LCP-II: Inferior?

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Guys so I am in the market for a small compact CCW pistol for hot Vegas weather. The Ruger LCP-II perks my ears up. Seems it has some benefits over the older LCP.

But is it inferior? I am hearing reports that the gun isn't safe to carry with a round chambered, and that Ruger recommends one not carry with one chambered.

Also, it is larger and heavier than the old LCP, and does not have the same track record as its a new firearm to market.

So is the new LCP-II really an improvement, or is it inferior to the classic and timeless original LCP? I'm seeing both for sale with the original model going for quite a bit less. Is the II a better gun and worth the extra coin?

This will be my primary carry. Sorry, I'm not a big guy and it's so damn hot in Vegas I can't wear and won't wear a cover garnment. I'd love to pack one of my Berettas with 18+1 9mm +Ps, but I have found a small gun like this is something I will realistically and consistently have with me at all times.

Thanks gang!
 
I haven't shot it, but I have handled the LCP II and I was impressed with how nice the trigger was and the new grip compared to the LCP, but it's not like the LCP is unshootable. You will hit a torso at 7 to 12 yards with it, which is about the distance any small .380 should be used for.

Anything more than that you risk missing and misses cost money because they typically hit something in the city.

I don't think the slide locking back is a big deal as after 6,7, or 8 rounds goes off the threat is usually stopped. If not, I doubt one would be in an ideal place to reload... he'll already be on top of you.

Is the LCP II inferior? No, it's superior in many ways to the LCP, but for the price and the possible safety issues carrying it loaded, it's not worth getting to me. You can get LCP's for close to $150 used. I just got one for less than a $100 when I factored out the cost of all the magazines it came with.
 
I think the LCP II is an upgrade to either the first or second generation original. The trigger is much better. I don't own one because I have a gen 2 that fills that niche. I don't think the drop safety is an issue and would not hesitate to carry one in a proper holster with a round chambered. The warning to only chamber a round when ready to fire is just standard legal boilerplate. If I were in the market I would buy one with confidence.

With that said, a great deal on the earlier model might change my mind...
 
I shot both the LCP Custom (red trigger) and the LCP II and wound up buying the LCP II. I love the trigger and ease of carry. As for safety, I carry chambered but mine never leaves the holster until ready to shoot. When unholstered I handle it with great respect, as I do all of my guns.
 
I am hearing reports that the gun isn't safe to carry with a round chambered,
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From who?

...and that Ruger recommends one not carry with one chambered.
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I am not aware of any semi-automatic pistol manufacturers that actually recommend carrying a round in the chamber and all the ones I'm familiar with recommend that you not do it. This recommendation is NOT unique to the Ruger LCP-II.
 
I wouldn't carry a cocked single action gun with no safety in my pocket.

The "classic and timeless" LCP is a copy of the Keltec P3AT. The original LCP is bigger and heavier than the P3AT, and the LCP 2 is even bigger! Of course the trigger is better-it's single action!

I would just buy the Keltec.
 
I love my gen1 LCP and carried it today. I'm somewhat disappointed in the size on the LCPII but I sure can shoot it better.

Considering I always carry in a pocket holster, I don't really see a problem with the LCPII.

That being said, you can still find some of the LCP CUSTOMS here and there new. A much improved trigger but not striker fired.
 
I hope you know I was joking. The size and weight difference between the new and old is miniscule. The "pinky extension" is there just so you can barely get two full fingers on the grip.

If it was any smaller I wouldn't want it. The sights are nice with some white paint added to the front post. It shoots pretty well for what it is and has been reliable with ball ammo for me. Hard to go wrong for the $209 I paid for it.
 
Very happy with my double-action only LCP Gen. II (not the LCP II).

It’s not my primary EDC, but when I do carry it, I carry it chambered +1 either IWB with the 7-round extended magazine or occasionally in pocket with the included soft pocket holster and the standard 6-round mag. It prints noticeably on me when in my pocket, so I tend not to carry it that way unless I’m wearing baggy cargo shorts and have no other options.
 
ritepath said:
I love my gen1 LCP and carried it today. I'm somewhat disappointed in the size on the LCPII but I sure can shoot it better.

