Ruger LCP Custom vetting issues

[OlongJohnson]

I picked up a Ruger LCP Custom a few months back. I like the size, and I can shoot it OK so far, but it's had some reliability issues.

It choked three times in a single box of Winchester White Box (packaged as Browning .380 training ammo with black cases). In two of the jams, the case mouths ended up stuck on the part of the barrel hood at the top of the chamber that extends into the cavity on the slide. It didn't seem to want to clear just by racking the slide. Both were on the second to last round in the magazine. I've messed around with an empty case and attempted to reproduce that, and a more forceful pull on the slide will get it off, as the top of the slide sweeps the top of the barrel hood all the way back.

I thought this might be due to limp wristing, and tried to reproduce it by holding the pistol as loosely as I could. Accuracy went to heck, but there were no further cycling problems. I was going to buy another box of the WWBrowning ammo to keep testing, but when I opened boxes at the LGS to inspect it, the bullets were so irregularly formed that I couldn't bring myself to pay what that stuff costs. I switched to PMC ball, which I have a bunch of on hand. Ended up with a jam in the first box, by my notes also the second to last round (#23 in the session, or 6x4-1). My recollection is that it was a double feed, two unfired rounds trying to enter the chamber, but I failed to write that down.

Total round count on the pistol stands at only 119. I feel it in my hands more when shooting the little gun, so I've limited my shooting per session. I've generally taken it to the range and put a few mags through it before moving to a full-size pistol for the main practice session.

I like the pistol for all the reasons it's popular, and this one actually has a pretty smooth trigger. The sights on the Custom are big enough to use. But these malfunctions have me puzzled and frustrated.

What is the group feeling on how to proceed? Should I just put a couple hundred more rounds through it and see what happens? It came with just one magazine. I've been reluctant to spend money on accessories for a gun that's not working well, but should I suspect the magazine and buy a couple more to try? Send it down the road before throwing more good time and money after bad?

[TheNewbie]

I had great luck with my LCP, and it would even work covered in lint.

Is the mag an actual Ruger mag (power mags makes LCP mags)? Have you cleaned and lubed it?

[OlongJohnson]

It's the mag that came with the pistol new from Ruger. The gun and magazine were thoroughly cleaned and lubed where appropriate before use.

[TheNewbie]

It's the mag that came with the pistol new from Ruger. The gun and magazine were thoroughly cleaned and lubed where appropriate before use.

From reading your posts on the forum I figured you had cleaned the gun and were using a proper mag. Just wanted to double check.

Wish I could be more help, but it seems the LCP is a hit or miss thing for people. Hopefully someone with better insight can chime in.

[camsdaddy]

I seem to recall others having issues initially with their lcp. Maybe it just needs a few more rounds to get broken in.

[BillSWPA]

Try a recoil spring a couple of pounds heavier than th factory spring. The LCP is a clone of Kel-Tec’s P3AT, which I find to be more reliable with heavier recoil springs. Heavier magazine springs might also help, but this is less likely.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[5pins]

Ruger has gerat coustomer service, just contact them.

[Hambo]

I bought mine used. The story was that it was returned unfired, but who knows? In the first 100 rounds I had 1-2 FTF. I can't remember what ammo that was. Since then the only malfunctions happened with starting loads of ETR powder.

My test: after six months or so of pocket carry, fire LCP with the ammo that has been in it without any special treatment (blowing off lint, etc). Then 50 rounds of ball without a problem.

[41magfan]

Ruger LCP's ship with two different magazines; a shiny finished one made by Mec-Gar (marked "Made in Italy") and a flat black one marked "Made in USA". I've not experienced any trouble with either one.

I buy my .380 ammo buy the case and I'm working on case #3 without a single malfunction in 5 or 6 different Gen 1 & Gen 2 pistols. If the gun doesn't work with good factory ammo like Federal, CCI, GECO, etc I would suggest you not dick with it .... send it back. The one minor issue I had with an LCP was handled promptly with a prepaid shipping label and a 1-week turnaround.

ETA:

LCP’s come with a 9 lb recoil spring. In that configuration the pistol works well with standard pressure ammunition and the gun is not rated for +P stuff.

A common fix (to increase reliability and reduce recoil) touted for the LCP is to increase the recoil spring weight up to as much as 13 pounds. That’s a 30% increase over the factory rated spring. Try that with any other pistol in your inventory and report back to us how well it increases reliability and reduces recoil.

