Remington RM380 vs. Ruger LCP Custom

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DukeNukem

New member
I'm thinking about picking up one of these. Anyone shot both? I haven't shot either.

I think the RM380 comes with two magazines while the LCP comes with one magazine. The RM380 feels better in my hand. If I get the LCP, I'm sure I'll be adding the Hogue LCP grip sleeve. Taking those two things into consideration, I'd say there's not enough difference in cost for money to be a factor.

Any comments appreciated. Negative or positives about either? I'm not looking for anything bigger than those 380's because I already have bigger pistols.
 
I think the Ruger LCP has become the standard for pocket .380s, despite the heavy trigger and miniscule sights on the early model. Mine has been 100% reliable since I got it. I think that the Custom addresses both shortcomings.
I haven't looked at the RM380, but after the R1 fiasco, I wouldn't consider any Remington pistol until after it has proven itself. The Ruger has an established reputation, the Remington is still an unknown quantity.
 
I have not had a chance to shoot an RM380. That said, here's my take:

RM380 Plus:
  • Has last-round slide hold-open
  • Smoother trigger with second-strike capability
  • Replaceable grip panels
  • Captive takedown pin absolutely cannot work loose or be accidentally pushed out with slide in battery
  • Fully ambidextrous mag release
  • Larger sights
  • Slightly longer barrel for theoretically greater muzzle velocity, but MV is heavily dependent on chamber and barrel dimensions, so there may be little or no real-world difference
  • Ships with 2 mags

Ruger LCP Plus:
  • Proven design
  • Slightly shorter trigger stroke
  • Marginally smaller and lighter
  • Significantly lower street price
  • Less awkward takedown procedure
  • More factory options and colors available
I think the RM380 is a superior design, at least on paper. However, it's more expensive, and considering to Remington's recent problems, I'm giving it a few months to see how the production pistols shake out before I seriously consider buying one.

[Edited to reflect the fact that the LCP has no thumb safety; I was thinking of the LC9.]
 
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Chris has made a good comparison but let me add one more.
Ruger - record of outstanding customer service and decent quality control (not perfect but at least decent).
Remington - record of declining quality control and highly questionable customer service.
 
Any pocket .380 auto is very much a narrow "niche" gun for me; that is, I want the lightest, smallest, most reliable pistol available and the little Ruger LCP best fits those requirements in my estimation and experience. It may be only "marginally" smaller and lighter than the Remington RM380, but enough so for me to choose the Ruger for my admittedly limited carry purpose. Anything much bigger and/or heavier than the LCP will have me looking at something chambered in 9mm.
 
Ditto carguychris's comments.

Info I can add based on having a KelTec P3AT for years as my EDC (and having shot it with a friend's LCP, they are twins in size & handling - LCP has better finish) and just getting the RM380:
- the RM380 has less recoil & is easier to grip/handle due to all metal, heavier construction and grip width about 0.2" wider than the P3AT.
- my RM380 has a trigger break WAY back, so far back that I'll need to adjust my trigger finger position to assure trigger break. It might just be my gun or my hand size, but the P3AT trigger break is easier for me.
- P3AT/LCP is an easier EDC due to lighter weight & thinner grips (slides are practically the same width with the RM380 just slightly wider and longer -- less than 0.1" for both slide dimensions)

If recoil bothers you, you like a better grip, and you're willing to take a chance on Remington, go with the RM380.

If ease of carry is your primary consideration, go with the LCP. (Although a grip sleeve will help recoil & handling, but it will add to the thickness negating ease of carry somewhat).
 
I'll keep my 10 year old proven by lots of trouble free rounds KelTec 380
Might some day buy the Ruger copy . But Remington has to prove its not ust rolling out another clunker to me.
 
^^^^^^thinking about it,
the LCP has a manual slide stop but no last round hold open & no safety,
the KelTec P3AT has no slide stop, no last round hold open & no safety,
RM380 has last round hold open, manual slide stop & no safety
 
Thanks, everyone.

Remington's recent history is making me hesitate on the RM380. If I were a little more confident about it, that'd probably be what I'd get. I watched some youtube videos which were pretty positive, but I think I'm still not quite ready to roll the dice on that one.

The LCP Custom's upgrades over the standard LCP were what got me interested in it, but the price that the standard version can be had for is very tempting. Didn't know it could be found as cheap as what's been pointed out in this thread.

I'm not in any big hurry to buy, so I may just wait and see how the RM380 shakes out once more people get more experience with them. Maybe I'll run across a deal on the LCP Custom in the meantime.
 
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