Marshal HallowayRUGER® INTRODUCES THE LCP™ .380 LIGHTWEIGHT COMPACT PISTOL
Filed Under: SHOT Show News
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. , enters a major new market with the introduction of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol), a .380 autoloader that offers legendary Ruger reliability and quality in an ultra-light, compact carry pistol. Following quickly on the heels of the successful introduction of the Ruger SR9™ 9mm pistol, the LCP is the latest addition to the Ruger Hard-R™ line of products, and it demonstrates a firm commitment by the Company to respond to customers.
In fact, “The development and introduction of the Ruger LCP is in direct response to customer demand,” said Ruger President, Stephen L. Sanetti. “We have not been part of this market, but the growing number of states authorizing the licensed carry of pistols for personal protection by law-abiding citizens, and continued demand by law enforcement for quality back-up guns, cannot be ignored. The Ruger LCP is a .380 Auto pistol with superior ergonomic design and handsome styling. It incorporates state-of-the-art polymers, aircraft quality aluminum alloys and high-grade precision steel components engineered for strength and maximum weight savings.”
Michael Bane had a talk with Stephen Sanetti about the new LCP. Click the play button below:
The 9.4 ounce LCP pistol has a capacity of 6 + 1 rounds of .380 Auto. With a height of only 3.6 inches and a width of .82 inches, the small, lightweight LCP pistol is a reliable back-up or carry pistol. The high-performance, glass-filled nylon frame is topped by a through hardened blued slide. The Ruger LCP features a 2.75 inch barrel and an overall length of 5.16 inches. When size and weight savings count, the Ruger LCP pistol is a natural for personal defense carry, in a purse, briefcase, or inside hiking gear.
Each LCP comes with a soft case, instruction manual, external locking device and one magazine. For more information on the Ruger LCP pistol, visit the specially designed microsite at http://www.ruger.com/LCP/.
Ruger LCP SpecsCaliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 6 + 1
Barrel Length: 2.75”
Weight: 9.4 ounces
Overall Length: 5.16 inches
Height: 3.6 inches
Width: .82 inches
Trigger Pull: 8 lbs
Trigger Pull Length: .5 inches
Blued Slide, Through-Hardened
High Performance Glass Filled Nylon Frame
Comes With:
Soft Case
Instruction Manual
External Locking Device
One Magazine
We will bring you more updates on this new gun from Ruger as soon as they are available.
Popularity: 100%
97 Comment(s)
2 Trackback(s)
- From Snowflakes in Hell » Blog Archive » I Like | Feb 2, 2008
- From SayUncle » New Ruger LCP | Feb 4, 2008
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Charles Newton | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
I have traded or given back to a dealer both a kel tec and kahr in 9mm. Am I going to keep this one if I buy it?
Rich Thompson | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Looks promising for what it is made for price will make it or break it
cj | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Boy, that looks more than a little familiar. They weren’t bashful about ‘looking at what was out there’. Nice lines and finish though, and wondering what else they’ve got up their sleeves since their new direction.
John Jarlock | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
This looks like a neat pistol, from the pic on Michael Bane’s message, but it doesn’t look like it has any sights?? The Sig 232 in .380 I have has 3 dot sights, just right for the small pistol…
44 Man | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, this looks more than just a ‘little’ familier, right down to the take down pin. Did Kel-tec build this for Ruger or sell them to rights to make it? Or is Ruger so big that they feel they won’t be sued for infrignment. I hope it works for them. It does seem to have a nice fit and finish. 44 Man
44 Man | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, this looks more than just a ‘little’ familier, right down to the take down pin. Did Kel-tec build this for Ruger or sell them to rights to make it? Or is Ruger so big that they feel they won’t be sued for infrignment. I hope it works for them. It does look good, but I require sights on all of my pistols. 44 Man
Ghostdancer | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Is the slide steel, or aluminum? I would rather have the steel slide of the Kel-Tec.
Tennessean | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Look carefully; it has sights!
rj112275 | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
I hope that Ruger continues this run of nice polymer pistols. Hopefully a 9mm to compete with Kahr PM9 or Keltec 9mm models.
