About a 1.5 years ago I bought a Ruger LCP new in the box at a gun show here in St. George. At the same show I took the Utah CCW course and a 3 months later I got my CCW permit and I started carrying the Ruger LCP daily.
By that time I’d added Crimson Trace’s awesome laser to the gun. It added accuracy and a bit of intimidation to the small weapon.
I tried several holsters, both pocket, inside the waistband, inside the belt and on the belt for the LCP, and ultimately chose the “Mr. Softy” from High Noon in both inside the belt and inside the waistband versions. The inside the belt version clips to the outside of the belt, with the holster and pistol being between the belt and my pants. The weapon is secure both with the belt tightened around the waist and when not (as in when using a public bathroom for #2). The holster is very comfortable, I hardly notice it.
The LCP is quite accurate using the laser. I can shoot it almost as accurately as my Glock 34 competition pistol at 15 yards. The recoil is manageable.
So why am I thinking of getting a different carry gun?
Since I shoot regularly, I am given the chance to simulate a defensive situation with the LCP pretty often. So, for instance, when I’m practicing for IDPA or USPSA shooting, I’ll usually setup my first practice stage carrying the LCP as a I do everywhere (before putting on my competition gear). Then I’ll draw, and do the stage, with the LCP and with the defensive ammo. I’ll do this 2 or 3 times a month.
And there in lies the problem… at least once in those 3 monthly practice sessions the LCP will jam after the first shot. So out of 15 or so defensive situations simulated over the space of a year, I had 5 first round jams.
I don’t trust the gun.
I’ve tested lots of different ammo through it. When heavily oiled and lubricated it can go through a box of 100 rounds without a malfunction. But when it sits in my holster and pistol safe, unused but carried, for a few weeks, I can’t rely on getting a fast second shot.
And sure, I could lube it weekly or other, but I don’t want to have to bother. I just want it to work with reasonable care.
As an example, my Glock 34 is shot a 1,000 times a month, sometimes more. I can’t remember when I last cleaned it. And I haven’t had a jam in… well I can’t remember having a jam.
So I’m in the market for a RELIABLE carry weapon. Small enough not to be a bother but that shoots EVERY time.
I’ll keep you posted.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 am
Good post.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 am
Thanks for posting this. It’s refreshing to see an honest review instead of the gushing orgasmic praise of the common gun rags. You have saved me much time and money and my highly dependable .32 ACP Beretta 3032 isn’t going to be traded just to get a bigger hole.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Excellent post. Like Ed Harris, I appreciate a post that is not based on religious- like fanaticism to the point of losing all objectivity.
I have used the .32 Beretta Tomcat through twenty years of somewhat dangerous government service overseas. It also saved me from a home invader three years ago.
I put a box of ammo through it every two months and it has never jammed. It is accurate and easily concealed.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Been carrying the LCP as a backup since last fall. Just this week sent it back to Ruger on the recall program. Your piece has given me second thoughts about the LCP. I shoot mine regularly and haven’t had any problems either with MagTech ball or Cor-Bon JHP’s. However, I usually only shoot the mag in the piece and the spare at a time, before (or after) working with my primary (s). Like you, I put the Crimson Trace unit on and was much happier than relying on what is laughably called “the front sight”. Been using a DeSantis pocket holster but after reading the above, I might grab one of the IWB’s you mention and really try to RUN this pistol when I get it back, then I’ll have a better idea as to whether it’s really trustworthy
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
What I found was that if it rode in the holster for 2-3 weeks, the 2nd shot would be hard to get.
While I investigate something new, I’m experimenting with a different lubrication. Today I tried a dry lube (forget the brand). We will see.
