Ruger LCP .380

[SMUDGE]

My wife wants to take her ccw class and so does the associate pastors wife. I was wondering if any of you ladies have shot this gun and how you like it. My wife is newer to handguns but has shot rifles often. She shoots my xdm .40 full size but is kind of everywhere on the paper. She's about 5'2" and 120 lb. If not this do you have any suggestions? Thanks Smudge.

[tote'ngranny]

Yes! I have one as my main carry. I too am small and this gun is great. To control the recoil, choke up high on the grip. This is a great gun to conceal too. Have her try out several types and let her decide which one feels best for her.

[RevDerb]

My son has an LCP for a BUG but I think that my daughter-in-law carries it more often than he does.

[Mouse08]

I only carry it when my other choices (Kahr PM9 and Smith 642) are not options because of what I am wearing. It is not a fun gun to shoot, but, in general, I find, what is fun to shoot is not a good carry gun.

That being said the Kahr IS fun to shoot and a great carry option.

When I practice with the LCP or the Smith 25 rounds and I'm done. I could shoot the Kahr all day. (If I had that much ammo.) :winker:

[who dat]

The LCP doesn't have much weight to absorb the recoil, so I'd say no. Unless you let her put a few hundred through the pipe first, and she feels comfortable with it, she may not be able to handle it on D Day.

[Hawgrider]

The LCP and the Keltec's Are pretty convenient...... but there are hell on the wrist!

[RPMO6]

I'm pleased with mine.

The recoil isn't as snotty as I was led to believe, but what happens during the recoil is that the trigger guard slams into the underside of my trigger finger and is very unpleasant at about the forty round mark for me. I've read many posts that warned me that this was not a plinkin/target pistol. That's not what I bought it for.

It also has a very, very long trigger pull. I would think due to having no safety except for my trigger finger.

For what I bought it for, I'm very happy. Now ammo is a different story. Good luck finding some, and when you do, it will be expensive, but again, it's not like I'm shooting it all the time. A little practice here and there so that I can hit something and make sure it feeds ammo well.

For a new pistol shooter, I would absolutely have her shoot it first. IMHO, get her a .22 to get some trigger time in, then have her select something she is comfortable with.

[GreaseMonkeySRT]

I sold my AMT .380 for an LCP. I haven't shot the LCP yet, but it is much lighter than the AMT. The AMT literally made my hand hurt for the rest of the day after 50 rounds.

Have her shoot it first. My Mom hates shooting my Dad's S&W Airweight. If your wife is all over the paper with a full size .40, it will be worse with the LCP.

[tote'ngranny]

The LCP doesn't have much weight to absorb the recoil, so I'd say no. Unless you let her put a few hundred through the pipe first, and she feels comfortable with it, she may not be able to handle it on D Day.
Hey guys...I have a baaad wrist and I can handle the LCP with noooo problem. It's all how you hold it. The recoil is less than a J frame. I know. A 9mm is difficult to rack and the recoil is less?

[wishn-i-was-fishn]

If she is a new shooter I would say no, it is not a good choice.

Just my opinion, I think they are an acceptable back-up gun, but I do not like them for a primary gun.
They are okay to shoot if you are not shooting all day. If you take an NRA class and if the instructor does the job right, you will shoot at least 96+ rounds and you must get your hits on the target to pass the class.

If she is not an experienced shooter it will likely not be pleasant for her to shoot the entire course of fire with this gun.

Other factors to consider:

380 ammo has been and continues to be in very short supply. It has been the most difficult caliber to find for ten or more months.
380 ammo is and has always been more expensive than 9mm.
You need to continue to practice with your gun if you plan to be successful if you need to use it.
Will you practice on a regular basis with a gun that may not be the most comfortable to shoot, that you cannot find ammo for and for which ammo is expensive?


My suggestion is to take a class where you can borrow or rent a gun and concentrate on doing well in the class. Class, if taught correctly, will present a lesson on choosing a gun for self defense and lay out all the pros and cons for revolvers vs semi-autos plus other considerations to help you make the best choice for you personally. There is no universal solution that works for everyone. There are many trade-offs to consider and your ultimate choice will involve some sort of compromises. you should be able to make a better decision after the class.

