Ruger LCP -- need for a holster always?

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I am now getting the money up to buy a Ruger LCP for CHP (over the Ruger LCR, although I still like the LCR) and was concerned that since it lacks a grip or thumb safety, it will always need to be holstered for concealed carry. Loose hanging in a pants or jacket pocket would be a bad idea. I may change to the Sig P238 for the additional safety and more options for non-holstered carrying, but the price is much higher than an LCP.

Comments from LCP owners on the need for being holstered in CC situations?
 
honestly, there is not need for a holster or any additional safeties. I have an LCP. It has a LONG double action trigger pull, about .5 inches. I have no concern with having it in my pocket with a round in the chamber in or out of a holster. I use a desantis nemesis by the way. I also have a friend who has a rohrbaugh in 9mm (about the same size as the LCP) it also has the long trigger pull with no other safeties. He never uses a holster for it.

These tiny pocket pistols are meant to be kept at the ready and are supposed to be streamlined and simple to operate. That is why their only safety is that long double action trigger pull. If you feel that you need that extra safety you can either carry it without a round in the chamber until you feel comfortable to carry it chambered or you can go with the extra safeties.

For my money on the subject of pocket pistols I would go with the Ruger LCP every time due to its price, size, weight, ergonomics, capacity, quality of workmanship, and accuracy for this class of pistol.
 
I personally wouldn't carry it without a pocket holster. the holster keeps it oriented correctly in your pocket also... it's so small and thin that it can move around, turn upside down, etc.

I use a desantis nemesis in the j-frame size... it comes out very easily. I haven't tried the proper size holster.
 
I use a crossbreed microtuck always. In a pocket, the gun will accumulate lint, fuzz, dust, grime, etc.... I also like knowing the trigger is secure in the holster. I know the .380 is small, but I do not want to pull a plaxico.
 
A pocket holster is desirable for several reasons.

Like 1KPerDay said, an important one is keeping the gun orientated up-right and in the same place in your pocket where you can quickly get too it when you need it in the worst way.

Others are:
*Keeps hard contact points on the gun from wearing holes in your pockets quite as fast.
*Helps keep the gun shielded from pocket lint & dirt.
*Keeps sweat & resulting rust off the gun.
*Covers the trigger.
*Keeps "printing" or showing off the outline of the gun to a minimum.
*Makes possible moving the gun from a winter coat pocket to pants in a crowded restaurant waiting line without everyone seeing a gun. Most all folks assume that black leather or nylon thing they glanced at in your hand was a billfold.

All things considered, I won't carry a pocket gun without a pocket holster.

rc
 
shaggy101 said:
If you feel that you need that extra safety you can either carry it without a round in the chamber until you feel comfortable to carry it chambered or you can go with the extra safeties.
Click to expand...

I don't carry mine (no concealed carry permit, yet), but I would not carry it without a round chambered. The slide is thin, somewhat slick, and it takes a fair amount of force to chamber a round. I wouldn't trust myself to be able to do that if I needed to draw the weapon. On the other hand, I wouldn't carry it without a holster, but that is just personal preference.
 
Try racking the slide to load an empty gun with a bad guy hanging off your left arm!

An empty semi-auto with only one hand available is just a very expensive rock.
And not a very good rock at that.

rc
 
I have one , and I rarely use a holster. The holster I use if I use one is the Desantis Nemesis as already mentioned. It's a pretty fine piece of work. It DOES help with the outline of the gun in tight jeans or similar.

Keep it in a pocket by itself and you 'should' be fine. And yes, the trigger pull is a mile long. If you can't get it out of your pants without shooting yourself, you don't need to carry it :)

The nemesis holster will work with several small guns, including the Kahr PM9. The Kahr looks small until you put it next to the Ruger.
 
There are a great number of reasons to use a holster of some kind, and not many reasons not to, beyond cost.

