Proud new LCP owner!

[ab4ka]

I have to admit, as I saw all of the new mini-.380's come on the market in the last couple of years, I couldn't think of anything I needed less. If I wanted something small, I dropped my S&W Airweight Bodyguard in my pocket. I never saw the need for a gun that I considered "cute".

Then, last week I was discussing a possible trade where I had been offered a small .380, and although I had no use for it, the idea was starting to intrigue me. I even looked at one (not a Ruger) at a shop and kind of liked it...the idea was starting to grow on me. I remember how nice it was to drop a nice flat little pistol (although it was a .32) that I used to have in my pocket.

So Friday my wife turns me loose at my happy place and I start admiring stuff, and I look at little pistols. I compared the LCP and the Taurus TCP. I knew from checking one out that the Taurus had a really nice trigger, and it came with two mags, but the guy at the shop recommended the Ruger. From my own past experience, I've never had a bad Ruger, while I have had a bad Taurus. The more I thought about it, I decided to pull the trigger (if you'll pardon the pun) and bought the LCP.

The really sad part was that they didn't have any ammo. So, I went back to our hotel room (we were staying out of town) and fondled it, read about it, became acutely familiar with it, and couldn't wait to shoot it.

On our way home I stopped in a gunshop I knew and bought 100rds of fmj and a box of Gold Dots and new happy days were here again!

Today I took it out, and it didn't let me down. I shot all of the fmj and 13 of the Gold Dots with nary a malfuntion of any type. I was quite impressed with the accuracy of the little gun (in spite of the sights) and recoil was nothing like what I expected (it was minimal).

All in all, I'm tickled with my choice and this little honey will be doing lots of traveling with me when I can't carry my "big" gun (or it may just start going along for the ride anyway) :D

 

[rugerfan100]

Nice..good luck with it.

 

[JimEG]

Congratulations on your new acquisition. It is amazing how you can talk yourself into something like a new, different type of gun.
My brother in law is a police officer who has had a Kahr 9mm as a back up and off duty carry gun for quite awhile. He always said that .380s did not have enough stopping power. Well, we went to the range about three weeks ago, and he pulled an LCP out of his back pocket. :shock: He said that he had just gotten it, and that he loved it. After shooting a couple of magazines through it, I love it too!!! :D It does have a long trigger pull, but for a pocket gun, I see that as a positive thing. And the thing shoots way more accurately than I imagined that it would, and with surprisingly light recoil. He has some sort of "wallet" holster that it fits into. When he slips it into his pocket, it disappears. Now I'm trying to talk myself into buying one.
Good luck with yours, I hope that you will enjoy it as much as my b-i-l does.
Jim

 

[owsi26]

I already had a Colt Mustang Pony .380 and it saw a lot of use on my left ankle, etc. So, why buy another? The LCP got very good test reports in my gun magazines. But, the shape looked like great art to me.

I had to get one! There is one thing that will bring your LCP up to super star status: a Crimson Trace laser designed just for the LCP. It looks like a part of the pistol.

My reasoning was that I'm dealing with a less powerful caliber, than normal. Plus, it is likely that the LCP will be my back up pistol. So, if I'm using it, then my life will depend on accuracy. A laser is a great tool, especially in such a situation.

 

[WAYNO]

The Ruger LCP, and other little guns...Or, proof that old snobs can be taught new tricks.:roll:

There was a time, and this forum would often agree, that these little pocket autos were pretty worthless. The cartridges that these little guns shot, were also considered pretty worthless.

When Ruger announced the LCP, I was visibly disappointed.

Then, and I don't know why, I got to thinking that this little gun could satisfy a niche. A gun to have with you when you truly could have no other gun. As a motorcycle rider, when my primary gun is well-buried by layers of clothing and leather, the LCP easily fits in any pocket closer to the surface. This LCP is almost never my primary carry piece, but it is the gun that is with me all the time. As a back-up, it is so tiny and light that when I do my laundry, I have to double check to make sure it's not in my shirt pocket.

This gun has never failed, in any way, and as has been said, it is surprisingly accurate, considering the sights, and its intended purpose.

As far as the .380 cartridge goes? I know it's way down on the food chain, but I've shot enough things with this, and even smaller cartridges, to know that I would never want to get shot by it. For its intended purpose, and knowing its limitations, I think the .380 has been recently recognized for its value, even by very experienced shooters, more than any time in its history.

WAYNO.

 

[leejack]

Congrats! Cool gun.

Lee

 

[ab4ka]

I've decided that I simply must have a CT laser for it. Looks like I gotta get in some overtime :D

 

[revhigh]

As far as the .380 cartridge goes? I know it's way down on the food chain, but I've shot enough things with this, and even smaller cartridges, to know that I would never want to get shot by it. For its intended purpose, and knowing its limitations, I think the .380 has been recently recognized for its value, even by very experienced shooters, more than any time in its history.

Truer words were never spoken WAYNO, My P3AT IS my primary carry piece, unless I'm wearing clothes where I can carry my G26. Even then, most times I just throw the little KT in my pocket.

