Ruger lcp .22 ammo picky?
- Thread starter Csinn
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Does it have a break in period?
wcwhitey
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Ruger recommends HV ammo of the 40 Grain variety. That’s not to say others won’t work. As with any .22 it is assumed a period of trial and error until a gun shows what it really likes. Good part about that is it will get broken in along the way. Once you find a load it really likes stock up on that lot. Next time you buy it it may be different, maybe not. That’s .22 LR.
Howland937
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Mine does ok with CCI Mini Mags and Aguila Super Extra HV. It doesn't do ok with anything else. It's probably the least enjoyable gun I own.
someguy2800
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Extremely. Mine is reliable with mini mags, but pretty much anything else I've tried will make it choke.
Boarhunter
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I own two Elsie Peas and both are 100% reliable (when reasonably clean) with CCI Stingers and MiniMags. I don’t shoot any other ammo through them.
BOARHUNTER
BOARHUNTER
Radom Guy
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I’m not typically the type to upgrade parts like crazy when I get a new gun. I did make some simple upgrades to mine for reliability. Reliability was very good to start but I wanted excellent reliability. I now use the Galloway Precision hammer spring and extractor spring (I skipped their firing pin spring). That brought reliability up from very good to excellent. However I would still get an occasional nosedive with CCI Velocitors or CCI Minimags, say 1 out of 75 rounds. I upgraded the recoil spring with the spring from MCarbo. Reliability is now up to Outstanding.
Even before upgrades though, I had excellent results from Aguila Super Extra varieties as well as Remington Thunderbolt (hundreds of rounds without malfunctions). CCI Minimags were in 3rd place if you count the various Aguila Super Extra varieties as one. If separating them, then the Minimags would probably be in 5th or 6th place. I have used around 20 different 22LR ammos in it. The Aguila Super Extras are hands down my go to ammo for this pistol.
I just can’t believe how much fun this little mouse gun is. I typically do not enjoy tiny guns but this one is absolutely the exception to the rule. I estimate I have around 1,500 rounds through it. If I had more time to go to the range, it would be a lot more.
Even before upgrades though, I had excellent results from Aguila Super Extra varieties as well as Remington Thunderbolt (hundreds of rounds without malfunctions). CCI Minimags were in 3rd place if you count the various Aguila Super Extra varieties as one. If separating them, then the Minimags would probably be in 5th or 6th place. I have used around 20 different 22LR ammos in it. The Aguila Super Extras are hands down my go to ammo for this pistol.
I just can’t believe how much fun this little mouse gun is. I typically do not enjoy tiny guns but this one is absolutely the exception to the rule. I estimate I have around 1,500 rounds through it. If I had more time to go to the range, it would be a lot more.
me too. i love my ruger sr22 but found the lcp22 to woefully short in reliability and comfort. it’s a shame that ruger simply didn’t make it a seven-round capacity, 2/3 size, sr22 that would also accept the sr22’s ten-round mag too.
someguy2800
Member
Just goes to show how much of an individual each gun can be because I have the same springs in mine and I can rarely get through a whole mag of Aguila super extra without a malfunction.
someguy2800
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I’m really glad they didn’t, because I’m not a fan of the sr22. If they were giving them out free I wouldn’t have one.
MedWheeler
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I'm kind of glad I didn't get one when I was shopping for one. I have a Taurus PT-22 that has been dead-on reliable through a few hundred rounds, all of which have either been MiniMags or AutoMatch. It was made in 1998; it's the aluminum-framed version, not the PLY-22. I had been thinking of another .22, preferably slimmer or smaller, and would probably go for that PLY now if I still want one. Even my Bobcat 21A hasn't been as reliable as that PT.
Incidentally, the day I last went to buy a LCP-II .22 I had seen the day before was the day after the MAX was announced. When I arrived, the .22 was no longer there, and the MAX was in its place, so that's what I left with.
Incidentally, the day I last went to buy a LCP-II .22 I had seen the day before was the day after the MAX was announced. When I arrived, the .22 was no longer there, and the MAX was in its place, so that's what I left with.
TTv2
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Count your blessing that your LCP likes two kinds of affordable common ammo. I had an older aluminum frame Taurus PT22 that was pretty meh in reliability with everything except Stingers and some Federal bulk pack stuff that I got on sale during a Black Friday and have never seen again. I sold that Taurus earlier this year, originally liked it for the tip up barrel as I could shoot .22 Short from it like a derringer and I like the DAO for second strikes, but the trigger being as long and heavy as it was made it tough to shoot.
Since I sold it the smallest .22 auto I have now is the Phoenix Arms and I removed some of the unnecessary safeties, but the appeal to a lighter .22 is still there, especially one that can be a trainer for the .380 LCP.
If I ever decide to get the LCP Max I probably will grab a .22 LCP. Bound to be many of them available used with people who didn't like their ammo issues.
Since I sold it the smallest .22 auto I have now is the Phoenix Arms and I removed some of the unnecessary safeties, but the appeal to a lighter .22 is still there, especially one that can be a trainer for the .380 LCP.
If I ever decide to get the LCP Max I probably will grab a .22 LCP. Bound to be many of them available used with people who didn't like their ammo issues.
My experience has shown me that semi-autos in 22lr are very very finicky and picky. If you limit yourself to 40gr bullets and and high velocity rounds you will not have many problems. Standard velocity and subsonic rounds may or may not cycle reliably.
Autodidactic
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I’ve had problems with Aguila in .22 pistols too. My Mark Iv is 100% with CCI and not at all with Aguila.
not true with bulk ammo or Aguila hv 40 grain.
In my case my Browning Buckmark shoots everything and loves equally the CCI or Aguila. As a matter of fact 95% of all my 22lr ammo is CCI or Aguila. Same with my Smith and Wesson 41. My Walther loves the same ammo. Now If I drop bullet weight I begin to have issues. So for me my original statement still holds true but not for you.
KansasTrapper77
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I really haven’t tried too many different brands or loads in my LCPII .22 because I fairly quickly landed on CCI AR Tactical (Target) At 300rds/box and 5+ boxes in without a single light strike or failure to feed I’m pretty happy with them. When I occasionally carry it in public I carry it with CCI Stingers (they also feed well). But they are LOUD out of the pocket pistol which might grant the little .22 more respect than it deserves as a personal protection weapon.
When I get my hands on some CCI Velocitors I will try them.
When I get my hands on some CCI Velocitors I will try them.
Autodidactic
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Stingers are light for caliber and according to many tests under penetrate. The Mini Mags and Velictors are both high velocity and 40 grain.
KansasTrapper77
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Hmm I hadn’t seen the under penetration tests of the Stingers. But I’ll keep that in mind and keep my eyes out for the CCI Velocitors.
Autodidactic
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KansasTrapper77
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The review I just looked at shows CCI Stingers “lacked” penetration but were the only bullet to expand out of the little LCP. An average expansion of .369” that’s impressive!
Autodidactic
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Yeah, but one doesn't want that if it only penetrates 9-10 inches. That's the classic problem with .22, and why many simply recommend roundnose such as mini mags for a pistol if for self defense.
KansasTrapper77
Member
I dunno, I like the idea of fast expansion, dumps all of the little energy available to the .22LR. Maybe I’ll alternate Velecitors and Stingers
. Its not exactly my primary carry gun. Just a little mouse gun to shove in your PJs on the way to the 7/11 to buy your wife a snack.