Putting the Ruger name behind a product like this has me thinking… can someone make a reliable .380 in a mid-price range. As stated above, I think the price point may be the kicker… what about $300-350?
Barry Smith | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
If this is as good as it looks, I’m putting my Walther PPK/S on display and carring this. I hope the price is right.
rj112275 | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Okay, I see the MSRP at Ruger is $330.
Anthony71 | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Oh, hi there Kel-tec with a slide release.
Not too original guys. But I do see sights, sort of.
Sancman | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Wonder if you’ll have to “fluff and buff” it like the Kel-Tec……
Want to see one in person…..
joel | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
I’ll stay with my SEECAMP .380. Smaller and very dependable. A little more money and takes longer to get, but I can carry and not even know it’s there. If I do ever need it, it’ll be right there.
Jon | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Check out this pistol at Frankiln Gun Shop (Athens.GA). They have ordered them before they hit stores so they will be one of the first to get them. Good folks too.
Jon Law | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
LOTS of Ruger guns “look like” other famous guns. Most of those Ruger’s have significant improvements over the originals.
If something this size will reliably ignite each and every round, that is a VAST improvement.
Jon
Colt45 | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
What were they thinking ? Looks too much like a Kel-Tec, I’ll never own one !
Jkwas | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Looks like an upgraded version of my P3at. If it’s any good,and the price is right, they should sell a boat load. It’s funny I was just looking over my Keltec today and marveling at what a well thought out piece of machinery it really is. I like the slide release. I may have to get one, We’ll see.
Clif Douglas | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Waiting for a 9mm +p rated!!!
Tim Perkins | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
I want one!
Hugh Drey | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Just looked at the new Ruger on your site. I would really like to get my hands on one. I have a Kel-tec…this looks similiar. I see Kel-Tecs for about $260 in my area. If the Ruger is in that range…I’m getting one! I think $300 is a bit much though for us “common folks.”
Cornelius | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Ruger website says the slide is made of through hardened steel. I may be seriously interested in this pistol.
Jkwas | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Just listening to the audio, I almost spit my coffee out on my monitor when they said how much time and effort went into designing this firearm. With all due respect: How hard is it to copy an exisiting design? It sounds like they are using the same source for their magazines as well. I give them credit for bringing this out, and more guns like this are long overdue, but it probably would have sounded better to say: “We took a look at the best designs out there and developed them to the next level” To hear the interview, you’d think no one ever thought of this before. Educated firearms afficianodos will never buy that line.
Alex | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Unless Ruger starts giving Kel-Tec its props, I will NEVER buy another Ruger. This is shameless daylight robbery.
tommy51s | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
If you think it looks like a P3AT on the outside, just look at the parts diagram at the Ruger site. The two guns’ parts look almost interchangeable. Ruger must have some deal going with KelTec. Or else they figure they have good enough lawyers.
I_Like_Pie | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Hey Alex no need to pout and stand in a corner…Would you ever buy a S&W or Taurus 1911 because they are copies?
How about a Baby Eagle? CZ called dibs years earlier.
How about any hunting rifle that has been made in the past 80 years? Mauser was there first.
Unless you haven’t been paying much attention….there really isn’t any true innovation in the firearms industry…just variations on a theme.
Nobody cares what you do or don’t buy.
tim | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
hope your p3at lasts longer than mine that blew up.
tim | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
sell your kel-tec before it blows up!
Rocker | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
I doubt that its a copy. I’ll have to see the guts before I pass judgment. I usually am not a fan of Ruger autoloaders but this dies look interesting.
ABNROCK
ace | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
Dont blame Ruger because the Kel-tec has no fit and finish. Shame on Kel-tec for taking our money for years and not creating a quality firearm. They should of used the money for R&D. I bought and sold the .32 & the .380 hated them both. I will buy this Ruger. Thank you Ruger
sigluvr | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know, it’s my opinion of course but . . . even for a “backup” it’s pretty light weight. A .380 cal?? A 9X18 would have been better or a straight (9X19 - 9mm) would have been the best. Sorry folks, looks good but don’t think I’m interested.
Russell McC | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
What happened to your P3AT. I had one KB also.