I also agree about the 380 ... if you think the 380 is a wimpy cartridge, stand there and let me shoot you with it ... you can even wear a vest. Then we'll talk. :D

REV

 

[AZBru88]

I love mine, goes into my holster and into my front pocket when I wake up in the morning. Then back on the night stand at night. Very easy to carry, like the others have said you almost forget its there. It is my back up gun, behind my G17 and G26. But nice to have! Only one FTF with corbons, with in the first 30 or so rounds. But not a bobble since!
First thing I did was order crimson trace for mine. Very fast to point and shoot. Also added a drop of orange day glow on top of the front sight. That helped a bunch too. (old eye's)
Enjoy the gun....Bru

 

[Heliman]

Sometimes I carry my Kimber Compact 45, or one of my Speed Sixes, or Hi Power, or S&W 4516, BUT......I ALWAYS carry the little LCP. Those other guns are no good if you leave 'um at home.

 

[Baldy]

If I got pants on my KT-3AT is in my pocket. I got it about 4yrs ago and it goes everywhere with me.

 

[Cholo]

ab4ka, good call with the LCP. I owned one for over 2 years till I recently started shooting it. More pleasant to shoot than my standby all steel NAA. It's my everywhere gun.

JimEG, what did your buddy's wallet hoster for the LCP look like? I hope it didn't look like this one:

 

[Pinecone]

A lot of you "younger" phenoms think the .380 is relatively new because of all the "new" pocket wonders out today. John Browning invented this cartridge in "1908" for "his" Colt pocket auto and there have been well over 300 handguns made by various countries and manufacturers in this caliber! Years ago I owned a Browning .380 and found it to be a great gun for young shooters to learn on and a nice medium "between" the .22 rimfire and the .38 Special for stepping up in learning good handgun "control". It has also been used by many foreign police forces over the years and I'm sure many a "bad" guy has been brought down by this "puny" cartridge!................................Dick :wink:

 

[Yosemite Sam]

A lot of you "younger" phenoms think the .380 is relatively new because of all the "new" pocket wonders out today. John Browning invented this cartridge in "1908" for "his" Colt pocket auto and there have been well over 300 handguns made by various countries and manufacturers in this caliber! Years ago I owned a Browning .380 and found it to be a great gun for young shooters to learn on and a nice medium "between" the .22 rimfire and the .38 Special for stepping up in learning good handgun "control". It has also been used by many foreign police forces over the years and I'm sure many a "bad" guy has been brought down by this "puny" cartridge!................................Dick :wink:

Dick, keep in mind that Browning probably had an unlocking action and weighed a bit by today's poly gun standards. I find a .380 in one of these plastic pocket rockets to have much more recoil than a good old .38 Special revolver. And oddly enough, my Sig P232 has as much or more recoil than my LCP despite being bigger and heavier, due to the blowback action of the former vs. the locked breach action of the latter.

But other than that, I agree 100%. The "puny" .380 has been stopping bad guys for a while. Lots of folks are caught up in a never ending quest for "high horsepower" ("there's no replacement for displacement"), but they're not making people any tougher than they were 100 years ago.

And no, before anyone says it, I'm not particularly worried about some new-age master criminal warrior showing up in my particular part of the world wearing body armor.

-- Sam

 

[lilguy]

What does everyone think of the Crimson Trace on the LCP and what are folks paying for it ?

 

[ab4ka]

What does everyone think of the Crimson Trace on the LCP and what are folks paying for it ?

I'm planning to own one pretty soon :D

 

[revhigh]

ab4ka, good call with the LCP. I owned one for over 2 years till I recently started shooting it. More pleasant to shoot than my standby all steel NAA. It's my everywhere gun.

JimEG, what did your buddy's wallet hoster for the LCP look like? I hope it didn't look like this one:

Stupidest holster I ever saw ...

REV

 

[rlk]

What does everyone think of the Crimson Trace on the LCP and what are folks paying for it ?

I like mine. Got it here: http://www.trophystactical.com/catalog/ ... 627568.htm

No sales tax and no shipping. Can't beat that deal.

Bob

 

[ab4ka]

that's the best deal I've seen!

 

[rlk]

The installation is really simple as well. The laser snaps onto the trigger guard and is held in place by 2 screws. No drilling or disassembly of the LCP is required.

The laser is powered by 2 common watch batteries which are supposed to last for 40 hours use. Have not had mine long enough to know how long they will last.

Bob

 

[Stallard]

Only had my crimson trace equipped LCP a few weeks but after sighting it in and shooting another 200+ rounds it was still perfectly sighted. My LGS had them for $169.00

I have been using their lasers since 94', have never had one fail on me and the batteries last for years. They do not drift and the only time I had to deal with their customer service (the inner panels were missing on a 1911 set) they shipped that day and even sent some more decals and batteries.

Stallard

 

[toysoldier]

I can't say enough good things about my LCP or the Crimson Trace laser it crries. The DVD that came with it is excellent, and points out how important a laser sight can be in a self-defense situation. I believe the significant points are:
1) shot placement is critical with the .380.
2) the sights are NOT prominent.
3) you may be in a situation where getting a good sight picture is impossible.
4) it's very comforting to know that the bullet will hit right where the dot is.
Additionally, the laser sight is a great training tool for learning grip and trigger pull.

I prefer to carry mine in a hip-pocket holster of my own making. I'd post a picture, but I'm computer-challenged, and it isn't pretty, just functional. I fashioned a wooden dummy gun so that I could wet-form the leather around it.