But, out of my own curiosity I experimented with stronger recoil springs (11, 12 & 13 lbs) and found that the little gun still works when held tightly. However, when held loosely, weak-handed or when using ammo on the lower power factor scale, problems with cycling occurred. The fact that the gun will function with ANY level of reliability with that much disparity in spring weight indicates the forgiving nature of the design.

[BillSWPA]

Ruger LCP's ship with two different magazines; a shiny finished one made by Mec-Gar (marked "Made in Italy") and a flat black one marked "Made in USA". I've not experienced any trouble with either one.

I buy my .380 ammo buy the case and I'm working on case #3 without a single malfunction in 5 or 6 different Gen 1 & Gen 2 pistols. If the gun doesn't work with good factory ammo like Federal, CCI, GECO, etc I would suggest you not dick with it .... send it back. The one minor issue I had with an LCP was handled promptly with a prepaid shipping label and a 1-week turnaround.

ETA:

LCP’s come with a 9 lb recoil spring. In that configuration the pistol works well with standard pressure ammunition and the gun is not rated for +P stuff.

A common fix (to increase reliability and reduce recoil) touted for the LCP is to increase the recoil spring weight up to as much as 13 pounds. That’s a 30% increase over the factory rated spring. Try that with any other pistol in your inventory and report back to us how well it increases reliability and reduces recoil.

But, out of my own curiosity I experimented with stronger recoil springs (11, 12 & 13 lbs) and found that the little gun still works when held tightly. However, when held loosely, weak-handed or when using ammo on the lower power factor scale, problems with cycling occurred. The fact that the gun will function with ANY level of reliability with that much disparity in spring weight indicates the forgiving nature of the design.

I completely agree that a 4 lb. increase is crazy, but a 2 lb. increase resulted in 100% reliability in both my P-32 and P3AT. Standard in the .32 is 9 lb., so I use 11 lb. Standard in the .380 is 11 lb., so I use 13 lb. If 9 lb. is the standard in the LCP, 11 lb. would be worth a try.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clusterfrack]

I use 11lb in my LCP 1.2. Good ejection with heavier loads like Underwood Lehigh XP.

[OlongJohnson]

I took the LCP to the range a few more times after the initial post in this thread. One time, I had the take down pin start to walk out while shooting. One more time after that, with malfunctions, and then put it in the safe.

I finally pulled it out and studied it to see if I could figure out a reason for the problems. I realized the barrel was pretty goofy in relationship to the slide when in battery (offset toward the ejection side) and the locking lug appeared to be misclocked, angled other than straight down. I sent it back to Ruger, and the service paperwork says they put a new barrel and slide assembly on it. They test fired it four mags without malfunction. Ruger didn't touch any of the stuff below the rails that I'd deburred and smoothed in the beginning. The new barrel and slide appear to have correct geometry and look as you'd expect them to look when locked up. Of course, I originally got the one that you could tell was jacked up just by looking, once you looked at the right stuff.

In the mean time, I've realized that some of the problems I've had with my hands this year correlate in time to having taken the LCP to the range. My hypothesis is that I can grip it hard enough to put shots on target, but not hard enough to keep it from hurting my XXXL hands, even with a small number of rounds per session.

I've decided to shift my pocket gun focus to the M&P 340, with a 640-1 pre-lock to back it up for training. I think wadcutters will probably lead to a better overall combination of likely effectiveness and shootability. Hopefully, between the Hogue Centennial grip, the Taurus boot grip and whatever I might do in the way of custom stocks, I can come up with a satisfactory solution.

[Bigghoss]

I bought 2 LCP customs last year, each had a different issue that needed attention. I called Ruger and sent both back and they fixed them, no fuss. I've sent other guns back to Ruger and each time was a non-issue.

It seems like Ruger has more than their fair share of defective guns leave the factory but they make it right and that's the important thing.

[Doc_Glock]

Ruger LCP's ship with two different magazines; a shiny finished one made by Mec-Gar (marked "Made in Italy") and a flat black one marked "Made in USA". I've not experienced any trouble with either one.

I buy my .380 ammo buy the case and I'm working on case #3 without a single malfunction in 5 or 6 different Gen 1 & Gen 2 pistols. If the gun doesn't work with good factory ammo like Federal, CCI, GECO, etc I would suggest you not dick with it .... send it back. The one minor issue I had with an LCP was handled promptly with a prepaid shipping label and a 1-week turnaround.

ETA:

LCP’s come with a 9 lb recoil spring. In that configuration the pistol works well with standard pressure ammunition and the gun is not rated for +P stuff.

