Ruger LC380
- Thread starter Jamers99
- Start date
wildwillyLC9
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 43
I got it too...and that is my question...If we can swap between the 9 and.380. that would be cool. Need new mags as well
wildwillyLC9
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 43
http://www.ruger.com/products/lc380/index.html
Link for those interested.
Link for those interested.
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
Browsing other forums it seems a lot of people are asking why? If you are going to carry a gun this size why not go for 9mm with better stopping power? I have an LC9 and an LCP and I don't think I will buy the LC380.
But the LC380 wasn't made for me. 380's in this size from other mfrs are selling well and Ruger is aiming to get some of that market. I'm sure Ruger doesn't create new models on an impulse - they do a thorough market analysis and must have concluded that this will make money for them. Many find the LCP and the LC9 too snappy, the slide too stiff and the grip on the LCP too small. I can shoot either one all day without feeling beat up but like a lot of people here, I shoot a lot. But discomfort from recoil is very subjective and some people with big hands find the LCP hard to hold.
My guess is, once the current feeding frenzy for firearms subsides and the LC380 is no longer a novelty, it will be quite a bit cheaper than its competitors, as well as slimmer and rounder.
But the LC380 wasn't made for me. 380's in this size from other mfrs are selling well and Ruger is aiming to get some of that market. I'm sure Ruger doesn't create new models on an impulse - they do a thorough market analysis and must have concluded that this will make money for them. Many find the LCP and the LC9 too snappy, the slide too stiff and the grip on the LCP too small. I can shoot either one all day without feeling beat up but like a lot of people here, I shoot a lot. But discomfort from recoil is very subjective and some people with big hands find the LCP hard to hold.
My guess is, once the current feeding frenzy for firearms subsides and the LC380 is no longer a novelty, it will be quite a bit cheaper than its competitors, as well as slimmer and rounder.
wildwillyLC9
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 43
Damn ammo is so expensive for that little sucker.......
My speculation? LCP recoil is pretty stout for the new shooter (eg. my wife!) and the LC9 platform gives just enough more grip length to be more attractive to that market. I know my LCP is less comfortable to shoot than the LC9 - I've shot both.
Scott said:
I completely agree with this. I bought an LCP for myself last year. I was planning on buying a 2nd one for my wife, but wanted her to get some shooting in with one first. She deer-rifle hunts and shoots with me 4-5 times a year. She struggled with operating the slide, and the combination of long trigger pull and small frame made it really difficult for her to control her shots. She shot well when taking time and really concentrating, but when trying to pull out of her purse(just trying to mimic a real situation) she didn't do well.
This .380 gives you an extra round, some extra weight, little bigger grip area, should be able to operate the slide easier, and should give even less recoil then the nine, with the lighter .380 bullet weights and loads. I like the idea a lot and most likely will be buying one for my wife.
Jon
I talked to the guy at my local gun shop and he felt strongly that going down to a 380 from a 9mm would be a mistake. The 380 just doesn't have near the penetrating and stopping power of the 9mm according to him. If the size of the gun is the same then stick witht he 9mm he said. I'm still on the fence with this one.
wildwillyLC9
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 43
When I got my LC9, I actually went to get the LCP. I was talked out of the LCP buy the fellow I was with and the salesman for those very reasons^. I do with I had the LCp for summer carry...the 9 is just too heavy for shorts with keys, money clip and phone.
Jamers99 said:
Where would there be any advantage in buying a 380 barrel [plus other necessities] for a 9MM? Less punch and more expensive ammo .... not to even mention the expense of the conversion. You would be spending all that extra money to get less performance all the way around while still keeping the same additional size and weight. There are times the smaller size and weight are an advantage.
I have the LCP and the LC9 and I realize the problems the small grip creates. But I still want the LCP just the way it is because when everything else is too big to conceal [due to specific conditions at specific times] I still have the sweet pea. The money invested in the barrel and whatever could buy some good 9MM ammo ... or get you started in reloading hardware which would mean additional savings.
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
IMO stopping power is overrated in assessing handguns for SD. It is just as important or more to a. have the gun with you when you really need it b. be able to hit with it when you really need to. If it's too bulky and heavy to carry conveniently it might get left at home from to time. If you don't like to shoot it you likely won't develop the kind of muscle memory you will need in a real fight. Likewise if you like the way the gun looks and feels you will want to spend time with it.