Considering I always carry in a pocket holster, I don't really see a problem with the LCPII.

That being said, you can still find some of the LCP CUSTOMS here and there new. A much improved trigger but not striker fired.
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As an owner of a LCP Custom and "gen 2" LCP (after my ffl can locate where they put my 4473 a week ago. Yeah, I live in a state with a mandatory waiting period for all sales) I can say that when I was dry firing the G2 LCP, I didn't feel much of a difference in the trigger pull.

The reset may be better on the Custom, but I didn't check the G2 LCP's reset.

Point is, the triggers felt comparable, but I still give the nod to the Custom because I just plain don't like polymer triggers and I like that the Custom has a drift adjustable rear. Why do I like that? Idk, maybe because I could possibly have a custom shop install night sights on them. I really wish Ruger would offer an LCP with night sights.
 
What kind of "improved" trigger do you really need on a small pocket pistol intended for point and shoot self defense anyway? Same with sights. Both only a problem in the mind of some, but not a problem in the real world of mouse guns.
Just get a regular old, normal LCP. It will serve it's intended purpose perfectly.
 
I dry fired the LCP, LCP Custom and LCP II - next to each other in the store.
I felt the LCP had the best trigger of the three.

Price was not an issue - I would have bought what I liked best regardless of the price.

What kind of "improved" trigger do you really need on a small pocket pistol intended for point and shoot self defense anyway? Same with sights. Both only a problem in the mind of some
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Exactly...

This isn't a Bullseye or target pistol, it's a deep concealment "always have it with you" gun.

I carry mine in an ankle holster and can't even tell it's there.
I carry it with the butt faced towards my toes & my sweat pants leg up so it's exposed when I'm driving.
It's amazing how fast I have access to it that way.

Outside of the world of "always have it on you" carry, I'm an accuracy fanatic. My mind is geared, not to COM, but, thread - in the thread hole - of the second button on the shirt from the neck down.
Hitting anything besides the X on a target is a total miss for me.

Having established that - - the only real improvement(s) I'd do the the LCP would be to eliminate the sights & grind off the front of the trigger guard (ala Fitz special)

The other thing to understand about this type of gun....

It needs to be shot. A lot. You can't stay proficient with "point shooting" by not doing it as often as you can.
The LCP itself,,,OTOH,,doesn't lend itself to a lot of shooting.

Perhaps the real question should be - which LCP to get first?
 
The LCP itself,,,OTOH,,doesn't lend itself to a lot of shooting.
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:confused:
Not understanding why. I find shooting my mouse guns a lot of fun, and helpful in being able to shoot well with all my other guns as well. Quit estimating round count with my gen 1 Elsie Pea around the 1K mark. Still running perfectly. A little "always in my pocket finish wear, but perfect operation.
 
I completely agree that a gun that is carried needs to be shot regularly. I added the Houge grip to mine and I enjoy shooting it. The added grip adds little to the size and weight, but keeps it from moving in my hand when shooting quickly. I think the better trigger on the LCP II will make it more accurate for most folks, especially those who won't spend the time and money to master a long trigger pull.

Cheapshooter I also lost track of a round count on mine and have some serious wear to the finish. Last weekend I shot a bunch of cheap fmj stuff that would not cycle a friend's S&W. It works fine in my LCP. I also agree that shooting my LCP makes me better all round. It forces me to pay attention to fundamentals.
 
Not understanding why.
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A nice solid steel framed 1911 or CZ75,,,,it ain't.
It's a lot of plastic.

I really don't care though.

I expect to shoot mine out at some point & then replace it with something else.

It's not as though they are all that expensive.
 
Cabelas is NOT known for their good deals but they had the LCP Gen 2 on sale for $180 a couple months ago ($179.99) and I saw a guy come in with a $20 Cabelas coupon and get one. He also qualified for the 5% military discount. I was suitably impressed.

That said, if you're a Beretta fan boy maybe take a look at the Beretta Pico. Bud's Guns has it for $207 and Beretta is offering a $50 rebate on a Pico if you buy it before December 31, 2017.

I am more of a Ruger fan boy and have never even held the Pico but for price it might be interesting.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/415000235
 
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