As you may recall, I’d lost confidence in my Ruger LCP.
It came back from the gun smith feeling super smooth and looking extra shiny inside. I’d show pictures, but haven’t yet figured out how to photograph what I’d need to show. Basically, imagine the slide was about 1/3rd easier to work, and the feed much smoother and quieter.
First off, reliability… 100%. Over 150 rounds + sitting in the holster for two weeks unshot and then complete reliability through a 12 round backup gun (BuG) stage at today’s USPSA match.
What was interesting about the BuG stage was that while reliable, I shot the LCP horribly. The trigger pull seemed forever. And the first shot, I actually had to squeeze twice because I pulled it back and couldn’t get the trigger back all the way, so I re-adjusted my grip, squeezed again, and fired. That added about 1.5 seconds to the first shot – not good.
Then it was quite bright and the laser ended up not being visible. So I shot it with iron sights only and dumped two rounds into no-shoot targets. All in all, reliable but clearly the gun will require steady practice to be confident.
In an ammo rich environment, that is one thing. But with .380 ammo expensive and not even available often in shops near me, practice may be few and far between.
Given that I’m shooting 1000 or more rounds a month through a Glock or 1911 style guns, I’m quite familiar with them. So a natural thing is to consider those type guns as my carry piece. My competition guns (Glock 34 and customized STI Edge) are too big to tote.
I’d been carrying my Kimber Desert Warrior, and it is nice, but admittedly is a tad big to tote even in my normal very casual attire.
I’ve tried smaller Glocks, but they just feel too thick. The Desert Warrior is more comfortable.
In the end, I decided on a Smith and Wesson 1911 PD:
.jpg "Ruger LCP – an update and new carry plan")
It’s 1911 interface is very familiar to me. It’s scandium frame makes it almost a pound lighter than the Kimber Desert Warrior, and it’s slim width makes it snug in tight to my side. It is small, but I can get both hands on the grip readily, and it has a delightful trigger.
So the “plan” is:
– general casual dress carry – the 1911 PD
– formal attire carry – the LCP in a tucked holster.
I’ll report later on what holsters and initial shooting experiences I have with the 1911PD.
August 8th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m2-50cal.htm
My preferred weapon!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I’ve shot it and loved it. I’m just not sure how you would conceal it, especially in your new trim form.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I like the SW, too, although I’d probably stick with Kimber 1911 4″ in 9mm. The SW weighs at least 32 oz. loaded, which is about 8 or oz more than my Glock 26 (26 oz.loaded). The Glock is 1.118″ wide. I’m guessing SW is close to the same. The Glock 36 weighs same as 26, and is slightly narrower. It holds 7 rounds .45. To each his own, but I’ve been doing this carry thing awhile. The small gun always wins out in the end. I also like not having a safety, on a concealed carry gun.
Let me know in 6 months if you are still carrying the SW all the time. I mean carrying it, not under the seat or in a bag.
Guy at work showed me his new Ruger LCR. Nice, but not as light as I thought it would be. 5 shot capacity is a deal breaker for me.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I’ll take that bet. I’ve been packing the Kimber for a few weeks now. The key is I’m always dressed casual, shirt untucked. I’ll probably have to go through a few holsters though til I find the right one.
Also got an STI Range Master for Brian to compete in USPSA Single Stack and IDPA CDP.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
The holster is key. I’ve carried a Glock 19 off-duty; in the right rig it works fine.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
You may look into sigs new p238, it is based off a 1911. Just a suggestion.
May 20th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Hi Randall… I’ll check it out. I’m carrying the LCP only in formal clothes now. I alternate between the 1911 and a G22 in my normal casual clothing.