New to semi autos. Taurus Spectrum

Should I go with a Ruger LCP 1 or 2? I can get either but I’d be saving about 70 bucks with LCP 1. Are the changes with 2 worth it?
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Honestly, I would rather have the LCP over the LCP II. If you search the forums you will find some past threads that compare the two models.

If you can find a range that rents and try both, that would be your best option. Its really hard to judge a gun until you get in some trigger time with it.
 
Here's another wrinkle: the Ruger LCP is just a copy of the Kel-Tec P3AT. I have one and it functions perfectly. As others have said, the tiny polymer 380's are much easier to carry than they are to shoot. I can empty mine onto a paper plate quickly at twenty feet, no problem, but my hand doesn't enjoy it much.
 
CoffeeShooter said:
With Spectrum being main source of curiousity, allso am curious about the Ruger LCP. One gun shop owner called the Beretta Pico crap and wouldn’t sell em and said the Ruger LCP was superior. One guy said he can get a LCP 380 for 227 after tax. It’s an option as well I suppose
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Lol, I would not ask a fool like that for any more advice. And remember, just because some LGS puts a body behind the counter, does not make him a expert on anything. By the way, I have owned 4 lcp's since they came out. I know a little about them and the two Pico's I own. More rounds through all those guns than I bet that guy has sold ammo.
Trust me, I would have embarrassed the poor slob.
I never ask anyone behind the counter about the quality of any gun. And I would bet he does not sell them, because he does not have a dealership with them.
Many LGS's do not sell a lot of manufactures. They carry quick easy sells and mainly cater to the Newbie. Mine do not carry Kahr, CZ's, Beretta's and on and on. I have been at the counter many times and some of the things they tell customers is the CRAP, not the the gun.
 
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CoffeeShooter said:
Yeah. Should I go with a Ruger LCP 1 or 2? I can get either but I’d be saving about 70 bucks with LCP 1. Are the changes with 2 worth it?
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Well, the LCP 1 has a fatal flaw that was the reason for the LCP 2 coming into being...
all LCP1's in the proper serial number range, should be turned in to Ruger per the Recall.

I've owned as many Ruger's as Taurus products. So far, and oddly enough,
the Ruger's have had more issues. Customer Service with both is spotty.
You can get a good rep or a freaking moron either way...flip a coin ;)
But Taurus now has a Florida Repair Center, so they no longer have to send
pistols all the way back to Brazil for Repair...so the wait time is far better
than it used to be ;)

With ANY gun Mfr, (or any other return, for that matter) if you ever send anything in for repair,
SEND A NOTE IN THE BOX!!!
This tells the repair guy EXACTLY what is wrong...because quite often,
the CSRep does NOT type in all the stuff you tell them...which means
the repair guy ONLY works on what the CSRep writes is the issue.
So...SEND A NOTE IN THE BOX!!!
Can't stress that enough...no matter who or what or where.
 
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CoffeeShooter, I am not aware of any difference in reliability among the various LCPs.

I have a 2009 original LCP, and a more recent Custom. Both have been reliable.

Ruger re-did the original a couple of years ago by improving the trigger and sights—adding sights really, since the Gen 1 original really didn’t have any. If you can see sight “bumps” in a side view, and think the trigger pull is OK, that’s what you are looking at, and that’s the LCP generally for sale under 200 or thereabouts. I call that the Gen 2, but your source may consider it a Gen 1 because it is not like the even newer LCP II, which has a much lighter trigger, a thumb safety ( I think) and which automatically locks back on an empty magazine. I personally would go with the cheaper Gen 2 rather than the LCP II, because I think its Longer, slightly heavier trigger is better for pocket carry.
 
I have my eyes set on the spectrum as well. It felt really good in my hand and thats a big deal to me. Although i have several pocket 380s but it would be nice to add it to my collection. My choice of carry is actually the taurus tcp surprisingly. The tcp is super light, great trigger and feels good in my hand. It seems that multiple people on this thread love the pico but to me its the worst 380 I own. I want to love it but I cant hit the broad side of a barn with it! Its so thin which is nice but it feels terrible in my hand. For what its worth I am in love with the remington rm380. Its been reliable for me, feels good in my hand and its pleasent to shoot. If it wasnt so damn heavy it would be on my side right now.
 
