LCP on the range

[Mike from Texas]

I remember trying out NcongruNt's pa-63. I tried a trigger pull, checked to make sure safety was off, tried again, did a puzzled visual inspect, and finally put the required muscle to it and got that first shot to go.

I find the lcp kinda fun to shoot. the trigger pull is long, but not stiff. the frame is tiny, but seems to find a secure spot in my grip. it seems to pretty reliably keep all hits on a paper plate at 7 yds. the sights are small, and quite vague, but it seems to point pretty naturally.

my list of gripes is rather short. small sights, need a tool to disassemble, I tried cor-bon HPs and got a hard jam (unclear-able via simple tap/rack).

I feel the same way about my P3AT. I actually enjoy shooting it from time to time. I have found it to be quite accurate out to 10 yards. Plenty accurate enough for it's intended purpose given it's crude set of sights. I have considered the new Crimson Trace laser for it.

[NcongruNt]

I remember trying out NcongruNt's pa-63. I tried a trigger pull, checked to make sure safety was off, tried again, did a puzzled visual inspect, and finally put the required muscle to it and got that first shot to go.

I find the lcp kinda fun to shoot. the trigger pull is long, but not stiff. the frame is tiny, but seems to find a secure spot in my grip. it seems to pretty reliably keep all hits on a paper plate at 7 yds. the sights are small, and quite vague, but it seems to point pretty naturally.

my list of gripes is rather short. small sights, need a tool to disassemble, I tried cor-bon HPs and got a hard jam (unclear-able via simple tap/rack).

Yuppers, that DA trigger pull on the PA-63 is 20lbs+. Most people can't pull it.

Coming from a SA Hi-Power, the DA pull on the LCP is quite long, but it is smooth and does not require too much force. As for disassembly, I've found that a dime or penny will work to release the pin. I agree that the LCP points naturally. I am quite satisfied with how well it places rounds when shooting from a quick draw in rapid fire. I agree on the sight visibility - something slightly more significant would be helpful, though not on the top of my list for features on a mouse gun.

[SCone]

My LCP is on order and until then, my Bersa 380 will work just fine.

[BigDan]

Little bugger is no fun to shoot, let me tell you. Grip is too small (in diameter) for me to get a good grip on it, the trigger guard pounds your trigger finger on recoil, and it is real snappy.

I thought the EXACT same thing. I'd get a grip, fire a round and it would slip out of my hand. I can hold a Glock 19/23 with no issues, 1911 with no issues, Kahr K9 with no issues, but this is just too darn small. =-/

[thankGod]

I have an LCP, and to all who say that the grip is too small. I agree, and I have small hands. I even had a grip reduction on my G19 for this reason. I don't have any problems with my 1911's.

However, this little guy is so easy to carry, I forget I have it. It has caused a few "oh no's" regarding 30.06 resulting in abrupt about faces.

It is no fun to shoot. To those who can shoot 50+ rounds downrange in one outing, "how did you do it!?". "OUCH!" Another downside is the long trigger pull.

On the plus side, it is easy to conceal, and I always (almost) have it on me.

[BigDan]

I have an LCP, and to all who say that the grip is too small. I agree, and I have small hands. I even had a grip reduction on my G19 for this reason. I don't have any problems with my 1911's.

However, this little guy is so easy to carry, I forget I have it. It has caused a few "oh no's" regarding 30.06 resulting in abrupt about faces.

It is no fun to shoot. To those who can shoot 50+ rounds downrange in one outing, "how did you do it!?". "OUCH!" Another downside is the long trigger pull.

On the plus side, it is easy to conceal, and I always (almost) have it on me.

LOL. The point of carrying a gun is so you can deploy it and SHOOT it when it is needed. If you cannot shoot it effectively, then you shouldn't be carrying it. You might as well be carrying around a nicely concealed piece of metal pipe. Just MHO.

[thankGod]

If you cannot shoot it effectively, then you shouldn't be carrying it.

Didn't say I could not shoot it. I did say that it "is no fun to shoot".

[mr.72]

This effect of the LCP jumping in your hand when it goes off, moving around as a result of inadequate grip, most likely has an effect on your aim and accuracy. I know it makes it impossible for me to keep the sights (if you can even see them) on the target all the way through follow-through. Once the trigger breaks the gun jumps and my aim is approximate at best.

Now just because you can't comfortably shoot 50 rounds in a row through the thing doesn't make it inadequate for self defense. Rarely are you going to need to put 50 rounds into a BG even with a .380, no? Especially considering that would necessitate 7 reloads.

