Do you like the Ruger LCP?

[giggitygiggity]

Hi, I just checked out a Ruger LCP at a gun shop today and really liked the size and feel of the pistol. I didn't think the trigger pull was bad, although I read a large number of complaints about it.

With regards to solely the functionality and reliability of the Ruger LCP, do you like this firearm? Again, please put aside all prejudices about the look/feel of the pistol as well as any concerns over the .380 round. I am only interested in whether the Ruger LCP is reliable and functions well. Thanks.

 

[xr1200]

just buy a keltec 380 $200, the ruger is almost a very similar and $150 more

 

[Fastcast]

It's a love, hate relationship.

 

[Luis Leon]

I voted no, I own a P3AT and feel like XR1200 does in that it seems like Ruger just ripped off Kel-Tec's design. For me the form factor is a little too small.

best regards,

Luis Leon

 

[19-3Ben]

just buy a keltec 380 $200, the ruger is almost a perfect copy and $150 more.

On what planet is it $150 more? In real world prices, I see the difference at around $20-30. For that price you get a lot nicer fit, finish, and trigger.
In my experience, comparing my LCP with my friend's P3AT, the LCP is more reliable as well. Practical accuracy is about the same.

Its surprizing that there never was a copy right lawsuit over the similarity in design.

A lawsuit for which patent violation exactly?
Making a gun that looks and works similarly is not something for which you can sue.

 

[xr1200]

field strip the 2 and you will see how they look similar. You can get a keltec for around $200 at most shops, and rugers are around $325-$340.

The best price you can get is at BUDS online they list the lcp for $289 and the keltec for $233 both guns shipped for that price.

I was quoting local shop prices, not online. Local shops are where most ppl buy their gu

 

[AK103K]

I have an LCP, and it works. Nothing really special about it other than that.

I also had a Kel Tec P32. It wasnt reliable or trustworthy. I've owned a couple of Kel Tec guns, and wouldnt bother with another.

Kel Tecs are kind of like Dodge/Chrysler products. They have some cool ideas, but they always come up short in the long run.

 

[19-3Ben]

In most shops around here, KelTecs are around $240-$270 and Rugers are around $280-$315ish.

I don't do much online gun shopping, so I was talking about local shop prices.

I have field stripped them side by side, and compared them side by side. Yes they're similar. Very similar.
That doesn't make it a patent violation. I am an attorney, but not a patent attorney, so I can't tell you exactly what elements are required to prove a copyright violation.

On the other hand, Ruger is a big company with deep pockets. That bascially puts a lawsuit bullseye on its back. If there was a violation that one could sue for, KelTec would have.

 

[xr1200]

You really need to be a patent attorney with a mechanical engineering degree to compare them.

I know copy rights address (trade) and (dress) issues.

Also if a manufacturer goes after a company they feels copied their design, then the damages a company can claim , can go up with the amount of units sold etc.

 

[Balrog]

I am an attorney, but not a patent attorney, so I can't tell you exactly what elements are required to prove a copyright violation.

Wouldn't it be a patent violation, not a copyright violation, counselor?

My understanding though is that Keltec did not patent the P3AT therefore there was no patent to violate.

 

[xr1200]

patent, copy right, trade mark same area of laws. Even if keltec didn't get a patent it all comes down to proving who came up with the design first in a court of law.

 

[JDGray]

My LCP has never failed in any way that was the firearms fault. My lead, round nose reloads, were seated a bit long to function, but that was my fault. After seating a bit deeper, its 100% again. Accurate as hell, like all my Rugers have been.

 

[xr1200]

Either one you can't go wrong with regardless of price. I know keltec will send you all the parts you want free thru the mail if anything ever goes wrong with it.

Other gun companies, are very restrictive about sending replacement parts thru the mail. A lot of them want you to return the whole gun for service.

 

[perazzi]

So much B.S.

It's a fine firearm for it's intended purpose.

 

[wrs840]

^^^^ +1.

It is what it is. My LCP has never malfunctioned after a year+ and 400 or so rounds through of a variety of factory ball and hollowpoints. That said, I feel a little underarmed when carrying my LCP, but sometimes my attire and destination drives the selection, and it's way better than "nothing".

