LCP vs LCP II, ideas and opinions?

[SC_Mike]

Thinking of a new summer pocket carry and had an LCP for a while and ended up getting ride of it a few years ago in favor of my SW 640. Thinking of another now and wanted to get feedback on the LCP II. Lots of comparison videos out there on YT but wanted to get all opinions on the differences. Seems to be about $100 difference in price.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The LCP works, and $100 buys a lot of ammo or is a good start on another holster selection.

Ivan

 

[H Richard]

I carried an LCP for several years, and after I handled an LCP2 I almost immediately traded for the 2. It is a better more aggressive grip surface, a better trigger, and better sights. I've had it about a year now, and I am not disappointed. The older LCP magazines will work but not lock back the slide after last round.

 

[Shoo2tr]

I had to make that same decision, LCP vs. LCP II. I chose the LCP not because of the difference in price but because of my main reason for wanting and LCP, which was concealability. Like most anything there are trade-offs. In this case the LCP II gets you a better trigger and sights but a larger profile. As size was my main criteria that was it right there. Come to find out I didn't have an issue with the sights or the trigger on the LCP I received. It shot very accurately and to point of aim so I'm more than pleased with it and it was the right choice for me. If a person can comfortably and discreetly pocket carry an LCP II then fine, in my case I wanted something I could conceal in ultimate summer attire.

 

[TripLeader]

I've never touched either model, but I have been intrigued by them and watched some YouTube reviews.

What I recall is the benefits of the new model are better sights, a better grip, and slide lock on an empty magazine.

I have seen the older model on sale at big internet stores for less than $170, new. That is hard to beat. But I think I would spend the extra hundred bucks for the upgrades. I'd be happier in the long run with it, I believe.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

I see a lot of LCP IIs at my local club. People seem to be very happy with them. They're flying off the shelves at the local gun stores. Ruger's excellent customer service is a plus too.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oDh6lSYPjU[/ame]

 

[Lonegle57]

trigger difference made me sell my LCP and pick up a 2. For me, I like the 2 better. I can shoot both well within protection level but prefer the lighter trigger and think it is worth the price difference.

 

[GeoJelly]

I'm sticking with my LCP because of potential (I think) safety issues with the LCP II. I've handled two LCP II's and it appears that it's a pre-cocked single-action trigger system versus DAO on the LCP. If you check one out, rack the slide then slowly pull the trigger. The hammer comes back ever-so-slightly then drops. That action makes the trigger pull on the LCP II noticeably better - but not as safe to me. I've seen a couple of articles that mentioned that the LCP II does have a strong/near break-proof half-cock ledge on the hammer so it should be as drop safe as the original LCP ...

 

[ggibson511960]

Same Firing Mechanism

I'm sticking with my LCP because of potential (I think) safety issues with the LCP II. I've handled two LCP II's and it appears that it's a pre-cocked single-action trigger system versus DAO on the LCP. If you check one out, rack the slide then slowly pull the trigger. The hammer comes back ever-so-slightly then drops. That action makes the trigger pull on the LCP II noticeably better - but not as safe to me. I've seen a couple of articles that mentioned that the LCP II does have a strong/near break-proof half-cock ledge on the hammer so it should be as drop safe as the original LCP ...

Both LCP and LCP II are partial pre-cock, hammer fired. Neither are DAO, nor does either have second strike capability like a true DAO. The LCP II has a reworked trigger mechanism with a Glock style trigger bar that the LCP lacked. The LCP has a long trigger pull to cock and release the hammer. With the additional safety bar the LCP II can have a shorter, lighter final stroke.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Have been pocket carrying an original LCP for years. Yes, a long trigger, but if you take your time with the minimal sights surprisingly accurate.100% reliable didn't hurt either.
This past Christmas I wanted another pocket gun and wound up buying a LCP II. I tried the trigger and that sold it for me. Slightly bigger grip fits the hand a little better and it has what you can call actual sights. A dab of white nail polish mad them even better. Easier to hit with thanks to the better trigger and 100% reliable like the original. Ruger has a pocket package that's pretty tough to beat.
My original intent was to give my son the original LCP, but I'm having a tough time giving it up.

 

[gnystrom]

I bought an LCP from a friend and in the box was a sweet pea trigger and 13# recoil spring + a Viridian green laser. I found the stock gun gave me a bit of trigger finger pinch so I installed the Sweet Pea and it really improved the shootability of that little gun.
I followed up with a LCPII and found it much easier to shoot than the original LCP and a bit better than the LCP with Galloway trigger.

Both work for me but the LCP with laser and extended mag now has become a car gun and the LCP II goes into a Talon wallet holster and is carried far more than I thought it would be.
As others have said,
Better sights, slightly thicker grip, locks open on last round and IMO a better trigger system.
Regardless, Paint the front sight a bright color and shoot a lot offhand as that is probably what will happen in real life.
When properly holstered I have absolutely no fear of a ND with either of these guns.

 

[Old cop]

I have the original LCP (unofficial generation two) and have not upgraded to the LCPII b/c the one I have is 100% reliable, and I have some safety concerns w/the trigger system of the LCPII.

 

[Irn-Bru]

I have the LCP 2 and it's a pretty nice pocket gun. I also have the Kahr P380 which is very comparable. Out of the two I prefer the Kahr, handles the recoil better.

 

[m41]

I have the LCP Custom with the red trigger and Crimson Trace Laser. How does the trigger of the custom compare to the LSP 2?

 

[gregintenn]

You won't go wrong with either one.

 

[diyj98]

I've owned both, but sold the LCPII. I much prefer the more DA revolver like feel of the original LCP for pocket carry.

 

[merl67]

I have an original one that I bought when they first came out. It has never misfired or jammed. It is well worn now, but I will not be trading it anytime soon. The main thing is to get used to, and practice with whatever your choice is. I would imagine either will do the job, if ever called to do so, as long as you do your part.

 

[rifmon]

I have an original long triggered no-sights LCP. It was perfect out-of-the-box; 100% reliable and accurate. I replaced the recoil spring with a stronger heavier Wolf spring and also added Hogue grips.

I like the gun with all the blueing wear. It is a gun I truly do not care about related to finish wear and that is a great thing for me! The more worn it is the better in this case!

I watched the unofficial second generation LCP with the improved trigger and then watched the true LCP II being introduced with a hugely improved trigger, sights and lock-back on last rnd.

The way I see it, the new LCP is better indeed. Ruger listened and responded. BUT!,.... I never bought into the new ones simply because I have a reliable pocket semi and you don't know what you're going to get with a new one. Also, I never viewed the need to improve the LCP since the mission was that of a pocket "point and shoot" close distance gun.

I like the long trigger pull for the mission this gun was originally designed for. I like the low "no-sights" for the mission this gun was designed for.

I felt all alone in my like for my original LCP so I posted a thread on the Elsie Pea forum asking if anyone still carried AND liked, their original LCP and I was surprised at the responses, if anyone wants to view them.

So really, I am content to own and shoot my long, no-sight, no lock-back LCP first generation.

 

[dlay]

It is the only gun that I have that I will put in my pocket and carry for any length of time. I dont carry one very much but keep in my truck for when I go in some places that are questionable. If I felt that I had to carry everwhere that I went, I would just stay home.

 

[Engine49guy]

Had one of the early LCP's but disliked that it had no slide hold open on the last round and hated the non second strike and long trigger pull.

Dont think I would be interested in the LCP2 unless it came with a second magazine and optional flat mag base plates as it would be exclusively for pocket carry .

PS, would also like if it came with a removable metal pocket clip,
IIRC the Keltec had an aftermarket option but dont remember seeing one for the Ruger.