Russell McCona | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
what Happened to your KT? I had a kt KB also. Squib.
Cymond | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
Here’s a hit: there’s no PATENT on the 1911 - it expired ages ago. Ditto on the Mauser. Taurus originally produced guns for Beretta, and therefore they still hold a license to produce the guns that they do. You’ll note that there are several minor differences between the modern Beretta 92FS and the Taurus PY92. Those differences are due to Taurus’ license applying to an older version of the 92 pistol. Each company has continued to refind the gun in different ways since they parted.
Here’s exploded diagrams of both the LCP and the P3AT. They’re so similar that it’s scary.
http://cjhosting.net/images/3AT.jpg
http://cjhosting.net/images/LCP.jpg
Nill | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
And there’s no patent on the P3AT either.
If Ruger can make something that doesn’t have to be sent on multiple repair “vacations” just to work properly then I have no problem with them making their own p3at-type pistol.
jerrittcat | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
I have three Kel-tecs, they all work flawlessly and have since day one. I like the Ruger, I will buy one, already oedered it. I will keep the Kel-Tecs too. I have a Ruger P-95 and love it.
Joseph Kordinak | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
I listened to that crock of a interview. Started with a clean sheet of paper. What a liar.
Product innovation, HA HA
William H | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
How many people here complaining about “Ruger copying Kel-tec” own a 1911 that isn’t a colt? Also, Kel-tec has no patents on the design. It’s called a free market people.
ghostdog | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I have a Baby Eagle, and it’s heavier and has a different feel than the CZ. The same can be said for the other CZ clone from EAA. So if Ruger made a Kel-Tec clone, so be it. It’s been my experience that if it’s a Ruger, it does what it’s supposed to do…go bang when I want it to.
JohnnyMagnum | Feb 9, 2008 | Reply
Please have Sturm Ruger get with Crimson Trace (C.T.) right away so that C.T. grips for the LCP will become available soon. I’d rather buy a LCP with factory-installed C.T. grips then have to install the laser-grip my self.
Sincerely JohnnyMagnum
Michael | Feb 10, 2008 | Reply
Nice! Thanks!
rockriverman | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
it ’s a kel-tec
Ralph Foden | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Don’t you mind lying in a public forum Tim? Your P3AT didn’t blow up! None of them did. You’re rediculous!
Ralph Foden | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Actually, I meant ridiculous Tim. Either way you slice it, it’s a lie.
Ralph Foden | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
As for you Russell, if you had a KB from a squib load…that’s not the gun’s fault…it’s yours. I don’t know which is worse in public…to be a liar or admit that you’re a moron!
Ralph Foden | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
I’d like to apologize to Michael Bane for “coming down on” these 2 clowns on his forum but it “chaps” me when I see either lies or stupidity propogated on the internet.
Kaytee | Feb 16, 2008 | Reply
Light, sleek, svelte … a perfect pocket gun. Great work, Ruger.
Kaytee | Feb 16, 2008 | Reply
Sleek, svelte, light. Great work, Ruger!
Paul Powell | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
If Ruger’s .380 LCP is so similar to Kel-Tec’s, I’ll have to have Ruger’s out in the real world for quite some time before I would even begin to want to purchase one and stake my life on it. I know and respect Ruger’s repetition for dependability, but I a Kel-Tec P3AT and a PF-9 that are totally undependable and this is after returning them to Kel-Tec to be made dependable. I’m really “gun-shy” about their guns or any thing that looks like them. Seriously, I will let my Kel-Tecs go for a really cheap price.
straightforward | Feb 18, 2008 | Reply
Gun selection is always a very personal choice, however, I have watched, fired, and tried to figure out for the last 3 years if the Kel-Tec lines were just more on mass-marketing than quality. I even bought a sub-9 folder 3 years ago….Shot it a few times and simply got tired of the poor feeding. Buffed the ramp a bit and looked for the obvious to no avail. Guaranteed to jam with a moments notice and sometimes without.
Ruger, on the other hand, has made a career out of over-engineering. The stocks, while “blocky” were well, well made, always feed, never cause problems but perhaps missed a few styling cues along the way. You never bought a security-six for it’s looks but you could never ever argue it’s rock-solid performance.