And oddly… as I was clearing it to lube it this morning I had a failure to extract from round that was chambered. I know little hand pistols are fussy, but it is the only one I carry, so I do want it to work.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
How about a revolver? S&W, Taurus, and now even Ruger make small 5-shot .38s that will basically never fail, barring a parts breakage. They are a bit bulkier than the LCP, unfortunately, but it’s better than carrying a single-shot .380.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I have the Kel-Tec P3-AT and haven’t had that problem. I used to shoot it a lot, to the point where I actually wore it out. The pin that retains the slide to the frame wore the hole in the frame oval. I sent it back to Kel-Tec and they sent me a new one with the old serial number. Whoopee, a lifetime gun. I haven’t shot this one as much after the break in rounds. I carry it daily as a back up to my main gun(s) and it may ride in my pocket for a month or 2, but it has always worked when I shoot it at the range. My girl friend and I shot 2 mags each a couple of weeks ago, no misfires or any other bobble, the only problem is that she out shot me.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Looked around at a few options this evening. Decisions decisions (-:
For now I’m excluding revolvers, as I’m not familiar with them. So, for now, they are out. The store I went to was out of Kahrs. Of the ones I tried, the Walther PPS .40 felt best, was slim, had an excellent trigger. The catch – an incredibly odd magazine release done by pushing down on the trigger guard.
A S&W 1911 Commander size with laser grip felt great. Light and great trigger.
Tomorrow, as an experiment, I’m going to pack around a Kimber Desert Warrior in a paddle Blackhawk Sherpa. Think I’ll wear an extra baggy shirt (-:
July 24th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Glock 26. I’ve been carrying one as an off-duty for about 4 years. Its very comfortable. I’ve carried it daily all day for the last three months at work while I’ve been in plainclothes.. I forget its there. I carry it in a Blackhawk Sherpa with the paddle attachment, although I also have a Mitch Rosen pancake for it that I like.
I’ve probably put a couple thousand rounds through it. Never had any malfunction of any sort, ever, no matter what ammo I used. It carries 11 but you can use a mag for the Glock 19 and carry 16 in it.
Yes, its heavier than the Kel-tech or Kahrs, but they get mixed reviews. This one doesn’t. It just works. I’ve been carrying a gun religiously for 21 years. I’ve tried just about everything. This is the one I would pick above any of the others.
July 24th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
[...] will remember that I’m worried about my Ruger LCP’s reliability on the 2nd shot after sitting holstered for a couple [...]
July 25th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Thanks for the article. I took my LCP to the range last week and ran 5 mags through it without a hitch using Aguila .380. I think I am going to have to do this a few more times before I feel confident that it will not jam and make it a regular cc gun. I fully agree on the need for a laser pointer, the sights are worse than a joke as you pretty much end up sighting along the slide, that rear dimple and white speck that passes for a “front sight” is useless. Was lucky to group 5″ at 15 yards. I guess that would have stopped an assailant but I want more accuracy.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
i like the fact someone else has been having problems mine sits normally between the seats as a backup and its not as picky as to misfire the second round but all of them. i think one piece of dust after cleaning i’ve never been a fan of cc automatics i think the LCR might have been a better choice i have a couple ruger revolvers and never a single hitch .. but thats a revolver for ya. ill too have to keep up with maintenance and keep looking for the perfect backup.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I’m dropping off the LCP tomorrow with a smith who will smooth and polish and remove all the snagging points in it. He did this for his Dad, who was having similar problems, and he hasn’t had a problem since.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Great post Ken,
if possible can you post a picture of the lcp after polishing it? I’m curious. I just got one a few weeks ago, first gun and got me concealed around the same time. I like to carry it on my Glaco ankle holster but I will check out the one you mention for when I’m wearing shorts. I haven’t been looking around but I will take a good review for a starting point.
As for shooting it. I have been practicing with this one for the last month going every weekend to the range and have gone through 2 boxes each time and have not had one failure. I cleaned it after the first 100 rounds of PMC brand which made the gun really nasty. now I am shooting magtech and seems cleaner after shooting though a few boxes of ammo.
July 31st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Rich – good idea. The one I saw that was polished looked quite a bit different.
I’ll try the Magtech. Frankly, .380 defensive ammo is hard to find around here.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 am
Each time I hold an LCP I can’t get over how small it is. I don’t like the fact that my pinky finger is going to just dangle. I like having a place for it.
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:10 am
There are mag extensions to handle the pinky thing. it bugged me to, for a bit, but most of my pistol shooting had been with a long framed Glock 34. I got used to it and shot the LCP pretty accurately.
That said, I’m probably going to move to a Commander sized 1911. I’ve been toting around a Kimber Desert Warrior, and while that has been working, I wouldn’t mind 1911 function in a smaller package.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
FYI… I get the LCP back from the fellow working it over tomorrow. He said it is working flawlessly with all the ammo I gave him. I’ll post pictures sometime tomorrow evening.
