Sturm, Ruger and Company have released a new concealed carry handgun: the Ruger LCP chambered in .380 ACP. The new Ruger is called the Lightweight Compact Pistol (LCP) for good reason. Weighing only 9.4 oz unloaded, the polymer framed gun has an overall length of only 5.16″ and a width of a mere 0.82″. The barrel is 2.75″ long and the trigger pull is an even 8 pounds.
Although the Ruger LCP looks like a less expensive brand, Stephen L. Sanetti, president of Sturm, Ruger & Co., was quick to point out that the LCP is not cheaply made. Sanetti told Tom Gresham on Gun Talk that the LCP has a machined extractor, loaded chamber indicator, and a slide stop (hold open) which are features not found on other brands of pistols in this category.
Sanetti also said the pistol is a lock breech design, not a simple blow back, and the frame is a tough glass filled nylon, not cheap plastic.
The Ruger LCP holds 6+1 rounds of the popular .380 ACP load. Ideal for concealed carry, the LCP would also make an excellent back-up gun for police officers and armed citizens.
The Ruger LCP retails for only $330, and comes with one magazine, safety lock, and a soft-sided case. Sentti said the LCP is currently in production and thousands will be shipping to dealers by the end of February.
Read Ruger’s press release here:
Ruger® Introduces the LCP™ .380 Lightweight Compact Pistol
February 2, 2008
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) enters a major new market with the introduction of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol), a .380 autoloader that offers legendary Ruger reliability and quality in an ultra-light, compact carry pistol. Following quickly on the heels of the successful introduction of the Ruger SR9™ 9mm pistol, the LCP is the latest addition to the Ruger Hard-R™ line of products, and it demonstrates a firm commitment by the Company to respond to customers.In fact, “The development and introduction of the Ruger LCP is in direct response to customer demand,” said Ruger President, Stephen L. Sanetti. “We have not been part of this market, but the growing number of states authorizing the licensed carry of pistols for personal protection by law-abiding citizens, and continued demand by law enforcement for quality back-up guns, cannot be ignored. The Ruger LCP is a .380 Auto pistol with superior ergonomic design and handsome styling. It incorporates state-of-the-art polymers, aircraft quality aluminum alloys and high-grade precision steel components engineered for strength and maximum weight savings.”
The 9.4 ounce LCP pistol has a capacity of 6 + 1 rounds of .380 Auto. With a height of only 3.6 inches and a width of .82 inches, the small, lightweight LCP pistol is a reliable back-up or carry pistol. The high-performance, glass-filled nylon frame is topped by a through hardened blued slide. The Ruger LCP features a 2.75 inch barrel and an overall length of 5.16 inches. When size and weight savings count, the Ruger LCP pistol is a natural for personal defense carry, in a purse, briefcase, or inside hiking gear.
Each LCP comes with a soft case, instruction manual, external locking device and one magazine. For more information on the Ruger LCP pistol, visit the specially designed microsite at www.ruger.com/LCP/.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Kaiser // Feb 16, 2008 at 2:03 am
Here is a beautiful pocket/bra pistol in a minimum acceptable calibre. Great work by Ruger!
2 LouisianaJoe // Feb 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm
This looks like a Kel-Tec P3AT clone. Go to both web sites and compare the part diagrams. The Key-Tec is lighter less wide and has a lighter trigger pull. What it does not have is the word Ruger on the side.
3 Jane // Feb 17, 2008 at 12:44 am
When not in the bra, the LCP fits my wife’s hand perfectly
4 carl // Mar 18, 2008 at 12:08 pm
looks great!!! now lets do it right in 9mm.
5 Jim // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Proud owner. The gun has functioned flawlessly. If I take out the stray I shot an inch and a half group of 5, add the stray and I shot a 3 inch group of 6 at ten feet. I am realalistic about it being a close range self defence gun. All the guys screaming about it being a copy need to grow up. If you are happy with your kel tec then enjoy it. If not buy the ruger you won’t be disappointed. For me, my concern is to have the best, most reliable gun and ruger has satisfied me again.
6 admin // Mar 21, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Thanks for the report, Jim. I’m looking forward to shooting the Ruger LCP in the near future.