For me, $50 more versus a Kel-Tec is a no brainer. If nothing else, you might have legal recourse with a firm the size of Ruger. With Kel-Tec, it’s throw the machine tools in teh back of the rented Ryder or two and off you go to the new strip mall, c-class space and name change to say…I dunno…Jennings, Raven, or some other piece of stamped crap you can find….Is your life not worth the $50? There is only so much money you can save folks…at some point, you truly do get what you pay for?
The litany of articles I read over the years of fluff n buff, and all that BS for a BRAND NEW PISTOL??? What are you…an idiot? Who buys anything new and suddenly has to become a pistolsmith to get it to run….
No more for me. If it doesn’t say Colt, S&W, Ruger, Springfield, or other similar manufacturers, NOT INTERESTED…the savings mean NOTHING to me. I can spring for the whopping extra 20 percent. In fact, I’ll pay KEl-TEC 20% to NOT produce that crap anymore…how’s that?
straightforward | Feb 18, 2008 | Reply
These arguments are pointless. I don’t give a damn if they went over at gunpoint and robbed the Florida shop of all their goodies, drilled their wives and girlfriends, and flipped them the bird on the way out. It will probably still be better. The finish is NOT identical. Ruger has too much to lose besides, it’s like those yaks that fight over the .270, .280, 308, and 30-06 for blasting deer.
Pay attention numnuts:
Fact: Most shots are taken within 100 yars
Fact: Lock, Load, pull trigger, kaboom, deer falls down…repeat
Fact: No deer ever argued which hurt more
Fact: Pistols made by a johny-come-lately versus a long standing manufacturer for $25 less don’t matter or count
Fact: Gun company’s with 5 or so employees are risky at best
Fact: If the $25 or so makes you write in to defend the need you need to adjust your budget
Fact: Spring for Bud Lite for a week or two and you too can aford quality
Fact: Drop the smokes cowboy and you too can aford quality
Fact: Keep your fat-assed wife out of Wal-Mart at least one weekend in 4 and you too can aford quality
Fact: No one ever regrets buying quality. Never hear a Lexus owner bitch about the breaks…do ya?
Fact: If you defend Kel-Tec, You too may end up in the paper as “another unfortunate incident on the NW side of town tonight”…
straightforward | Feb 18, 2008 | Reply
Hey, buy a Kel-Tec for curiosity, buy one for an experiment, heck buy one to just buy one but remember, for true personal defense that collects dust more often than not consider this:
A gun is a tool that at a certain point in time that if and when the personal safety margin around you has deteriorated to the point that you are truly in mortal danger, no other tool can quite take it’s place at that particular time in your life.
That said, better to have something that you absolutely, positively, can rely on because chances are, you are going to be fighting forces much worse than some meth-head looking for a few bucks like say; nervousness, sleep-deprivation, and altercation, poor lighting, loud noises, confusion, panic, fear, nagging wife, you know, all the things that make a good shot, poor.
So skippy, do what you like but for me, it’s something that I can throw in a drawer, closet, center console, glovebox, my pants, my wife’s pants, backpack or whatever, and forget about it until at such time my personal safety erodes to the point of revisiting it’s locale.
For me, it’s something that I have never ever regretted buying.
For the last 30 years I have purchased all of the following:
Colt, Smith, Springfield, Glock, Browning, Ruger: All, ZERO problems unless of course you count the time I loaded HOT HOT loads in my Glock and cracked the spacer sleeve…no problemo! It fired, I only found out after I opened it up and cleaned it. Good news, Glock fixed it 5 years out of warranty. Still own it today
Compare the other stuff I toyed with:
Taurus Model 85 circa 1982…couldn’t get a full box through it. Accurate for the rounds I fired but the cylinder bound up once heated…go figure…piece of crap
Kel-TEC: Folder 9mm…cute and jams constantly…piece of crap…could have been good if they actually decided to finish it properly…sigh…..
