JR24
Member
I agree, I have a very limited need for a gun like that but there have been a few occasions where I kinda wished I had something like the MAX. Might end up with one some day.
Are we beta testing the Ruger lcp Max?
- Thread starter defjon
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I agree, I have a very limited need for a gun like that but there have been a few occasions where I kinda wished I had something like the MAX. Might end up with one some day.
I also was interested in the MAX to maybe replace my BG380, but, the reviews I read, showed 4 1/2-5# trigger pull weights for the MAX, but, the 2 I fondled at local gun shops were more like 9#. So, with the MAX, I would be gaining a shorter, SLIGHTLY lighter trigger, and more ammunition available.
A friend works part time at a local gun shop. I asked him to try triggers on any Max that came in, and if he came across one with a decent trigger, to put it aside for me. I waited almost 2 years after the 365s were out before I bought 2, and really SHOULD wait a while with the Ruger, but, I kind of have an itch to buy a new gun.
Arubalover
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- Dec 12, 2019
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That’s what warrantees are for.
Pistolay
Contributing Member
I have 2 Max's that I tested with my Wheeler professional gauge, and they were both consistently right around 6lbs.
dickydalton
Member
I kinda like mine but the trigger tests to 7lbs10oz average and bites my finger. I have a Galloway trigger on the way. The factory magazine and the 12 round one both keep the slide open correctly.
Pistolay
Contributing Member
The trigger bites my finger on one, and doesn't on the other. I just got the Galloway Sigurd trigger a few days ago, but I haven't been able to bring myself to install it yet. I've watched their video, but the guy goes through the process way too fast, like he's talking to professional gunsmiths. I've also read a bunch of stuff online from people saying that they resolved the problem by moving their finger to the first joint, and I'm going to try that.
After you get yours installed, please post on your experience with the installation and the results.
Boom Vang
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- Feb 25, 2003
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- 219
I'd be generally very wary of using an aftermarket trigger in a self-defense pistol of unique design, such as the LCP Max. Even the better quality ones are not tested like the factory OEM is. I've seen numerous aftermarket triggers and fire control parts in various firearms fail unexpectedly. On range and target guns they are OK, if they break you merely get it fixed. If it fails in a defensive pistol when you need it, the result may not be so convenient.
LCP Max is a very lightweight and light-duty pistol. With any full-powered .380 load, some trigger slap is going to be inevitable. This is the compromise you get with the design, of which the primary objective is a small, lightweight pistol for defense. You pay the price with recoil. It's not much of an extended "shooter".
My trigger doesn't bite, but the pistol itself is definitely snappy in recoil with stout loads. I have safely loaded a 90 grain JHP to 1020 fps in the pistol; some of the Buffalo Bore ammo gets 1100 fps with the same weight bullet. While possible, I found it too much in the pistol. This little gun I much prefer with 950 fps 90 grain loads, or 95 grain FMJ @ 900 fps. As you said, changing your trigger finger position may alleviate the problem somewhat.
Mine went back after 400 rounds because the magazines started dropping out when firing. Ruger replaced the spring and mag catch. Feels perhaps marginally stiffer now, and the mag drop problem has not recurred. The design of the catch and the surrounding area of the frame could have been better designed - there's no "fence" around the catch, and under recoil it's impossible to hold the pistol without the shooting hand middle finger coming very close to the catch.
I also noted that the pistol shot noticeably low at 15 yards with most loads. Ruger advised that their accuracy standard for the LCP Max is a 2" group at 7 yards. No mention of how many shot in that "group", maybe 2-3 rounds? No mention of POI standard either, I guess that is not a consideration for them. What is interesting is that Ruger's accuracy standard for this pistol works out to 7"+ at 25 yards. Mine does better than that - about 6" at 25 yards - but as I said it's not much of a shooter. The good sights on the pistol lead to you believe it would shoot better than it does.
