LCP with the laser

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Anyone out there own a Ruger LCP with the laser? My wife and I are looking for a concealed carry gun for her and his one has caught her eye. Before I invest any time in trying to rent one for her to shoot I want to know what people's experiences are with it. Is it reliable? Any issues?

I know .380 may not be the best defensive round but it doesn't do any good to buy her a pistol she doesn't like or won't practice with. I would prefer her to carry what I do, an XDs in .45 acp, but that is not going to happen. She likes my 1911 but her petite size makes carrying that impractical.

Any other suggestions will be considered.

Thanks!
 
To the first point, first she needs to learn to shoot without the crutch, and gimmick of a laser. Do you really want to trust her life to circuits, and batteries?
They have their uses in training, to detect movement when pulling the trigger, and in limited SD, but they aren't the magic many make them out to be.
Secondly, many people object to what they call the snappy recoil of the 380 in the tiny "mouse guns"
Possibly a Ruger LC380 would be a better choice.
As far as the dependability of the LCP, mine has been completely dependable, and is carried every day as either a BUG, or my hot weather, any time, any where carry gun.
If she likes the 1911 design, and the higher price is not a problem, the Sig 238 might be another option to look into. A small, mouse gun sized 380 SA only very similar to a 1911. http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p238-nitron.aspx
 
Cheapshooter is absolutely correct about the laser. Save your money.
The LCP kicks quite a bit. You might look at the Keltec P32-they have very manageable recoil, are smaller and lighter than the LCP. The LCP is a copy of the Keltec design.
 
S&W Bodyguard, anyone?

My friend (retired policeman) recently bought a S&W Bodyguard with laser as a pocket gun. It is worth a look if your wife likes the 380 Auto with laser.

I am not sure which I would prefer.

Cheapshooter is right about the Sig 238. Another friend has one and yes, its controls and operation are just like the 1911.

I know I would (as a reloader who already has 9mm in his stable) prefer the slightly more powerful round (with greater availability of store-bought ammo). But the 9mm guns are MUCH larger and heavier, so if size is a concern, the 380 gets the nod.

Good shopping. Merry Christmas

Lost Sheep
 
My wife is a heck of a good shot and I don't advise anyone to stand in front of her within 20 yards if she has my 1911 and she targets you. So let's take that off the table.

Secondly, she wants the laser and as many have said here before let your wife pick her own gun and/or accessories. She hasn't made a decision yet, this pistol is an option.

Believe me we will rent and she will shoot the pistols she has down to her final few. Recoil will be an issue soif she doesn't like how it feels she won't want it.

I mentioned the Sig 238 to her. She liked it but got sticker shock at the price.

This is a work in progress and we are not in a hurry.

Thanks for the advice!!
 
My wife is a heck of a good shot and I don't advise anyone to stand in front of her within 20 yards if she has my 1911
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Interesting. So how did she become such a good shot with your 1911 if recoil is that big of a problem?
If she can handle a 1911 45, don't count out one of the smaller 9MM's. Lots to choose from in that category in all price ranges, and configurations from practically every handgun maker.
Another option on the 380 side is the new Glock 42. A little bigger than the Kel Tec, Ruger, S&W, Taurus, and other mouse guns. But still very concealable, and I have heard a little easier on recoil than the others.
 
Interesting. So how did she become such a good shot with your 1911 if recoil is that big of a problem?

Practice, practice, practice!! She doesn't think the 1911 recoil is bad at all, on the other hand she hates my Ruger P89 because of the felt recoil. I know that seems illogical but you tell her she's wrong.


If she can handle a 1911 45, don't count out one of the smaller 9MM's. Lots to choose from in that category in all price ranges, and configurations from practically every handgun maker.

I haven't counted anything out and like I said depending on options listed here we will go to a range and rent what we can for her to shoot before we buy.

Another option on the 380 side is the new Glock 42. A little bigger than the Kel Tec, Ruger, S&W, Taurus, and other mouse guns. But still very concealable, and I have heard a little easier on recoil than the others.

I'm not a Glock guy but if that is what she wanted it would be okay by me. This will be her gun not mine.
 
I have an lcp with side mounted laser. Surprisingly accurate, easy to conceal and carry, low recoil, never a failure of any kind. Highly recommend.
 
I've had my LCP since shortly after they were released, it is the generation 1 version. When I bought it it came with the crimson trace red laser which I didn't like the way it took up space on the grip. I've since changed to the Viridian green laser that activates upon drawing from the holster. I also put on the hogue grip which makes it fit my hand a little better as well as soaks up a little recoil. The difference between the gen 1 and two guns is that the newer guns have a slightly shorter and lighter trigger pull and they have better sights.

As for function and reliability the gun has never choked once. I carry it quite regularly as it's so easy to conceal and I've never felt under gunned with my Hornady Critical defense choice of ammo. I've run hornady, federal, speer, and magtech carry ammo through it and practice with WWB and my own reloads.

It's a fantastic gun that is accurate and relaible and I also don't think the gun is that snappy given it's small dimensions.
 
To the first point, first she needs to learn to shoot without the crutch, and gimmick of a laser. Do you really want to trust her life to circuits, and batteries?
They have their uses in training, to detect movement when pulling the trigger, and in limited SD, but they aren't the magic many make them out to be.
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This is spot on.

Personally, I think lasers are pure gimmick, and to much time is wasted looking for that silly dot, when you should just be shooting.