Bersa 380. Main spring broke after 3 boxes. Piece of crap
Honorable Mentions:
Rossi Revolver: Ain’t the most fly ride in town and did have a tendency to shear a bit of lead but overall, a good cheap gun…
Lesson learned…no more good money spent on mediocre products…..
Billybiker | Feb 19, 2008 | Reply
I have read all the remarks about copy and sueing…how many of you people are engineers and deal in proprietary data rights on a regular basis…..it seems to me most of the comments are from people who know NOTHING at all about it….as far as RUGER goes I own both a P-89 and a P-345 and they are the best…I can shoot them any time any place and the bullet goes out of the barrel and hits the target, if you are looking for a gun that works you can not buy a better value than Ruger….I am a former Marine Fighter Pilot and I am not new to guns….I suggest if you don’t like the look or performance of Ruger…DON’T buy the gun and move on!
Moleman3184 | Feb 29, 2008 | Reply
Amen! Kel Tac went back to factory today! Piece of junk that didn’t work right out of the box! Money wasted. I doubt Ruger would put their name on it if they didn’t first reverse-engineer it and figure out how to make it WORK! Looking to sell P3AT (Saturday Night Special) and buy QUALITY, if that’s Ruger, so be it! waiting for the major gun magazines to review this one!
Royce | Mar 2, 2008 | Reply
My ownexperience with Kel-tec has been much more positive than most posters here. I would like to see the new Ruger with slide stop and
aren’t most Rugers available in stainless….
Royce | Mar 2, 2008 | Reply
My ownexperience with Kel-tec has been much more positive than most posters here. I would like to see the new Ruger with slide stop and
aren’t most Rugers available in stainless…?.
chuck 1 | Mar 5, 2008 | Reply
i purchased my LCP 380 today. what a gun. aewsome
DM | Mar 6, 2008 | Reply
I like my Kel Tec 380. Purchased in 2005. Fine out of the box. Not pretty, but effective. Hogue handgrip sleeve cut to fit helps with recoil. Factory add-on clip gives one extra round (7 +1). No problems so far, but I use ONLY high quality standard factory loads. Most problems I’ve read about seem to involve junk ammo. Anyway, I ain’t selling mine and buying Ruger, although I agree that Ruger generally makes an excellent product, very rugged (you could probably use some of their revolvers for boat anchors). I bought one of Ruger’s .22 cal. automatic pistols 35 years ago and it’s still just as good as new today. So, if Ruger had been around with something like their new 380 when I NEEDED a CC gun two years ago, I’d probably have a Ruger .380 today instead of a Kel-Tec P-3AT. But Ruger didn’t risk their resources on this little CC gun until after Kel-Tec found the big market. Probably very smart business, to let Kel-Tec take the risks and then take the market. Very IBM-like. But this industry (and all industries) need for the innovaters like Kel-Tec to survive because they are the companies who respond to NEED and take the risks of market development. Sort of like Apple Computers did in the PC field. So, I hope Kel-Tec burys Ruger in the small CC 380 market, but unfortunately, it’ll probably be the other way around.
Gary Brinkley | Mar 6, 2008 | Reply
Chuck1, Where did you get your LCP? My dealer hasn’t heard anything yet. How does it compare to the P3AT?
Paul | Mar 8, 2008 | Reply
I just ran a box of 50 through my LCP without a problem . I even fired limp wristed trying to jam it. I purchased it 3 days ago and its been in my front pocket, with a DE Santis holster, since. I can now put my ccw permit to use. Thanks Ruger!
JD | Mar 9, 2008 | Reply
I went to a local gun shop here in Plano, TX, The Bullet Trap, and they have one on display, I looked it over and it looks like a great conceal gun that I ordered one. They are selling it for $289.99. I own another Ruger handgun for seven years and have been impressed with the reliablity of it, Ruger certainly in my book earns this bulletproof reputation from me, and the price of their firearms is always certainly an advantage. This will be my first “mini” gun, but for only $290 I consider it a bargain. Although the wait time for this gun I have been told is long, but if your not in a hurry, I’d say this is a bargain.
