Caught the elusive LCP

[hoytinak]

Well, got a call from my local FFL saying my LCP had arrived. I picked it up and headed straight to the range. First off I was very impressed with the fit and finish. I only had 1 box WWB and 1 box of Federal Hydra-Shok's and it feed everything without a hicup. Since someone decided to shoot up all the plywood with a shotgun and not replace it, I was stuck shooting at the plates but it shot point of aim hitting every plate from 7-21 ft. The only other pocket guns I have to compare recoil too is my Beretta Tomcat and Seecamp (both .32's). The LCP was a little harsher than both these (I figured it would since it's a .380 though) but it was still managable and I could have finished another box without problems. All in all, I'm very pleased with it and recommend it to anyone looking for a small little pocket pistol. Now to head back to the range to put up some new plywood for someone else to shoot up.

[Liko81]

And you're a Spydie fan too! How do you like the Native? Have you seen/tried its big bro the Native III?

[hoytinak]

And you're a Spydie fan too! How do you like the Native? Have you seen/tried its big bro the Native III?

I love the Native, that's actually my 3rd one. I've played with the III but prefer the original myself.

[John]

I am wanting to pick one of these up. I tried the 3AT a few years back and it was a dismal failure with pins popping out behind the trigger. I am hoping the ruger is a winner. Keep us posted on how it goes. Gander Mountain just laughed, when i asked if they had, any and said they have some on order, but no idea as to when they'll get them in. -John

[NcongruNt]

I'm going to attempt to catch one myself at the gun show here in Austin tomorrow.

If I'm lucky, I'll be able to snag one (if the price isn't too high). Also gonna look for an RIA Tactical while I'm there, as well as ammo and possibly some mags. It's gonna be a busy morning!

[RiverRat]

Please give us a review, if you have time....looks like a handy piece to easily conceal in the Texas summer.

[John]

AJC Sports has LCPs for $330 at the Reliant Center this weekend. Saw them at another booth at $350. Picked one up and looked it over good. Seems to be better finished than the 3AT. Looked and felt better made and felt better in my hand. Will get one this year, but not today Was there with my son looking for knives only.

[NcongruNt]

So I made it to the show here in Austin today. I went looking primarily for an LCP, and found only two for sale. checked prices (which were terribly high), and got one guy to go down to $375 cash (down from $400). Yes, I was waiting to find a decently priced one on principle, but my need for a pocket BUG won in the end. So here she is:



I'll be going to the range tomorrow to test her out.

[Greybeard]

A husband and wife at the range today had picked one up at Academy - $289. It had just came in and he snatched the only one the had.

They had fired about 30 rounds through it without any malfs and I put 10 quick rounds through it. Not bad, although I seemed to be pushing the groups left ...

[NcongruNt]

So I took mine to the range today. Ran about 75 rounds of various kinds of ammo, including WWB JSP, Magtech FMJ, and Hornady XTP JHP. The LCP fed everything flawlessly. On thing I will have to note is that the LCP seems to shoot low. At 3 yards, it seemed to be about 3-4 inches below POA. It was considerably more when I first started, but I found that some of that was due to my own downward pull because I wasn't used to the lengthy trigger pull. Once I remedied this and had a good 50 rounds downrange, I shot the target below. This target was shot at 3 yards, standing with a 2-handed weaver stance, with Magtech 95gr FMJ. All of the torso shots (2 mags, 12 in total) were fired at a comfortable pace, around 2-3 seconds apart. The first shot was the flyer. The head shots were 1 mag of comfortably spaced shots same as the torso shots, and 1 mag of shots fired as rapidly as I could control them, probably about 1/2 second or so apart. The rapidly fired shots are the six lowest shots on the head portion of the target. For reference, the dimensions on this target are (I believe) 18"x24".



As you can see, the gun seems to have very little variation laterally, as all shots varied a relatively small amount from left to right. The variation up and down is considerably greater, and is most likely because I have large hands, and only had about a finger and a half to work with on the grip. I'm going to order some extra mags and finger extensions, as I believe this will help me in this area. I believe that someone who works a bit with this gun could make nice and tight groups at close ranges, as the gun itself seems to be pretty consistent. Trigger pull is long but very smooth; trigger reset seemed to be pretty long.

As far as comfort is concerned, I was pleasantly suprised at how comfortable this tiny little gun is to fire. The only experience I have to compare to is srothstein's NAA Backup .380. While that gun was suprisingly accurate, the layout of the gun's mechanics means that you are certain to get hammer bite when firing it unless you have tiny hands. This was not the case with the LCP, as the slide and hammer are placed well above the web of your hand. Perceived recoil was considerably less than the NAA Backup as well. I fired rounds from the same box of WWB JSP that I put through the NAA, and I will have to say that the LCP is considerably more comfortable to shoot in terms of perceived recoil. Cases tended to eject mainly upwards and a little to the right, and had pretty positive ejection. I was only able to recover casings from about 10% of the rounds I shot (the ones that landed on the bench), as the rest seemed to land behind me (which were promptly swept up by Red's staff) or in front of me (in the unreachable range area) after bouncing off the partition wall to my right.

I am quite satisfied with the LCP and am pleasantly surprised at how well it performs. Shooting comfort exceeded my expectations, and I am glad to have picked it up. It is now my BUG, and I will try to put at least a hundred more rounds through it next range trip when I have more time to work with it. My girlfriend was there to give it a try as well, and enjoyed shooting it, to my surprise. She is happy with the size and "cuteness" factor of the gun, so I may be getting her one in the near future to work her towards getting a CHL.

[frankie_the_yankee]

My LCP arrived Friday afternoon. I gave it to my son who promptly took it out back for a range test. It fed a full box of 50 Remington FMJ ammo and a box of 20 Golden Saber without a hiccup. Fit and finish look excellent, a cut above my P32. I would say it is living up to the Ruger reputation just fine. My son loves it. He just got his CHL a couple of months ago.

I'm definitely satisfied at this point.

[fenster]

So I took mine to the range today.

man... I was at Red's North yesterday as well. shoulda given you a call when I knew I was headed that way. I put some more rds thru my LCP. no problems, though for my eyes, it seems to hit high, and a little to the right of POA. mine also has been 100% on its inaugural 100 rds. on that range trip I also proved out my reload recipe for .40's since I just got the dies and supplies.

[RiverRat]

Thanks for the reviews, I have been looking at one for a boot gun. I have had some little autos in the past that I would gladly give to the BG's so I would always have the major advantage .My concern was covered by your reviews......How bad will the little gun would bite you. Glad it was "comfortable to hold and shoot". That will accelerate my search. Thanks.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I shot the gun today. For me, it shoots to POA at 7 yards. I found the front sight hard to pick up. In recoil it stings my index finger a bit. My son experienced this as well. But I would say as a "anytime" carry gun it fills the bill just fine.

[Emmett]

OK, Austin guys, Where did ya'll get your LCP's??? I have been looking for one. I have been looking locally only.
Thanks for the info,
Emmett