My latest CCW

[Podunkadunk]

Been lots of threads in the past on CCW carry weapons. Ruger came out with this puppy back in March of this year and since reading about it, I've wanted to look at one. I found one at a local dealer and bought it on the spot. It's called the "LCP" and is .380 caliber. Holds 6 in the mag.

Fired it earlier this morning. It shoots well and hits pretty hard on my dueling tree made by Do-All Outdoors from a distance of 25'. It now sits in my front pocket. It hides well, no holster needed. Hope I NEVER have to use it.

Specs here, but you can see by the pic that it's pretty small and I have average hands: The Ruger LCP™ - Lightweight Compact Pistol

Podunk

 

[Wombat125]

That looks like a neat little rig. There is a hot debate on why this thing is so similar to the Kel-tec P-3AT. Was there some secret engineering collaboration, or is it a blatant rip off? The exploded parts diagrams show that the pistols are way too close to be any kind of coincidence.

Check out the DeSantis Nemesis holster. It is grippy so it stays in your pocket when you pull the pistol out, and the dog-leg makes it not print like a gun in your pocket. It's very inexpensive too.

An LCP is on my short list too, so keep us posted on how it works.

 

[WTA]

Boy that thing is tiny! I thought my wifes little Colt detective special was small.

I'm a gun dealer but I rarely sell pistols anymore. I've never sold any pocket pistols like that because I work out of a big shop here on our farm and didn't like the crowd pistol sales were bringing in. I like it when all my neighbors are packing though and they all have permits. I may have to order one of these in to show it to them.

Since it's show and tell time, here is the one I carry every day, all day. I prefer the deterance factor over trying to hide it.

 

[GeneD14]

My wife and I each had the Kel-Tech version in the 380 cal for about 2 years. I hope the Ruger is more reliable. The Kel-Tech would jamb up alot and sending it to a gun smith didn't seem to help. It also was a pain to shoot because it was so small and light it it's recoil was nasty. Good luck!

 

[WTA]

I built that pistol myself and everyone else that has ever fired it was so impressed they wanted one. I can't afford the insurance for building pistols for other people though. I wish. The holster, belt and my saddle are all custom made too.
My dad is a retired Marine and just loved it when he tried it last weekend. He did about a 1 inch full magazine grouping at 25 feet with it.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Hey Podunk, what was the accuracy like at 25'? I have a little model 21 Berretta .22 but at 25' I have better accuracy if I throw the thing. I'm looking for a little more punch too.

 

[MossRoad]

Been lots of threads in the past on CCW carry weapons. Ruger came out with this puppy back in March of this year and since reading about it, I've wanted to look at one. I found one at a local dealer and bought it on the spot. It's called the "LCP" and is .380 caliber. Holds 6 in the mag.

Fired it earlier this morning. It shoots well and hits pretty hard on my dueling tree made by Do-All Outdoors from a distance of 25'. It now sits in my front pocket. It hides well, no holster needed. Hope I NEVER have to use it.

Specs here, but you can see by the pic that it's pretty small and I have average hands: The Ruger LCP™ - Lightweight Compact Pistol

Podunk

View attachment 105030

I went to their website and read the literature. Very nice and small.

 

[gsganzer]

I have a Sig 230, that I really like. It's quite a bit larger, so it's not a pant pocket gun. It's a pleasure to shoot though and still small enough for a jacket or vest pocket. It's also slim enough that it works pretty well with a IWB holster.

I have 2 Sigs and have never had either jam. All I usually shoot are handloads.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I'll try to comment on your questions:

Wombat:
Thanks for the holster link, I saved to favorites. Right now, I don't think I'll need a holster, it's so small and leaves no "footprint" of being in my pocket. It's a neat concept though...I may order one at a later time. Also, there are some similarities with the Keltec .380, but I wouldn't say Ruger and Keltec were in collusion, but I'm sure the engineers at Ruger disected a Keltec to get some ideas . Heck, look at all the similarities amongst 1911's. It was just a proven pattern, improved upon by various makers

WTA:
That's a nice rig you got there. Waaay to nice to beat up while riding, unless it's a parade or something. Nice leather! Looks "high dollar". Is it true you Texas boys can sport around like Walker Texas Ranger...with your carry on your hip and it not be while on your property? If that's the case, I envy you guys!!

Gene:
Not sure of reliability yet. I'll know more after pumping a couple hundred rounds through it. I can say this though, I have a couple other Ruger pistols...they always go "bam". I'm not knocking Keltec, but Ruger is in a different class of firearm than Keltec (my opinion only). I'd also like to say that I really...and I mean really, looked at the Keltec .380 a while back. Sigarms (on this site) has one (I believe I'm right) and I asked about it. The size is what sold me, as did the caliber. I ended up procrastinating, then I read about the LCP in this months "American Rifleman". I was sold and since it was a Ruger...I felt I couldn't lose.

Wayne County:
I only shot from 25'. I didn't shoot 25 yards. My grouping was decent, but not stellar. I'd blame that on getting used to the weapon. I mean, I was hitting, but was pretty much all over the place. Since the target I was shooting at has really small arms that stick out approx. 4-5" across, I'd say that was my groups. I was tearing it up. The American Rifleman writer of the article fired it. He averaged 4.25" groups overall at 25 yards. That ain't bad. This thing isn't for matches...it's for whacking crackheads trying to carjack you or rob you in a wallyworld parking lot Also, I've got to throw this out there for you guys. It packs a really nice wallup. It was hitting my target hard. I have the tension set for .40 cal. It would't reset it, but it was knocking the hades out of it! I was using Remington standard ball ammo, 95gr. Also, it's got some recoil. The size coupled with the almost non-existent weight makes for it recoiling like a mule. If anyone gets one...hold on tight when firing, it's more pronounced than either of my .40 cal's.

Overall, I have to say it's a great piece.

Pros: Size, weight and no footprint in front pocket. .380 is a great round too. Not too small, not too big. Would definitely put someone down with well placed shots to vital areas.

Cons: Couple of things I'm not crazy about. One is the extremely small sights. You really have to concentrate to find them, especially when quick drawing and firing. I can see their point about not making them larger (getting stuck on something), but come on guys...at least put some white paint on them or something. The other is the 8lb trigger pull weight. They could have easily made it 5lbs and it be fine. I guess lawyers had their way with Ruger...again!

For the quality of a Ruger and the piece you get, the price is right. If you run across one, check it out. I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Podunk

 

[Skyco]

I looked at a LCP last week at a dealer...came close to buying it just for grins but I already have two of the Kel_Tec P3ATs, which have been completely reliable with NO problems whatsover. That is provided you hold onto them, they can jam if limp wristing as can many semi-autos. It is harder than one might think holding onto such a small gun firmly. Heck my wife can get many handguns to have problems with her small hands and wrist problems, but they work fine for me! Be interesting to see if similar reports surface on the LCP. I love the P3ATs, they enable me to be armed in many cases where I wouldn't otherwise. My favorite is my .45 Sig p220 Carry, but it is just too dang big to carry much of the time...a .380 in the pocket is better than nothing

I did pick up a Kel_Tec PF9 while there though, couldn't help myself I've had a P11 for 10 years or more and it too has been completely reliable. I also have one of 9mm Kel_Tec SUB2000 fold up rifles too, again completely reliable.

BTW as for it being a copy my gun dealer told me the Kel_Tec people were more than a little P.O'd. Be interesting to see if they can or will take any legal action.....