LCP SD ammo?

[JoeyD]

Just got my LCP with CT laser a week ago Saturday and don't yet "love it" but do "like it" a whole lot. It's smaller and lighter than my PM9 and it's quickly becoming my EDC. I've only put 40 Winchester 95gr FMJ target rounds through it so far and encountered one minor problem -- the slide did not fully return to battery two times, in the middle of a magazine both times. A quick check and small push forward to get it on seat had it ready to fire both times. I'm assuming the Remington DryLube I used just wasn't slick enough, so tore it down and applied conventional lube after cleaning this morning but haven't fired it again yet to see if that resolved the issue.

I think the 95gr Winchester target load offers enough recoil to fully cycle the slide, but I'm no expert. Makes me wonder about the 90gr Federal Hydra-Shok JHP -- haven't fired but a couple of these rounds. I guess I need to get out in the back yard and do a bit more structured set of tests.

What kind of ammo have any other LCP afficionados had luck with and come to rely on?

JoeyD

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Old School]

My Diamondback .380 will function Speer Lawman JHP with no problems however I carry Speer Lawman FMJ for a SD load. I am looking for reliability but I also want penetration to get as deep as possible with the .380. Just my $.02.

[357 Terms]

I tried XTP's and factory corbon jhp in my wifes Sig 238 and they only penatrated 5-6 inches in wet newsprint. The FMJ went twice as deep,kept those in it since then.

[rammerjammer]

I have my LCP loaded with Gold Dots and have had no problems with the ammo.

[tkruf]

+1 FMJ

[tokerblue]

I load my LCP with Gold Dots, but the Winchester PDX1 looks very promising.

[TX-JB]

That was a common problem with the LCP not too long ago. A Wolfe extra power spring kit will solve the problem. It replaces the stock recoil spring with a stronger one and will make feeding more reliable. I also found the extra power seemed to lessen the recoil a little. As for ammo, I carry full power FMJ loads. The 380 is a minimum power load for SD and if your round doesn't get enough penetration to get to the vitals, it's useless. I've seen plenty of 380 shootings in my career and have never seen a FMJ round exit a body.

[theheater905]

I put American Eagle, Speer Lawman, RWS, Sellier & Belliot FMJ without any problems, as for JHP, it functioned reliably with Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX1 and Speer Gold Dot. The Gold Dot is my carry.

[JustinG]

Hornady Critcal Defense here, no complaints.

[DIABLO9489]

I have my LCP loaded with Gold Dots and have had no problems with the ammo.

+1

[Armydad]

Another Critical Defense here. I think that Hornady did a great job fixing the inherent problems of a hollow point "plugging" which limits expansion. Low flash, etc., just a good round for me.

[druryj]

Always FMJ in a .380 for me too.

[JoeyD]

Thanks for everybody's feedback...you guys are the greatest! A quick tally of replies looks like a roughly even split between FMJ's and Gold Dots, so guess I'll start off with a couple of boxes of FMJ's at the range and see where that leads.

Thank you TX-JB for recommending the Wolff spring upgrade, put an order in this morning for the 13#.

[JOHNSMITH]

Indeed. Seems most people around here recommend FMJ with .380 since it is already a power challenged round - need as much penetration as possible. Some really like Buffalo Bore's hard cast 100 gr load, although it isn't cheap. I would recommend staying away from the +P loads as Ruger specifically recommends against it with the LCP.

[motojoe]

Nothing fancy for me, just good old fashion FMJ!!!