[Pistol Teacher]

I would not get a LCP for a woman starting out in a class. It is expensive to shoot and small. Your sight radius is small and can make it harder to hit accurately.

I find it hard to pull the slide back as a big guy. Woman with weaker hand strength may find this a challenge.

Go to a store have her handle it.

It is a nice pistol, I have seen malfunctions on this pistol. From what I gather if you run the slide back and forth 500 x it works out.

She has more to worry about in training then an new small pistol to handle.

Good luck.

[Hawgrider]

Hey guys...I have a baaad wrist and I can handle the LCP with noooo problem. It's all how you hold it. The recoil is less than a J frame. I know. A 9mm is difficult to rack and the recoil is less?Agree its very shoot able but try shooting 50 or so rounds out of it in a single 30 to 45 minute practice session and see what your wrist feels like and how cramped your hand is .....at least my arthritic 49 year old hand Thats all I was saying .....You are suppose to practice with what you carry right Granny?

PS.... I have the P3AT Keltec for a bug and like it.

[wishn-i-was-fishn]

Agree its very shoot able but try shooting 50 or so rounds out of it in a single 30 to 45 minute practice session and see what your wrist feels like and how cramped your hand is .....at least my arthritic 49 year old hand Thats all I was saying .....You are suppose to practice with what you carry right Granny?

PS.... I have the P3AT Keltec for a bug and like it.


:yeahthat: +1

[tote'ngranny]

The LCP is a very comfortable fit for my small hands. Cramping has never been an issue for me with this gun. My wrist has been fractured many times from when I was a kid and from severe osteoperosis (which is now moderate) and I am 59 yrs old. If anybody would have a problem with this it would be me. I am confident with this gun and enjoy shooting it. What other pistol will have less recoil that is easy for a petite woman to rack that is over a .380?

[Joeywhat]

Glock 19/26 would be a better choice IMO.

Or a Kahr in 9mm.

[who dat]

The LCP is a very comfortable fit for my small hands. Cramping has never been an issue for me with this gun. My wrist has been fractured many times from when I was a kid and from severe osteoperosis (which is now moderate) and I am 59 yrs old. If anybody would have a problem with this it would be me. I am confident with this gun and enjoy shooting it. What other pistol will have less recoil that is easy for a petite woman to rack that is over a .380?
None.

I think it's a great gun but I just would let her fire it for awhile to get used to it.

[Hawgrider]

The LCP is a very comfortable fit for my small hands. Cramping has never been an issue for me with this gun. My wrist has been fractured many times from when I was a kid and from severe osteoperosis (which is now moderate) and I am 59 yrs old. If anybody would have a problem with this it would be me. I am confident with this gun and enjoy shooting it. What other pistol will have less recoil that is easy for a petite woman to rack that is over a .380?

Ok Gotta add this .....Pretty darn good looking 59 year old for sure! Based on the pic you posted the other day:heart::grin:

Glad the .380 works for you. I like my .380 as well but it does tear up my wrist after extensive shooting. My wife doesn't like to shoot my keltec because it hurts her wrist as well...... But what she does like is the Colt Detective Special in a .38 special round. The gun is still quite small and will easily fit in a front pocket but is a little bit heavier and has a better grip. The .38 special round is nothing to make fun of. Its proven round for decades.:-)

P.S. no racking....With the 6 shot revolver

[Mouse08]

Glock 19/26 would be a better choice IMO.

Or a Kahr in 9mm.

I'm NOT Glock bashing. I know those that have them like them. My hand is too small to get a good grip on a Glock. I have handled them, but, never fired one. From what I hear they are fine IF you have larger hands.

As to the Kahr comment, I have a PM 9 and really LIKE it.

[Pistol Teacher]

I'm NOT Glock bashing. I know those that have them like them. My hand is too small to get a good grip on a Glock. I have handled them, but, never fired one. From what I hear they are fine IF you have larger hands.

As to the Kahr comment, I have a PM 9 and really LIKE it.

9mm "baby glock" G26 10 rounds. sub-compact

[Greggos]

Smudge: Are you anywhere near a firearm range (indoor)if they have renatl HG's she/you can rent the one out that she likes, if she doesn't like it, rent a different one.