Tom | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Went to the local gun shop today. They had one for display only and were taking orders. They didnt mess around, they put it right next to the Kel-Tec. Let me tell you something, it took me aobut 30 seconds to order one. There is NO comparison to the Kel-Tec from a quality stand point. My 1st observations are that Ruger used a better grade of steel, better plastic, and spent A LOT more time, bluing, deburring, rounding edges, and overall finish. The gun is VERY impressive. For $299 what more do you want. I was wearing sweatpants and put the gun in my pocket and couldnt tell it was there. Il bet 7 rounds of .380 weigh more that the gun. I have no problem with Kel-Tec, I think the low price end of the market deserves servicing. Ruger definately improved on the fit and finish, based on my experience with Ruger autos, I have to think the gun will shoot like stink.
I am getting more and more impressed with Ruger, I bought a P345 a month ago and it shoots all day long. A .45 auto for $399, how can you beat it. I was impressed enough that I just bought their stock (ticker symbol RGR, in case anyone is interested)
BTW Ruger is the top selling AMERICAN firearms manufacturer. Way to go Ruger, I always loved your revolvers, I have a new found respect for your autos now.
I also would love to see an ultra compact in .9mm
Johnnyk | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Ok Folks I have the Kel tec and I have had no trouble AT ALL. Maybe it’s just me but, I hit the center ring at 30 or so ft with the first shot and kept a 2-3 inch group with each clip to 200 rds.
Just lucky?
I guess.
NOT
Johnnyk
Johnnyk | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Just wanted to add that I have had and have a few rugers loved and love um all, good shooters every one.
The rugers have always shot real natural for me.
I do dig that little keltec tho
so
go for what’s good for you.
Uncle Dick | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
this looks 1000% better than the Keltec.
if Ruger copied the keltec design, then GOOD. keltec has no patent or copyright on the design, so tough. they should have kept updating their guns instead of downgrading them. seen the extractor on the last versions of Keltec guns? it’s a paperclip held on by a tiny screw.
thank you Ruger. I will be dumping my KT for this gun.
DM | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
My guess is that Ruger would have never copied Kel-Tec’s P3AT as closely as it looks like they did if they hadn’t recognized that the little Kel-Tec 380 was one heckuva CC gun.
Now, Ruger may have a heckuva gun in their little 380 too. But, when you’re dealing with a semi-automatic pistol, you’re dealing with “Murphy’s law” - if anything can go wrong, it will. You are not likely to ever get revolver-style reliability from an automatic pistol, I don’t care who the manufacturer is. I always assume that I’ll just get one round off before any automatic that I’m shooting jams, and that the jam will always occur at the worst possible moment. I just try to make that first shot count - and every other shot I can get off before the inevitible happens and the gun does jam. I’m always happy when I fire a complete clip without a jam. I have several hand guns; 3 revolvers and 4 autos. My Beretta auto is the worst. However, I’ve had a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 since 2005 and nary a jam yet. Now, I haven’t fired it a lot, maybe 150-200 rounds (it’s not a target gun, nor much fun to shoot, it’s just there to serve a purpose). Needless to say though, I’m happy with its performance thus far although I still expect the next shot to jam any time I fire it. In all fairness to Ruger, I have one of their Standard Model 22 long rifle auto pistols too. I purchased it in 1973, and I’ve fired probably 5,000 to 10,000 rounds through it off and on over the years since then because that gun IS a lot of fun to shoot- and 22 long rifle ammo is cheap. My Ruger Standard model has NEVER jammed, ever, which is hard to believe. But remember, that’s the gun Ruger made it’s reputation on. I’m not sure that every auto pistol they’ve put out has been so trouble free. How about the first 9MM’s they put out?
Talk is cheap folks. Looks aren’t everything (except when you’re talking about girls). Does anybody in this thread who’s written about ditching their Kel-Tec 380 actually own one of them to ditch? And has any one actually fired more than a few rounds through Rugers new 380? Let’s see how much more reliable the Ruger gun is than a Kel-Tec P3AT after you’ve had a year or so to use the Ruger. I’d be interested then to hear a report then from some of you folks who ditched a Kel-Tec P3AT to buy one. Right now there is just no way to know how these guns stack up against one another except in looks, and hey, I agree that the Ruger gun does looks better. But what does that buy you in a shoot-out?