I have an LCP, and its been reliable and works. Its "OK", but like most things Ruger, nothing special. My only complaints with it have been, it rusts to easy, and the grip is slippery. I stippled mine, and its much better.

I also had a P238, and currently have a couple of Glock 42's. They both are/were the softest .380 shooters Ive owned. Unfortunately, the P238 was a dog, and not trustworthy. If you like the SIG's, look around for a P230. They can usually be found for reasonable prices these days. I know they are a little bigger, but they are great guns, and easy to shoot well with. They are blowback guns like most of the .380's, but their grip design is such, they are much more pleasant to shoot than most of the others.

The Glocks on the other hand, are amazing little pistols, and well worth a look. They are accurate and easy to shoot, and shoot as well as their bigger siblings, even at extended ranges. Even with that said, if you like Glocks, Id still look at the 26 too. Its only slightly bigger than the 42, and I still think its the better choice.

Like the LCP, the 42's benefit greatly with a little stippling on the grip. Then again, all the plastic guns do. :)
 
Been carrying a LCP with Crimson Trace laser for about 4 years now.
Alabama Holster Company Kydex holster. Poor thing looks like it's
been through a cement mixer---but it works 100% and I value reliability
over pretty in a carry gun.:)

Laser. Personally I like it. I point shoot the LCP well at "social encounter"
distances, and do practice that skill. But if the situation crashes to the point that I draw the adrenaline is going to be flowing, fine motor skills are
going to deteriorate, and just MAYBE the focus point of the laser will work
in my favor.
 
Guys, my wife knows how to shoot and is a darn good shot. She shoots my 1911 with regular sights and her Neos with a red dot sight. As I said before, SHE wants the laser. I think she wants it for quicker target acquisition and the intimidation factor of the red dot on the criminal.

No decision has been made except for the no revolver decision and that was her choice.
 
I think she wants it for quicker target acquisition and the intimidation factor of the red dot on the criminal.
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I always found I was slower on target (or at least with getting the shot off) with the laser.

Take it outdoors, in bright light, and its even worse. I think she'll find, it does more at bringing out the worst than it does anything good.

As far as intimidation, I think thats purely movie BS. If I was the bad guy, and wanting to do you harm, Im not going to be looking at "my" body.

If she is a good shot already, I think shes going to find the laser is a distraction, and not going to do her any good. But, we're all different and the only way to know, is try one out, and give it a good try.


ETA: I just got an email from Dvor with some deals on refurb Crimson Trace lasers for pretty cheap, if you want to try one out for cheap(er) :) ......

http://www.dvor.com/crimson-trace-r...&utm_medium=email&************=event_20141226
 
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Of course she has to figure out what e wants. but I hope at least you are pointing out some of the facts you have been given about lasers. I would hope she doesn't become so dependent on a gimmick that she relies on it and not her own ability to shoot accurately.
Useless in bright light. A lot harder than you think to use on a moving target, in a stressful situation.
could, by human nature cost precious time if it does fail when needed. Just sneak the batteries out of one when she goes to practice. If she fiddles with it trying to get it to come on then, by human nature she probably would if it were ever needed during a threat. As far as the Hollywood, and laser marketers "intimidation" BS, 1. You and her should both know that a
CCW firearm is not for intimidation, and 2. that little dot also shows up as a ray of light right to where it is coming from. Revealing your location is not always the best thing!
If she still insists, at least help her realize that it should be used only if the regular sights can't, and not in place of them.
 
I bought one of the CDNN specials recently; LCP with Viridian laser and holster. Shoots essentially just like my KelTec P3AT, unsurprisingly. It does have a bit of kick and I'm reloading a little light specially for it. The laser gives me minute of man.

But it was so cheap as a package ($289) with a rebated box of Win 380 defense ammo and a second mag, that I couldn't resist.
 
Cheapshooter said:
As far as the Hollywood, and laser marketers "intimidation" BS, 1. You and her should both know that a CCW firearm is not for intimidation, and 2. that little dot also shows up as a ray of light right to where it is coming from. Revealing your location is not always the best thing!
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+1. Additionally, I feel it's unwise to assume that ANY particular intimidation tactic will be effective in ANY given threat situation. Even worse, a psychological notion that the tactic WILL be effective can lull the defender into complacency, and he/she may fail to react appropriately when the situation rapidly becomes critical; IOW what happens if she turns on the laser and the BG lunges for the red light rather than backing off as expected? :eek:
 
She leaves work after dark and she walks into an open area parking lot with no security in the lot. Honestly I believe in low light circumstances the laser may be an advantage for her.

I guess I will repeat this since apparently it hasn't been seen by a few people. My wife is a good shot with the open sights on my 1911. Honestly I wish she could carry that because I know what she can do with that. But it is too big and too heavy for her to carry either on her body or in her purse.

Can we get back to talking about smaller pistol choices and not debate the laser. Frankly, if she wants a laser, she will have it and I will not be able to talk her out of it. I care more that she is comfortable with what she is carrying and a good shot with it than I care about whether it has a laser or not.
 
i have a LCP. Absolutely a great gun, very reliable and accurate for what it is. If she insists on the laser, I think it's fine but range time without using the laser is a must.

The only drawback is the LCP has a snappy recoil. I've got big hands and can't get a great grip on the gun, someone with smaller hands may do better, but I find the gun wants to rotate in my hand a bit.

Overall, for what it is and was designed to do, I think it's a great choice.
 
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