Ruger .380

[bdg146]

Not sure that I would've went this direction in developing a new product, but Ruger just announced a .380 pocket pistol.

Ruger LCP

 

[Pilot]

Looks like a winner to me, but still seems bigger than the Seecamps or Keltecs.

 

[gbelleh]

That actually looks pretty cool to me. Very similar to Kel-Tec. I like pocket guns and I'd consider it if it proves reliable.

 

[DMZ]

+1

Glad to see Ruger jump into that segment of the market.

I would like to see a similar sized Ruger in 9mm.

 

[bdg146]

I would like to see a similar sized Ruger in 9mm

Kinda why I said it's not where I would've gone w/it. Seems to me a similar size in 9mm would be much better. On second thought, I've kind of been looking for a small, light pocket pistol. MSRP of $330 seems pretty nice too.

 

[DENALI]

As much as I hate to say it, it actually looks pretty neat.

 

[DMZ]

Kinda why I said it's not where I would've gone w/it. Seems to me a similar size in 9mm would be much better. On second thought, I've kind of been looking for a small, light pocket pistol. MSRP of $330 seems pretty nice too.

If retail is around $250, I might just try a .380. I have never owned or shot one before.

 

[bdg146]

If retail is around $250, I might just try a .380. I have never owned or shot one before.

+1

 

[19-3Ben]

agreed. And the low MSRP is nice. Looks like this jumps ahead of a Kel-tec on the list. I wonder if they manage to keep the whole "ruger strength" thing with this little pistol.

 

[DougDubya]

It looks good, but I'm thinking George Kelgren's gonna be pretty ticked off.

 

[gbelleh]

It's not blowback. It does look almost identical to the Kel-Tec's design.

 

[bakert]

I'm a Ruger fan and knew they had something coming but would have never guessed a small .380. Although I'm not a big fan of the .380, it actually looks like a neat little pistol to me.

 

[DougDubya]

It's not blowback. It does look almost identical to the Kel-Tec's design.

Ah. The styling is highly reminiscent, but a different operating system should insulate the company. Good on Ruger for making an all new design.

 

[rcmodel]

what i assume must be a blow-back action.....?

It has to be a locked breach action just like the K-T to come in under 10 ounces!

Besides, it obviously has a barrel cam / take-down pin, so it is locked-breach.

Looks like they should have to pay Kel-Tec royalties on the design!
It's almost an exact copy, only heavier.


rcmodel

 

[Glockorama]

Oh, that gun is SO mine! Looks pretty darn nice to me and the specs are not very different than the KT P3AT 380:

KelTec:
Hieght: 3.5"
Length: 5.2"
Width: .77"
Wieght: 8.3 oz

Ruger LCP:
Hieght: 3.6"
Length: 5.16"
Width: .82"
Wieght: 9.4oz

I have KT p32 and like it a lot (my daily carry), but I've never been thrilled with the overall quality and reliablity of Kel Tec's (hade 2 9mm's I never felt comfy with). So a Ruger about the same size as p3at, with Ruger's reliability, quality, and construction......hell yeah.

 

[gbelleh]

The only major difference from the Kel-Tec that I see is what looks like a slide release.

 

[mpmarty]

Looks good for starting a fight, don't know about stopping one though.

 

[mgregg85]

I like it, might have to pick one of them up, I wonder how the trigger will be compared to the P3AT, the specs say 8 pounds.

 

[ugaarguy]

Ah. The styling is highly reminiscent, but a different operating system should insulate the company. Good on Ruger for making an all new design.

Except that it's not a different operating system. It's a blatant Kel-Tec copy. Take a look at the schematics of both -
http://www.ruger.com/LCP/Specifications.html
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3atparts.html

 

[Glockorama]

If you compare the two guns, I think there is little doubt that it borrows HEAVILY on the P3AT, just a few small differences and an added slide release (a nice addition).
But I say: WHO CARES! How many copies are there of the 1911, CZ-75, etc.?

Now as far as legal issues and litigation (see Glock vs Sigma), I don't know, but that's not my arena. I'm a shooter and consumer. As far as I know, and I could be very wrong here, I don't think KT has any patents on the design.

 

[Alan Fud]

Wonder if it has a repeat striker capability and if they'll have one with a stainless slide?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I'll look at it when I come across one, but it's gonna have to be real good. Ruger is a few decades late in entering this market.

It's a blatant Kel-Tec copy.

Looks like a dead ringer for my early 3AT.

 

[shamus]

The reliability of a ruger combined with the size of a kel-tec?

wow, that would be a winner.

I'd get one.

 

[thowell]

I wonder if Ruger payed to license Kel-Tec's design to get into this market quickly?

 

[rlgreen]

easy with the keltec copy comments

if george / keltec has patents (i've never checked myself you can look for free on uspto.gov) the launch of a similar ruger product can be legally accomplished fairly easily. i won't put you all to sleep with the details of improvement patents, design arounds, invalidity, claim dependency and other legal doctrines that lets companies lawfully have similar products w/o violating one another's patents, but suffice it to say, even if keltec has a patent, i doubt ruger did anything illegal here.