Jonesy | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
I bought the Ruger today. I am a firearms instructor with my police department and many of my officers carry the KT for off duty purposes. With daily carry and the sweat and lint that goes with pocket carry…etc. I do not like the KT….AT ALL….many malfunctions during qualifications…accuracy is acceptable. I am looking forward to testing the Ruger. The fit and finish is clearly spuerior to the KT and not that much more $$.
chuck 1 | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
awesome gun, shot 50 rounds extremely accurate and very controllable. can not wait to shoot again. am going to buy another one soon.they are all sold out at this time. they can not keep them in stock.
Rick Lempke | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
Kel-tek vrs. Ruger$85.00 more for a slid-lock…. a slide-lock that you still have to release all of the recoil spring tension from.. I just bought the proven gun after seeing this at the shot show… the P3AT.
Baker1 | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
Much nicer fit & finish than the Kel-Tec’s, which are poorly made junk.
tomb | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
I got one of the new ruger I put 150 rounds through it in the first 2 days fmj & jhp no misfeeds or misfires i love the little gun, and am pleased I bought the ruger lcp.
jjimmyy1 | Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
Not a bad looking gun the LCT. Might be worth a shot since the Jam-Tek’s cannot be counted on for reliability when push comes to shove.
Three Musketeers | Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
The new Ruger LCD looks great, now if they would offer in 9×18 Makarov I would buy it on the spot. The .380 is OK but the Mak round is more available in the places I go and cost less in the US so you can practice, practice, practice!
Molly | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
I shot mine for the first time today. It seems to have a lot of power. The size and concealibility is awesome! Compared it side by side to the Keltek and it feels like a real gun as compared to a toy.
tom | Apr 21, 2008 | Reply
I’m having FTF problemws with myh new LCP , I have about 300 rounds through it now as well
Bob | Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
I’ve had two .32’s. First one had a trigger axis problem, they fixed it. I now have a P3AT, feeds and ejects fine. Accuracy is laughable but hopefully when I get to use it on a perp it will be jammed into his ribs.
Fondled the new ruger at a show this weekend. I love rugers, but I am not going to spend the extra just fir the name carved into the side of a virtually identicle gun.
As for lint and dirt, I take mine apart all the time just because I like to.
Just remember fellow gun lovers, everyone has their own opinions…save the anger for the non-law-abiding perps!
R D | May 4, 2008 | Reply
i bought 2 kel tec 32 autos when they first came out ne for me one for my wife we both love them this has been yesrs ago they are both hard chrome finish we shoot at least 100 rounds a week never failed to fire in all this time never any probleums at all they are great little guns i also keep them loaded with speer gold dot ammo i can’t say enough good things about them
Steve | May 12, 2008 | Reply
I bought my Ruger LCP after a friend bought a KEL-TEC. We both agree Ruger is a name you can trust when your life is on the line. I carry concealed and I LOVE the Ruger LCP and Feel confident it will perform when needed. Train hard and be safe!!!!
8ntsittnstill | May 12, 2008 | Reply
No comparison to the Kel-tec, LCP’s quality is significantly more refined. I’ve had mine for about a month now. I love it.
Jerry | May 17, 2008 | Reply
I saw a Ruger LCP today for the first time. I put it in my pocket and it disappeared. I couldn’t even feel the weight to know it was there…awesome little gun. One problem though. I found the trigger had a very long pull and 8 lbs feels terrible. Ruger must go to 5lbs at least with this gun. I’d prefer around 3.5, but I’d find 5 acceptable. Jerry
Kazelcrg | May 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi webmaster!
Kazeleqy | May 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi webmaster!
Larry Crain | Jun 4, 2008 | Reply
I love this section and I’m interested in getting the LCP for my wife. Larry Crain
linda russell | Jun 7, 2008 | Reply
I own the new ruger LCP and love the way it fired. And accurate. It is so lightweight and easy to carry next to the AMT I repleaced. They are hard to come by right now but worth the wait.
