Ruger LCP II 380 Reliability Issues?

[calicojack]

I have been reading complaints about reliability for the LCP II. The take down pin. The mag falling out (weak mag spring). And on top of all that. Ruger no longer makes the LCP II in 380. Any LCP II owners out there having issues? I have not not shot mine enough to encounter any problems.

 

[Boondock Saint]

I have an LCP Max. I don't love it. It's not accurate. To the extent that I'd hate to have to defend my life in any respect, I'd especially hate to have to defend it with that particular piece. But I imagine it beats the hell out of a sharp stick.

That said, its concealability is outstanding. Simply no one looks at you twice while carrying such a pistol.

 

[Growler215]

I have been reading complaints about reliability for the LCP II. The take down pin. The mag falling out (weak mag spring). And on top of all that. Ruger no longer makes the LCP II in 380. Any LCP II owners out there having issues? I have not not shot mine enough to encounter any problems.

I've put about 100 rds through mine. Not that fun to shoot, but that's not really the point.

I had "mag falling out" issue with the 6 rd mags, but not the extended 7 rd mags. The position of the mag release makes it easy to hit it with your thumb when firing with the shorter mag, especially if you have large hands. With the 7 rd mag I can get an extra finger on the gun, so it twists less when firing and the mag stays put.

 

[jokie]

I have one. Purchased brand new 14 months ago.

Ruger silently updated the lcp II‘s slide sometime in the last year or so. Mine has the updated slide which is very similar to the max. Unlike the max, it still has built-in, non-replaceable sights. Extractor is now longer and better (I think, not really sure).
The only issues I had were:
1) unreliable feeding of some jhp rounds and underwood extreme defenders. I was able to fix this by polishing the feed ramp.
2) some rust formation on the side of the slide. Sent back to ruger and they replaced the whole slide including the barrel. All free of charge including 2-way shipping. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks including shipping. I had to polish the feed ramp again.
3) replacement magazines (also ruger brand) would not load all 6 rounds at first. I disassembled the springs then applied dry lube. Now they work flawlessly.

The lcp lives in my front pocket almost all the time. I use a kydex pocket holster because I feel the rigidness of kydex will protect the trigger. It’s loaded with 6+1 extreme defenders. I have a spare mag with ammo armor in my other pocket.

Around 350 rounds through this pistol. Not a joy to shoot but it’s reliable.

 

[BigTinBoat]

I have one. Purchased brand new 14 months ago.

Ruger silently updated the lcp II‘s slide sometime in the last year or so. Mine has the updated slide which is very similar to the max. Unlike the max, it still has built-in, non-replaceable sights. Extractor is now longer and better (I think, not really sure).
The only issues I had were:
1) unreliable feeding of some jhp rounds and underwood extreme defenders. I was able to fix this by polishing the feed ramp.
2) some rust formation on the side of the slide. Sent back to ruger and they replaced the whole slide including the barrel. All free of charge including 2-way shipping. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks including shipping. I had to polish the feed ramp again.
3) replacement magazines (also ruger brand) would not load all 6 rounds at first. I disassembled the springs then applied dry lube. Now they work flawlessly.

The lcp lives in my front pocket almost all the time. I use a kydex pocket holster because I feel the rigidness of kydex will protect the trigger. It’s loaded with 6+1 extreme defenders. I have a spare mag with ammo armor in my other pocket.

Around 350 rounds through this pistol. Not a joy to shoot but it’s reliable.

What holster do you use? The only issue I've had with mine is that in the soft Ruger pocket holster I somehow continue to depress the mag release while in pocket, which basically gives me a single shot. Would like to correct this.
Only thing I've found in LH is leather, which might be hard enough to correct the issue, not sure though.

 

[papnschmilees]

I use an Alabama holster for my max. They have an option to cover the mag release if you are having issues with that

Front Pocket Holster – Alabamaholster.com

 

[Harrys]

That is why I bought a Kimber Micro 9mm black ice. A bud had an LCPII 380 and while I was shooting the mag fell right out of the gun. 300+ rounds through the Kimber no issues.

 

[jokie]

What holster do you use? The only issue I've had with mine is that in the soft Ruger pocket holster I somehow continue to depress the mag release while in pocket, which basically gives me a single shot. Would like to correct this.
Only thing I've found in LH is leather, which might be hard enough to correct the issue, not sure though.

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.

 

[calicojack]

I ordered some parts from MCARBO; a (supposedly) stronger guide rod, stronger mag release spring, stronger recoil spring (which I may or may not use), and a stronger take-down pin.

 

[Bafflingbs]

This is the first time I’ve heard of any complaints about any of the LCP’s, except the trigger and sights on the original. I have the original LCP, and trust it 100%. Sure the trigger’s a little tough, but, it’s dead-balls accurate for me. So much so, that I’ve recently thought about getting a Max. Though, I’d never give my O/G up

 

[tdt91]

I have one. Purchased brand new 14 months ago.

Ruger silently updated the lcp II‘s slide sometime in the last year or so. Mine has the updated slide which is very similar to the max. Unlike the max, it still has built-in, non-replaceable sights. Extractor is now longer and better (I think, not really sure).
The only issues I had were:
1) unreliable feeding of some jhp rounds and underwood extreme defenders. I was able to fix this by polishing the feed ramp.
2) some rust formation on the side of the slide. Sent back to ruger and they replaced the whole slide including the barrel. All free of charge including 2-way shipping. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks including shipping. I had to polish the feed ramp again.
3) replacement magazines (also ruger brand) would not load all 6 rounds at first. I disassembled the springs then applied dry lube. Now they work flawlessly.

The lcp lives in my front pocket almost all the time. I use a kydex pocket holster because I feel the rigidness of kydex will protect the trigger. It’s loaded with 6+1 extreme defenders. I have a spare mag with ammo armor in my other pocket.

Around 350 rounds through this pistol. Not a joy to shoot but it’s reliable.

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.

 

[DutchV]

My LCP II went back to Ruger to have the magazine release replaced. Mags were dropping when it was fired. I think the original was plastic - new one is metal.

 

[John from MD]

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.

 

[Boondock Saint]

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.

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?

 

[BigTinBoat]

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

Thanks!

 

[jokie]

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.

Based on everything that I read and watched, I agree. Which is why I decided to carry this with the extreme defenders.

 

[Darkemp]

I have the OG, II, and Max and with the II no issues, but granted it’s not exactly a volume shooter or carry option now that I have had the Max which is just better in every way. The Max is in my normal CCW rotation, no fancy ammo really here though just normal Hornady CD 90grs.

The takedown pin on the OG did break at one point for me- head snapped off when likely putting too much pressure on it to remove with a screwdriver but that was easily replaced.

 

[John from MD]

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?

Not necessarily. They changed the trigger geometry in the Max and, without an aftermarket trigger, I didn't like it at all. I put a MCARBO trigger on it and adjusted it to were I like it but I still feel that the LCP II had the best out of the box trigger.

 

[possumman]

I have an LC9 that I purchased from a member here--eats everything I have put thru it and you hardly know you are carrying it---never had a bobble on the range-I bought a bunch of those Sierra hollowpoints when they were on sale and thats what I carry in it

 

[calicojack]

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.

Oh, ok. Glad I saw this.