[Rollo]

I picked this up about two weeks ago as my wife's primary CCW. She was the one that picked it out. I read some reviews on it so I went ahead and "approved" the purchase. We took it to the range that day and ran about 150 rounds through it and took it to the range today for a second run.

Reliability -

So far we have had no failures of any kind. We shot some reloads, some store bought white box Winchesters and 1 box of federal defense rounds. With only 300 rounds through it so far I can't say it's flawless but so far I can say I'm impressed.

Accuracy -
From 7 yards I was impressed. I am by no means a master marksman. I was able to shoot 4-5 inch groups fairly rapid fire. Not great but effective enough for what it is (for me at least). With some more practice I'm sure I could tighten my groups up.

My wife didn't shoot it nearly as well as I did. She has only been shooting for about a year and most of what she has shot was my more "weighty" pieces. She told me she liked the LCP the first time we took it out but she wasn't quite as enthused this time around. I think the fact that I had just dropped 300 bucks on it may have skewed her opinion a bit.

Concealability -

Top notch. Stick it in a pocket holster and and the bloody thing disappears. I couldn't ask for much more for a summer carry gun.

Final Thoughts -

My major issue with this gun (and it's not a issue with the gun at all but with me) is that it's not fun to shoot. When it comes to a primary carry gun I am of the school of thought that the gun needs to be fun to shoot so that you will practice with it as much as possible. For me and my wife this gun didn't fall into that category. I would feel perfectly comfortable carrying it when size was a big concern and I'll put enough ammo through it to be proficient with it.

So, it's back to the drawing board for my wife. Right now she is carrying a Taurus 22 magnum that I borrowed from my dad. She shoots it VERY well but it's just a temp until we can find something else with a bit more power behind it. We are probably going to rent a 38 next time we are at the range and see how comfortable she is with it.

 

[zacii]

My wife wants an LCP. I wanted her to get a small 9mm, but she wants the smaller LCP. So, I'm gonna get it for her. I'd rather she had an LCP that she carries every day than a 9mm that she won't.

As far as practice to be proficient, I'm a proponent of dry fire practice. I believe that if someone dry fires 70% and live fire 30%, they'll be a better shot of anything. Maybe if your wife did some dry fire to get used to the trigger, her shots may improve, then if her shots improve maybe that will increase the fun element? OMO

 

[Rollo]

My wife wants an LCP. I wanted her to get a small 9mm, but she wants the smaller LCP. So, I'm gonna get it for her. I'd rather she had an LCP that she carries every day than a 9mm that she won't.

As far as practice to be proficient, I'm a proponent of dry fire practice. I believe that if someone dry fires 70% and live fire 30%, they'll be a better shot of anything. Maybe if your wife did some dry fire to get used to the trigger, her shots may improve, then if her shots improve maybe that will increase the fun element? OMO

The trigger really isnt the issue as she shot the 22 mag double action without much issue. She also fired it pretty accurately. The issue with the LCP for her just seems to be the recoil. And I admit that its pretty nasty. Its not bad running 25 rounds through in a sitting but anything over that gets a bit painful.

 

[Bark'n]

Good report Rollo! Enjoyment, like beauty seems to be in the eye of the beholder. I've had my LCP to the range about 4 times now. I really enjoy it.

Granted, after 50 or 60 rounds, I'm ready to shoot something else. It does have a stiff recoil and it's a pretty small gun to hang onto, but nothing I would consider punishing. I much more enjoy shooting the LCP than I do a 44 mag snub nose which I do find "punishing!"

All in all, the LCP is a great little gun. Accurate and controllable with practice.

I have no regrets buying mine and may buy another for the wife. My wife started out with the old "AMT Back-Up" in .380 before getting her SP-101, so I don't think she'll have any problems with the LCP for her BUG. She has yet to have a chance to shoot mine, but again, she started out on the old AMT Back-Up so I'm thinking she'll instantly like it.

Thanks for posting your report!

 

[Rollo]

Good report Rollo! Enjoyment, like beauty seems to be in the eye of the beholder. I've had my LCP to the range about 4 times now. I really enjoy it.

Granted, after 50 or 60 rounds, I'm ready to shoot something else. It does have a stiff recoil and it's a pretty small gun to hang onto, but nothing I would consider punishing. I much more enjoy shooting the LCP than I do a 44 mag snub nose which I do find "punishing!"

All in all, the LCP is a great little gun. Accurate and controllable with practice.

I have no regrets buying mine and may buy another for the wife. My wife started out with the old "AMT Back-Up" in .380 before getting her SP-101, so I don't think she'll have any problems with the LCP for her BUG. She has yet to have a chance to shoot mine, but again, she started out on the old AMT Back-Up so I'm thinking she'll instantly like it.

Thanks for posting your report!

I agree. It's defenitely a nice little gun. I won't be getting rid of it as it's a great pocket carry gun. I think my issue is more that I have never owned a gun that I couldnt put 200 rounds though at the range with no discomfort. But then again I just recently became a carrier. Before now I was just a "fun" shooter.

For me, the LCP will be a great "functional" weapon. I will carry it when I can't carry my glock 19. But it will never be a gun that I go to the range thinking "YES!!! Time to break out the LCP!!". And I don' think it will ever be a gun my wife will be comfortable enough with to stake her life on. That being said it was definetly 300 dollars well spent.

