Ruger LCP Mods

Deaf Smith

New member
Well at the local pawnshop there was a Ruger LCP, stainless slide, used (but barely used) for $150. So, at $162, tax Inc., It became mine. Disassembly showed little wear. Shorter trigger pull than my Kel-Tec P3AT.

Now I hear the 10 lb recoil spring is a bit weak, so is the 13 lb spring better? And will the stainless steel guide rod be worth it?

Haven't shot it but I did cycle rounds through it and the slide a few times hesitated to go forward.

Deaf
 
Now I hear the 10 lb recoil spring is a bit weak, so is the 13 lb spring better? And will the stainless steel guide rod be worth it?

If what's in there if factory, leave it.

will the stainless steel guide rod be worth it?

Mine came with a steel guide rod. Did yours not?
 
I just have the regular version, and would buy the SS if I found it for that price. I have to really snap the slide all the way back to make sure it chambers a round smoothly. I have shot a wide variety of ammo through it with no issues. I think you will be very happy with your purchase.
 
Last edited:
I got my regular blued lcp gen 2 for $200 used and thought that was a good deal. I would be really happy with the stainless for $150!

I personally see no reason to change the guide rod from blued steel to stainless. The stock guide rod works just fine, why change it.

Same with the recoil spring, I use stock spring weights in all my semi autos, they were designed that way for a reason. I would only consider changing it if I had some sort of feeding issue I thought it could remedy. My lcp feeds great so I don't see the point.

Bottom line, shoot it first. If it feeds everything, then it ain't broke so don't fix it!
 
Ok, will do. I have to shoot my Glock 26 this week to evaluate the disassembly and cleaning of the extractor. When I do I'll shoot some .380s from the little Ruger.

Deaf
 
I have to really snap the slide all the way back to make sure it chambers a round smoothly.

My new LCP Custom also behaves like that. I am hoping that changes with more firing.

The Custom comes with the stainless guide rod, and bigger sights, and the better (red) trigger. So I can't comment on the basic model as I've not fired one.

But I don't see the need for the grip sleeve. I fired at least 50 rounds through my Custom last weekend and didn't notice any hand-hurt going on. I know darn well my old KelTec P3AT would have been hurting me, and I do not think I ever fired that many rounds through the Bodygaurd380 at one time so can't say about that gun.

The Ruger trigger is so much better than the S&W that I now carry the Ruger.

Bart Noir
 
Bart I doubt that more firing will change anything. It hasn't with mine after hundreds of rounds. Knowing it takes a full stroke, I have learned to make sure I do that every time.

I also have a Houge grip on mine, and for me, it is far easier to shoot well because it doesn't move in my hands while shooting-especially rapid fire. It makes it more comfortable as well.
 
The slide needs to have full travel and full inertia to chamber a round properly.

Let 'er fly, or it's likely to hang up.

And... grip it properly, as limp-wristing or a loose grip tends to cause short-cycling, as well.
 
As far as "mods" go, I do have my eye on putting a MagGuts spring set into my LCP magazine, to gain an extra round. I could have fun establishing how reliable the kit is, by shooting a bunch. Now if only they would send me the ammo to shoot.

But the website is showing "out of stock" and hence no price is displayed. So I don't know if I actually will buy one of the mod kits.

Does anybody know of any online store which sell these? I tried the biggies, those being Midway and Brownells. No joy there.

MagGuts for LCP

Appetizing name, what?

Bart Noir
 
Question gang. Pro-Mag makes a LCP Ruger 6 round magazine. Seems to cost less than the Ruger made one.

Does anyone here use them and are they reliable?

Thanks,

Deaf
 
I don't think I've ever heard a good word said about them.n my gf's mods to are the following. "When are you gonna start reloading so it's not so expensive to shoot 100+ rounds at a time".
 
But I don't see the need for the grip sleeve. I fired at least 50 rounds through my Custom last weekend and didn't notice any hand-hurt going on.
I added the Hogue Handal on my Elsie Pea, that's all. Not for any recoil remediation, but it just gives it a better feel in my hand without any adverse effect on pocket concealment.
Shot something over 130 rounds of various 380 out of it out of the box with just a minimal cleaning when it was new. Zero discomfort from shooting it, and 100% reliability. As it has been ever since for the past eight or so years.
As for loading a round, and making sure you pull the slide all the way back, I just load the first round from the mag by releasing the slide lock.
 
I just load the first round from the mag by releasing the slide lock.

Ditto, whenever I am loading the LCP with the slide locked back.

But I also practice a need-it-now reload since I carry a second magazine. And that is when I am holding an LCP which doesn't have the slide locked back. As LCP owners all know, this gun doesn't lock the slide back when the magazine is empty.

And so far, I will often have to smack the slide to get the loading finished, when starting from a slide forward situation.

I guess I have to work on my energetic and manly slide racking technique.

Bart Noir
 
I got a LCPcustom a few months ago. I wanted something small and given I had all those years of LE training I could shoot it well enough to offset the wimpy round. So far I have fired 3 boxes through it with not one malfunction. After a box the hand is a bit sore but nothing terrible, after all it's not something you shoot all day anyways.
I can see how the oversize sights could get snagged but they are big enough to actually use. The trigger is a tad heavy by Glock standards but for a DAO belly gun I actually like it. For me it's the perfect balance of safety and handling considering how it's designed to be carried. The one thing I don't like is it's not having a slide lock to show it's empty.:mad:.
Last week I shot my annual HR 214 Concealed Carry Qual. I wasn't going to use the LCP but finally decided to anyways for the training value. Since the shoot was pass fail I figured I could just do another quick run through if I didn't do well. I even decided to shoot like I would in a real gunfight as I always qualified on the job draw, aim and fire fast. I never shot a perfect score like that but it was good training. What I did this time was shoot head shots until I got to the 25yard mark. There I went back to center mass. In all I had one flyer, probably back at the 25 where my hand was starting to get sore. Back there I took a little longer to aim of course. Every one of those head shots hit except one that caught an ear. So one miss out of almost a box of 50, I was amazed.
That is pretty darned good considering I aint Dead Eye Dick and only shoot a few times a year. I really would trust my life to this little guy. They say they made the standard LCP a bit more refined this year. I wonder how it stands up to the Custom:)
 
I really like my Custom also. Doubled my effective range out to 15 yards from 7 with my gen 1 LCP. The new basic LCP does sound better, with an improved trigger and slightly larger (not Custom-sized) sights.

When I first got my LCP, I needed the Hogue/Pachmayr rubber to soothe the recoil. Must be getting used to it, because I left it off the Custom.
 
I must say that trigger is smooth. I know a couple guys who want one . That's why I wonder how it stacks up (Gen 2 to mine). I know a couple guys who want one but I don't see the Custom showing up on sale anymore. I also wish the Custom had a Stainless slide too. You just know it's going to wear if it's stuck in a Desantis pocket holster or bouncing around your pocket much.
For that qual I wanted to use the pocket holster and they told me I could. It isn't timed but the trouble is all these guy are retired cops too so I couldn't count on some fumble foot slowing things down so I could keep up. I only had one mag at the time too so I ended up sticking with my trusty Uncle Mikes belt holster. Good thing I did too:rolleyes: as I still held those guys up reloading my mag.
First thing I did was run right out and order another mag from Midway for $18. I haven't used it yet so can't endorse it one way or the other. So now I'm loaded for bear (baby meth-head bears wanting to rob me anyways):D .
 
Back
Top