Ruger says, THE RUGER® LCP® IS THE PERFECT CHOICE, LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT AND POWERFUL. Do you agree? Why? Or, why not?

[neilin]

I agree with Ruger’s statement. I have put hundreds of rounds through five of these, and I never experienced a problem. I shot round nose and flat nose factory loaded bullets, but have not fired hollow points. I do not feel hollow points are a good choice in .380 auto, for I believe they may not penetrate far enough to hit vital organs or the spine when hits are from the front of the target. All that said, the Ruger LCP, not the LCP 2 or Max, is a very reliable and controllable pistol for average and large hands. The 2 and Max, though better looking, in my experience, are not totally reliable in average size and smaller hands when shot one handed (which in reality that is probably all the hands you would have in an emergency, for instance, if you were driving and trying to ward off a car hijacker).
Larger calibers are a better choice, however, the LCP is a good choice for 15 yards or less. Its compact size makes it a great choice for deep conceal-ability; conceals as well as .25 caliber, and won’t just make whoever you shot angry. It will stop an assailant with well placed hits.

 

[farley]

I think the original LCP is by far the best looking of the group.

 

[WAYNO]

I've not ever had a lick of a problem with any LCP. Originally, my plan with the LCP is just as a reload while carrying another firearm, but there are times where the larger firearm is not feasible and the LCP becomes the only firearm on my person. It's a tiny little pistol and there's always room for it, regardless of what I am wearing.

 

[s4s4u]

If the target is close enough, perhaps. Those little semi-auto's can be a challenge to shoot accurately. Form is the first thing that will break down in stressful situation.

Far from perfect, IMO

 

[Fox Mike]

About to leave the house and here is what I am carrying. Dependable and easily carried.

 

[Dump1567]

I have one of the original older LCP's and it's ran 100% with various ammo. And it's fairly accurate with its tiny sight. I recently picked-up the LCP Max before I realized I should have bought the M&P BGII (ended-up getting one). Although there are some things I like about the Max over the BGII. For some reason, the Max shoots extremely low. I should probably send it back to Ruger but haven't spent enough time with it to diagnose the problem. So yeah, these are good little guns, but not without issues.

 

[neilin]

If the target is close enough, perhaps. Those little semi-auto's can be a challenge to shoot accurately. Form is the first thing that will break down in stressful situation.

Far from perfect, IMO

I disagree that form will break down under stress. It can automatically take over in a time of stress without any thought except that of self preservation. Of course, the more one practices the less likely of that happening.

 

[s4s4u]

Therein lies the problem. Have you shot an LCP?

 

[neilin]

As stated when I started this thread, I have shot five different LCPs with hundreds of rounds, finding them to be very accurate without any mechanical issues.

 

[Tenbore]

I just purchased one this week. I'll decide how I like it after putting a couple hundred rounds through it.

 

[s4s4u]

As stated when I started this thread, I have shot five different LCPs with hundreds of rounds, finding them to be very accurate without any mechanical issues.

Well, good for you. I never said they had "mechanical" issues, although ours was finicky as hell with handloads.

They are damn hard for average people to shoot accurately. Heck, even good shooters have a time with our little purple pistol until they slow down and concentrate. The average person on the street who may be talked into an LCP will not put in the time to be proficient with it.

Perfect? Pfft!

 

[neilin]

It is important for anyone who carries a firearm to learn how to use it first. On handloads, they must be developed, and properly loaded.

 

[hittman]

If they work for you and up to your standards, that’s all that matters.
Me?
Been there, done that. Wasn’t impressed.
Not recommended.

 

[neilin]

I agree. There are some handguns that I will not carry because they do not fit in the realm of being comfortable, for me, to shoot.

 

[s4s4u]

It is important for anyone who carries a firearm to learn how to use it first. On handloads, they must be developed, and properly loaded.

Handloads were properly developed. Didn't get reliability until I went to Bullseye powder. Titegroup loads that run in EVERY other pistol, would not function reliably in the LCP, regardless of load level. Quirky, to say the least.

People SHOULD practice. Truth is most people don't, not enough, and those people need a "better" gun. Better for them, which generally means a slightly larger gun. I like to have people shoot my LC9 after they have shot the LCP, and their hits on target improve dramatically.

Even tho that 9mm has more recoil, it is much easier to control and shoot accurately.

FACT.

