I went to the Indoor range yesterday to test out the New Fat Max. I brought along my LCP Gen 2 with the nice DAO trigger and my LCPll 22 and the trigger I detest (Give me a LCR22 any day). I brought along two boxes of ammo. One American Eagle and one box a hand pick of every thing under the sun. All kinds of range ammo, defense ammo, commercial reloads and my own reloads.
Unfortunately they only had one that just came in and no rental. So I can report only on the way the gun looked and felt.
The gun was Not as big as I expected, but still too large for a pocket gun. It reminded me a LCP with a Hogue over Grip attached. The mags were nice. Looked like quality. The trigger from just using snap caps in the store was much like the standard LCPll. So in that regard the gun is not going to be a seller for myself. The front sight is a nice additiion. The trijicaon is on a number of my other guns. The Rear sight is blackened out, which is exactly the way I like my set up on Pocket guns and Micro 9mm's.
I think Newbie shooters will like everything about the gun compared to other 380's. Experienced Pocket gun enthusiast will not be charmed at all.
So since I could not shoot the new gun, (I will compare at a later time) I went on to shoot the LCP GEN2 and my LCPll 22cal. This is the last LCP I now have after having gone through many since they first came out.
I have not shot it years. (now carry the Pico and Kahr)
Well the little Gen 2 actually provided a fun time. Fortunately for myself after having so many thousands of rounds down range with pocket guns, he seemed like the old riding a bike. Something you do not forget. And the Little Ruger preformed with all that different ammo without missing a beat. I started off at 7 yds, then to 10 yds and then back to 5 yds. At 5 yds, I placed two 3" glow targets on a standard range target. Then placed the gun on the table and quickly grabbed the gun and did double tap to the two target and quickly filled up the targets.
The GEN 2 barely has a front sight. Those that are proficient with good point and shoot skills will not miss not having a front sight, BUT a Front NIGHT IMO is very important and this is the biggest selling point of the MAX.
What a shame Ruger could not simple up grade a GEN 2 with a front night sight. I still have a dozen magazines for the Gen 2 and to upgrade for the MAX would be $40.00 a pop. So a upgrade, if that is what you want to call it, is not going to happen.
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By the way, I am Not fond of the LCPll 22.cal Besides the ridiculous trigger especially if one were to EDC, the safety is a abomination. I will frequently pull it down when shooting and thing "What the "F", only to discover that the safety came on. And I am starting to get light strikes. I will have to put a new Trigger kit on (which I do not want to do) or sell the gun. Why a safety on the 22.cal and not the 380?
The LCR runs 22.cal like a dream. It is rare to get a failure of any kind other than a few duds from cheap ammo. And being a revolver that is no big deal.
In this comparison they have the LCP11 22.cal with a Hogue Grip and a the Fat max. A grip width of .97 is way too big, especially when you see other Pocket guns with a width of .75. THIN is IN.
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/ruger-lcp-max-vs-ruger-lcp-ii-22lr