JohnNLV | Jun 15, 2008 | Reply
Sights do not matter for this weapons purpose
Russ Koerner | Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
This is NOT a Keltec! Ruger had a flaw, Ruger fixed the flaw. Grendels were junk, and they renamed them Keltec, but are still junk. What is junk, something you buy new and have to send back to factory to get it to work. My Grendel P-10 went back 4 times, George Kelgrin said it was broke because I shot Cor-bons in it. Heck it would not spit out more than 2 or 3 Silvertips then jam. Interesting, but expensive paper weight! Ordering Ruger, cause every Ruger I own WORKS!
jay | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
keltec seems to have good designs but poor manufacturing and materials. not surprising considering what goes into metalurgy and materials now adays. Nice that a solid company like ruger will make a decent design into a dependable gun. The similarities are beyond obvious, it really is the same gun with better materials and manufacturing and a few tweaks that hopefully make it better
Fred | Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
Love my Elsie Pee. Just one thing bothers me. My calipers say that the necked-down area about 1/4″ from the end of the barrel is just .009 inches thick. That’s 9 thousands=about the thickness of two pieces of paper! Huh!
GP | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
I’m an IP attorney.
There are no issues with IP infringement unless . . .
1. Kel Tec has a patent on a mechanical feature. Unlikely.
2. Kel Tec has a “design” patent on the way the P3 looks.
Unlikely.
3. Kel Tec brings a “trade dress” suit.
I’m not familiar with that area of trade dress law, but I’d guess, “unlikely”.
Fact is, there are only so many ways to put a small gun together, and it would not be in the best interests of the public to have the first design in a particular caliber/frame size to exclude all competitors based on looks.
Commentor | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
It has a channel cast in, not actually sites.
ken | Aug 6, 2008 | Reply
the seecamp is a piece of junk, it miss fires and jams and I fired exactly what lary said, itt mars up easliy like I said a over priced piece of junk
ken | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
THE RUGER LCP 380 JUNK JUNK JUNK JUNK
I Bought one new for 400.00 because they are 3 month backlog and my local gun shop had one I got impatent. I own a kel tec 3at and it is great I wish I could say the same the ruger 380 but it not. I loaded the first round in the chamber and the slide doesn’t go forward all the way and that concerned me right away. I called Ruger and there customer service sucks big time. I called the CEO and he return my call because my message wasn’t nice. I told him I just purchase the lcp 380 and never had the oppurtunity to even fire it because of the problem. When I sent it they told me dont worry the turn around is awesome. now when I talked to the ceo he tells me 2 to 4 weeks. I told hime send me a new gun because I should not have to wait because the gun has never been fired. he said no way, it has to go the range and be tested throughly, thats bullshit, when it come baqck its out the door and no more ruger’s ever.
Phillip Fair | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
I can’t talk for Tim but I’m NO Lier when I say my Keltec PF9 9mm is a piece of crap with less than 400 rounds. This thing has been back and forth to the factory 4 times in the last 3 weeks for the same problem and is still not right. Do you want to buy a PF9
Fred | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Back and forth to the factory 4 times in 3 weeks=21 days. Take a day in between each of those times to test the gun and re-pack for shipping leaves 16 days. WOW Dynamite service.
Portal to portal in 4 days!!
Paul Holcomb | Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
Kel-Tec does look “similar”….however, after shooting this LCP there is no comparison to the Kel-Tec………quit hating a company that has more research than most other companies and buy one already!
Snoop | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
I own a Taurus 9mm and happy with it. when I saw the Ruger LCP .380, I called the gun dealer in my town and he put my name on the list because many people are also curious and interested in the buying the gun. The Combat Handguns Magazine described it as the king of mouse guns. I have a 25 Taurus but I am not too happy with so I figured this new mouse gun will be its replacement ( back-up.)
Habu | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
What is the deal with you guys and kel tec? If this is a better weqapon and you can afford it buy it. What , you’re suddenly offened when a manufacturer builds a similar item? Geez and someone mentione sights…sights on a pocket pistol of .380 caliber. Sorry thats not the real world. You won’t be “sighting” in the perp you’ll be firing the G U N. Sights, I gotta laugh. And the entire ” it’s a copy argument” WTF.