While 9mm would be better, .380acp is an effective round for civilian SD and if other factors favor that caliber, it's not a bad choice. Most civilians, and especially women are confronted by a BG looking for an easy target.
These stats show it to be almost as effective as 9mm & .38Sp
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/handgun-stopping-power
While 9mm would be better, .380acp is an effective round for civilian SD and if other factors favor that caliber, it's not a bad choice. Most civilians, and especially women are confronted by a BG looking for an easy target.
These stats show it to be almost as effective as 9mm & .38Sp
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/handgun-stopping-power
TScottW99
Bearcat
I was one of the guys saying why. Until my wife found out about it. Guess we will be buying one. She loves my LC9 but hates the recoil. This is will be much better IMO then the Bersa 380 she uses now.
Arky
Single-Sixer
why the 380 on the LC9 platform? The Ruger ad I read said they use a weaker spring and it is much easier for Women to operate the slide. This is a big point and a great idea. Also being slightly larger than most 380's makes it easier to grip and rack. My wife and daughters have trouble with semi's and my Wife would rather carry one but carries a revolver for that reason.
sheriff54
Bearcat
if I lay the ppk/s next to the lc9, they are almost the same size. so if I wanted a lc9 in 380, I already have one. also, if I bought the change over kit (barrel, mag, springs) I could convert the lc9 to 380. OK, so what?? If I have an injury... and I am getting older, hard not to... I may need the lighter recoil, easier operating action. If I think in only now terms, I don't have a need. If I think of things in "the otherwise", there are answers where I may not know the questions.
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
In other words you don't have nearly enough guns! :)
I was surprised at how mild the recoil felt on the LC9. It's nothing like shooting my j Frame Airweight. I have to load castrated rounds ( .38Sp -peepee ) if I want to do any real practice with it.
I wonder how many parts are interchangeable between the LC9 and the LC380?
Here is one reason you may want to be able to exchange barrels/mags...Ammunition availability. Right now I see some 380 around, but almost no 9mm. I think have 380 rounds in my converted LC9 would be better than just throwing the gun at a BG because I can't find the ammo.
I've read all the complaining about "why did Ruger come out with this gun or that gun?" and the truth is that Ruger knows exactly what they're doing. They're making a ton of money producing firearms that people want.
Perhaps "we" the enthusiasts don't want it, but Ruger knows what people want. I shot the LC380 at the SHOW Show range and it was a pleasure to fire. Very easy to retract the slide. Much easier to aim and shoot than the LCP (which I carried for 2 years). Much less recoil than the LC9, but with the better sights of the LC9. Ruger is going to sell a ton of these.
Many thought the SR556 was a huge mistake (who needs another AR-15?). As was the SR1911 (who needs another 1911 .45?), As was the LCR (who needs another snubnose .38?)
Ruger can't make them all fast enough. Good for Ruger! They are going to dominate the market in another 5-7 years. As new versions of each of these guns has come out (several versions of the SR-556, another Commander sized SR1911, the .357, .22lr, and .22 magnum LCRs, and the LC380 based on the LC9), Ruger has continued to outsell their production abilities.
GO Ruger!!!!
Perhaps "we" the enthusiasts don't want it, but Ruger knows what people want. I shot the LC380 at the SHOW Show range and it was a pleasure to fire. Very easy to retract the slide. Much easier to aim and shoot than the LCP (which I carried for 2 years). Much less recoil than the LC9, but with the better sights of the LC9. Ruger is going to sell a ton of these.
Many thought the SR556 was a huge mistake (who needs another AR-15?). As was the SR1911 (who needs another 1911 .45?), As was the LCR (who needs another snubnose .38?)
Ruger can't make them all fast enough. Good for Ruger! They are going to dominate the market in another 5-7 years. As new versions of each of these guns has come out (several versions of the SR-556, another Commander sized SR1911, the .357, .22lr, and .22 magnum LCRs, and the LC380 based on the LC9), Ruger has continued to outsell their production abilities.
GO Ruger!!!!
MJC
Bearcat
Jamers99 said:
I have been looking and it seems that everyone in my area is sold out of... well... everything. A few of them still have one or two LCPs available, but of the 12 places I called yesterday, not one of them had an LC9 available and they were not sure when they would get more in.