7 tony // Apr 9, 2008 at 1:29 am
I want one of these guns but first I wanna make sure I can find a belt holster for it. Anyone seen any? Ive never carried a pistol just in my pocket do I dont know how well I could adjust to that.
8 George // Jun 5, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I have a Ruger 380 and I love the gun, however, I am not comfortable carrying it with a slug in the chamber and the hammer cocked. How do others handle this? Do they wait until they are ready to shoot and then rack one into the chamber or take a chance it won’t go off accidentally? Appreciate any comments.
George
9 admin // Jun 5, 2008 at 8:22 pm
George,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, most folks carry this, as well as most modern firearms, with a cartridge in the chamber. The LCP is designed to be safely carried in this manner.
The key is safe handling. The person holding the weapon is the primary safety. If you keep your finger off of the trigger and use a quality holster that protects the trigger guard area, you should be fine.
–Richard
10 George // Jun 7, 2008 at 8:27 am
Hey Tony,
I found what appearsto be a good holster at a decent price. Go to RugerLCP.Com and check out Don Hume Model #J966630R, $17.50.
Haven’t received it yet but when I do I can let you know if it is as good as it looks on paper.
Best,
George
11 Bill // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:35 am
I’m on a list to buy 1 of these lil Rugers as soon as my fave firearms dealer gets his second order delivered (the first 10 LCP’s sold out in two days!). Its tuff to CCW here in the SW desert, particularly in our usual 110F summer sunshine - my ankle holster won’t work with shorts (!) This “pocket pistol” is an answer to a real need - Sturm Ruger is gonna sell a bunch of em. It appears that the trig pull of .5″ should be safe enough w/ a round in. Whatever - this pistol beats the tar out of the usual alt of .22’s or those nasty .25’s.
12 VQ // Jun 29, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I purchased the LPC last weekend and shot about 60 rounds with no issues. I shot a few hollow points that seemed to group low and to the left at 10 Yards. All the other target rounds were extremely accurate at 10 Yards.
I Purchased a second clip, one clip is very inconvienient.
The only Down Side is my trigger finger tingled for about two hours and I would not say I am a sensitive low threshold type of guy.
I think anyone with the business end pointed at them at 30 - 40 ft will be very suprised.
13 Marcus // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Looks and compares a lot like the Kel-tec P3AT, but it isn’t, not on the inside. In fact, in a magazine article, an owner compared his favored P3AT to this, and was very impressed. Comparing to other articles, it has impressive accuracy for pocket pistols, and the trigger pull stated by Ruger is heavier than experienced by testers.
Still, a pistol as good (or better) than a Kel-tec brings me up in a great deal of suspicion.
14 Robert Belanger // Jun 30, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Just Received my LCP Friday, had trouble when I went to shoot it. I bought 88gr jhp Remmington bullets and tried to load them and the slide was not going all the way forward when I attempted to chamber a round. I broke the gun down to look at it and re-clean it, when I had it apart I slid a shell into the chamber and it would not go all the way in. After a call to Ruger they said the LCP would not function with these bullets nor would they work with Cor-Bon 90 gr jhp or Speer Lawman 95 gr tmj.
15 Robert Belanger // Jun 30, 2008 at 9:46 pm
To follow up on that, I used Winchester 95gr JHP bullets and they chambered great. At 15 feet I had a just under a three inch group and at 21 feet a group of 4 out of 5 in a 5 inch group. 100 Rounds and absolutely no trouble. Ruger stated they are working on the problem with the ammo manufacturers now.
16 Amorejon // Jul 27, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Just got one of these and love it. very accurate, light, and concealable’
17 ted // Aug 2, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I’m on my local dealers list to get an LCP, can’t wait!
18 4stroker // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I also just got my new lcp and tried to put some Remington 88 jhp through it and it was a nightmare.
The slide wont close 75% of the time. It did get better after a few mags but still is an issue. Ill try some other ammo and see what happens.
19 Kim // Aug 10, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I just bought one today, and when stocking up on ammo, the dealer recommened buying ammo that has a more “rounded” tip instead of the flat-ended ones. They chamber better. I haven’t tried it out yet, but I bought a box of Remington Golden Sabre HPJ for defensive rounds.
20 Jimt in NC // Aug 11, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I got my LCP about a month ago and I love it! Also everyone I show it to want’s one. Ruger needs to step up production.
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