Ruger LCP .380

[tmiller]

New for 2008 and has really caught my attention. I don't have a gun that will comfortably fit in my pocket if need be so I'm considering this.

Retail is around $330. I've seen them on gunbroker for about $350.

What do you guys think? Has anyone shot one?


http://ccwguide.com/images/system/norm.php?D39E5-00-4-10-08-0095.jpg

[Quicksilver123104]

I would take the RUGER over the KEL-TEC, I had a bad exp w/a KEL-TEC.

[ShelbyGoat]

Just handled one in the gun shop and read the reviews online, so I have nothing to add really.

Good for a back-up gun.

[tmiller]

I would take the RUGER over the KEL-TEC, I had a bad exp w/a KEL-TEC.

And what was that? I've been to a few shops and KEL-TEC was all they had. Speak man!

[Silver96Firebird]

I hear good things about the LCP, people who have shot it seem to like it. My thoughts are that a J-frame is only slighty bigger and has revolver reliabilty along with a more powerful 38 special +P round.

I was looking on google images for a pic of a 642 and found the best pic for this thread!

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/zippy357/R uger%20LCP/136_3604.jpg

[Quicksilver123104]

And what was that? I've been to a few shops and KEL-TEC was all they had. Speak man!

PM sent

[tmiller]

I hear good things about the LCP, people who have shot it seem to like it. My thoughts are that a J-frame is only slighty bigger and has revolver reliabilty along with a more powerful 38 special +P round.

I was looking on google images for a pic of a 642 and found the best pic for this thread!

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/zippy357/R uger%20LCP/136_3604.jpg

The cylinder makes all the difference when it comes to fitting the firearm in your jeans or shorts pocket and not worrying about it being noticed.

PM sent

Thanks for the info.

[unsigned]

Blatant RIP on the Kel-tec P3AT. I'm not sure its worth almost 2x the price.

[tmiller]

So what's with all the bad blood with KEL-TEC? I'd buy the Kahr first based on the rumor mill and the fact that it looks a million times better. You can't always fire every gun you want before you buy... so let's throw the Kahr in the mix too.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/kel-tec-p3at-vs-khar-p380-tm.jpg

[JoeCiv]

i was looking at this to replace my kel-tec, but i dont like buying a gun that is just released, especially for carry purposes. ill get one in a year or two, let them work any bugs out.

[oodn-oodn]

So what's with all the bad blood with KEL-TEC?

The KelTec is cheesy & fairly inexpensive, but mine is reliable (so far) & is reasonably accurate if you actually aim it. The Ruger & I'm sure the Kahr appear to be higher quality pieces.

Blatant RIP on the Kel-tec P3AT. I'm not sure its worth almost 2x the price.

I paid $239 for my KelTec & I've seen the Ruger for $299, that's nowhere near $2x.

& I haven't shot the Ruger yet.

[unsigned]

I paid $239 for my KelTec & I've seen the Ruger for $299, that's nowhere near $2x.


I paid $180 brand new OTD.

[ShelbyGoat]

I paid $180 brand new OTD.

Wow, i need to cruise gunbroker some more.

[unsigned]

Wow, i need to cruise gunbroker some more.

I didn't get it from GB, it was a local small dealer.

[Bandit]

Blatant RIP on the Kel-tec P3AT. I'm not sure its worth almost 2x the price.

Absolutely worth it and more.

I've owned one since they came out (a few weeks after its debut) and am in love. If you read any (and I do mean ANY) gun forum, you'll see most everyone praises the LCP as well. In nearly every comparison I've read, no one chooses the Kel Tec over the LCP, and many Kel Tec owners have switched over.

Kel Tec in general (and also specifically the P3AT) should have "Hasbro" labeled on the side somewhere, they are built like $5 little toys. They feel like it as well as look like it.

The Ruger is very refined and well finished for such an inexpensive pistol.

I'm not a Ruger semi-auto fan in any way, but this little pistol is simply amazing.

Slap it in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and you'll never leave home without it.

Here's mine:

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[MrYenko]

Several of Ruger's recent polymer handguns have caught my eye.

Nothing to make me sell my 1911, or if I were to do that (BAD THOUGHTS), nothing that would prevent me from buying an XD in the same transaction, but they caught my eye.

[GTO THUNDER]

Absolutely worth it and more.

I've owned one since they came out (a few weeks after its debut) and am in love. If you read any (and I do mean ANY) gun forum, you'll see most everyone praises the LCP as well. In nearly every comparison I've read, no one chooses the Kel Tec over the LCP, and many Kel Tec owners have switched over.

Kel Tec in general (and also specifically the P3AT) should have "Hasbro" labeled on the side somewhere, they are built like $5 little toys. They feel like it as well as look like it.

The Ruger is very refined and well finished for such an inexpensive pistol.


I'm not a Ruger semi-auto fan in any way, but this little pistol is simply amazing.

Slap it in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and you'll never leave home without it.



+1.

My GF wanted a pistol and this is what she wanted. It was her first time at the range so she was a little nervous shooting it. We put about 50 rounds through it. Its got a little kick to it even with the 380 round. It is a well finished gun with a little power behind it. Its a little hard to get a good grouping with it due to its size but it is a overall great gun for the price. We had got it the first two weeks it came out for 300 even so I think that it was a pretty good purchase. It is a great conceal weapon.

[TXRaider]

How does the .380 round stack up as far as energy? Say compared to more standard size handguns, like a .40 S&W ? I know its way ahead of say a .32, those things suck. And yeah I know, pretty tough to hide a .40 cal Glock in yer pants... or ... ;)

Of coure my problem with such a small gun is actually hitting anything if it farther than arm's reach. Give me a 6" barrel to aim and I'm getting much better (still ain't really good..)

