What ammo for LCP .380 sights?

T

TimSr

New member
I got my son an LCP .380 for Christmas, and we finally got to the range with it. We were shooting both 95gr Blazer brass ammo, and some 95gr handloads. Both were shooting very low on the target, like 6" at 25 ft.

I was curious if this was typical for these guns. I shoot a lot of different calibers, and reload for them but .380 is new to me. 95gr used to be almost like a standard for this gun, when 115gr was common for 9mm. Has that changed? I can correct this with slower, heavier bullets but was just wondering what bullet weights most people shoot these days for .380 target ammo that Ruger may have had in mind when it comes to sighting.
 
Most of the better choices in self defense ammo didn't exist when the LCP was a drawing on paper.

As for hitting low, the short grip has a lot to do with it, and since the sights are only marginally adjustable, you have to "improve" your sight picture to get them up. If the gun is shooting that low then some would say to file down the front sight and elevate the barrel. That's old six shooter lore.

As for ammo, most prefer it's performance on target due to the .380 not being .357 in results, which is more a matter of shot placement anyway. I recently found the link below which had results I didn't expect at all: http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/

Shoot ammo selected for how it performs on target and adjust sights as needed. Many pro's shoot only what they plan to carry. With the pocket guns not being all that for range use, the expense is minimal. Practice with a good range gun, then shoot up your old carry ammo every month to get the feel of where it performs and you get the training plus rotate the chambered ammo out of duty.
 
Not much sight to file down on an LCP. Not much sight to do anything with. But mine has been acceptably accurate @ 10 yards right out of the box. Actually, the miniscule sights on my early dash S/N LCP aren't even used much. Instinct point and shoot has been so natural with it I consistantly hit center mass on a B26 target without even thinking about sights.
I used to carry Hornady Critical Defense ammo. 90gr. FTX bullet. But after a little more research now choose Speer Gold Dot 90 gr. Hollow Point.
Modern bullet technology, in part brought on by the popularity of these little mouse guns, has improved way beyond the days of needing a fmj bullet in 380 to reach the vitals of an attacker. The new hollow points expand effectively, and still penetrate nearly as much as a 9MM.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B_MmREJxM_E
 
Last edited:
I guess I should clarify that I'm not looking for the merits of defensive ammo. I would expect it to shoot low as its typically loaded to the max, and with light bullets.

I'm just trying to find out typical bullet weights for, lets say ball ammo, and if a point of impact of -6" at 25 feet is considered normal with that ammo.

The 6" offset is typical in my fixed sights 25acp or 38 snubby at 25 YARDS, where this LCP is this far low at 25 feet.
 
You ask for help but do not state what you are doing for hand loads?

I use a Lee mold for a 105 grain bullet and 3.6-3.8 231 or 3.1-3.3 Red Dot or 5.1-5.3 HS6 or 3.8-4.0 grains Unique.
 
My LCP shoots low too. I need to cover the target with the muzzle. Not near enough front sight to file off. I shoot ranch dog 102 gain with 4.1 grains Unique. 4.2 is the max, but reciol is enough with 4.1. Getting actual 912 fps. Trading it up for the newer version.

David
 
My LCP shoots low, too. I need to cover the target with the muzzle.
Click to expand...
Many small self defense type pistols are made this way, rather than for the 6 o'clock hold of target pistols.
Have you tried using this method?
 
Sounds like a sight picture issue. I like GECO .380 Auto 95 Grain FMJ & Fiocchi Ammo for pinking.

Which of these sight pictures are you using?

 
hartcreek, weather wasn't up to setting up the chrony, but my handload was 95gr bullet, and based on where it shot, similar in velocity to the factory ammo. My records aren't in front of me, but I think it was 2.8 or 2.9 gr Red Dot. I know how to correct it, was just trying to figure out if it was normal.

David R, that's what I was looking for. Thanks!

WVsig, I always use sight image 2 on everything, though I don't own anything with the 3 white dots. I would say that an inverted sight image 1 would still shoot below the black at 25' with a 50' slow fire target.

willikers, it is consistent and accurate, so it would certainly bring it up closer to where it should be.

Again trying to find out of this is normal with these guns, or if I should be contacting Ruger. I'm getting the impression from my research that it is, and that 95gr is the most common bullet weight so I'll be adjusting loads to bring it up. I have load data for 115gr bullets which I have on hand, so I'll see how it goes from there.

Thanks for all the replies.
 
Then there's the question of recoil control affecting point of impact.
I once had a .38 super 1911 that consistently hit high.
Enough so that the front sight had to be drooped about half way down the rear sight notch for good hits.
Then one of the other guys corrected my grip and the problem vanished.
Just a thought.
 
WVsig, I like yourpictures. No dots on my sights, they just confuse me. I am a bullseye shooter. I would expect with sight image # 2 to hit the X for a defense gun. #3 proably is sigh image for my LCP. It doesn't seem to matter bullet weight.
I lhold 6 oclock for Irons like sight image 1.

I carry the LCP most every day. I am going to upgrade it.
First it was a sterling 22, then a beretta 21A, now LCP
David
 
No such thing as .380 target ammo. Certainly not with an LCP. However, a .380 is no different than any other pistol. You must try a box of as many brands and bullet weights as you can to find the ammo that wee thing(and its poor sights) shoots best and cycles the action. The price of said ammo means nothing.
 
All of my LCP's target/plinking work is done with 95gr ammo. Below is a very recent 10-yard target that was shot just after some customizing was done to my LCP.



I would say that my LCP and the last two that I owned were pretty much dead on with the fixed sights.

You may want to bring the target closer at first to check your POA to POI relationship and probably shoot the pistol from a rest first. This should take out the human factor regarding issues like flenching or improper trigger control.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top