And he is going to work over a troublesome Kimber Desert Warrior that ruined my son’s USPSA match this Saturday.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
How many rounds were in the magazine that failed to feed on the second shot?
If it had been filled to six rounds after chambering , that maybe the problem.
From the old days, the GIs in Vietnam only loaded 18 rounds in a 20 rounds mag to avoid the second round problem
August 6th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
6. I load, then replace the round in the magazine.
I’m going to use it in a BUG match on Saturday – we will see how it goes!
(BUG = Backup Gun)
August 8th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
[...] As you may recall, I’d lost confidence in my Ruger LCP. [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Try cleaning and Lubricating your LCP with Mili-tech. I have used this oil on my my guns over seas and at home with great secsess. The oil has a super low evaperation rate so your guns stays lubbed longer. I clean my lcp once a month and never have any problems.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Noah… thanks for the tip. I’ll look for that lube. Note that my LCP is now working pretty well, after a gunsmithing friend slicked it up for me.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
In the past I have used a combination of the Remington DriLube and Birchwood/Casey’s Moli Lube.
The two used together make for a long wearing dry lube film inside the gun, and once applied never evaporates, it’s even hard to clean off unless you use a solvent like Gunscrubber, it certainly stays put even when hit with running water..
November 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Thanks for the tip Chuck. We do use Gunscrubber but don’t mind re-lubing. We have DriLube, but not MoliLube, which I’ll look for.
The LCP has been running smooth. I don’t shoot it as much as I like due to the total lack of 380 ammo in our area.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
I just got a Ruger LCP for a CCW backup / primary CCW when in nicer clothes. However, I don’t have any holsters for it yet. I can’t decide how to carry it.
Ankle would let me carry it as a back up, but not when wearing shorts, and it’s harder to get to when it’s my primary CCW (formal dress, etc…)
IWB cross draw would allow me to wear it pretty much all the time (it’s so small), but would it add too much bulk to my belt when I am wearing my Glock 19 for primary CCW?
Pocket would allow me to carry it pretty much all the time with/without my G19, but is the draw difficult? How bad is printing in shorts, etc….?
Any help on ankle, iwb, pocket holster discussion would be MUCH appreciated!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Tyler,
I only carry two guns when the weather is colder. Then I have a 1911 in my Sig Tac jacket, and the Ruger in my pocket or in my High Noon IWB holster.
If you are carrying a G22 on your belt then a pocket seems fine. It doesn’t print. I have a Desantis (I believe) pocket holster, nothing special but it does keep it from printing and flipping around in the pocket. The draw, however, is not a speed draw. I do practice it and it is at least twice as slow, and a good grip is hard.
I do not find ankle holsters comfortable, so I can’t comment on them, as I don’t own one.
In terms of the Ruger in nicer clothes… the High Noon IWB tuckable is very easy to conceal. But… you may also want to see about concealing your G22 with a CrossBreed. I hide a 1911 Commander with mag well under my dress shirts very comfortably.
Good luck! I went through 4 or 5 holsters before deciding on this setup.
January 11th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I purchased my LCP a month or so ago for my wife. The slide was too hard for her to operate so I decided to keep the gun for myself. The front sight was a problem until I put some white enamel paint on it (Testers model paint from a hobby shop) which made the sight stand out and useable. When I took the gun apart to clean out the factory grease and relubricate, I couldn’t help but notice how inexpensively made it was for a rather expensive pocket gun.
I must admit that the LCP is great for concealed carry, light weight, thin and quite accurate for a pistol of its’ size. I carry it in a $5 inside the pant holster that I ordered for Cheaper than Dirt and it works great.