 

[AKsrule]

" It's defenitely a nice little gun. I won't be getting rid of it as it's a great pocket carry gun. I think my issue is more that I have never owned a gun that I couldnt put 200 rounds though at the range with no discomfort. But then again I just recently became a carrier. Before now I was just a "fun" shooter."

I have a couple of 357mag snubbies that I won't shoot 200 full power loads
through at a sitting , doesn't mean I won't carry them. :smile:

Extended practice done with lesser calibers and heavier guns will still sharpen
your skills. :yup:

 

[orangevol]

The best thing I did with my LCP was to add the HANDALL JR SMALL SIZE GRIP SLEEVE. This really cushions the felt recoil and makes it easier to hang on to.

It will cost you about $10, definately cheaper than a new gun!

 

[sjones]

I agree its not a fun gun to shoot.I shoot mine just enough so I can hit center mass.I have a crimson trace laser that goes on the trigger guard because as everyone knows,the gun has very miminal sights on it.It is a gun meant to be carried more than shot when a bigger gun won't conceal as well.Depending on where I'm going dictates which gun I carry.For fun shooting,I takr either my 26 or my 19

 

[RETSUPT99]

Thanks for the info/report...the LCP is exactly like the KelTec P-380, a nice little pocket protector, but not a fun gun at the range.

 

[Patti]

My LCP doesn't like remanufactured ammo.

So all practice rounds have to be factory new.

I got used to the gun being snappy.

The more I shoot it, the more I like it.

I highly recommend a Crossbreed Minituck holster. It's so comfortable, I forget I'm carrying a weapon.

 

[Ananael]

This is kind of out of left field, but maybe check out the Beretta PX4 Storm subcompacts in 9mm for the wife? I only mention it because my fiance saw one on my computer and instantly fell in love with it. Apparently, they are "adorable", in addition to being a fine cc piece from a great company...

 

[Bark'n]

This is kind of out of left field, but maybe check out the Beretta PX4 Storm subcompacts in 9mm for the wife? I only mention it because my fiance saw one on my computer and instantly fell in love with it. Apparently, they are "adorable", in addition to being a fine cc piece from a great company...

Now that there, I think is a hell of a recommendation!

I forgot all about that little gem. :hand10:

 

[gottabkiddin]

This is kind of out of left field, but maybe check out the Beretta PX4 Storm subcompacts in 9mm for the wife? I only mention it because my fiance saw one on my computer and instantly fell in love with it. Apparently, they are "adorable", in addition to being a fine cc piece from a great company...

Yeah that's a sweet little compact, but it's thick as a brick. 1.2" 1.4" counting the ambidextrous thumb safety, and 24-26oz, it's a chunk. 14 +1 rounds of 9mm is something to consider for sure, but good luck with pocket carry.

 

[1611mac]

My opinion... any gun this size is no going to be "fun" to shoot at the range. I bought my LCP as a backup to my Taurus 745 Pro and to carry in pocket when I simply can't carry my 745.

It's intended use is as a pocket gun, and as said, they are not fun. So... if your wife carries a purse all the time my recommendation would be to get a revolver that fits her hand better.

Since she has a place to conceal it (purse) she does not have to go with something as small as the LCP. Get something more comfortable in a revolver.

btw.. I love my LCP, but only for what it is!

(Opinion only... your experience may vary.)

 

[Rollo]

My opinion... any gun this size is no going to be "fun" to shoot at the range. I bought my LCP as a backup to my Taurus 745 Pro and to carry in pocket when I simply can't carry my 745.

It's intended use is as a pocket gun, and as said, they are not fun. So... if your wife carries a purse all the time my recommendation would be to get a revolver that fits her hand better.

Since she has a place to conceal it (purse) she does not have to go with something as small as the LCP. Get something more comfortable in a revolver.

btw.. I love my LCP, but only for what it is!

(Opinion only... your experience may vary.)

I have a bit of a confession to make...

A lot of the articles that I had read (a couple in a few guns mags and one over at cornered cat) said the best way to shop for a gun for your wife is to let her pick it out herself. And that's what I did. She picked up and held aboout 15. She settled on the LCP because it was very comfortable in her hand.

This is the point where things got a little dicey. I knew the gun was going to be snappy because of the reviews I had read and just knowning that putting a 380 in a really small partly plastic gun would have that effect. So I had to decide if I wanteded to say something about me thinking the recoil might be to much for her or to just let her pick.

Well, I decided not to say anything. This was mostly due to really wanting to let her be in control of her first gun purchase but I have to admit that waaaaaaay in the back of my mind I knew that if she DIDNT like it I would be the proud owner of a new pocket gun.

 

[WHEC724]

I agree w/1611mac.

My mom taught me to eat my 'peas' first...

So when I go to the range, I start with the LCP (least fun to shoot). Then move up to the 642, and then the G19 for dessert. For a special treat every now and then, I'll bring out the 1911.

But the LCP is with me at all times now. The others only get included as my attire will allow.

 

[Bark'n]

Well, I decided not to say anything. This was mostly due to really wanting to let her be in control of her first gun purchase but I have to admit that waaaaaaay in the back of my mind I knew that if she DIDN'T like it I would be the proud owner of a new pocket gun.

Oh, Rollo... You are so very sly. My hat's off to you, Sir!

:congrats: