problems with rust, corrosion or pinched fingers and accuracy is head-shot adequate at 15 yards. I carry it all the time, usually in a pocket holster. The one downside that I would mention is that the sights are way, way small. You can use them if you really bear down, but I expect that this will be a point and shoot affair if I ever have to use it for real - there won't be time to find those dinky sights!

 

[Zilmo]

I have one. I took it shooting with a bunch of other stuff yesterday. Mine has the CT laser system on it.

To this point I have runn around 200 rounds through it, without a single FTF. The long trigger pull takes a bit of getting used to, but I'm starting to get familiar with it now. As a result, the accuracy is getting better, although I only shoot it at about 15 feet as that seems what it's made for. I have the Pearse finger extensions on all of my mags, and that helps the fit in my hand quite a bit more than the extenders that Ruger offers. It still has a good kick for a small round, but no big deal.

I like my LCP quite a bit. For what it suppose to be and what it is suppose to do, I think it covers the bases admirably. Great pocket gun for walking the dog, things like that.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Like an American Express Card...

...I go nowhere without mine. Around town, it fits the bill perfectly. It was a recalled gun (fixed) but I have complete confidence in it.

 

[K.38]

I've had mine for about 6 months or so. Sent it back for the recall and had it returned in a week or so.

I've shot it a bunch and with standard ball it shoots nice, little recoil and accurate at least within its capabilities anyway. I carry it almost daily and have had no trouble with rust, just lots of dust bunnies. Here in Colorado we are dryer than a popcorn fart so maybe that is the reason for no rust.

For carry ammo I use Remington Golden Saber and have been very pleased with it. The little gun will bark with the GS however.

I have no idea how many rounds I've fired but so far no problems, no jams just 100% reliable.

I like mine and would have no problem buying another. Once another one comes available my brother is going to pick one up.

 

[dmar]

I've had mine for over a year now, and really love it. When I was 'shopping out the .380s, to me, it felt/seemed like better overall quality than the KT. The trigger was better than I expected, but a rather long pull (which is what you want in this type of gun...), and I've had zero malfunctions with it. It shoots great, and I really don't think it has much 'kick' at all... It's by no means a 'range gun,' but it's comfortable enough to take to the range and do some practice.

The best part of this gun, of course, is it's size and weight. It is just so easy to carry, you really have no excuse not to be packin'. I also carry a Kahr PM9 (great gun, too!) quite a bit, and I always thought that was a very easy to conceal gun, but the LCP is even better in that respect. I got a Galco pocket holster that is designed for the KT, and it works perfect.

I hope this helps; I'd buy it again...

 

[Burley]

What's not to like? Mine has a polished barrel hood, guide rod, feed ramp,breech face and firing chamber. Also, 14 lb recoil spring, overgrip, and Ruger pinky extensions for all the mags. I had to send it back to Ruger when I first got it bc it hit the primers off center and had a bunch of FTF, but it's been 101% sense I got it back. I've also seen posts of kaboomed with too hot reloaded LCPs that Ruger's repaired free of charge. The guy even got a replacement Crimson Trace laser too!.

The range I go to has JHP 380 for 11 bucks a box so ammo is no problem and this stuff works great in my LCP. I RF pocket it in a Uncle Mike's or keep it in a small Safe Packer with 5 extra mags. I don't shoot very well at all with it so I just practice point and shoot for the most part. The overgrip and the pinky, (pinky?), FINGER extension help a lot with control. I guess the 3AT has more aggressive checkering that helps the grip of the gun. You can get a chrome sllide Kel Tec if you want and no rust worries. I would have bought either the KT with a chrome slide or LCP, I just came across the LCP first. They do the same thing and you might save some dough with the KT. BUt, I'm glad I have mine and it's not leaving. Elsie Pea is a site that a lot of LCP owner post on if you want to check it out.

 

[2Loud4You]

I've had mine for almost 16 months. It was a "recall" but had it back in less than a week. It the very beginning I had a couple FTF's but after break in there's been no problem. I can't say an exact number but I've got a couple hundred rounds through it. My only problem was pocket carry. If you don't keep an eye on it lint will build up and cause problems. I've since switched to the Mitch Rosen belt holster offered on the Ruger site and it's run flawlessly. I've found it's more comfortable on my belt anyway.

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks, guys, Good responses.

T-Star

 

[BobL]

I have both the LCP and the LCR and like them both but find I carry the LCP more often due to the smaller size. Generally carry it in a pocket holster in the LR pocket as I am left handed. Use Hornady Critical Defense rounds. Had a couple of FTF the first time out, but now seems fine.
I'm keeping mine and would recommend either or both.
BobL

 

[Rule3]

I have one and the KT P3AT

When I first got it, it would not feed Federal ammo but anything else. I returned it on Rugers dime and it worked fine. Then the recall. I sent it back and they had it for some time (not as long as my Walther PPK 4 mths!) But Ruger sent it back with a extra mag and a baseball cap. I ran factory and reloads through it and all is well. I carry it daily with Rem Golden Sabers. Same as my Kel Tec.

I took both to the range and had a face off Shoot them at 5 and 10 yards and they both shot about the same. The KT was actually a little tighter groups I kept them all within a 8" Caldwell Orange Peel target with handloads.

The Ruger has a metal recoil spring rod, the KT is plastic but you can get a metal one. The Ruger is just a better looking gun on the outside but essentially a direct copy.

I carry either one but also have a Kahr PM9 which I prefer.
It is a bit bigger and heavier. When the Kahr 380 has been out for a while longer I will look into one of those as I like the slide lock back feature.

I can shoot the 380 more accurately than a J frame 642 plus it has two more rounds and is thinner.

Customer service for both guns are excellent and if you have a KT already I see no reason to get the Ruger but I am OCD and like pocket 380's. I also like the Baby Eagle but only have 4 pockets.

 

[conn ak]

Friend has an LCP-sold me his P3AT. The LCP is selling like hotcakes for good reason. Ruger cleaned up (stole, maybe) Kel-Tec's design (P3AT). What we have is a more pleasant version of the Kel-Tec. The LCP is selling so well that .380 sales are rationed where I live...if you can find it. I like the LCP. I like the way it shoots. My P3AT shoots as well as the LCP, but the P3AT is a rough little pistol with little flare. Since carrying the P3AT, the finish has gone to hell. Pocket carry in the summer has had a profound impact on the P3AT. My friends LCP still looks good with daily pocket carry. I think I'm going to resist buying an LCP until I see S&W's eventual offering. You know S&W will respond to the major marketing demand for a pocket .380 I've had the opportunity to shoot Kahr Arms .380 Beautiful pistol with a hefty price tag.

 

[jpwhel]

I bought one when they first came out and had problems with it, FTF, FTE. Ruger then had the recall. I sent it in and also told Ruger about the issues I've had with it. They fixed the recalled items and then sent to another repair dept. It now it very dependable, fairly accurate for a small gun and extremely easy to carry. Haven't had a single problem since being returned from the recall. Only downside is holding on to the little gun when shooting.

 

[Burley]

Hard to hold when shooting. Yes. I found I had to readjust my grip every shot. the LCP is slick as a bar of soap. The finger extension and overgrip cured that. That's why the KT has that sharp checkering. The finger extension Ruger is selling now is the hot setup. The others were just too big and you couldn't curl your pinky under the butt comfortably. The new one is much smaller,(see my pic), and just enough to cradle your ring finger. 2 for 10 bucks I think from Ruger or elsiepeaforum has the on a Ruger mag for 26 bucks I think. The Promag is cheaper with the extension but again, just too big.