Ruger LCP Range Report

[AddyLO]

Finally got some range time with Miss Elsie Pea today. A couple of weeks after buying it I had attached a Crimson Trace and now a week later I finally got to break it all in.

Durn thing nearly broke me in. I intended to go through 200 rounds of Federal American Eagle 95g FMJ this session (with a few helpings of CorBon sprinkled in). Didn't make it. I had read that the LCP had a bit of a kick so there was no surprise, but man! Between the long trigger pull and snappy recoil my wrist was feeling it after only 100 rounds! That was time to quit for the day. I'll go through another 100 rounds next week. One thing is for sure, I wouldn't want to have to shoot this puppy too much!

I was using the Ruger extended mags which worked better than the stock short mag as far as grip. I've got medium sized hands but using the extended mags I easily got a good grip with two fingers (with the pinky hanging below). I tried a Pearce grip extension I picked up at the gun show yesterday and saw no noticeable difference in it and the Ruger extension. It gives a bit more purchase so those with larger hands may prefer it. I just didn't need it.

The Crimson Trace was somewhat baffling. This was my first use of a laser so I wasn't sure what to expect. Each of my shots went about 8" higher than the laser sight. I tried removing the laser and reinstalling, and fooled around with the elevation. No joy. Still, even compensating for the difference it was easier to sight in with the laser than just looking down the barrel. The stock sight (if you can call it that) on the LCP is practically non-existent. One thing I did like about the laser was how easy it made it to gauge recoil recovery. I could tell exactly how far the recoil was pushing my wrist and how long it took to get back on target.

The best part of the day was when I put Miss Elsie Pea away and pulled out my XD9-SC. Ahhh! Buttery smooth and every shot went where I told the iron sights to put it. Front sight, front sight, front sight! I just wish I had taken more 9mm ammo along.

[USA1]

Besides the laser issue, how did the gun perform? Any FTF or FTE problems?

[AddyLO]

Doh! I forgot to mention...

Out of 100 rounds I had one stovepipe at the end of a mag. That was probably after around 20 or 30 shots through. Other than that the gun performed flawlessly.

Thanks for reminding me.

[USA1]

Doh! I forgot to mention...

Out of 100 I had one stovepipe at the end of a mag. Other than that the gun performed flawlessly.

Probably shooter error. Just kidding.

LCP's are very reliable (mine was). I put many hundred rounds through it with no hiccups from day one.
I wouldn't be surprised if you never have any future problems other than the one stovepipe.

[Embalmo]

Hang in there-My LCP with its Crimson Trace has been a journey. I managed to get the windage and elevation sited in on my CT by holding it on a block. Still, I considered it to be overrated (the CT) because I still couldn't hit anything with it. The problem is the tiny handle and nightmarish recoil makes the gun do all sorts of movement and it makes the wrist dread every shot. I've managed to get it where I can hit head shots and the target center consistently at 7 yards, but it's taken a lot of time to get my wrist to stay still. I've gone from hating the gun to absolutely loving it now.

You might want to site the windage and elevation on a block and then test it for accuracy by pulling the trigger most of the way on a block and then taking the shot. Mine CT was not sighted in at all out of the box.

Good luck-I love my little set up now that I've gotten used to it.

Embalmo

[Sputz]

Hang in there with the LCP, you get used to the recoil. I have put 400 rds and only 1 fte but that was my wife limp wristing. After she tightened her grip it's been flawless. We have a crimson trace on our lcp also; after install it wouldn't adjust its elevation so I pulled the adjustment screw out and gave it a good tap. After that the elevation started adjusting and we were able to get it right over the frame site at 25 ft. At the range it was spot on. The one thing I did notice is that you need to get use to having a laser. If you aim and stay there awhile the shaking will throw you off and more likely to pull the shot. We saw this difference between my wife and I. I wouldn't think about aiming as much and just light up where I wanted to shot and squeeze the trigger. She would aim and try to hold it steady instead of firing and her shots would end up at the bottom right of the target. Practice with the laser its a good tool especially with a gun that has crappy sights like the lcp.

[Embalmo]

Also-With a little practice, the tiny fixed sites do work. I've been going to Eagle Peak outdoor range a lot lately and the laser is impossible to see on a bright day, so I've been forced to used the fixed sites; and keeping your practice at 7 yards or closer is really advised with an LCP. Also-Keep a spare battery with you and monitor the laser from time to time; it'll warn you with a weakening laser dot so you won't be screwed in a SD situation. I used to hate it when all I could carry was my LCP, but now I've gotten where I feel like I can rely on being accurate enough, and reliability has NEVER been an issue with this little workhorse. Enjoy it!

Embalmo