My wife wants to take her ccw class and so does the associate pastors wife. I was wondering if any of you ladies have shot this gun and how you like it. My wife is newer to handguns but has shot rifles often. She shoots my xdm .40 full size but is kind of everywhere on the paper. She's about 5'2" and 120 lb. If not this do you have any suggestions? Thanks Smudge.

[SMUDGE]

Smudge: Are you anywhere near a firearm range (indoor)if they have renatl HG's she/you can rent the one out that she likes, if she doesn't like it, rent a different one.
I am near top gun but as far as I saw when I went there two days ago they didn't have an LCP there to rent. Thanks for all the other options everyone is giving me though. My thoughts were the same as some of yours and letting her shoot with a .22 pistol before her class then really let her get acclaimated to the rest of the stuff later. Keep the suggestions coming!

[tote'ngranny]

LOL!! I still have those skinny long arms. The heavier the gun on the end of them the lower I seem to shoot. Starting with a .22 is a good idea to get comfortable at first.

[GreaseMonkeySRT]

LOL!! I still have those skinny long arms. The heavier the gun on the end of them the lower I seem to shoot. Starting with a .22 is a good idea to get comfortable at first.

Agreed.

Have her get comfortable with a .22 first. When my fiance decides to join me at the range one of these days, I'm going to have her start with my Dad's Ruger Mark III.

[tote'ngranny]

Agreed.

Have her get comfortable with a .22 first. When my fiance decides to join me at the range one of these days, I'm going to have her start with my Dad's Ruger Mark III.
I have one and recently bought a USED (like new) Ruger 10-22 with a scope. Both of these are a lot of fun to learn on and very economical... will pay themselves back considering the cost of ammo. No recoil with either.

[Done Deal]

I'm NOT Glock bashing. I know those that have them like them. My hand is too small to get a good grip on a Glock. I have handled them, but, never fired one. From what I hear they are fine IF you have larger hands.

As to the Kahr comment, I have a PM 9 and really LIKE it.

Single stacks are my preference as well and my hand isn't as dimunitive as that of a female.

I love my PM9 and the LCP is a pocket gun if that is how I dress that day. The j frames don't see the light of day much any more...

[maddog3241]

I really like mine, and I have average size hands I would guess, my 14 and 15 year old sons shoot it without any problem either.. I carry it everywhere I go, as soon as this cold weather is here to stay, I will be switching to my S&W Sigma .40, but the LCP wont be far away ;)

[MLG]

Smudge,

My wife is about 5'4 and 125lbs and small hands. She tried out a number of different guns before taking her CPL Class.

She tried XD's, Glocks, Sigs and the M&Ps and she always gravitated back to the M&P Compact 9mm.

It is a personal choice but there's nothing like variety to help them find their favorite.

How's the XDm?

[maustin195]

My wife is 5' tall with small hands and she really likes her LCP. We shoot over 50 rounds every time at the range and she never has a sore wrist or hands. Now if I shoot it I get a sore finger from the triger guard because of large hand and long fingers. She has a choice of multible 9mm .45 and .32 pistols and always carries the LCP. The main reason is that it is real light weight and easy for her to conceal. Also at the range she always keeps the rounds in the 9 or 10 ring at 7 yards.Never had a problem with the gun either. Every person likes different guns so try to shoot one before buying.

[tote'ngranny]

My wife is 5' tall with small hands and she really likes her LCP. We shoot over 50 rounds every time at the range and she never has a sore wrist or hands. Now if I shoot it I get a sore finger from the triger guard because of large hand and long fingers. She has a choice of multible 9mm .45 and .32 pistols and always carries the LCP. The main reason is that it is real light weight and easy for her to conceal. Also at the range she always keeps the rounds in the 9 or 10 ring at 7 yards.Never had a problem with the gun either. Every person likes different guns so try to shoot one before buying.
EXACTLY!!! A great gun for a small lady, but not so perfect for a guy with bigger mitts. LOL

[mschaffer66]

Just bought one for the wife today. Hopefully we will get a chance to put some rounds through it this weekend or next and see how she likes it. If not I guess I have a backup lol

[slowmo44]

You can have her try a 9mm Walther PPS. Slim, small(ish) and not as much recoil as LCP.

[SMUDGE]

Thanks to everyone for your help. She recently got a new xd9 sub compact that she enjoys shooting very much.