Holster PRO:
better concealment (breaks up the outline)
stays where you want it in the pocket (consistent draw)
reduces lint in the works
makes the already unlikely ND even less likely
a holstered gun is a loaded gun in my home - guns not in holsters are cleared, and verified so whenever taken out of the safe/case
allows something else to be in the pocket, if needed

Holster CON:
expensive? ... not really, look for an all Kydex pocket holster design
inconvenient? ... not really, the loaded LCP goes into the holster, and stays there until cleaning or shooting
slower draw? ... only if you don't practice, you did get some snap-caps for practice, right?
 
I've carried mine on occasion with out a holster and find it uncomforable. It shifts around a lot more. In the holster it is pretty snug and stays put. I personally don't feel unsafe with out a holster, but would probably always use holster just to be safe.
 
All great input, guys, thanks. I've always been a thumb-safety type (even the grip safety on my XD40 took some time to win me over), so I will holster the LCP wherever possible. The long trigger pull and weight (8 lbs, I believe) should help keep things safe for the rare, rare moment that it wouldn't be holstered.
 
Always use s holster for carry, just my opinion. I personally never want an exposed trigger. While the odds of a ND are low with an LCP (I do have one) the risk is never worth it. Even if it misses you, it may find someone else.
 
Loose hanging in a pants or jacket pocket would be a bad idea. I may change to the Sig P238 for the additional safety and more options for non-holstered carrying, but the price is much higher than an LCP.
Click to expand...

I would not carry either without a pocket holster (I have an LCP and a mustang which the Sig is based on). A holster is essential when it comes to safe pocket carry IMO. It also offers several other benefits, many of them have already been mentioned.

These tiny pocket pistols are meant to be kept at the ready and are supposed to be streamlined and simple to operate.
Click to expand...

This is another reason to use a pocket holster. It keeps the pistol in the same orientation inside my pocket so when I reach for the grip it is always in the same place. Just make sure you have a pocket holster than allows you a clean draw. I have tried a few that either snagged the pistol or would come out with the pistol on a draw. For my LCP I use the DeSantis Nemesis and it works very well. It breaks up the outline, covers the trigger, keeps the pistol in place, and stay in my pocket while allowing me a quick smooth draw.
 
It really needs to be in a holster, and (and because) it really needs to be carried with a round chambered. I currently use a Desantis Nemesis or a Blackhawk size 3, depending on the pants. My brother ordered me one of them fancy leather wallet-holsters. I'm sure it will be nice too, (he does his homework).

Les
 
+1 on the use a holster. I don't want to be known around town as One Nut McGee because somehow the trigger got pulled on my pocket pistol. You can get a Desantis Nemesis for less than 10% of what you have tied up in the LCP, so no reason to be cheap. Plus, with a pistol so small, it's critical that there is something to keep the pistol in an upright position for a quick draw.
 
+1 on required by law. I would check your state's laws to be sure. Even given the choice I'd still use a holster. I use Desantis Nemesis and it just keeps the pistol from moving around.
 
I would never carry any firearm that does not have some sort of manual safety without a holster than completely covers the trigger. Honestly, I wouldn't even carry one that does have a safety without a holster.
 
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10% of what you have tied up in the LCP, so no reason to be cheap.
Click to expand...

I know you said less than 10% and 5% is less than ten but it will be close to 5% than ten for most owners. I paid a whopping $16 for mine. Normally I advise people to steer clear of cheap holsters but the De Santis Nemesis works very very well. It is money well spent if you want to pocket carry.
 
it is foolish to carry one without the aid of a holster.. pull your pockets inside out and you will quickly see why... there is to much crud in your pockets... all the time, that you are gambling much more than necessary if carrying without a holster. What do you lose by carring in the holster? nothing. The gun stays oriented in your pocket, a well designed holster will grip your pocket and release the gun so draw is not hindered... get a holster.
 
I have the kel-tec .380 and it comes with a clip that allows you to clip to your belt on the inside of your pants or holster it. I was surprised they have modified the feed ramp on these and so far after 200 rounds - no hick-ups. I don't like that it doesn't have a slide stop but if in the heat of action I don't think it would make much difference...

The pocket holster is great I have the one that is a L shape and keeps dust out of the barrel and knicks off the slide and upright to pull out and not pull a Barney Fife.
 
Deleted, I was referring to the LCR and this is the wrong section.
 
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