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Ruger LCP
I know last month I did a Ruger and I really like to try to space things out, but I can't think of a better gun to discuss when it comes to concealed carry, women, and summer.
So many women opt out of carrying in the summer because it is hot. They want to wear lightweight clothes or little fitted tank tops to stay cool. Concealing a compact pistol or revolver becomes an issue. Fortunately, that isn't a problem anymore with the Ruger LCP.
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Raspberry Ruger LCP .380 and it's target on a piece of cardboard (that has been shot so many times it should be recycled already!) |
A Little Bit About The LCP
The Ruger LCP (Light Compact Pistol, or as I jokingly call my raspberry LCP, Little Cute Pistol) was Ruger's response to Kel-Tec's P-3AT. It was an ultra-light carry pistol weighing under 10 oz. and fit in the palm of your hand. In 2008 it had a rough start as several pistols were recalled because there was a possibility the gun could accidentally discharge if dropped onto a hard surface. The issues were resolved and the LCP has become one of the most sought after carry pistols since. |
The Specs
Size: Sub Compact
Magazine capacity: 6+1
Recoil: High, very snappy
Ease of use: Semi-difficult; not advisable to new shooters
Misc: Tight trigger pull, good for close combat, easy to conceal
Cost: Fairly inexpensive |
One could argue the Raspberry LCP is a little cute pistol, however the LCP is for Light Compact Pistol because of it's size. |
How Does The Gunslinging Housewife Rate It?
The pro's: size is pretty obvious with this one. You can concealed carry this thing no matter what you wear. For a lot of younger women who enjoy wearing more fitted clothing, this is a huge plus. It's a .380 so it's an ok defense round. It's made well and comes in the standard black/blued (all black) or the new raspberry (hot pink). There is also now a special eddition Texas Governor Rick Perry LCP as the governor brought some popularity to the LCP when he shot a coyote that tried to attack him and his dog while on a jog. |
Shooting the LCP is definitely an acquired taste. While it is small and great for carry, the short grip makes it slightly awkward to hold. |
The con's: there's a few cons and for some people, they can be deal breakers. First off, it is a very sub compact gun. Because of this, the recoil on this gun is pretty high. Additionally, because of it's size, it is not legal in some states (i.e., California.) The other down side to the LCP is that it comes with a very heavy trigger pull from factory. If you shoot one of these, you know you have to put a lot of effort into pulling that trigger. Literally, it's like squeezing the thing. So while it is a con when your life depends on it you need to squeeze the heck out of it, it is also a minor pro in the sense it is almost like a safety in the sense you do need to squeeze the heck out of it and it will not go off unless you make that effort. It is also not meant for long range defense. It is for close combat. The sights on it aren't that great. It is literally more of a "point and click" type of gun. If you can point it at your attacker towards center of mass and shoot, you can get them. It is not designed for precision shooting and to be honest, it is not a fun gun to target practice with, even for personal defense purposes. |
Often called "belly busters", small pocket .380 pistols like the LCP are designed to be used at close range and are not very effective at further distances. |
Realistically, I don't recommend this to a new shooter unless you have a pretty good grip. I would rather carry a compact Glock 36 in .45 ACP than the LCP, however, the LCP is a tiny easily concealable gun, which is why I usually do choose it to carry. You can shoot someone with this thing if your life depended on it. It's not a bad pistol, but it does take some getting used to.
The Ruger LCP ranges in price in the $300 give or take area depending on retailer and if it's new or used. New in box it comes with a pistol pouch, an interchangeable magazine butt with a little notch to give your fingers an extra bit to grip onto, the pistol and one magazine. |
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