A common fix (to increase reliability and reduce recoil) touted for the LCP is to increase the recoil spring weight up to as much as 13 pounds. That’s a 30% increase over the factory rated spring. Try that with any other pistol in your inventory and report back to us how well it increases reliability and reduces recoil.

But, out of my own curiosity I experimented with stronger recoil springs (11, 12 & 13 lbs) and found that the little gun still works when held tightly. However, when held loosely, weak-handed or when using ammo on the lower power factor scale, problems with cycling occurred. The fact that the gun will function with ANY level of reliability with that much disparity in spring weight indicates the forgiving nature of the design.

Putting in a 13# spring made a reliable LCP unreliable in my experience. Concur with keeping it factory.

[41magfan]

Putting in a 13# spring made a reliable LCP unreliable in my experience. Concur with keeping it factory.

Not too long ago I stumbled onto the fact that Ruger had upped the standard spring weight from 9 to 11 lbs. With the ammo I shoot, that's the spring weight I had already settled on in my guns.

[Doc_Glock]

Not too long ago I stumbled onto the fact that Ruger had upped the standard spring weight from 9 to 11 lbs. With the ammo I shoot, that's the spring weight I had already settled on in my guns.

Thank you! I wonder what mine has? Almost 1000 rounds and I should probably change them.

[41magfan]

Thank you! I wonder what mine has? Almost 1000 rounds and I should probably change them.

I'm thinking the change was made within the last year, perhaps? Out of an abundance of caution, I replace springs about every 500 rds as preventive maintenance. With the LE discount Wolff so graciously offers, a set of springs only cost a couple of bucks more than a Happy Meal.

[OlongJohnson]

I've decided to shift my pocket gun focus to the M&P 340, with a 640-1 pre-lock to back it up for training. I think wadcutters will probably lead to a better overall combination of likely effectiveness and shootability. Hopefully, between the Hogue Centennial grip, the Taurus boot grip and whatever I might do in the way of custom stocks, I can come up with a satisfactory solution.

Since someone zombied this thread, here's my latest progress on J-frame grips.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?37470-Sile-J-frame-grip-hack

Also having some adventures with wadcutters and leading.

[RevolverRob]

OJ, I know you switched to J-Frames. Did you ever shoot the LCP much after getting it back?

Bigghoss any issues with the two you bought and sent since they returned?

I caught myself leaving the house the other day in clothing that couldn't even accommodate a J-Frame properly. And realized I need to reconsider in the LCP-size range as an "always" gun. The LCP Custom is the only gun in this size and weight class that has usable sights. Years ago I had one of the earliest LCPs (3-digit serial number). And it shot fine, but I couldn't hit shit with the sights. So I wrote it off and focused on other things. Obviously, my situation has changed considerably since then and I need to change with it.

The emergence of better ammo like the Lehigh makes it an easier decision in some respects.

Basically - for those who have the LCP Custom - should I drop the coinage or not?

[10mmfanboy]

I'd just send it back to ruger. I haven't had any trouble with my lcp custom, but has been on safe duty since I got a g42 last year.

[Bigghoss]

Bigghoss any issues with the two you bought and sent since they returned?

To be honest, I haven't had either out to the range since getting them back. I realized I don't need a gun that small so vetting them has not been a priority. I'm not sure if I'm going to sell them or not. If I did need something smaller than a Glock 42, the LCP custom would be it.

[BillSWPA]

OJ, I know you switched to J-Frames. Did you ever shoot the LCP much after getting it back?

Bigghoss any issues with the two you bought and sent since they returned?

I caught myself leaving the house the other day in clothing that couldn't even accommodate a J-Frame properly. And realized I need to reconsider in the LCP-size range as an "always" gun. The LCP Custom is the only gun in this size and weight class that has usable sights. Years ago I had one of the earliest LCPs (3-digit serial number). And it shot fine, but I couldn't hit shit with the sights. So I wrote it off and focused on other things. Obviously, my situation has changed considerably since then and I need to change with it.

The emergence of better ammo like the Lehigh makes it an easier decision in some respects.

Basically - for those who have the LCP Custom - should I drop the coinage or not?

My concern with the LCP Custom would be that most holsters will only be designed to accommodate the standard sights.

Many pocket holsters are offered in configurations that accommodate a Crimson Trace LaserGuard for these guns. That is a huge improvement under light conditions in which the laser is visible.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OlongJohnson]

OJ, Did you ever shoot the LCP much after getting it back?

Nope. Didn't want to reinjure my hand. Got enough maladies without that. Had paperwork from Ruger saying they ran it through four or five mags without an issue, and the new slide/barrel looked the way I thought it should. Someone eventually paid the price I put on it.