Ruger .380 LCP

[steve1 5]

I learn from you guys about pistols. A friend of mine bought one of these for his wife. He liked it so well, that I figured I'd buy one too. Most all the reviews on them were positive, that I looked at.

It's very easy to conceal. It feels like a wallet in your back pocket. My Glock was kind of on the fat side. I figure a gun won't do you much good if it's left at home when you need it.

I haven't shot a lot of really small pistols. Most are very inaccurate and kick too much. I know a .380 is a puny cartridge, but it would be a lot better than nothing.

The sights are very small, but I was impressed with how accurate it was. The recoil wasn't bad at all....I kind of wished I had this pistol in 9mm. The wife even enjoyed shooting it.

I loaded it up with some cheap FMJ Winchester ammo. Everything was going great....and then it jammed. The case was stuck in the chamber. Finally the ejector grabbed on and pulled it out of the chamber.

A few clips later, I let the wife shoot it. She pulled the slide back....but it wouldn't fire. Upon inspection I found the slide was not fully locked forward. I wonder if she only partially pulled the slide back before letting it go.

So, just when I was starting to really love this little pistol, I'm still wondering about how reliable it is. I thought I'd try some different ammo. I'm wondering if some autos take a while to break in.

What do you think of this gun?

[AggieDave 6]

I've heard nothing but positive reviews on the LCP.

A fail to extract or a stove pipe happens and it can/will happen to any automatic. That is why you practice your drills, tap, rack, squeeze.

When a weapon fails to go into battery and it is something that is atypical for the weapon and it is an inexperienced shooter, I've found that 98% of the time the person rode the slide forward. When that happens there isn't enough force from the recoil spring to ramp up the round out of the magazine and secure it in the chamber.

Pull the slide all the way back and let go. Let the recoil spring do it's job as well as it can.

After a few hundred rounds if you still have problems it could be ammo choice or something needs to be polished or modified with the pistol. It happens. I have a 1911 that I had to polish out the ramp and even then flat nosed rounds don't load for crap (even though heavy defense loads do with no problem).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

A few clips later

Side note:

It is a magazine. A magazine is not a clip. A clip is not a magazine. Different weapons take a clip than weapons that take a magazine. Those terms can not be used interchangeably.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[RonD1120 58]

AggieDave, post #2, has what I believe is the correct analysis.

I have a Ruger LC-9, similar frame and design. My owner's manual states that when loading a round, pull the slide back and let it go.

My only problem with the LC-9 is the long trigger pull for the double action. The pistol is accurate.

Practice is the key. If you practice enough you can be deadly with a slingshot.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[Skyrad 0]

Quote

I know a .380 is a puny cartridge, but it would be a lot better than nothing.

Shot placement is everything. As for the pistol, the double action makes it a good choice for a concealed carry weapon but makes the trigger a little heavier. Better that than for example the baby Browning which a friend accidentally knocked and shot himself with. As Ron said, practise with your weapon. I'd add to that practice, practice and practice some more. That way you won't feel awkward using it or accidentally get your thumb in the way of your trigger finger (not uncommon on such small pistols).
You might want to consider loading Hornady Critical Defence .380 90 gr FTX, low recoil and good expansion.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[DougH 270]

It is an overpriced KelTec rip off. LCP = Little Copy Pistol.

I like my KelTec PF-9, 7+1 147g 9mm in a amazingly small package. Small enough to pocket carry.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[Skyrad 0]

Have you fired it much, I hear they often have a problem with failure to eject and have questionable build quality.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[FreeFallFiend 0]

Quote

It is an overpriced KelTec rip off. LCP = Little Copy Pistol.

I like my KelTec PF-9, 7+1 147g 9mm in a amazingly small package. Small enough to pocket carry.

You are the first person I have ever met that would trust their life with a KelTec. There is a reason you can pick one up for $150.

Pretty much since the day it came out the LCP has been praised as one of if not the best weapon for ccw.

I like the LCP a lot and will probably pick up one soon. I was looking at the LC9 pretty hard but didnt care for the long trigger pull. I currently have Ruger's SR40c which i am in love with. It's actually very easy to conceal for a .40 but it's still just a tad big to comfortably conceal when dressed for work.

Fiend

I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark. - Thomas Hobbes.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Quote

It is an overpriced KelTec rip off. LCP = Little Copy Pistol.

I like my KelTec PF-9, 7+1 147g 9mm in a amazingly small package. Small enough to pocket carry.

You are the first person I have ever met that would trust their life with a KelTec. There is a reason you can pick one up for $150.

Pretty much since the day it came out the LCP has been praised as one of if not the best weapon for ccw.

I like the LCP a lot and will probably pick up one soon. I was looking at the LC9 pretty hard but didnt care for the long trigger pull. I currently have Ruger's SR40c which i am in love with. It's actually very easy to conceal for a .40 but it's still just a tad big to comfortably conceal when dressed for work.