I too wonder if they will have the LC389 Barrel available for the LC9.
Vespasian
Bearcat
Jamers99 said:
Once again, a guy at a gun shop proves that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. There is no-- I repeat, no-- scientific evidence that one handgun caliber is a better stopper than another. One of the good things about the LC380 is that because it's the normal size for the caliber, it's more likely than the LC9 and LCP to be reliable out of the box. The LC380 would be my choice of the three.
Tom
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
Yep, the guys behind the counters at the gun stores know everything, mostly from reading magazines and listening to the other guys who know everything. Every time I go in, I get advice which I didn't ask for and don't need. I ignore them and buy what I came in for.
What stats there are show the .380 to be an effective SD round. If that's what you like to shoot, you will become more proficient with it than some other caliber which you don't enjoy. Proficiency counts for more than small differences between calibers IMO.
What stats there are show the .380 to be an effective SD round. If that's what you like to shoot, you will become more proficient with it than some other caliber which you don't enjoy. Proficiency counts for more than small differences between calibers IMO.
Vespasian
Bearcat
Of the many dozens of handguns I've shot of nearly every caliber, I shoot the Beretta 81 series the best. That's why my daily carry gun is my Beretta 85, backed up by my S&W 642 Airweight. My Beretta 85 is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense, and my 642 is loaded with Golden Saber 125 gr. +P. I can't imagine a better self-defense combination.
Tom
Tom
wildwillyLC9
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 43
Cubby said:
x100!!! :?:
That was the main reason I went with the 9mm. Much cheaper to shoot.
Vespasian
Bearcat
Cubby said:
I'm a clay shooter, and I'm still scratching my head about the price of 28 ga. and .410 ammo: They're much more expensive than 12 and 20 ga., yet use less of every component.
I like 9mm, but I don't trust the subcompact guns. If I were to carry 9mm, it would be in a Glock 19 or Beretta 92.
Tom
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
Yeah 9mm is much cheaper. There's so much of it made. I reload .380 otherwise I don't think I would have bought an LCP
New to Ruger forums. so hi everyone. My wife just bought an lc380 and loves everything about it. its super easy to rack and it does not recoil too much.
but on topic of lc9/380 conversion, I wonder what parts would need to be replaced to convert her 380 to a 9mm that I can carry when I decide to go for a jog or something to that effect for the additional stopping power and of course the fact that 9mm is very easy to find around here.
I couldn't find any sort of "kit" perse' to do the conversion but if someone could shed some light I would be thankful.
if im not mistaken I would need the barrel, extractor spring, and mag at least.
thanks all and keep up the good work Ruger
but on topic of lc9/380 conversion, I wonder what parts would need to be replaced to convert her 380 to a 9mm that I can carry when I decide to go for a jog or something to that effect for the additional stopping power and of course the fact that 9mm is very easy to find around here.
I couldn't find any sort of "kit" perse' to do the conversion but if someone could shed some light I would be thankful.
if im not mistaken I would need the barrel, extractor spring, and mag at least.
thanks all and keep up the good work Ruger
meshugunner
Single-Sixer
It's a cool idea, but is it a practical option? It sounds like a bit of a hassle to convert just to go out and jog and including the barrel you may spend $100 or more.
The LC9 is not an expensive gun. Ruger has just launched an improved version so you might find one of the older models for a good price.
Just a thought. I know, I hate it when I'm just asking how to do something and people tell me I shouldn't be doing it at all. :)
The LC9 is not an expensive gun. Ruger has just launched an improved version so you might find one of the older models for a good price.
Just a thought. I know, I hate it when I'm just asking how to do something and people tell me I shouldn't be doing it at all. :)
groberts
Single-Sixer
We've been through all that and the short answer is no. The longer answer is that while there are only a few differences between the LC380 and LC9 the major differences, barrel and spring, are factory install only. The apparent logic behind it may be due to liability or serial number tracking. If you want an LC9 just buy one.
From a personal note, at self defense distances a 380 to the head does just as much damage as a 9 and reduces the blood spatter. :D
From a personal note, at self defense distances a 380 to the head does just as much damage as a 9 and reduces the blood spatter. :D