Here’s the problem, I’ve run a couple of boxes of ammo through this gun and I have come to the conclusion that it is UNRELIABLE as a defensive weapon. Initially, with the first 50 rounds or so, it cycled the ammo just fine. Then I started to notice that once in a while it would have problems. It started to have several stove pipe, failure to load, and failure to eject episodes. I’ve never experienced this with a brand new gun that has gone through the initial break’-in period. I carry concealed to defend myself in a life of death situation. A gun failure at a critical moment could mean my injury or dealth. So, if I have to pull out my gun, and it’s a “him or me” situation, the last thing I will want to worry about or think about is my gun failing. So as nice as this little .380 is and as nice as it is to carry… I’m going to find something else that I can rely on 100%.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I shot 50 rounds through my new LCP and got 4-5 jams. Some think it is lubrication, some ammo and some a basic design flaw. I was using cheap, break it in ammo and that might be my problem. I didn’t pre clean and lube it either before shooting it, but that has never cause a problem with other new guns. But the LCP is not in the same class my Khar, Kimber, XDs etc. Any one have suggestions for better ammo. The higher cost JHPs defense rounds didn’t jam but I didn’t shoot but a couple of clips of those. I do not recommend Wolf for this gun, the XDs and Khar don’t mind but the LCP didn’t like them.
If the Khar version was only 100 more I would have gone with it but at 400 difference I thought I would try it. But an unreliable self defense gun is not a good thing.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:43 am
# Charles Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
How many rounds were in the magazine that failed to feed on the second shot?
If it had been filled to six rounds after chambering , that maybe the problem.
From the old days, the GIs in Vietnam only loaded 18 rounds in a 20 rounds mag to avoid the second round problem
I agree with Charles on the above.
When I first bought my LCP the guy at Firepower Store in Matthews-NC told me not to reload the mag so I could have 6 + 1 (not a problem having one round in the chamber but in the mag). He said it wouldn’t be a problem with full size pistols but for some reason it could cause FTF or FTE problems with small autos like Keltec and LCP.
I’ve put about 500 rounds on my LCP since last June and had no problems at all with the LCP.
To be honest with everybody it’s not a fun to shoot Gun though. But it’s a very comfortable and easy to conceal gun. I’ve also had a Short barrel 5 shots Taurus 85 inside my paints for more that 10 years when I was still living in Brazil with no problems at all.
Lawrence Husby
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:05 am
Good tip Lawrence. I’m getting solid feeds with 6+1 now, but only after polishing and deburring everything inside the LCP.
It isn’t fun to shoot, true. And in BUG stage matches, I’ve found the laser unusable in bright light. But it is easy to carry.
I’ve since switched to carrying a Commander sized 1911. But I care the LCP once a week or so when I’m wearing light clothing.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hey Ken.
I would like to ask if I may so. How much did you pay the Smith for servicing your LCP? I like the idea of having 6+1 on mine.
Thanks for having me on.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
He is a friend of mine, so it was $30 bucks + breakfast.
based on the time spent, $60 probably would have been more typical.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:39 pm
You carry a 1911? It’s a great pistol. I am considering a 1911 model soon. I have a 24/7 Taurus Pro. What holster system would you suggest for full service pistols?
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Hi Lawrence,
I carry a 1911 Commander sized – full lower, shorter barrel.
I really like the Cross Breed holsters. Very comfortable and you can hide the gun very well.
In colder weather I also use a SigTac jacket from Sig Arms. When I do that, I tuck the LCP in a min-tuck and carry the 1911 in the coat.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
I think I will go for the cross breed holsters. I’ve got a Jacket from LA police gear but I think the 24/7 weights down the jacket causing me some discomfort on the back of my neck.
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:10 pm
The SigTac has chest high holsters in side flaps of the jacket that distribute the weight very comfortably. Before I discovered they were they there I just used the pockets and had similar discomfort.
January 27th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Thanks again Ken.
Does anyone know about this? Is it reliable?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/IMP-LCP+1.html
one extra round is always good uh?
March 31st, 2010 at 11:34 am
I have an LCP which I have found is HIGHLY susceptible to “limp wristing.” Typically this is manifested in a failure to return to battery. Often just a manual tap to the back of the slide will get it back to battery and the next round chambered. But this can be avoided altogether if you have an iron-fisted tight grip on it (which isn’t easy on such a small gun) and that should help prevent the cycling problems.
March 31st, 2010 at 11:55 pm
once I got it slicked up it works well, even weak handed. a firm grip is certainly needed for a pistol like this, though. I’m confident enough with it to carry it when I want to dress light.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:48 am
thanks so much for the info!
based on a robbery and living alone, i’ve gotten my CCW and i’m researching to see the best options. Looks like the glock 26 is going to be more reliable than the ruger LCP straight out of the box, no mods or servicing. Makes me nervous to think that a gun might jam when i need it most. Again, many thanks… this discussion has been most helpful. -Heather
April 13th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Hi Heather…
Good luck. A G26 will shoot and shoot… no question about it. It will be tougher to carry on your body, quite a bit wider.
note, if you will be carrying this in a purse, a revolver may be a better pick, as those will fire inside the purse. A semi-auto’s slide will be interfered with by pocket, purse, or belly bag.
