Ruger LCP II 380 Reliability Issues?

[Growler215]

I have owned and carried (for years) a Kel Tec P32, P3AT, Ruger LCP, LCP II and now LCP Max. Rarely have I ever heard them to be called inaccurate. In fact, I used the LCP in IDPA back up matches and other shooters were amazed at how accurate it is.

The trick to making them run is doing a fluff and buff (plenty of videos) and mags can use a good clean and lube. Some after market parts do make the triggers better. One thing that should not be change is the recoil spring guide rod. The seat in the frame will get beat up when you put a "stronger" guide rod or change the polymer one to steel.

As for dropping mags, these guns are small and don't fit everyone's hands. The .380's are also flippy. This combination causes mag releases. If I recall correctly, I have repaired this issue with a thicker piece of piano wire which can be bought on ebay.

That's the word I was missing: "flippy." I found my LCP II much less flippy with the 7 rd mag which let's me get all my fingers around the grip. With the 6 rd mag my pinkie is hanging and it would flip up enough for my thumb to hit the mag release pretty consistently. Haven't seen the thicker spring on ebay but M*Carbo sells a +25% strength mag release spring.

I carry the MAX with standard flat nose bullets. I feel like special HD type hollow points in a 380 with such short barrels are a gimmick. Bullets need to have a muzzle velocity of at least 1100 FPS to open up and expand. That's not happening with a MAX or a II.

Lucky Gunner's .380 data indicates that a couple of bullets can meet the FBI 12-18" penetration spec while also expanding to >1/2" at the low velocities obtained from a Glock 42 (3.25" barrel). A few others came close. This isn't much longer than the LCP II 2.75" barrel.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.

www.luckygunner.com

I should clarify my earlier comment. I don't shoot my Max especially well. I even sent mine back to Ruger for testing, and they sent me a target that confirmed that I'm the problem. That much is granted.

I'm hardly an accomplished shot, but I'm noticeably worse with the Max than I am with any other handgun I've shot (Beretta 92 a possible exception, but I have maybe three mags through one). I'm confident enough to carry it, especially when concealability is the primary concern, but I'd be a lot happier about it if I shot it better.

Sounds like I need training, eh?

I'm not nearly as good with my LCP II as I was with the only other .380 that I've owned, an aluminum frame Colt Mustang. Part of that was probably the single action trigger, and the rest was likely all the time spent practicing with "hostage" targets with that gun. Back then .380 ammo was pretty cheap. Thinking of getting a Cheetah just to have something more fun to shoot in .380 ACP now that I have dies to reload it.

 

[John from MD]

I have the LCP II .380 and since it was new it will randomly jam up on the the 3rd or forth round. It seems like the extractor is losing it's grip on the spent case. I have to drop the mag and clear it.
Any thoughts on a fix for that other than sending it back to Ruger?

Try scrubbing the grove in the front of the extractor. They get hard carbon buildup and it may not be grabbing the rim of the case.

 

[Biggfoot44]

That's the word I was missing: "flippy."

. "Flippy" fits , but the tern usually seen is " Snappy " .

I found my LCP II much less flippy with the 7 rd mag which let's me get all my fingers around the grip. With the 6 rd mag my pinkie is hanging and it would flip up enough for my thumb to hit the mag release pretty consistently.

And there's a big part of the whole thing , right there in a nutshell. The eternal trade offs of * really small and/ or very light * vs * of sufficient size for better shooting and control by adult humans * .

Absolutely, having enough purchase to effective use of all fingers is very likely to be fired accurately , more quickly , with better control .

And simultaneously, that extra fingers worth of gripping area can make a difference in fitting in a pocket , or other deep concealment carry position.


The 64 Dollar Question is what combination of ( not as good ) can overlap with ( still good enough for intended purposes ) , IF it can be done at all . For particular shooter and particularly class of firearm.

 

[python]

Ebay kydex pocket holster. Available in LH too. Front is flat to minimize printing and back is molded. LCP snaps in, trigger and mad release well protected.

View attachment 463185 View attachment 463186

You don't want a pocket holster that the gun snaps into. You may think that hook will hold the holster when drawing the gun, but it may not. This Galco holds the gun, but does not grip it. It's made of rough side out horsehide, so it stays put in the pocket.

 

[Occam]

. "Flippy" fits , but the tern usually seen is " Snappy " .

Not to be nit-picky, but I always took "snappy" to mean a sharper felt recoil, usually because of the low mass of the pistol. Whereas "flippy" would refer to what that recoil DOES in the hand, with the hand's and the gun's/grip's geometry translating that recoil into a more rotational (muzzle-lifting) behavior. For example, my Walther PP and my LCP 2 would both be what I'd consider snappy .380s, especially for a smaller shooter with less meat on their bones. But the Ruger definitely delivers that recoil in a less linear (more flippy!) way.

 

[jokie]

You don't want a pocket holster that the gun snaps into. You may think that hook will hold the holster when drawing the gun, but it may not. This Galco holds the gun, but does not grip it. It's made of rough side out horsehide, so it stays put in the pocket.

I really appreciate the input. Snaps into is just something I prefer because I don’t want the LCP moving out of the holster while inside my pocket and exposing the trigger. Drawing the pistol to “hook” the side of the pocket to make sure holster stays in is easy. It’s just what I prefer and something that works for me.

 

[python]

I really appreciate the input. Snaps into is just something I prefer because I don’t want the LCP moving out of the holster while inside my pocket and exposing the trigger. Drawing the pistol to “hook” the side of the pocket to make sure holster stays in is easy. It’s just what I prefer and something that works for me.

Good luck with that.

 

[BigTinBoat]

You don't want a pocket holster that the gun snaps into. You may think that hook will hold the holster when drawing the gun, but it may not. This Galco holds the gun, but does not grip it. It's made of rough side out horsehide, so it stays put in the pocket.

I think this is the one I'm getting. Covers trigger and mag release. Should hold, but not too much "snap".

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oOAAAOSwGbtciuH~/s-l1600.jpg

 

[python]

I think this is the one I'm getting. Covers trigger and mag release. Should hold, but not too much "snap".

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oOAAAOSwGbtciuH~/s-l1600.jpg

You think that thing won't print in your pocket?

 

[BigTinBoat]

You think that thing won't print in your pocket?

Not in any of the pants/shorts I wear. The bare gun does not even "print" so I don't think this would "print" anymore like a gun than just the gun itself.

I've been concealed carrying (daily) for 40 years now and the only time I was ever stopped for being "armed" was a security guard who noticed the pocket clip on my benchmade. Never for any of my firearms. Used to carry a Glock 17, a Colt 6 shot and then a Glock 26. This LCP is like a pack of gum compared to any of those.

 

[jokie]

I think this is the one I'm getting. Covers trigger and mag release. Should hold, but not too much "snap".

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oOAAAOSwGbtciuH~/s-l1600.jpg

It looks like it will work well. You can also tweak and "adjust" how much snap you want by gently heating the part of the kydex that holds the front of the trigger guard. Press while hot for more grip and snap or just slide in and out to lessen. I have mine adjusted to where I want it.

 

[RFBfromDE]

Minimalist;

 

[jokie]

BTW, I was getting a lot of lint inside the barrel while pocket-carrying the LCP - nothing too bad, just an FYI.

https://www.mdshooters.com/threads/lint-in-barrel-ruger-lcp-ii-pocket-carry.278571/

 

[calicojack]

I replaced the mag release spring with an MCARBO replacement and it is a PITA of a job. Also replaced the recoil spring with a stiffer one. Will be interesting to see how it shoots. It is a bit harder to rack.