I will 2nd the RM380. I can shoot it well. I like the dao trigger, it's long, but very smooth. It has been completely reliable. It is of all metal construction, so it is heavier than it's polymer competition. I have been carrying it aiwb where it is pretty much invisible. I have a pocket holster on the way, so I can give that a try. Be sure to look into that one, at least, before you buy.

The Ruger lcp's would be right there in your budget, but I see many comments about how they are unpleasant to shoot.
 
jsust said:
I have my eyes set on the spectrum as well. It felt really good in my hand and thats a big deal to me. Although i have several pocket 380s but it would be nice to add it to my collection. My choice of carry is actually the taurus tcp surprisingly. The tcp is super light, great trigger and feels good in my hand. It seems that multiple people on this thread love the pico but to me its the worst 380 I own. I want to love it but I cant hit the broad side of a barn with it! Its so thin which is nice but it feels terrible in my hand. For what its worth I am in love with the remington rm380. Its been reliable for me, feels good in my hand and its pleasent to shoot. If it wasnt so damn heavy it would be on my side right now.
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Lol, I am a Pico nut. Just love this little pistol and more accurate with it than any of the 4 LCP's I have owned. It is very mild to shoot. Actually, can be extremely accurate. However, I would not recommend this gun to a novice shooter or someone that does not want to make a commitment to getting to know the gun and characteristics. Once you do, you will find it really is a gem.
Just had mine out this morning. And as usual ran like a top and nailing great groups with fast point and shoot training.
This was after, I had just put about 200 rounds through my New Nano. Beretta makes some great firearms.

PS I did handle the RM380 and actually liked it. Never shot it, but the OEM trigger seemed very nice. I have a few friends that have them and they like them, but that is about all I can tell you.
I like what the Stectrum is offering. Hey, they stole the great easy takedown from the Pico. At least they got something right, right out of the box. Points to them for that one.
 
Taurus has seemingly righted the ship in recent years. I just bought a new Taurus and I'm considering another one two weeks from now. They're building some good stuff.
 
Yeah, I do hear Taurus has really stepped up their quality control. Hence why Im so intereted in the spectrum as a budget pistol until I can get more hours at work. I hear a lot of good things about makarovs as well but hear the ammo can be hard to find. I already own a Nagant revolver but the heavy trigger pull, hard to pocket size and scarcity of ammo makes it something I rarely shoot or would consider once I get carry license.
 
Here's another wrinkle: the Ruger LCP is just a copy of the Kel-Tec P3AT.
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I'm not sure what you mean by "another wrinkle". The Kel-Tec pistol design is far from original or unique. Are you referring to the size and configuration (looks) of the pistol?
 
I'll NEVER buy another Taurus. My daughters TCP didn't even last thru it's first range session, we shipped back to Taurus and it's been 8 weeks and they haven't touched it yet. I've been trying to call but they say "busy, call back later". I was just on hold for just over an hour when i got the "call back later" message. The product is junk and the customer service is horrible.
 
Carl the Floor Walker said:
PS I did handle the RM380 and actually liked it. Never shot it, but the OEM trigger seemed very nice. I have a few friends that have them and they like them, but that is about all I can tell you.
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I own an RM380, it's worked 100% from the day I took it out of the box, eats EVERYTHING I feed it, never had a single failure with it.
I think it's an overlooked under rated little gun. Mines awesome.
 
... My current revolver is nice but not exactly comfortable to carry around unless its holstered. Holsters are nice but something to just stash in pocket or jacket when out for a walk in the evening is what Im after
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I just finished responding to your other thread. I'll add here that I pocket carry in warmer weather. It's extremely convenient. However, there are some important considerations. Is there anything else in that pocket? Is the trigger area protected? A holster is more than "nice" in this respect and a decent pocket holster can be had for cheap. It absolutely lends itself to the intended purpose here.

(Speaking of warm weather, pocket holsters may offer at least some degree of protection for the gun in what can become an unfriendly micro-environment.)
 
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