[Silver96Firebird]

How does the .380 round stack up as far as energy? Say compared to more standard size handguns, like a .40 S&W ? I know its way ahead of say a .32, those things suck. And yeah I know, pretty tough to hide a .40 cal Glock in yer pants... or ... ;)

.380 is more powerful than .32 auto, .25 auto or 22LR. It is less powerful than most 38 special loads, 9mm and anything larger than that.

[Bandit]

How does the .380 round stack up as far as energy? Say compared to more standard size handguns, like a .40 S&W ? I know its way ahead of say a .32, those things suck. And yeah I know, pretty tough to hide a .40 cal Glock in yer pants... or ... ;)

Of coure my problem with such a small gun is actually hitting anything if it farther than arm's reach. Give me a 6" barrel to aim and I'm getting much better (still ain't really good..)


With the right round, a .380 can certainly get the job done without much need for worry. Carry frangibles such as Mag-Safe and you have the stopping power equal to nearly a .45ACP in a standard non-frangible defense load.

Pocket guns are not for primary defense, but more of a backup. If it is all you can carry for some reason (like wearing only shorts or something) you must keep in the back of your mind that your primary carry weapon is only an "oh shit" gun, and should be used only at the closest range possible.

If I ever were to find myself in a situation where this particular gun needed to be used, it would be jammed directly into the offender's eye socket as I pull the trigger. It is not a gun I would even think of using beyond 5 feet. Too many variables come into play in a real life situation that will make you far less accurate than you are at the range.

[tmiller]

With the right round, a .380 can certainly get the job done without much need for worry. Carry frangibles such as Mag-Safe and you have the stopping power equal to nearly a .45ACP in a standard non-frangible defense load.

Pocket guns are not for primary defense, but more of a backup. If it is all you can carry for some reason (like wearing only shorts or something) you must keep in the back of your mind that your primary carry weapon is only an "oh shit" gun, and should be used only at the closest range possible.

If I ever were to find myself in a situation where this particular gun needed to be used, it would be jammed directly into the offender's eye socket as I pull the trigger. It is not a gun I would even think of using beyond 5 feet. Too many variables come into play in a real life situation that will make you far less accurate than you are at the range.

I had never seen the Nemesis until you mentioned it. This holster fits inside your pocket correct? It seems very well suited for this firearm.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/desantish olster_2009_9618109

[jamesbiz]

So what's with all the bad blood with KEL-TEC? I'd buy the Kahr first based on the rumor mill and the fact that it looks a million times better. You can't always fire every gun you want before you buy... so let's throw the Kahr in the mix too.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/kel-tec-p3at-vs-khar-p380-tm.jpg

Just got me a Kahr PM40. love it.

[Bandit]

I had never seen the Nemesis until you mentioned it. This holster fits inside your pocket correct? It seems very well suited for this firearm.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/desantish olster_2009_9618109

Yes, and the best part about the Nemesis is the tackiness to the outside. It is a rubberized material that grabs the lining of your pocket. It is near impossible for the holster to come out as you draw the pistol.

The cheapie pocket holsters that are just made of nylon or leather slide right out with the gun, the Nemesis stays put.

[Roon]

How does the .380 round stack up as far as energy? Say compared to more standard size handguns, like a .40 S&W ? I know its way ahead of say a .32, those things suck. And yeah I know, pretty tough to hide a .40 cal Glock in yer pants... or ... ;)

Of coure my problem with such a small gun is actually hitting anything if it farther than arm's reach. Give me a 6" barrel to aim and I'm getting much better (still ain't really good..)

I'm jonesing to get this gun for my wife, and my mother in law, and maybe me too. Desperately wanted to get to the gun show this weekend to see if she liked how it fit in her hand but time just didn't make itself available.

As for your last paragraph/comment, here's my take;

Don't focus too much on what you like and feel good with at the range.

For the average Joe, if you have to use your gun in self defense you're most likely going to need something you can pull and shoot, QUICKLY. Your best defense is going to come just from the fact that you have something to pull out and shoot, QUICKLY, not all that accurately (although I'm not discounting accuracy by any standard).

At the gun range I can group a 10 round mag of rapid shots with my Ruger Mark IV within an inch or so at 30 feet (I carry the Mark IV in my truck).

BUT, I know in a "real world" situation I'm most likely to be shooting and retreating, QUICKLY, and yes, most likely with my back turned, unless I'm in front of my family.

Given those "facts", my cliff notes point is focus on quick response. That's what I'm going to be working with my wife on and I think this gun is great for her (and the average Joe), because if some scumbag gets the chance to make her/you a victim just the fact that she/you could get this small, lightweight gun out and start shooting that makes that "normal" type of scumbag run like hell and hopefully get (at least) a slug in his back.

I'm pretty sure I could at least put one there if I got out of an initial confrontation safe but I just want her to get out safe.

[Jizz]

Cannot go wrong with Ruger

[tmiller]

Can anyone recommend where I can get a pair of these and not get raped on the price? I'm talking about a specific shop (PMs welcome!) that I can order from. All the shops in my area are charging markups, I'm having trouble locating anyone that even has one in stock, and I want to deal with a person, not an online auction.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Nick!]

I went to a Cabellas tonight to take a look at this gun and was very impressed, especially when I saw it next to a similar Kal-tec. The kal-tec polymer frame seemed very shotty next to the ruger. The area between the slide and the frame was also larger and inconsistent compared to the Ruger. Ruger also has the slide stop which the kal-tecs do not have. Ruger in itself also seemed very nice quality and felt great in the hand. Also looked bad ass for what it was.

Cabellas wanted $299 and it was so tough not to buy it right there. But, I am loyal to a local mom & pop gun shop so I will have to wait. This will be in my aresenal soon.