LCP Max Durability??

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bosco

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So, I picked up my LCP Max many months ago, and it has proven to be absolutely flawless over several range visits. I'm also quite shocked at what a good shooter this micro is compared to competitors' models. I have upgraded it with a stiffer recoil spring, a SS recoil spring guide, locking takedown pin, and the Galloway Sigurd trigger.

My quandary is that I really, really want to like this little gun, but I get a nagging feeling that it may not be a really durable sidearm over the long haul. Part of this is my experience with previous LCP models, and part if it is that this little thing just feels like a toy.

Bear in mind that I do NOT treat this as a range gun...I will put a few magazines through it every few months just to maintain my familiarity, but I mostly use my more robust semis and revolvers for extended range days.

That said, does anyone know of LCP Max owners who have put thousands of rounds through them with no issues?
 

hittman

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Welcome to the forum. (y)

If you use the "Search" feature at the top right you'll probably come up with lots of LCP MAX threads. I don't have experience with them but am sure others do.

Oh, and if you look at the bottom of this page you'll see "Similar Threads" that may help too.
 

bosco

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Thanks much! I did check that search function, but couldn't find anything addressing my specific question.
 

buckaroo

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My quandary is that I really, really want to like this little gun, but I get a nagging feeling that it may not be a really durable sidearm over the long haul. That said, does anyone know of LCP Max owners who have put thousands of rounds through them with no issues?

No prolong +P and a couple mags at the range a few times a year and you should be just fine. Pocket guns are generally considered 'carry often shoot little'. If it breaks down on you call Ruger they'll take care of you but get all that crap you installed off of it and put it back to original or they may deny your claim.

You'll be ok bosco.
 

whittsailor

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It's only been out since July 2021 so I can't imagine anyone putting thousands of rounds through their Max at this point. Though, like Buckeroo stated: If it breaks, Ruger will fix it.

Mine's a keeper. I'm trying to shoot about a box through it every range visit.
 

KIR

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When the LCP first came out, I read that it was not something that will hold up over time like a good steel made pistol. It was not made to taking out to the range on a consistent basis, but to use (if you are O.K. with .380 acp) on someone who is not expecting to be on the wrong side of a pistol. SURPRISE! Just make sure you keep it clean with just a dab of lubricant, ready to use. That goes for all firearms.
 

bosco

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So, ironically, I seem to have answered my own question...or, at least, my Max did. :cry:

Took it to the range to put a few rounds through it, and ended up with frequent FTF failures. Also, for no apparent reason, it is now dropping mags while shooting with some frequency. This, unfortunately, bears a striking resemblance to what I went through with both of my LCP IIs.

I'm extremely disappointed....I had high hopes for this pistol, in spite of my prior experience with the LCP family.
 

beentheredone

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I'm sure Ruger could build an LCP that would perform flawlessly for a quarter-million rounds -- but nobody would want to pay for it. Hey, life is full of compromise. If you want a tiny, light, inexpensive gun you're going to have to accept greater recoil than with a heavier gun, and a shorter lifespan than an all-steel, built-like-a-truck gun.

Pay your money, take your choice...
 

bosco

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So the Max operated fine up until you replaced parts? Have you tried going back with the original recoil spring and rod to see if it solves the failure to feeds?
I went over some of the contemporaneous posts I made elsewhere after I had bought the pistol and when I was first getting it out to the range, and the Max was NEVER stock when I shot it. I put in the beefier takedown pin, SS guide rod, and heavier recoil spring before I ever shot it. And I had a couple hundred rounds through it--at least--before I put the Sigurd trigger in it. So essentially it had several hundred flawless rounds through it with no issues, and now it has one failure after another.
 

bosco

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I'm sure Ruger could build an LCP that would perform flawlessly for a quarter-million rounds -- but nobody would want to pay for it. Hey, life is full of compromise. If you want a tiny, light, inexpensive gun you're going to have to accept greater recoil than with a heavier gun, and a shorter lifespan than an all-steel, built-like-a-truck gun.

Pay your money, take your choice...
This strikes me as a false dichotomy. Because there are plenty of lightweight, cheap, polymer pistols that remain trouble-free for thousands of rounds. My Glock 42 easily has 1K rounds through it without a hiccup, as a quick example. Same with my KelTec P32 and my Beretta Pico. And head over to kahrtalk and talk to the guys who own polymer Kahrs with thousands of failure-free rounds through them.

But you are right about "pay your money, take your chances." Because I should have learned my lesson with my first (two) LCPs...Ruger won't be getting my money again, regardless how enticing their next polymer model may be.
 
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whittsailor

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I went over some of the contemporaneous posts I made elsewhere after I had bought the pistol and when I was first getting it out to the range, and the Max was NEVER stock when I shot it. I put in the beefier takedown pin, SS guide rod, and heavier recoil spring before I ever shot it. And I had a couple hundred rounds through it--at least--before I put the Sigurd trigger in it. So essentially it had several hundred flawless rounds through it with no issues, and now it has one failure after another.
Gotcha. I was just thinking out loud and hope you get it fixed.
 

hittman

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Well said Bosco. That was my experience too.
I traded TWO LC9s plus $100 for a new in box G43. And was happy to do it.
Shot 800 trouble free rounds through it the following week.
Shed my 2 LCPs too.
Yep, I was a slow learner.
 

Billy1953

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Thank you bosco, and everyone commenting on the Ruger Max 9. I have been seriously considering purchasing one. Your experiences are helpful for my decision-making.
 
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