I think if you are like me with longer fingers, kind of slender hands, then you may not be able to get an adequate grip on an LCP to accurately shoot even one round. Maybe for some this gun frame size is just too small. I think for women or smaller people, or those with "chubby" hands it probably will be fine. However a Kahr PM9 is WAY better for me, as is a PF9 or certainly a P11 which is super comfy. In fact a Kel-Tec P11 with magazine mods to make it 12+1 makes a pretty good case for being the ultimate balance of shootabilty, size, weight, capacity and caliber for a CCW. If only the reliability and trigger were better it would be the ultimate I think.

[T3hK1w1]

Has anyone tried Buffalo Bore's new .380+P load in the LCP? Seems like if you could handle the recoil it would be the way to go.

BTW NcongruNt, I thought my M1895 Nagant had a lousy trigger pull...until I tried a PA63. Then I tried a polish P64...and had to revise my opinion yet again!

[fenster]

... To those who can shoot 50+ rounds downrange in one outing, "how did you do it!?". "OUCH!"

it may be one of those counter-intuitive relationships, where smaller hand = more pain while shooting. palm size/finger length putting the crux of your trigger finger in a different spot, or placing the fold of your palm differently against the grip. I wear a size L or XL glove, but the front of the trigger guard never contacts my finger. when I first picked it up, I noted the skinny grip and light weight and immediately assumed that practicing to become proficient with it was gonna be more work than fun. fortunately not the case. on my first outing with it I put 80 rds thru with no problem. NcongruNt has some even bigger mitts than myself and he ran a whole box thru at our last trip to the range.

about the sights, I've realized I don't really use them. their presence or lack thereof isn't really a factor. at the 7yd distance, I'm pretty much point-shooting anyway.

[NcongruNt]

... To those who can shoot 50+ rounds downrange in one outing, "how did you do it!?". "OUCH!"

it may be one of those counter-intuitive relationships, where smaller hand = more pain while shooting. palm size/finger length putting the crux of your trigger finger in a different spot, or placing the fold of your palm differently against the grip. I wear a size L or XL glove, but the front of the trigger guard never contacts my finger. when I first picked it up, I noted the skinny grip and light weight and immediately assumed that practicing to become proficient with it was gonna be more work than fun. fortunately not the case. on my first outing with it I put 80 rds thru with no problem. NcongruNt has some even bigger mitts than myself and he ran a whole box thru at our last trip to the range.

about the sights, I've realized I don't really use them. their presence or lack thereof isn't really a factor. at the 7yd distance, I'm pretty much point-shooting anyway.

As fenster mentioned, I have large hands, and shooting the LCP is quite comfortable. I can shoot two boxes and not feel any worse afterwards. Really, the thing shoots like it was made for my hands, other than the fact that I can only get 1 1/2 fingers on the front strap. I'm not sure how smaller hands would make things more painful. Perhaps the fact that I've got quite a bit of muscle in mine to fill in a lot of area behind the backstrap is what makes the difference. I've never had the trigger guard hit my finger. Perhaps there's a way to build up the backstrap a bit to compensate for people with longer fingers or less meaty hands. I just looked this up on a hunch, and it's something people do to their P3ATs.

Here is an example: http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB. ... 1140927105

I imagine there are aftermarket grip manufacturers that have an enlarged backstrap as a feature of the grip as well.

[Mike from Texas]

Has anyone tried Buffalo Bore's new .380+P load in the LCP? Seems like if you could handle the recoil it would be the way to go.

BTW NcongruNt, I thought my M1895 Nagant had a lousy trigger pull...until I tried a PA63. Then I tried a polish P64...and had to revise my opinion yet again!

Not the buffalo Bore but I do shoot and carry Double Tap 90 grain Gold Dots. They shoot a little over 1000fps in he P3AT. They are snappy but not uncontrollable.

[casingpoint]

The KelTec P3AT has been described as like tying to hold onto an exploding credit card when fired. Why would the Ruger LCP be any different?

[NcongruNt]

The KelTec P3AT has been described as like tying to hold onto an exploding credit card when fired. Why would the Ruger LCP be any different?

Because the LCP lacks the poorly-designed sharp-edged grip texturing present on the Kel-Tec guns. It almost hurts just holding one of those things,so I don't particularly care to shoot one. The LCP also has ergonomics features that the P3AT lacks, such as the thumb groove relief, and what appears to be a slightly deeper depression at the top of the backstrap where the web of your hand between your thumb and forefinger fits. They're small things that make a big difference.

[ctxpta]

I have been able to shoot almost all the smallest 380 and have found my weapon of choice for concealed carry. Walther PPS 9 mm. It is not much larger than either the Ruger or the Kel-Tec. It is close to half the recoil nad a heck of a lot more accurate at 10 yards. I shoot almost as well with it at 10 yards as I do my 40 cal Hi-power. If anyone comes out to the Lone Star Gun Range I have it out there and will be willing to let you shoot it if you by the ammo from me. (current 9 mm price $15-50 rounds)
Matt