I carry a G22 usually. My boy is working on that one now, so I’ve got the LCP tucked in my pocket, very comfortably.
April 18th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
“It added accuracy and a bit of intimidation to the small weapon.”
LOL stopped reading right there.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:47 am
why? it helped me shoot the gun more accurately than the minimal sights, and it makes the gun look a little more intimidating.
That said, I don’t like the laser after more practice with it. When I run stages with it, I invariably lose track of the laser in high light conditions.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Hola, estoy buscando informacion porque quiero comprar una LCP… pero tambien me gusta la pistola AMERICAN ARMS GUARDIAN 380. cual de las dos opciones comprarian?? gracias!.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
RUGER LCP VS AMERICAN ARMS GUARDIAN 380????? Thanks!!
May 5th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Hi Javier,
I’ve not got any experience with the AA Guardian 380. The other comparable pocket pistols are the Kel-Tec. I went with the LCP because it was super light, due to the polymer frame. It is light and very comfy to tote around.
Regards,
Ken N.
July 6th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’ve carried a Colt 1911 for many years. Recently I decided to get something lighter and smaller. Something there is no reason not to carry. I looked at all of the small 9mm and .380. I chose the LCP simply because it was made by Ruger….not that it is appreciably different from the KelTec it copies. Just about all the sights on these pocket .380s are the same. Pretty much useless. I didn’t expect any of these small, light, DAO short barrel pistols to be target pistols. They are what they are and at 25′ to 30′ they will hit reliably if you do your part. I might have to try that laser though. I have a Crimson Trace on the 1911 and for almost 20 years it has worked fine and held zero.
I’ve only fired my LCP abut 500 times with Wolf ball, Remington 88gr HP bulk, Winchester WB 95 gr flat nose and some kind of high (er) dollar Winchester 1,100 fps HP defense ammo…..forget the exact name. I’ve only had one problem out of all that shooting. Cleaned once and then only lubed a bit here and there. One Remington HP was a dud. Good firing pin strike….didn’t light. Fired on the second loading. Surprisingly my 100 lb wife shot this pistol better than she shoots her S&W .38 spl. She didn’t mind the jump either.
I did try some off hand shooting this weekend to see what I could hit if I really tried to aim the thing at a 10″ steel plate. 21′…fast as you can pull the trigger, 50′ same thing….100′, actually taking time to aim…11 out of 12 hits….200′….2 out of twelve hits. That may say more about the shooter than the pistol but from 100′ and on I will be running. (=: I’m not sure what is causing that second round problem. Magazine??? Same problem with different mags? And, I’d really like to know exactly what your smith is smoothing up…come on spill the beans… I clean with Gunscrubber, liberally lube with Remoil w/Teflon, blow dry and then rub some dry moly powder on the outer barrel cone, rear of the top of the chamber, feed ramp, slide grooves and frame rails, hammer face. If I pull back the slide just enough to unlock the barrel…it takes a very tiny shove to close it. 1 drop of special teflon oil on the sear. If I insert a fully loaded mag and let the slide forward slowly I can hang the nose of the first three rounds on the feed ramp every time. Slingshotting or firing…..never experienced a problem to date but only 500 rounds. Cleaned the pistol today….It was somewhat dirty from the 250 rounds fired this weekend. Good thread Ken. Thanks……Jim
August 27th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I believe you are the problem. It is a very diminutive pistol and often contact with the slide could hamper its function. on the other hand maybe the tolerances are off from the manufacturer. I have a recorded 1200 rounds of ammunition through mine and have experienced no such malfuctions. I have noticed that it will not reliably feed Magtech ammo. The only I have replaced was the recoil and firing pin springs after the first 700 round mark just as a precaution. Sorry you’ve had a bad experience with the gun.