I have a Keltec .380 and I like it. It is exactly what you get for $200 or less. I call it my "going to the gym" gun since it clips well inside my gym shorts. Still a cheapo gun, though.

My personal favorite is my trusty old Kimber, but the Glocks I've had run really well with just about zero worry. I think my next "little" gun will be a Sig P238.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[RonD1120 58]

Quote

Have you fired it much, I hear they often have a problem with failure to eject and have questionable build quality.

I received the same feedback from a firearms/CWFL instructor and my PGR buddy.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[councilman24 36]

My keltec has never had any issue going bang. I can't think of one failure. There may have been a couple but if there were they were during break in.

Not sure the LCP has been out long enough to have anything but raves from gun writers. When was the last time they panned anything? I have several rugers but none of their newer stuff. So I have no opinion of the LCP. Of course just turned my Mini-14 into a "Michigan pistol". Under Michigan's definitions I can now carry it concealed. Now all I need is a holster.

My 'good' carry pistols are Kahr P9 and PM9. After the break in of 200 rounds they also have worked flawlessly. They had early raves too. But nobody writes about the older stuff.

Of course you can call any polymer framed pistol a rip off of a Glock. Still my favorite but thicker than I want to carry usually.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

But nobody writes about the older stuff.

Funny, I see articles and reviews about the 1911 all the time and that one came out "while" back.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[councilman24 36]

Yeah, but they have to write about the latest guy to try to make it better (more expensive). New company, new ad buyer, new article. Frankly I'm tired of the latest trigger job, fancy grips, newest coating, etc. They're writing what sells and the photo of the latest gator pattern 1911 with light coming out of the muzzle sells magazines. Same as articles about the Ruger LCP version of what Keltec already did. Just that some of the parts of all the 1911's (off patent!) interchange.

Most interesting lately? Remington's basic version.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[AggieDave 6]

You know what is a fun change found on the magazine stand is a new publication called Recoil. It's sort of flashy but I like some of their photography and it is a different take of the well prepared individual.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[steve1 5]

I thought I might add, that I found a good way to pack my Glock 26. I bought a cross draw holster from Bianchi. It's the sky cop model. I like the idea of having the muzzle pointing away from me. It seems handier to draw...to me, particularly from a seated position.

A conventional draw, from you right hip, might be faster, but I like this better.

[DougH 270]

Quote

Quote

It is an overpriced KelTec rip off. LCP = Little Copy Pistol.

I like my KelTec PF-9, 7+1 147g 9mm in a amazingly small package. Small enough to pocket carry.

You are the first person I have ever met that would trust their life with a KelTec. There is a reason you can pick one up for $150.

Pretty much since the day it came out the LCP has been praised as one of if not the best weapon for ccw.

I like the LCP a lot and will probably pick up one soon. I was looking at the LC9 pretty hard but didnt care for the long trigger pull. I currently have Ruger's SR40c which i am in love with. It's actually very easy to conceal for a .40 but it's still just a tad big to comfortably conceal when dressed for work.

My KelTec shoots great, is nice and reliable, and I paid for less marketing, and less gun writer pay-offs.

Aside from the $$$ Rohrbaugh 9mm it is one of the smallest 9mm you can buy.

Price does not equal reliability or quality. I have seen Khars crack frames, etc.

You sound like a fanboy for an IPhone! Anyone who praises the LCP as the best thing for CCW failed to read the FBI ballistics tests. A .380 is better than a rock, but it is far from a fantastic round.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[DougH 270]

Quote

Have you fired it much, I hear they often have a problem with failure to eject and have questionable build quality.

At least a thousand rounds.

Anything small with have FTE problems if you limp wrist it. It isn't a target pistol, it isn't a thrill to shoot, it hurts your hand a bit. But the pay off is that you have a 9mm that you can carry in a front pants pocket.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[winsor 186]

Quote

I learn from you guys about pistols. A friend of mine bought one of these for his wife. He liked it so well, that I figured I'd buy one too. Most all the reviews on them were positive, that I looked at.

It's very easy to conceal. It feels like a wallet in your back pocket. My Glock was kind of on the fat side. I figure a gun won't do you much good if it's left at home when you need it.

I haven't shot a lot of really small pistols. Most are very inaccurate and kick too much. I know a .380 is a puny cartridge, but it would be a lot better than nothing.

The sights are very small, but I was impressed with how accurate it was. The recoil wasn't bad at all....I kind of wished I had this pistol in 9mm. The wife even enjoyed shooting it.

I loaded it up with some cheap FMJ Winchester ammo. Everything was going great....and then it jammed. The case was stuck in the chamber. Finally the ejector grabbed on and pulled it out of the chamber.

A few clips later, I let the wife shoot it. She pulled the slide back....but it wouldn't fire. Upon inspection I found the slide was not fully locked forward. I wonder if she only partially pulled the slide back before letting it go.

So, just when I was starting to really love this little pistol, I'm still wondering about how reliable it is. I thought I'd try some different ammo. I'm wondering if some autos take a while to break in.

What do you think of this gun?

This is a completely different animal, but for the combination of punch and concealability the AMT Back Up in .45acp is hard to beat.

The Back Up is DAO with a pretty stiff trigger, and its 'sights' consist of a groove in the top of the slide. It is thus an up close and personal bellygun, whose sole purpose is to stop an attack.

I have never had a failure to feed or a smokestack, using anything from 230gr lead handloads to 185 gr hollowpoints. The effectiveness of the flying ashtrays is impressive, and a solid hit with most anything out of a .45 tends to change the game plan of an assailant right then and there.

As a carry piece, you have the kind of performance combined with reliability that inspires confidence. Add to that the fact that it's a hoot to use as a (short-range) plinker, and the motivation to get competent is there as well.

I have rather a few Rugers, but the KelTec .32 has impressed me with its reliability and inobtrusive nature.

For really dinky firepower, a NAA .22 Mini Revolver is hard to beat. Unfortunately, one might have to make it go bang to convince a skeptical assailant that it is not a toy.

Getting back to the .45, by looking in the mirror I have been impressed that the hole in the front is huge, and that, given the short barrel, one can see the Silvertip waiting to be touched off. It does not leave a lot of doubt on the part of an assailant as to what to expect if they fail to cease and desist.

I also have a .380 Back Up, but I prefer the stainless PPK in that role. I can keep it in the black at 50 feet, and it just works. The .22 TPH is also great for getting a Walther in a really small package.

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.


BSBD,

Winsor

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.

To add to the above statement:

Whatever you will consistently carry, since it does no good if you're high end super-pistol has the more stopping power than a Claymore if you never carry it.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[winsor 186]

Quote

Quote

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.

To add to the above statement:

Whatever you will consistently carry, since it does no good if you're high end super-pistol has the more stopping power than a Claymore if you never carry it.

Rule #1 for a gunfight - have a gun.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Quote

Quote

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.

To add to the above statement:

Whatever you will consistently carry, since it does no good if you're high end super-pistol has the more stopping power than a Claymore if you never carry it.

Rule #1 for a gunfight - have a gun.

I see that a LOT.

"Officer I'm also a CHL"
"Great, do you have a pistol on you?"
"Well, no."
"Why not?"

Then we usually have the same discussion.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[ChrisL 2]

Quote

Quote

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.

To add to the above statement:

Whatever you will consistently carry, since it does no good if you're high end super-pistol has the more stopping power than a Claymore if you never carry it.

In PA my concealed carry permit doesnt cover claymores.

I have a Galco Royal guard holster for my Sig Sauer P220.
Goes inside the waistband in the middle of my back.
Full size .45 but stays out of sight, is comfortable, no big bulge
and packs a serious wallop with 230 gr JHP.

__

My mighty steed

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Quote

Quote

The bottom line is that whatever is reliable and you, personally, trust with your life is a good choice.

To add to the above statement:

Whatever you will consistently carry, since it does no good if you're high end super-pistol has the more stopping power than a Claymore if you never carry it.

In PA my concealed carry permit doesnt cover claymores.

I have a Galco Royal guard holster for my Sig Sauer P220.
Goes inside the waistband in the middle of my back.
Full size .45 but stays out of sight, is comfortable, no big bulge
and packs a serious wallop with 230 gr JHP.

I've been playing with making my own Kydex holsters, it really isn't all that hard and Kydex is cheap. So far I've been working on a version of the Raven Concealment System's owb holster that I like, had a couple of prototypes that were close but I wanted to tweak.

I did make a pop out holster for my little Keltec to wear around my neck under my shirt (like a knife) that is kind of cool.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[ChrisL 2]

Quote

I've been playing with making my own Kydex holsters, it really isn't all that hard and Kydex is cheap.

How do you mold it? Heat gun and mold it with your hands?

That might be less comfortable for IWB, although I'm just guessing.
Only ever wore leather inside.

__

My mighty steed

[tsisson 0]

Quote

Rule #1 for a gunfight - have a gun.

Amen. The most effective weapon you have is the one you will carry.

I have an LCP and it is the one that always seems to leave the house with me.

It is not an accurate shooter from any distance beyond 15 feet for me, but that's not really what I think it's for. It's my "I'm not going to be escorted into the back freezer" piece of mind.

As far as the caliber discussions and debates...yes, I'd rather have my .45...but guess what, in the grand scheme of things - I still don't think a bad guy would want to get shot with a .380.