 

[Armybrat]

Nothing wrong with any of mine….

 

[arfmel]

Lightweight and compact, yes, but I wouldn’t call a .380 “powerful”.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Agree. My very favorite handguns. I have both calibers, but it would be wonderful if they made them in a .22 Magnum. Most small guns can be found in that caliber and I don't understand the reticence.

 

[NikA]

As much interest as I have in pocket pistols, I don't understand why a .380 is the perfect choice for carry when equivalently size 9mm options exist.

 

[hittman]

Nika it’s probably for the recoil sensitive crowd LOL

 

[peachhead]

Agree. My very favorite handguns. I have both calibers, but it would be wonderful if they made them in a .22 Magnum. Most small guns can be found in that caliber and I don't understand the reticence.

I would be all over that.

 

[the_leper_colony]

I carry a Kel-Tec P40 that I've had for years - also had a factory .357 SIG barrel for it, until a guy on the board here talked me out of it. Figure 9mm pocket guns are intended for "the recoil sensitive crowd"...
:cool:

 

[Dump1567]

As much interest as I have in pocket pistols, I don't understand why a .380 is the perfect choice for carry when equivalently size 9mm options exist.

Because equivalent size 9mm's don't exist. The LCP and BGII are smaller than any 9mm available on the market.

 

[pyth0n]

I've had the original P38T, the first LCP, the second gen LCP, & LCP MAX.
I thought the LCP was a good copy of the P38T with a little more attention to looks.
The second Gen LCP (no dash in the s/n) had a better trigger than the first.
The LCP MAX IMO beat them all. I still have the P38T & sold the 2 LCPS in favor of the max. (I was accumulating too many .380s.)
In my experience, the MAX fits my need for deep concealment & backup duty just fine & comfortable & accurate to shoot at 15 yards, one & two handed. Strong & weak hand. Same with the P38T.
I see no disadvantage in concealment or handling with the extra width.

 

[hittman]

To each their own but I think it could be argued this size difference is negligible / minuscule.
That PPK on the bottom is old enough to draw social security now so, the mini 380s not a modern day innovation.
For many the all steel 380s have proven more reliable.

 

[Al James]

I've had half a dozen LCP's over the years. I had some early ones that got recalled, some early nickle plated ones before the SS slides came out, all have been sold to friends and family. I personally switched over to a couple of LCP SS 1st gen pistols and have been carrying the same pair around for almost a decade.

I've made some lucky shots with the little guns so they are now jokingly referred to as my squirrel guns. They have always been 100% reliable and MOS [minute of squirrel] on occasion when its all I had in my pocket. Diggers are DRT from the little Elsie Pea if I do my part! I trust them. One thing I do recommend is an at least quarterly field strip and clean. They seem to be lint magnets by design. The one pictured is fresh from pocket and looks due!

 

[neilin]

Handloads were properly developed. Didn't get reliability until I went to Bullseye powder. Titegroup loads that run in EVERY other pistol, would not function reliably in the LCP, regardless of load level. Quirky, to say the least.

People SHOULD practice. Truth is most people don't, not enough, and those people need a "better" gun. Better for them, which generally means a slightly larger gun. I like to have people shoot my LC9 after they have shot the LCP, and their hits on target improve dramatically.

Even tho the 9mm has more recoil, it is much easier to control and shoot accurately.

FACT.

I prefer Unique powder.

 

[sharpblade7777]

They definitely have a place in my carry rotation.

 

[p345Fan]

I wouldn’t trust one. If I really needed a 380 for defense, I would pick a Walther PP/PPK/PPKS. While you all claim to have had no problems, there are quite a few who have.

Or an Sig P365 in 380. I actually have one in 9mm and it is plenty small and a pussycat to shoot, even with +P ammo.

And yes both of those options are way more expensive.

 

[Jeepnik]

Honestly, I figure they are fine handguns. But not for me. I own two .380 pistols. One an AMT SA Backup. This was my bicycle gun for a couple of decades. I know it is reliable and can take a heck of a beating. The other is a Glock 42. It is a protest pistol bought because the city of Los Angeles said I couldn't have one. I live in the County of L A, not the city. And other than dad's bring backs those are the only 9mm's I've owned.

If I need a pocket sized handgun I'll go with this.

I don't know why no one is making a reasonably affordable .45 acp small semiauto.