usefulness of compact pistols
I've never shot a LCP, but know they copy the Kel-Tec P3AT in most ways. I own a chrome P3AT and PF9.
I'd consider them extremely utilitarian, as accurate as can be expected, and more dependable than can be expected, for the price! Neither or much fun to shoot, all that power in such a light weight, but manageable. I shoot my CZ 75 Shadow when I want accuracy.
Both P3AT and PF9 perform better with brass-cased ammo, and +P are just as mean on my hand as on accuracy, follow-up, flash, and noise. A steel slide runs on an aluminum subframe, and no doubt, will eventually show wear on the aluminum, but, after about 1,000 rounds in each, I have not seen significant wear. I've settled down to about a 50 round box in each, per month, and a magazine of expensive self-defense designer loads. That is my balance of familiarity, fun, money, cleaning, and the extra stress I feel I want to take to keep serious grip on a little snapper that just won't show you the pleasure of a weighted pistol with size and a good long sight plane.
I have always agreed with the idea of carrying something is better than a canon back at the ranch. To me, 380 is about a small as I can get with fair power. Smaller than that, and you still have all the responsibilities and liabilities of firearms, but effectiveness drops off even more.