Growler215
Ultimate Member
That's the word I was missing: "flippy." I found my LCP II much less flippy with the 7 rd mag which let's me get all my fingers around the grip. With the 6 rd mag my pinkie is hanging and it would flip up enough for my thumb to hit the mag release pretty consistently. Haven't seen the thicker spring on ebay but M*Carbo sells a +25% strength mag release spring.I have owned and carried (for years) a Kel Tec P32, P3AT, Ruger LCP, LCP II and now LCP Max. Rarely have I ever heard them to be called inaccurate. In fact, I used the LCP in IDPA back up matches and other shooters were amazed at how accurate it is.
The trick to making them run is doing a fluff and buff (plenty of videos) and mags can use a good clean and lube. Some after market parts do make the triggers better. One thing that should not be change is the recoil spring guide rod. The seat in the frame will get beat up when you put a "stronger" guide rod or change the polymer one to steel.
As for dropping mags, these guns are small and don't fit everyone's hands. The .380's are also flippy. This combination causes mag releases. If I recall correctly, I have repaired this issue with a thicker piece of piano wire which can be bought on ebay.
Lucky Gunner's .380 data indicates that a couple of bullets can meet the FBI 12-18" penetration spec while also expanding to >1/2" at the low velocities obtained from a Glock 42 (3.25" barrel). A few others came close. This isn't much longer than the LCP II 2.75" barrel.I carry the MAX with standard flat nose bullets. I feel like special HD type hollow points in a 380 with such short barrels are a gimmick. Bullets need to have a muzzle velocity of at least 1100 FPS to open up and expand. That's not happening with a MAX or a II.
Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data
Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.
www.luckygunner.com
I'm not nearly as good with my LCP II as I was with the only other .380 that I've owned, an aluminum frame Colt Mustang. Part of that was probably the single action trigger, and the rest was likely all the time spent practicing with "hostage" targets with that gun. Back then .380 ammo was pretty cheap. Thinking of getting a Cheetah just to have something more fun to shoot in .380 ACP now that I have dies to reload it.I should clarify my earlier comment. I don't shoot my Max especially well. I even sent mine back to Ruger for testing, and they sent me a target that confirmed that I'm the problem. That much is granted.
I'm hardly an accomplished shot, but I'm noticeably worse with the Max than I am with any other handgun I've shot (Beretta 92 a possible exception, but I have maybe three mags through one). I'm confident enough to carry it, especially when concealability is the primary concern, but I'd be a lot happier about it if I shot it better.
Sounds like I need training, eh?