Ruger LCP custom for Backpacking?

V

Vt.birdhunter

New member
Been carrying a NAA .22mag Black widow for awhile, thinking about a .380 LCP as a super light weight trail gun (plinking, 10 yard small game, LIGHTWEIGHT self defense) If bears are a concern, I carry a SW 386NG .357. Its really too heavy for some hiking around here.

Anyone have a reason not too?
Dirt/ moisture/trail abuse going to create reliability issues?

Im not going heavier in weight. Black widow is around 9oz, LCP loaded is 12oz.

Better options? I have a j frame, glock 26, scandium/titanium .357. All a bit too heavy if I can avoid them.
Advice appreciated. TYVM.
 
I have the SR22P (22). It is a reliable little semi auto. I assume the 380 would be the same in the LCP. A friend has one and likes it. If I were depending on shooting small game in the woods, the LCP would not be my choice and a bigger handgun would probably work better for that. I often carry my SR22P in my pocket hiking or the little LCR in 22.
 
As you mentioned, the LCP loaded is 12 oz. I can put one in a pair of the gym/basketball shorts (where the only "belt" is the bathing-suit type drawstring), and it is the only gun I own that won't try to pull my pants down while carrying it. If your G-26 and similar are too heavy, I'd go with the LCP over the .22
 
Why not the .357Mag? Loaded with .38SPL, it will meet those needs and still give you the option for more power.

What carry rig do you use?
 
My .357 loaded, wilderness safepacker holster and one reload comes in over 40oz. 12oz. from something bigger than a .22 would be a dream come true.

Love the safepacker, but I could switch to a lighter rig with the LCP. Safepacker empty weighs 10oz.
 
How often do you practice with those wee things? How well can you shoot 'em? Any NAA firearms is more of a novelty, big kid's, toy than anything else.
I think the only lighter Smith is a 340PD. 11.4 ounce Scandium Alloy .357.
"...bears aren't a concern..." Exactly. Only time you'll have an issue with Yogi is if you come to him with the wind in your face. Or you do the idiotic thing and not secure your grub properly. Otherwise, both Yogi and Cindy will know you're there and avoid you long before you can annoy either of 'em. If you did, you'll never be fast enough with any handgun and no hand gun will stop Yogi/Cindy in their tracks anyway.
 
For size, weight, and reliability an LCP is a great choice in my opinion. I carry one often. With quality ammo it will do just fine for two legged and most four legged critters.
 
thinking about a .380 LCP as a super light weight trail gun
  1. plinking
  2. 10 yard small game
  3. LIGHTWEIGHT self defense
. If bears are a concern, I carry a SW 386NG .357. Its really too heavy for some hiking around here.

Anyone have a reason not too?
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Not much good for the first 2 uses. Just carry the revolver. IMHO&YMMV.
 
Black widow is no novelty. Adjustable rear sight and a beefier grip than the mini-mags. Its minute of chipmunk at 10 yards, still surprisingly accurate out at 25 yards.

My buddy has one as well and he sits there snapping twigs with it at 5 yards or so.

I love the idea of an 11 ounce .357 on paper...but shooting that thing in reality sounds painful.
 
I think for your intended purposes a snubby lightweight hammerless .38 revolver would be perfect. That way you have good reliability, and can load whatever power level you want, from powderpuff swc squirrel loads to 158gr hollow points for people or a deer if you get lost and need lots of food.

I know you are concerned with weight, but I wouldn't worry about 12oz versus 26oz.

My do everything pistol weighs in at 40oz unloaded, I conceal carry it, target shoot, hunt, hike with it as wilderness protection open carried.
 
but I wouldn't worry about 12oz versus 26oz
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There are folks who carry a 40lb pack for the weekend...and there are folks who carry 19lbs. Trying to shed some pack weight.

Ounces are pounds. Pounds are pain.

My .38 weighs in at 17oz loaded. I can carry the LCP with a ten round mag and shave almost a quarter pound. Plus, I think 10 rounds of .380 has the advantage over 5 38s.
 
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Quote:
thinking about a .380 LCP as a super light weight trail gun
1. plinking
2. 10 yard small game
3. LIGHTWEIGHT self defense
. If bears are a concern, I carry a SW 386NG .357. Its really too heavy for some hiking around here.

Anyone have a reason not too?
Not much good for the first 2 uses. Just carry the revolver. IMHO&YMMV.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. I am more proficient with my LCP than with my S&W M60 or Ruger SP-101. Maybe it's just me...

 
I would be more worried with what I can shoot good VS weight. I dont care how small or light the gun is, if I cant hit squat with it then its no good. Have you shot the Ruger LCP, how well do you shoot it? For my trail gun I like to carry my S&W 242, with 7 shots of 38SPL (first round is snake shot) I feel well armed unless there is big game in the area. How about a Ruger LCR, they are pretty light.
 
Some responders clearly don't appreciate how fanatical some backpackers are regarding weight. :)

I do a little backpacking and a lot of hiking. I sometimes take my Sig P238 (about 16 oz loaded), but sometimes even that is more than I want to deal with, and I'll just carry pepper spray instead (4.5 oz., I think)

I occasionally consider an LCP just for the sake of saving a few more ounces... But I can't really justify buying another gun that fills the same niche as what I already have (when there are other voids I'd rather fill). But if I didn't already have the P238, the LCP would be pretty tempting.
 
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If the LCP was still $400, I think I would not be as interested.
For $229 delivered...I think I need a 9oz .380
Click to expand...

At $200 shipped......($100 less than when first released), it is a good deal - and why I bought one
 
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