Hi, after I put around 200 rounds through it and oiled the lock, it is much more manageable to engage the lock. Oil it and work in the oil by moving the lock. On your other question, it the slide is NOT designed to lock back after the last round. The gun did shoot well though.
Just an update. I put through 100 rounds last night, cleaned and oiled it today and it is much easier to engage the slide lock. That or my callous has toughened up.
Just picked up a LCP 380. I noticed the slide lock is a bear to engage. With a great amount of effort and pain, I can engage it once and then my finger is to sore to do it again. Is this common and are others having the same pain with their fingers as I am having? Ouch!