LCP Max?

[LCC]

Been viewing mixed results on the LCP Max, some say it works great, others say they had to send theirs back to Ruger twice to fix problems. How's yours working?

 

[tominboise]

I bought mine a few months ago and have run ~50 rounds through it, with no problems. It's been 100% using FMJ ammo. I need to try some Hornady Critical defense in it but so far I am confident that it will work.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

No problems here.
Have Shot several hundred rounds of different brands of Ball.

 

[USMCshooter]

Few hundred mixed rounds through mine with no problems at all. Just shoots consistently low. Need to call Ruger about that.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

1000 rounds through my LCP Max with 5 malfunctions. Great carry gun.

 

[Erich]

Great. I've written on it here at length.

 

[wagwan]

Mine works great. No issues here.

 

[RGPM1A]

More comfortable to shoot than LCP. Sights are very good but shoots a little low and to the left - not a big deal to me. I like the LCP trigger better - probably because I shoot revolvers a lot and am used to long trigger pull. Been very reliable with about 300 rounds shot with different brands of ball ammo. I don't use hollow points in a 380 as I don't see a benefit.

 

[Old cop]

I’ve only had my MAX a few months & no issues so far.

 

[ImDrRich]

Interesting you should ask.

A friend just bought one and I looked on with interest at the range. He took it apart at one of the shooting points and didn't realize there were two recoil springs - one inside the other. One dropped out without him seeing it and thereafter the gun wouldn't go into battery.

To make a long story short, he realized the problem, got another spring and since then the gun is flawless. I'm considering buying one for myself. I shot the hell out of his by shooting 50 rounds quickly. Perfection.

 

[Screwball]

I just picked up one… very happy and not much larger than my original LCP. Main reasons I went with it… better sights, slide locks back on empty and more ammo. Works out to three additional rounds in the flush fit magazine, since I ran MagGuts in my LCP.

I picked up 3 extra 10-rounders and 3 12-rounders. Two of the 3 12-rounders would not lock the slide back. Like not ever attempting. Went to compare followers prior to contacting Ruger and found this…

All 3 came out of the 12-rounders… one on the right was the one that works. Compared the shorter ones to my 10-rounders… same springs. Let Ruger know the situation and that I’m kind of annoyed that the wrong springs were installed. Asked for them to send two of the correct springs so I can get them running. Hopefully they will get back to me this week being snow is starting to melt… and range time will be coming up.

 

[first-model]

I've had an LXP Max since they first came out. I'd estimate that mine has somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 rounds through it and I've had zero issues. If I've had an FTE or FTF, it was only one and not memorable; probably a limp wrist on my part.

All of those tiny subcompacts are tough to shoot well, but I think the LCP Max is just as capable of a firearm as any of the others in this category.

Mike

 

[Mike-4]

I picked up a brand new LCP Max a couple of weeks ago and did a quick function check a few days ago. I only put 50 rds of FMJs thru it but it ran flawlessly. No malfunctions, mag locked back on last round, etc. About as snappy as my Glock 42 but smaller with more capacity.

From what I've read, those with issues were resolved with Ruger's excellent customer service. I think this will turn out to be a great little pocket pistol.

 

[hyena]

Ah, you guys quit posting glowing reviews. I'll end up caving in and buying one.

 

[LCC]

lotta positive. Have to decide if willing to give up the DA trigger of my 2nd gen LCP for the trigger safety of the Max. And I well understand no finger on trigger, no discharge. Have also lived long enough, however, to witness first hand Murphy's Law in action.

 

[Talldog]

I have 2 MAXs with about 900 rounds each. One hates Fiocchi FMJ, but has been otherwise completely reliable. In fairness, I've had other small .380s that don't like the Fiocchi either. The second MAX has had 5 failures to lock back on the last round with multiple mags, but has been 100% otherwise. I like 'em, but because of physical limitations, I prefer my P365-380s. I wish S&W would do a Shield Plus in .380, but I don't think that will happen.

 

[LCC]

I have 2 MAXs with about 900 rounds each. One hates Fiocchi FMJ, but has been otherwise completely reliable. In fairness, I've had other small .380s that don't like the Fiocchi either. The second MAX has had 5 failures to lock back on the last round with multiple mags, but has been 100% otherwise. I like 'em, but because of physical limitations, I prefer my P365-380s. I wish S&W would do a Shield Plus in .380, but I don't think that will happen.

Has your 365/380 been reliable?

 

[10Mad]

I had one. At first it seemed like a good gun. The more I shot it very quickly went downhill. Shot low. Slide wouldn’t lock back on any mags after they had sat loaded for a little while. Ruger sent me a replacement slide, for a regular LCP. Finally got the correct slide and it wouldn’t chamber a round. Finally just pulled the plug on this costly experiment and purchased a P365 .380 for pocket carry. It’s only a little bit bigger but a far better gun. I found a poll on another site where 50% of Max owners had problems and had to send them back in. I wanted to like it but the typical Ruger problems were too much for me.
Edit: what made my decision easy was the Sig is only at most 100$ and usually about 75$ more. Comes with 2 mags, full set of night sights and option of manual safety.

 

[chief38]

Two good friends of mine both recently bought new LCP Max's. They both have close to 1,000 rounds through them and will eat pretty much any ammo they've tried so far. One of them has had a few jams /FTF however I suspect that was mainly due to limp-wristing. She is 4'11", of slight build and has small hands. I have since taught her the correct hold and has now gone hundreds of rounds with no issues. My other friend has not had a single jam since it was purchased.

Both guns are relatively accurate (shoot slightly low) but one gun has a better trigger than the other. Not a deal breaker as it is quite suitable for a close quarters defense gun (it's purpose). Speaking strictly for myself, I don't care for the triggers with the safety catch in the middle of it as they always seem to pinch my finger. I suppose for its intended purpose and presumably only a few shots in a SD situation it is a non issue. However when I do shoot them at the Range, it always annoys me. Maybe it's just me, but I find the same situation on Glocks as well. That is why I much prefer my Sig P365's trigger (just a traditional metal trigger).

All in all I'd rate the Ruger LCP Max as about the best of the .380 mini carry guns. With 10+1 or 12 +1 and around 10.5-11 ounces, it is a perfect hide out or back up pistol. Both of my friends tried many different brands and models before buying the Ruger. I'm not a big Ruger fan but would rate this one as about the highest in it's class. If you are OK with a .380 then the Ruger is a good choice in my book. BTW Ruger's customer service is reported to be #1.

 

[Talldog]

Has your 365/380 been reliable?

I have 2 of them, each with about 1250 rounds. The first one, which was very early production had a handful of feed failures with XTP ammo when it was new. Once the feed ramp smoothed out, that issue went away. It hasn't had any other problems.

The second one had 1 feed failure with an XTP bullet during its first range session. It has been otherwise flawless.

I love both of these pistols. They are very soft shooting, much more pleasant than my MAXs, and because of that, I'm very accurate with them. And with Wilson Combat grip modules, they fit my hand perfectly. Here's the whole group: