Ruger LCP - First Range Visit

[Middle Age Russ]

I am glad you found some relief. Many folks express the opinion that the LCP is superb for what it is -- a reliable, always with you handgun. I hope it works out to be everything you are looking for.

When my wife and I were looking for a "pocket protector", we each considered the LCP, along with the Taurus TCP, the Diamondback 380, Keltec P3AT, S&W Bodyguard 380 and SIG P238. Neither of us felt that the grip on the LCP or P3AT were or would be comfortable to us. The TCP felt better to each of us, as did the Diamondback. The Bodyguard felt best to me (I really wanted a lightweight polymer framed gun), and my wife gravitated toward the P238. In both cases, only my pinkie is left out of the party on the grip, so they feel pretty secure.

Before testing, we each fieldstripped the pistols, cleaned them, and greased the slide bearing surfaces with Berryhill Gun Lubricant (Great Stuff). Both pistols ran well during the session, with only one hiccup from the P238 that may have been caused by the hold. At this initial test session, we only took 50 rounds each for the BodyGuard and the P238. After expending these, we both felt that we could have shot much, much more from each without any discomfort. It's nice when the showroom feel equates well with the actual feel when firing.

I believe that we cannot escape physics when dealing with handguns. Light weight will mean more recoil all else being equal. That is why even with the "lowly" .380 it is important to feel secure with the grip you can achieve.

[Katygunnut]

I carry a P3AT, which is similar to the LCP in that it is not a range gun. This is the gun that I always have with me, either in my pocket or on my ankle. Ideally, this gun is the back-up to my back-up, with some combination of my Glock 19, Ruger SP101, Glock 26, and Taurus slim as the primary / secondary. Most of the time, I carry only one of the above, with the P3AT as a true BUG, and on extremely rare occasions, it is just the P3AT by its lonesome (as a primary).

Of all my guns, the P3AT is the only one that I am guaranteed to be carrying any time that I can legally do so. That gives it a special place in my mind, and I try to put a couple magazines downrange with it every time I am at the range, but this is definitely not the gun to fire a couple hundred rounds at a time. I can put all 7 rounds in the silouette at 7-10 yards. Do that twice with no malfunctions, and then its on to other guns for the rest of the session.

[JackRR]

When I first got the LCP, it jammed with various ammo. 380 ammo was nonexistant at the time so I had to try whatever I could get my hands on. Magtech (fail), Buffalo bore (fail) also killed my hand trying to shoot it. I didnt even finish the box since I was concerned it was killing my barrel along with my hand. Finally got some carry ammo (JHP's) about 3 months later. Hornady 90gr XTP (fail), Rem GSabres 102gr (fail). All the fails were failure to feed/cycle.

Ran accross some Fioucchi 95gr FMJ's and they cycled no jams. Got my hands on some Speer 90gr Gold-dot HP and they were 100%. I have about 500 rounds thru her now. Mostly shoot reloads at the range now except when I rotate my carry mag.

Not my most accurate gun but at close range <7yds it will hit what I aim at.

My main carry is my G27 and sometimes G17, but this LCP can really HIDE!! It's not my favorite gun but for now I wouldnt trade it now that I found reliable ammo. Actually, I would love to test a Kahr 380.

Jack

[Dad24GreatKids]

I've been carrying mine in a Recluse pocket holster. Includes a second magazine. Very comfortable. Looks like I'm carrying a second wallet or a PDA of some type.