Range Time With My Old LCP

[Fastbolt]

Thank you FastBolt. You are making the case that there is no real phenomenon, or perhaps more correctly, even if it does exist, it is wayyyy down the list of important things needed to get the job done. Yes, I see it is no biggie. Don't overthink it. Got it, thanks!

For the sake of argument, taken as a given purely for theoretical purposes,
say that there is a real phenomenon, how would one even account for it?

Barrel harmonics is a real thing in precision long range riflery. And it is obvious that very small deviations show up as a failure or a miss in the field, but I cannot wrap my head around applying that concept to a 2.75" barrel versus a 4.25" barrel at a range of 15 yards. On the other hand, I know that in musical instruments the tiniest adjustment can make all the difference because there are so many delicately interdependent parts.

When Paul Harrell was shooting the LCP, his groups were adequate but not impressive. "That is about the best I can ever do with these tiny pistols," he said. Perhaps 18DAI was surprised that his scores/groups were just as good with the little Chief as his other guns, not actually better. HR Funk was undeniably better with his CS9 but credited his long experience with that particular gun. "I have always shot this gun really well," he said.

Kind Regards!
BrianD

Trying to conflate such things with different situations and equipment can take you down an unending series of rabbit holes.

Want to think about something odd? The barrel twist of a pistol barrel and how the barrel itself is affected by the passage of a bullet through the bore. The bullet turns within the barrel (rifling), but the barrel also turns around the bullet, to some degree.

I was told this by someone at S&W, during a call I'd made as an armorer, and the tech had some time to chew the fat about related issues. He explained that the barrel 'twisting', caused by the bullet acting upon the rifling, resulted in one side of the barrel chamber shoulders hitting down against the top of the frame harder than on the other. This was usually something that might be seen (if anyone noticed it at all) in some aluminum frames, meaning the markings caused by the chamber shoulders dropping against the top of the frame.

Naturally, whether it was a RH or LH twist would make a difference on which side of the barrel shoulders dropped harder.

 

[Old cop]

Sorry - a wee bit off topic - did you have any reliability problems with the LCP Max? I’ve been almost exclusively carrying my LCP2 this year but the Max looks tempting. I’ve had zero issues with the LCP2. Ref ranges - I sure miss Elite SS although I assume you can shoot there as a Retired LEO …

Zero problems w/the MAX but I sold it to a friend b/c it seldom was carried. My “old” LCP is always in my pocket. I’m a bit lazy & favor the original b/c it’s smaller & lighter.

 

[Fastbolt]

... My “old” LCP is always in my pocket. I’m a bit lazy & favor the original b/c it’s smaller & lighter.

When it comes right down to it, presuming you can make the desired hits, and do so under some awkward and demanding conditions ... this is really what it's all about.

 

[Fastbolt]

There's another well-worn saying, which is you fight with what you have, not with what you want.

What if what you want becomes a bit cumbersome to carry concealed over time, and the ability to lawfully carry a concealed handgun starts to pall, or interfere more than you might wish regarding other activities in your daily life? It often results in the CCW weapon being left behind.

I saw this happen with more cops than I expected (as a young cop who was a gun enthusiast ). After a long day/night carrying a belt gun on a gun belt, the last thing a lot of cops wanted was to carry a gun on their own time. Dunno what the stats are nowadays, but as recently as 2012 I was hearing (in LEOKA and officer survival classes) that only as much as 20% of active cops said they carried off-duty. Sure, that might vary by geography of the LE and agencies being polled, and their experience, etc.

In one of the officer safety classes I attended, when the cops were asked for a show of hands of those who carried off-duty, it was more than half, but you might expect that when considering the nature of the class topic. It was almost the same in another officer safety class I attended a little earlier, but again, this was a class where people wanted to be there, so there was probably an interest at work regarding what comprised 'officer safety' while off-duty.

Now, when you consider that off-duty and honorably retired peace officers generally aren't subject to many of the same restrictions as CCW licensees (at least here in CA), you'd think it being easier for them to choose to be armed on their own time would mean they'd exercise that privilege more often right?

Don't get me wrong, as I'm not a proponent of making people carry weapons on their own time if they don't wish to do so. It's just as much a personal freedom to choose not to do so, as it is to be able to choose to do so, and I'm all about someone exercising their personal freedoms.

 

[NCBeagle]

We like the LCP in this house. It has proven reliable and convenient. I am convinced that .380 is sufficient, in many circumstances.

My wife's original (old school) LCP on the left. Bought her a replacement last week (middle). She still carries the old one. I have an LCP II (right). For me, LCP is not a daily carry. Occasional, but J frame snub or third gen pistol most of the time. The little LCP has its place.

 

[max503]

I could see getting one of those older LCP's. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

 

[Muddyboot]

I started with the LCP, purchased the LCP II which has a better trigger in my opinion. The Max almost looks too big for pocket carry which is my preference.

I'm very happy with the LCP II and have no plans to change my pocket carry unless something much better comes along. I have a SIG P-365 for belt carry if I want something with more power than the .380 round.

 

[garddogg56]

LCP it is a great pocket carry mine is a Generation II not a LCP2 carried for years till a 2015 BG .380 took over then this year a Sig P365 upped the game with higher capacity with more punch and is my EDC.

 

[JMD999]

Just curious, which one do you like better? I had the MAX but found myself carrying the original as an EDC.

I agree, i have a LCPII, nice trigger but not for my pocket! I'm a hammerless 38 guy (usually 2). Amazing reliability! I'm not a "first responder" my use is personal protection up close.
(i would feel better with the LCP DAO long trigger pull)
Smiles, Mike