October 21st, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Hi this was a great article. I found your blog on google and am glad I did. I was looking for a way to subscribe but couldn’t see one? Thanks for the post, hope to hear back from you. cheers
January 11th, 2011 at 11:10 am
I’m sending in a new Ruger P95 for the second time because of malfunctions. Wouldn’t eject, slide would move forward after the last round was fired,etc. After the first repair, several times it would jam in the first 100 rounds. Since I got it at a store and chances of getting my money back are slim and none, I’ll send it back, have it “fixed” again, sell it, and try a glock.
January 11th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Keith… It happens. I had a Taurus like that. And an expensive Kimber 1911 that arrived with an internal part missing. I’m glad you are getting it fixed before passing it along.
I carry a Glock. I like that it works all the time.
And I carry this LCP, which works 100% now that I’ve had some work done on it.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I carried a Bersa 380 for years, very reliable yet the flicking off of the safety is an extra .5 second I do not need. I then got a n. American 32. acp guardian. Worked well enough and it’s smaller than the LCP. It was heavier though and fires a weaker caliber. Now I am trying an LCP which I picked up after handling my bosses 1st person. So far so good. Some people complain about the trigger pull. I like it, not too light, not heavy at all. I would say it is “snappy”. It felt much better in my hand than the TCP I fondled at the store. Do more push ups and the trigger will not seem “heavy” at all. -Regular Dude, on his way home….
January 12th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Andy – I don’t notice the trigger pull now, but early on I had trouble not with the strength to pull it back, but not having the angle on my trigger finger/grip to get it all the way back. My finger was too far into the trigger guard. After a bit of practice, my grip is different (on all pistols) and the finger is just right and the trigger pull no problem.
January 15th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I got My LCP for Christmas. I have shot over 200 rds and never a jam. Best little pistol Ive owned. Had a ppk for 3 years bought it in the early 90s before S&W. jammed at least once nearly everytime I shot it.
January 15th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Butch – glad it worked well for you. I’m happy with mine. It was an early version, and had to be recalled, but now that it is tuned I carry it a lot.
January 21st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
I’ve been thinking of getting an LCP, but it seems to have too many possible problems for my money. I’m disappointed in Ruger for not doing a very good job with the pistol.
January 21st, 2011 at 7:30 pm
I’m happy with mine now, but it took some work.
There are lots of options now. I’m at SHOT show now and I’ve seen a number of quality pocket options. I’m leaning towards adding KelTec pf9 into my rotation. It would be in an iwb waistband and in 9mm
February 7th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
sent my lcp back twice the first time for the no feed problem. the second time i looked harder at what the gun was doing and found that it was smashing the tips of the bullets. I told ruger about it sent them pics and sent it back. got the gun back with a letter saying replaced the barrle shot 24 round with out problem. but the gun still smashed the bullets and no feed problem still. So i got hold of ruger and talked to the tech that did the work on the gun he told me that smashing the bullets is just a thing the small guns do. but smashing a hollow piont almost in half is not ok with me and pushing a rond nose back into the case is not ok with me either. was told i would be contacted by upper management but 2 weeks gone by now with no reply. any body had same problem i have shot 2 other lcp with the same problem
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Ruston- I have the same problem. I was at the range today and my LCP jammed several times. After inspecting the clip and bullets I noticed the tips of the bullets has marks from where it was jamming. I thought maybe the clip wasn’t feeding the bullets into the chamber properly. Not really sure but I’m thinking of getting a different gun to carry.
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:30 pm
You definitely have to believe in the gun you carry.
April 3rd, 2011 at 11:47 pm
@Ken – Thanks for your blog post. I have been looking for the perfect pistol to CCW for some time now. I shot a Taurus equivalent of the LCP for the first time today. After some research, the Ruger seems like the option I’m going to go with. Thanks for actively commenting on this post and keeping the dialog going. I will be going to a gun shop to look at the Ruger LCP this week.
April 4th, 2011 at 7:19 am
@Erik – thanks!
I’m happy with my LCP. And I may get an LC9 as well.
