Need some Ruger LCP ammo? Â According to Michael Bane’s blog, a major ammunition manufacturer will bring a new .380 loading to the market that is specifically designed for the Ruger LCP. This is exciting, as two current problems exist with the current crop of ammunition and the LCP.
The first problem is the .380 ACP cartridge is an underpowered chambering. Generally, the .380 loads are weaker than what is available for the .38 Special. For self-defense, you need all the bang you can get.
The second problem is I have been getting some reports that the LCP is ammunition sensitive. Some popular cartridges are not feeding properly. This, of course, is a HUGE problem if it extends to the entire line of LCP’s and not just a few examples. One of the reports was posted as feedback here (scroll all the way down).
Time will tell who brings what to the market. However, Bane has a lot of good contacts and I expect this information is very reliable. Â I expect we will see a variety of Ruger LCP ammo loads in the near future.
There are a number of smaller ammunition manufacturers who are producing .380 ACP ammo and I imagine they are testing the loads in the LCP. Â They might not market the loads as “Ruger LCP ammo,” but I suspect that they are definitely testing it since it is such a popular handgun. Â After all, if your ammo doesn’t work in one of the most popular concealed carry pistols, why would anyone buy it?
Update – November 2008:  Hornady has introduced a new line of ammunition: Critical Defense. The Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is designed for self-defense from small handguns like the Ruger LCP. I’m not sure this is the ammunition that Bane was hinting at, but it certainly fits. More information about the Critical Defense ammo can be found here.
36 replies on “Ruger LCP Ammo”
I just shot my lcp for the first time put 150 rds three different brand of ammo no jams or miss fires i could not find any hollow points. from 25 feet and in i was amazed by this little gun, i feel confident enough in this weapon to carry it for protection.
I have just purchased my LCP and shot about 50 rounds over the weekend. I noticed that the Critical Defense loads were getting hammered by something curved and sharp. I assume it’s the barrel hood. No ftf but they mashed the critical defense bullet. I also shot some mfs200 hardball and it even put a half moon dent in those. I haven’t heard from Ruger yet.
When I first got my Ruger LCP I put 100 rounds in and it jammed on the 99th round. I was using PMC FMJ rounds and the pistol was dirty so I didn’t give it a second thought. So the next time I was at the range I put another 100 rounds in and it jammed on the 98th round. Same brand of ammo and I thought to myself that this IS a concealed carry pistol and not a target pistol so if I ever have to use it to defend myself it won’t get that dirty because I HOPEFULLY won’t have to put more than 13 thru it. So I cleaned it up, got a crimson laser for it and brought it back to the range to test it out. It would not run through a full magazine with out jamming. I thought it was the ammo so I ordered some online, Agulia JHP or something like that and they were the WORST rounds I ever put throught the Ruger. EVERY ROUND FTF. I also noticed that one of the pins in the handle is starting to slide out so I tapped it back in place. I purchased this because I LOVE the compact design the accuracy is unbelievable (when it actually fires a round) but I am starting to have doubts in it’s reliablity. I’ll contact Ruger to see that they will do and I read the posts above mine to see if there was a fix but I have tried everything I know that I can do to help with no luck.
Similar problem to George #20 with my LCP using PMC and a couple of other off brands – jamming on the 98th and 99th round, sometimes the 2nd or 3d round in every magazine. Called Ruger Tech Service 928-778-6555. To make a long story short, while field stripping and cleaning the recoil springs came off the little guide rod and I put the inner spring on backwards – big end should face forward, or the same direction as the muzzle. Works both ways, but eventually will start to slip and cause the spring not to work properly. I think the manual says something about that, too, but I didn’t read it very carefully. I’m that’s solved the problem. Still not sure what ammo is going to work best.