Les

 

[Kingofthehill]

Its a great little gun. I have almost 1,000 rounds through mine and about 400 of those have been speer gold dots. The rest have been whatever .380 cheap ammo i can find.

WHen i come home from work and throw on my basketball shorts, i have my LCP in my pocket 100% of the time. Usually i carry it as a backup but not always... depends on what im doing.

I trust mine 100% though. Its had 1 jam in its time from production with me.

JOe

 

[Zerodefect]

I voted no. I got rid of my Keltecs and the Ruger.

I prefere the Kahr P380. Better sights, less recoil, better trigger.

 

[commygun]

It's my reliable all-the-time gun. Solidly built for a polymer pocket gun.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned two LCPs and both were/are perfect. The trigger pull is stiff, the sights are tiny...it's not a target gun, but it is the best "gun to carry when you can't carry a gun" around. Do I like it? Hmmm....

While my 370-series was back at Prescott getting the recall done (gone for a whole week) I bought a 371-series When the 370 got back, I sold the 371 to a friend, and he has been carrying it ever since. He puts a lot more rounds through his than I do through mine...mostly because he carries his and I don't. That is due to my marginal faith in the caliber, which is not germane to the discussion. I do carry it maybe half a dozen times a year, and shoot it several times per year.

I have owned two P3ATs (as well as a P11 and a P32) and while it is true that K-T is great about sending free parts, in my experience you will waste a lot of time and effort taking advantage of that resource. I never got any of my four K-Ts to function reliably enough to carry, despite a lot of time on the KTRange, an undergrad degree in F&Bing, a lot of phone calls to Bill in Cocoa Beach, a bunch of parts swapping, a bunch of new mags bought and a small truckload of wasted ammo....

I ended up losing a lot of money selling each with full disclosure...but I sleep well at night.

Since someone else mentioned it, I would trade the LCP in on a Kahr P380 in a heartbeat, but it will need to be a financially attractive transaction. I really don't "need" a $600 .380, as much as I'd "like" one. If I were to carry a .380 daily, I would spring for the Kahr. I carried my PM9 for 3+ years, these days it is a P45.

 

[19-3Ben]

Wouldn't it be a patent violation, not a copyright violation, counselor?

Yes it would be. I misspoke.

patent, copy right, trade mark same area of laws.

Exactly. The same attorney will generally handle all three of those subsets for the most part (exceptions might be in intellectual property, mechanical, etc... They are very specific subsets.)

Edit to add this:

Either one you can't go wrong with regardless of price.

Huge +1. I think that both of these guns are phenomenal in in the size/weight/firepower ratio. Either one is a great gun. Oh and CDNN has the Kel-Tecs for $200 right now with $5 shipping. That's a fantastic deal on a gun with a great CS department to back it up!

 

[watindes]

I like it, its perfect for my CCW as I have carried full sized guns and its so easy to throw in my pocket and doesn't print like FS guns. I got it new and it definitly has a higher quality feel than the Keltec.

+1 for me, and I paid $269 (black friday sale)

Jesse

 

[FenderTK421]

Despise my LCP... it has been to Ruger twice and still jams; I know my gun seems to be the exception and not the rule, but bad ones certainly are out there.

 

[Ala Dan]

I like the Ruger .380 LCP; however, I don't think its any more reliable than my KEL-TEC P3AT .380~!

 

[charlie echo]

Can not be cocked and locked in single action mode.

 

[heavyshooter]

It is what it is. My LCP has never malfunctioned after a year+ and 400 or so rounds through of a variety of factory ball and hollowpoints. That said, I feel a little underarmed when carrying my LCP, but sometimes my attire and destination drives the selection, and it's way better than "nothing".

My thoughts exactly. I can't add anything to this. The LCP is a good gun. As long as you do not intend for it to shoot like a $2,000 custom 1911 you will be fine.

I prefere the Kahr P380. Better sights, less recoil, better trigger.

Yeah, but isn't the Khar 380 in an entirely different price range?