I bought the LCP Max thinking it could replace both my S&W Bodyguard 380 and Glock 42 - a small gun with higher capacity. Both those other guns are far more accurate: about 4" at 25 yards, and easily keep all rounds on a silhouette target at 50 yards. LCP Max is not reliable at 50 yards, even in slow fire. It's also very light-duty: has a very thin barrel wall, the frame is peening after 500 rounds, and my slide was oozing rust after 3 weeks. However, for what it is - comfortable lightweight close-in pistol - it's adequate. I'm going to try and find more accurate loads that also shoot to POA, and then I may like it better.
LCP Max is a very lightweight and light-duty pistol. With any full-powered .380 load, some trigger slap is going to be inevitable. This is the compromise you get with the design, of which the primary objective is a small, lightweight pistol for defense. You pay the price with recoil. It's not much of an extended "shooter".
My trigger doesn't bite, but the pistol itself is definitely snappy in recoil with stout loads. I have safely loaded a 90 grain JHP to 1020 fps in the pistol; some of the Buffalo Bore ammo gets 1100 fps with the same weight bullet. While possible, I found it too much in the pistol. This little gun I much prefer with 950 fps 90 grain loads, or 95 grain FMJ @ 900 fps. As you said, changing your trigger finger position may alleviate the problem somewhat.
Mine went back after 400 rounds because the magazines started dropping out when firing. Ruger replaced the spring and mag catch. Feels perhaps marginally stiffer now, and the mag drop problem has not recurred. The design of the catch and the surrounding area of the frame could have been better designed - there's no "fence" around the catch, and under recoil it's impossible to hold the pistol without the shooting hand middle finger coming very close to the catch.
I also noted that the pistol shot noticeably low at 15 yards with most loads. Ruger advised that their accuracy standard for the LCP Max is a 2" group at 7 yards. No mention of how many shot in that "group", maybe 2-3 rounds? No mention of POI standard either, I guess that is not a consideration for them. What is interesting is that Ruger's accuracy standard for this pistol works out to 7"+ at 25 yards. Mine does better than that - about 6" at 25 yards - but as I said it's not much of a shooter. The good sights on the pistol lead to you believe it would shoot better than it does.
I bought the LCP Max thinking it could replace both my S&W Bodyguard 380 and Glock 42 - a small gun with higher capacity. Both those other guns are far more accurate: about 4" at 25 yards, and easily keep all rounds on a silhouette target at 50 yards. LCP Max is not reliable at 50 yards, even in slow fire. It's also very light-duty: has a very thin barrel wall, the frame is peening after 500 rounds, and my slide was oozing rust after 3 weeks. However, for what it is - comfortable lightweight close-in pistol - it's adequate. I'm going to try and find more accurate loads that also shoot to POA, and then I may like it better.
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I can reliably hit clays at 20 to 25 yards with my .380 Body Guard. And the slide locks back reliably and it has a safety and with the custom trigger installed and the side clip it is both nice to shoot and easy to carry in minimal clothing. What is driving the fellows to drop it in favor of the Max? More ammo? I guess? Fully loaded with 7 rounds and another 6 round magazine, well, dunno. A .45-70 430 hard cast, fired, for scale.
zaitcev
Member
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- Oct 14, 2016
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Imagine, if you will, a person who is not proficient with awful, terrible, no good trigger of Bodyguard.
Imagine if you will installing a better trigger and all up eight round capacity?
https://gallowayprecision.com/santiago-short-stroke-trigger-kit-for-bodyguard-380
https://gallowayprecision.com/smith...0/plus-1-magazine-extension-for-bg380-pistols
What cannot be done is to add a slide hold open stop to the LCP and a safety bar to the LCP Max. But, you are right, there does not seem like there is a perfect solution. A LCP Max that may or may not need rework for reliable function or a BG with a drop in trigger. I have not shot the Max but the BG OE trigger is not much different from the LCP, at least the early ones. They are supposed to be heavy.
3C
Great Scot
Member
Love mine. Been reliable with ball and hps. Recoil feels less than my Gen 1 LCP. Carries exactly the same as older LCP. Pairs nicely with my LCP 2 in 22lr as range partners.
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