LCP function question

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Safety First

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I just bought a new LCP and the magazine release is difficult to operate and sometimes even sliding the magazine into position is difficult. It takes 2 or 3 attempts sometimes to get the magazine to lock into position. Has this been an issue with any of you and any suggestions as how to remedy the issues ?
 
I never slam mine in.
I always press the release button while sliding it in and release and give a positive nudge to make sure it is seated.
That's my way at least.
 
I always slam mine in. If I thought I could break it by hand through firmly seating the magazine, I wouldn't have bought it.
 
And that's fine psyospec but I am one that never likes to over torque things if it is not necessary.
 
I'm with heeler on his application. Got to press the release button when easing in the magazine. Pops in easier with 5 or less in the clip. With 6 gotta press the button.
 
The perception you don't need to use more force than necessary is very subjective. And trying to describe the act of firmly inserting the magazine leads to a choice of words that may be misleading.

Is the slide open or closed? It's going to take a lot more force to insert a mag on a closed slide than an open one. In that regard, it will feel like slamming the magazine in, compared to just sliding it in and having it click. The stack of cartridges has to compress against the spring. If it wasn't tall enough to need to, then the slide wouldn't catch the top round to chamber it.

That's where some confusion comes in - if the gun is loaded against a closed slide or bolt, then expect high effort.
 
Tirod said:
The perception you don't need to use more force than necessary is very subjective. And trying to describe the act of firmly inserting the magazine leads to a choice of words that may be misleading.

Is the slide open or closed? It's going to take a lot more force to insert a mag on a closed slide than an open one. In that regard, it will feel like slamming the magazine in, compared to just sliding it in and having it click. The stack of cartridges has to compress against the spring. If it wasn't tall enough to need to, then the slide wouldn't catch the top round to chamber it.

That's where some confusion comes in - if the gun is loaded against a closed slide or bolt, then expect high effort.
Click to expand...
Maybe that is what I had not thought about. I loaded 6 in the mag and inserted the mag with a closed slide. I will experiment a little more.
 
OK, pushing the mag release button made insertion of the mag work much better even with the 6 rounds loaded in the mag and inserting on a closed slide.....

Another question (imagine that) :D

Have any of you tried the Pearce 'pinky extension' ? The one that came from Ruger still will not allow a 3 finger grip and I have only just very average size hands. So just wondering if the Pearce extension would be an improvement over the factory supplied one as far as getting a 3 finger grip. Any opinions/experience with the Pearce?
Thanks
 
Lloyd,

I have a new LCP and also had an older version that I recently sold. Ruger quietly improved the LCP in three regards in my opinion. Larger, easier to see sights, shorter and lighter trigger pull, and they increased the mag release button effort.

When shooting my old LCP I would occasionally accidently hit the mag release button, causing the mag to drop a few mm resulting in a malfunction. I would have to be careful not to hit the button with my thumb. With this new one it hasn't been a problem

I do the same as Heeler and push the button when inserting a mag.
 
Pinky extensions make tiny guns easier to shoot, generally. I have them on some of my .380 mags, but the mag in the gun while I'm carrying it does not have one. Making the gun really small is a high priority, and I can handle it without the extension.

OTOH, if ease of shooting outweighs concealability, you could always carry a bigger pistol that allows for a three-finger grip as-is.
 
A friend of mine just bought a new LCP last week. He had the same problem. What is causing the difficulty with magazine insertion is extra material on the bottom floorplate. I ran into this a couple of weeks back on a customer gun. I simply sanded the top of the floorplate until it clicked in with ease.
 
When I bought the LCP Tuesday, I asked the sales person if this was the newer version with the improved trigger. He told me it was and the trigger does feel fairly good. Is there any way to look at the gun and confirm that it is indeed the newer version? Any markings or to go by or range of serial no?

Thanks
 
If you can get Ruger to specify it, they will state about what range of serial numbers started it. Depending on how soon that was - they won't get their distributors in hot water sitting on old stock because nobody will buy them.

I was trying out the P938, it's the same - the extended magazine makes a difference. My hands aren't all that big, but it sure helped. Even with the extended mag on the Ruger it still falls short.

It made enough difference I don't care to shoot it, what good is that? If you aren't proficient and comfortable on the range, it can affect your confidence when you need it. Small pocket rockets aren't 1,000 round a weekend guns, but when you go out shooting, it helps to do more than one magazine. It shouldn't be a chore.
 
I was told the new version ser. No. Had no dashes in it. That's the new or second generation I'm told.
 
That's it. Newer ones don't have a dash in the serial Number. There is a trigger assembly you can buy on amazon for the LCP that offers a dramatic improvement over the stock trigger on the gen 1 pistols.
I tried both gen1 and gen2. I like the gen2 much better and with the Crimson trace defender laser for 80 bucks it's a very good buy, IMO.
 
I have the pearce extention on one of my clips and it grips better but makes pants pocket carry harder. Extra rounds though. A trade off but works with other carries. I got a ten shot clip for home and range that I covered the extension with tennis racket tape that works great.
 
I checked mine and it does not have the dash in the serial no. I guess the gun store sales rep was right. I put about 75 rounds through it this afternoon and am very happy with it. It is considerably more comfortable to shoot and a shorter trigger pull than the Kel-Tec P3AT I traded for the LCP.
Having a little trouble getting the laser sighted in but that just means more fun shooting more rounds :D
 
Yeah, I've heard people complaining about the LCP not being fun to shoot but it seems to be fun to me! I have the gen 2 model.
 
Exactly. After shooting the Kel-Tec for years and not enjoying it I was really pleasantly surprised with the increased shooting comfort of the LCP over the Kel-Tec. I think that once I get the laser sighted in I will be very happy with my new pocket rocket.
Oh, when using the iron sight it was plenty combat accurate. I plan on getting some model glow paint for the front sight so my tired old eyes can acquire the sights. Anyone have any suggestions on particular paint and store to purchase it ??
 
Check out Nitesiters from Texas . I used them on my lcp first gen. And helped immensely. Put large dot on front and strip on back. Use it more than my ct laser. Cut the back strip like a field goal upright and both light up in the dark well.enough to use on a couple of hand guns for under 20 bucks. Put them on 5 guns now. Good shooting
 
Yeah, the gun seems pretty accurate with the upgraded sights. I could keep mine on a fist sized target 15 feet away.
 
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Tubby, thanks for the Nitesiters tip, I am looking into those as it seems like a smart option.

Decoy, you mentioned upgraded sights. What did you find as an upgrade for the LCP?
 
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