May 18th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I just wanted to add a later update on the reliability of the LCP. The majority of the posts here are almost two years old and may correctly reflect the LCP’s initial “growing pains.” I have a newer model (produced in January, 2011) and haven’t had any problems whatsoever. I’m up to about 450 rounds through it and that represents 8 brands/weights of both JHP and FMJ. Zero problems. I have polished the feed ramp, upgraded to a 11 lb. Wolff recoil spring, but there were no FTF or FTEs before the polish and spring changes. The little .380 may not be for everyone, but its size and weight have me carrying almost 100% of my time away from home instead of only occasionally (as before). It has a CT laser and rides in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and is invisible even in Dallas’ warm weather dress of t-shirts and shorts. As you can tell, I’m a happy camper.
May 18th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Garnet92… thanks for the update.
I’m glad, and not surprised, that Ruger has improved on the LCP production quality. That is why they are a successful company.
I’m quite happy with my LCP. It is in my pocket right now. It hasn’t malfunctioned on me since I did the modifications described in these posts.
I did just get a Keltec 9mm, to have a bit more punch / ammo, but it will ride in my belt.
This little LCP is a gun I trust now and I’ll carry it for some time.
June 12th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Agree…it is a good review. I feel that what the reviewer is using the Ruger LCP for may not be exactly what the gun was intended for. I am a civilian who needed something that I can canceal..when I work at night, in not the best part of town. I go to the range a couple of times a month in order to keep my skills and cinfidence up to par, never a jam. I also have a Glock model 23 that I shoot also. I am not new to shooting. To some it up, I think this is a a nerarly perfect “Light weight carry pistol”. Would I want it to be my main gun in battle, probably no, but to place it in my front pocket and feel secure….it’s a keeper!!
July 16th, 2011 at 4:16 am
hello every one..i wish to purchase a pocket gun. i choose beretta tomcat ,rugar lcp and s&w body guard….. but i am newer.i need reliable & good accuracy gun for self protection.can help me to purchase the best one.thank you
August 21st, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Have carried the tomcat 3032 for several years and had it jam without firing the first round recently. Trigger just would not pull thru for the first round. After playing with it for awhile, and removing and reseating the clip a couple of times, openingt and locking the barrel, etc, all of a sudden it was working again. Have no idea what was wrong, and no longer trust it. Have purchased the LCP and like the slimmer profile. Have only fired a clip thru it, but other than the sites being almost impossible for quick use, liked the feel and that it is lighter to carry. Have large hand (size 12 gloves) and even with the clip extension can only get middle and ring finger on grip, but after same situation with the Tomcat do not have a problem with this. Feel it is a close up defense gun and am not overly concerned with the sights. After reading the above posts, Have carried it for a few weeks so shot it and second round fed without a jam. Only problem so far is that bought a Don Huhn pock holster, and gun and holster fell out of front pocket when getting out of car last week. Have NEVER had this happen with Galco pocket holster I used for the Tomcat.
Tomcat.
August 21st, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Have carried the tomcat 3032 for several years and had it jam without firing the first round recently. Trigger just would not pull thru for the first round. After playing with it for awhile, and removing and reseating the clip a couple of times, openingt and locking the barrel, etc, all of a sudden it was working again. Have no idea what was wrong, and no longer trust it. Have purchased the LCP and like the slimmer profile. Have only fired a clip thru it, but other than the sites being almost impossible for quick use, liked the feel and that it is lighter to carry. Have large hand (size 12 gloves) and even with the clip extension can only get middle and ring finger on grip, but after same situation with the Tomcat do not have a problem with this. Feel it is a close up defense gun and am not overly concerned with the sights. After reading the above posts, Have carried it for a few weeks so shot it and second round fed without a jam. Only problem so far is that bought a Don Huhn pock holster, and gun and holster fell out of front pocket when getting out of car last week. Have NEVER had this happen with Galco pocket holster I used for the Tomcat.
September 24th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I purchased the LCP new on 9/12/11 and put 300 rounds of mixed FMJ & HP through it. No fialures to feed but, two times I had a failure to extract. The empty casing just stayed in the chamber. It is extremely accurate and easy to shoot, but I must have absolute reliability.
It was returned to Ruger on 9/22 by dealer where it was purchased. I’m told their service is great so we will see. In the meantime I’ve returned to my Colt Cobra .38.
October 8th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I’ve carried guns every day for 25 yrs and I’ve come to 2 conclusions.Auto =Glock.Pocket guns= airweight snub revolvers.If you need something tiny tiny NAA 22 or 22 mag. Just my thoughts.
Jim